High voltage principles and applications
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in High Voltage Engineering course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
High Voltage Principles and Applications Glossary #
High Voltage Principles and Applications Glossary
Ampere #
The unit of electric current, symbolized as A. It represents the rate of flow of electric charge past a point in an electric circuit.
Arc Flash #
A type of electrical explosion that results from a low-impedance connection through air to ground or another voltage phase in an electrical system.
Dielectric #
A material that does not conduct electricity, typically used to insulate high voltage components.
Earthing #
The process of connecting an electrical system to the earth to prevent dangerous voltages from building up.
Electric Field #
A region around a charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other charged particles.
Electric Potential #
The work done in moving a unit positive charge from a reference point to a specific point in an electric field, measured in volts.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) #
The sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown.
Insulator #
A material that does not conduct electricity, used to separate conductive materials to prevent electrical current flow.
Load #
The device or component in an electrical circuit that consumes power or converts it into another form of energy.
Ohm's Law #
A fundamental principle in electrical engineering that states the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit: V = IR.
Power Factor #
A measure of how effectively electrical power is being used in a circuit, calculated as the ratio of real power to apparent power.
Short Circuit #
An abnormal connection between two points in an electric circuit that allows current to flow along an unintended path.
Transformer #
A device that transfers electrical energy between circuits through electromagnetic induction, commonly used to increase or decrease voltage levels.
Voltage #
The electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit, measured in volts.
Watt #
The unit of power in the International System of Units, symbolized as W, equal to one joule per second.
Breakdown Voltage #
The minimum voltage at which an insulating material loses its insulating properties and allows current to flow through it.
Capacitance #
The ability of a component or circuit to store electrical charge, measured in farads.
Conductor #
A material that allows electrical current to flow through it easily, typically made of metals like copper or aluminum.
Coulomb #
The unit of electric charge, symbolized as C, equal to the charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second.
Current #
The flow of electric charge in a circuit, measured in amperes.
Direct Current (DC) #
Electric current that flows in one direction only, commonly produced by batteries or solar cells.
Electric Shock #
The physiological response to electric current passing through the body, which can cause injury or death.
Electromagnetic Field #
A physical field produced by electrically charged objects that affects the behavior of other charged objects in the vicinity.
Farad #
The unit of capacitance, symbolized as F, equal to one coulomb per volt.
Grounding #
Connecting an electrical circuit or device to the earth or a large conducting body to ensure safety and proper operation.
Impedance #
The measure of opposition to the flow of alternating current in a circuit, consisting of resistance and reactance.
Inductance #
The property of an electrical circuit that opposes any change in current, measured in henries.
Insulation #
A material used to prevent the flow of electric current, protecting conductors and components in an electrical system.
Joule #
The unit of energy or work in the International System of Units, symbolized as J, equal to one watt-second.
Kirchhoff's Laws #
A set of fundamental rules in electrical circuit analysis that govern the conservation of charge and energy in a circuit.
Ohmic Losses #
Energy losses in an electrical circuit due to resistance, resulting in the conversion of electrical energy into heat.
Overvoltage #
A voltage level in an electrical system that exceeds the specified limit, potentially causing damage to equipment or components.
Reactance #
The opposition to the flow of alternating current in a circuit due to inductance or capacitance, measured in ohms.
Resistor #
A passive two-terminal electrical component that resists the flow of current, commonly used to control current flow or divide voltage.
Static Electricity #
The accumulation of electric charge on an object through friction or induction, resulting in an imbalance of electrons.
Switchgear #
Electrical equipment used to control, protect, and isolate electrical circuits and equipment in substations and power systems.
Thermal Runaway #
A phenomenon in which the temperature of a component or device increases uncontrollably due to a positive feedback loop.
Transient Voltage #
A temporary increase or decrease in voltage levels in an electrical system, often caused by switching operations or lightning strikes.
Varistor #
A voltage-dependent resistor used to protect electrical circuits from excessive voltage spikes by limiting the voltage across it.
Wattage #
The rate at which electrical energy is consumed or produced in a circuit, measured in watts.
Xenon Flash Lamp #
A type of gas-discharge lamp that produces an intense flash of light when triggered, commonly used in photography and high-speed imaging.
Yield Strength #
The maximum stress that a material can withstand without permanent deformation or failure, often used in the design of high voltage components.
Zener Diode #
A type of diode that permits current flow in the reverse direction when the voltage reaches a certain threshold, commonly used as a voltage regulator.