All over-current protection devices (fuses and circuit breakers) must have an interrupting rating.

The amount of kilowatt-hours of electricity used by a consumer over a twelve-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of the reporting year.

Frequency spectrum space required for transmission of information; transmitted in cycles per second per hertz in analog and in bits per second in digital.

The generating equipment normally operated to serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.

This is the kind of generating plant that provides the basic power that is needed year round. A baseload plant runs most of the hours of the year.

The production of fuel or energy from organic waste, whether it be plant material, animal manure, municipal sewage sludge, or a solid waste.

A temporary loss of electricity in an area because of the failure of generation or transmission equipment.

A charge for electricity under which the cost per kilowatt-hour changes as more kilowatt-hours are sold.

A rate schedule showing different charges for various blocks of power or energy.

Distribution lines connect to a main feeder line to carry electricity to one or more customers.

High speed simultaneous transmission of voice, data and video.

A condition resulting from lower than normal voltage, duration can be minutes or even hours. Caused by weather, animals, or motor vehicles interfering with distribution equipment.

British thermal unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

The aggregate heat content of all energy; calculated so that any kind and quantity of fuel burned may be expressed as an equivalent quantity of some other kind of fuel burned.

The amount of heat that escapes in one hour's time through walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors.

An electrical conductor which serves as a common connection for two or more electrical circuits.

Large rigid, bar shaped or tubular conductors that are used to form a bus arrangement.

The total cost of generating electricity, not including substation and transmission losses.

Rules for operating a cooperative approved by the membership.

Strands of electrical conductor insulated from each other and laid together, often twisted around a central core. Cable may or may not have an insulated covering.

A protective covering over the insulation, core, or sheath of a cable.

A physical property of all AC circuits that opposes a change in voltage; measured in farads.

Two electrodes, or sets of electrodes (often in the form of plates) separated from each other by an insulating material called the dielectric. Capacitors are used to store electrostatic charges.

A device that stores electrical charges and can be used to maintain voltage levels in power lines and improve electrical-system efficiency.

Money (income left over after expenses are paid) credited to member consumers of a cooperative, sometimes called patronage capital or equity capital.

Construction costs of new utility plants.  These include costs of plant additions, improvements, and replacements, as well as expenditures for the purchase or acquisition of existing utility plant facilities.

Having a high asset to sales ratio. Utilities often have $3 to $4 of assets for every $1 of sales while another manufacturer may have only 80 cents of assets for every $1 of sales.

An industry, utility, farmer or other individual or entity who must rely on a single railroad line for shipping goods or receiving raw materials.

Electricity provided by a utility rather than generated by the user.

The path of electric current from the power source, through the conductors, through the device using the power, back through the conductors, and back to the source of power. The two types of circuits are:

A device that protects electric lines by momentarily interrupting service when a fault occurs, then restoring power automatically when the fault is cleared. This keeps outages from occurring when temporary problems happen, like branches touching a line.

A black or brownish-black solid combustible substance formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without access to air.

The conversion of coal to a gas that is suitable for use as a fuel.

Consumers who have the capability of producing their own power and energy requirements, and selling their excess electricity back to the local electric company. Cogeneration is the dual use of steam (thermal and electrical) produced by an industrial process, such as a wood processing plant. The Department of Energy has encouraged the development of cogeneration resources.

The sum of two or more peakloads that occur in the same time interval.

An electric generating unit that consists of one or more combustion turbines and one or more boilers with a portion of the required energy input to the boiler(s) provided by the exhaust gas of the combustion turbine(s).

A business establishment using electricity.

A material that allows an electric current to pass through it. Also, the wire that carries electricity in an electric distribution or transmission system.

A system in which consumers of electricity own their own distribution system, which in turn owns the wholesale power supplier.

An annual October commemoration of the importance of cooperative organizations.

The total amount required to provide a member consumer with electric service, not including the cost of energy used.

A heating system installed on the wall near the ceiling, combining radiant and convective heat.

The flow of electrons through a conductor.

Free from any electrical connection to a source of potential difference and from electric charge; not having a potential different from that of the earth.

Used to estimate energy requirements for heating and cooling a building, this is a measure of the deviation of the mean daily temperature from a given standard, with each variance from the standard during a single day recorded as one degree day.

The point, usually a substation, to which electricity is transmitted from its generating sources.

A connection used in three-phased systems in which three coils (or three resistors) are connected end-to-end so that they effectively form a triangle.

The amount of electricity a customer takes at any given moment (varies from hour to hour, day to day, and season to season). This usage, which is expressed in kilowatts (not in kilowatt-hours) is called the "demand" on the system. Seasonal demands are affected by the number of hours of daylight, temperature extremes, and activities such as agricultural processes.

These are five different types:

A meter that measures and records the kilowatt level (rate) at which electric energy is delivered to a system.

A measure that an electric company or consumer may take to modify the demand levels or reshape the daily or seasonal load curve. Demand options encompass both economic and load control measures. For example, economic measures would include time-of-use rates which offer a discount designed to attract loads to the off-peak period. An example of load control would be irrigation systems which agree to have their power interrupted under agreed-upon conditions in exchange for a lower demand rate.

The average number of consumers per mile of power line.

A federal department in Washington, D.C., created by President Carter by bringing together various energy-related agencies.

That part of an electrical system that delivers power from a substation to the end user (customer). May include substations.

An electric cooperative that purchases wholesale power and delivers it to member-owners.

The conductors that deliver power from the substation to the service transformers. May be either overhead or underground.

An intentional sag placed in conductors that connect to overhead conductors; the drip loop will prevent rainwater from entering the weatherhead.

A system in which another heat source takes over when electricity is cut off at peak periods of electric use. Designed to keep costs down by making it unnecessary for a utility to call on more expensive sources of power during periods of high demand for electricity.

Passages usually made of sheet metal through which hot or cool air is blown in forced-air systems.

Capitalize when referring to Earth as a planet. Use lowercase when referring to soil, ground, etc.

A right purchased from property owner(s) that allows utility companies to construct, operate, maintain and control facilities, such as transmission lines, on the property.

As commonly used in the electric utility industry, the use of power over time, commonly measured in kilowatthours.

Electric current or power that results from the movement of electrons in a conductor from a negatively charged point to a positively charged point.

The power of a government body to condemn and use private property for public use with just compensation to the property owner.

The capacity for doing work; may be natural or manufactured. Electrical energy is usually measured in kilowatt-hours.

The part of an electric bill based on the amount of electricity used.

The primary source that provides the power that is converted to electricity through chemical, mechanical, or other means. Energy sources include coal, petroleum and petroleum products, gas, water, uranium, wind, sunlight, geothermal, and other sources.

A federal agency that develops rules and regulations concerning environmental protection and monitors utilities and other industries.

A grain alcohol, largely produced from fermented and distilled corn; used as an octane-enhancer in gasoline.

Electric thermal storage; a type of heating that utilizes offpeak electric energy to store heat energy in a medium such as special high-density brick.

An existing or planned location or site at which prime movers, electric generators, and/or equipment for converting mechanical, chemical, and/or nuclear energy into electric energy are situated, or will be situated. A facility may contain more than one generator of either the same or different prime mover type. For a cogenerator, the facility includes the industrial or commercial process.

Created to provide a single point of accountability for all federal emergency preparedness mitigation and response activities.

Main distribution lines that carry electricity from a substation.

An abnormal electrical discharge, as from a high-voltage power line to a ground.

This is a single rate where consumers pay the same rate for each kilowatt-hour of electricity used.

The period of time during which a power plant is scheduled to operate but is unable to do so because of breakdowns or other unforeseen circumstances.

Materials such as coal, oil, and natural gas which are also called conventional fuels. Alternatives include hydro (water), solar (sun), nuclear, wind, geothermal (derived from heat contained deep inside the earth), and other energy sources.

A plant using coal, petroleum, or gas as its source of energy.

The number of cycles completed each second by a given AC voltage.

Activities necessary to maintain the alternating current cycling at 60 hertz. This is necessary for many reasons, such as keeping clocks on time.

Devices that convert the chemical energy of fuels directly into electricity.

A fuel burned under boilers and by internal combustion engines for electric generation. These include natural, manufactured and waste gas.

An electric generating station where the generator is driven by a gas turbine engine.

Any combination of physically connected generator(s), reactor(s), boiler(s), combustion turbine(s), or other prime mover(s) operated together to produce electric power.

Producing electricity by power plant or machine.

A cooperative which generates electricity and transmits it to distribution cooperatives.

A machine that transforms the mechanical energy of a rotating shaft to electric energy.

One million kilowatts (one billion watts).

One thousand megawatt-hours (one billion watt-hours).

A term which refers to production of electricity using renewable sources such as wind, hydroelectric or crop residue.

A system of interconnected high-voltage transmission lines and power generating facilities that allows bulk-power suppliers to share resources on a regional basis. This system provides emergency generation and transmission by transmitting power from areas having a surplus to areas experiencing a shortage. The creation of a national grid has been proposed.

A protective device that disconnects when it measures a 5 mili-amp difference between the neutral and the ground. It cuts the current almost instantaneously to provide shock protection. GFCIs are available for permanent installation at the service entrance or convenience outlets and as portable protective devices for operating portable tools and appliances.

A metal rod driven into the earth to serve as a ground terminal.

A tension wire that adds strength to an electrical pole.

A wood structure composed of two poles connected by a crossarm near the top. Transmission lines are constructed either of aluminum or copper wires. These wires are carried on either steel towers or wood pole structures.

An oscillation whose frequency is a multiple of the normal frequency. Example: Third harmonic is equal to 180 hertz, since normal frequency in the U.S. is 60 Hz.

Harmonics are distortions of the standard sine-wave in which electricity travels. Harmonics are transmitted back into the individual circuit wires by nonlinear loads (equipment that doesn't draw power in regular sine-waves) such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and variable speed motors.

A system supplying both space heating and cooling. The heat pump removes heat from the outside air and pumps it indoors. The heat pump can also function as an air conditioner, absorbing heat from indoors and releasing it to the outside.

Unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. Frequency is standardized in the U.S. at 60 cycles per second, being the same as 60 hertz.

Voltage in a power line higher than the 110 to 220 volts used in most residences.

A measure of the work performed by one horsepower exerted for one hour.

A measure of power equal to about 746 watts. Always spell out.

A conductor that normally operates at a voltage above ground.

A term used to identify a type of power, generating station, or energy output where the prime mover is driven by water power. Also called a hydroelectric plant.

A generating station where the generator is driven by a water wheel.

Producing electricity by water power, usually falling water that turns a turbine.

International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc.

A discount offered to encourage consumption or appliance usage during a desired time interval. For example, off-peak, time-of-use, interruptible, dual-fuel heating rates are all types of incentive rates. They are designed to limit usage during the on-peak periods and encourage consumption during the off-peak periods. Electric companies use incentive rates to encourage a change in consumption patterns.

A physical property of all AC circuits that opposes a change in current; measured in henrys.

The measure of the opposition to current that is created by inductance: measured in ohms.

A company in a manufacturing business.

The initial current when an electric coil or motor is energized. Often the initial current is equal to six times the normal current.

Develops standards on definitions, test methods, symbols, units, and safety in the field of electrical science and engineering.

A nonconductor, usually of glass or porcelain, for insulating and supporting electric wires.

An agreement between two utilities to connect their transmission systems. Once interconnected, the utilities may enter into interchange agreements.

Also known as a "cycling plant", this is a generating station smaller than a base-load station and intended for less than 24-hour use. Such plants are used only when demand rises, then are dropped out of service as demand falls.

Arrangements in which a utility offers a lower rate in return for the ability to curtail service during peak demand periods. These arrangements permit the utility to reduce load by interrupting service as agreed upon.

A rate schedule in which the charge per kilowatt-hour increases with higher levels of use.

A device designed to isolate the primary neutral from the secondary neutral (sometimes incorrectly called a blocker).

A protective covering over the insulation, core, or sheath of an electrical cable.

Simultaneous use by two or more kinds of utilities. This can be done by attachments to poles or through plowing underground cable of various types (example: electrical and telephone service) in at the same time, using the same right-of way corridor.

A nonsexist replacement term for journeyman lineman.

An electrical lineworker who has completed apprenticeship training and has learned the trade of constructing and maintaining electric power transmission and/or distribution systems. To avoid sexist references, use journey lineworker.

An enclosure for the connection or branching of one or more electrical circuits.

Equals 1,000 reactive volt-amperes. Reactive power is that party of "apparent power" that does not do work.

One kilovolt is equal to 1,000 volts. The amount of electric force carried through a high-voltage transmission line is measured in kilovolts. The standard voltage for use in the home is 120 volts. For long transmission purposes, the voltages go as high as 1,000,000 volts. (1,000 KV)

The basic unit of electrical demand, equal to 1,000 watts. The average household demand is 10 to 20 kilowatts.

The basic measure of electric energy generation or use. A unit of energy or work equal to 1,000 watt-hours. (One kilowatt-hour is the amount of electric energy required to operate a 100-watt bulb for ten hours.)

The device used to measure electrical energy use.

A trade name to describe an ungrounded (hot) conductor.

A device that protects equipment from the destructive effects of lightning or voltage surges that strike power lines and antennas during electrical storms, by discharging or bypassing the surges.

A low-sulfur, low-energy coal, found primarily in the upper Great Plains.

A carrier of electricity on an electric power system, a conductor or wire used in a power system.

Electrical energy lost in the process of transmitting over power-lines.

The line side is the supply side of any equipment, such as the power to the switch. The load side is the conductors leaving a switch. When referring to services, the line side is referred to as the supply side.

This device changes the voltage from the primary distribution voltage to the secondary distribution voltage required by the power customer.

The voltage that is applied to the wires in a three phase system.

A person who builds and maintains electric lines (power transmission and/or distribution systems). May or may not have completed an apprenticeship program. To avoid sexist references, use lineworker.

A nonsexist replacement term for lineman.

Energized. A shock hazard exists.

Electric conductors, buses, terminals, or components that are uninsulated or exposed and a shock hazard exists.

(see load management, interruptible rate)

A graph used to show how the use of electricity rises and falls during a given period of time.

The ratio of average demand/load to peak demand/ load. A high load factor is better than a low load factor because it means the electrical system is being used closer to its full capacity at all times.

System in which alternate transmission lines can deliver power to an area in the event that lines fail.

Power (kilowatts) and energy (kilowatt-hours) lost during the operation of an electric system. Losses occur principally when energy is transformed into wasted heat in conductors and other apparatus.

A complete lighting unit consisting of lamp or lamps, together designed to distribute light.

Refers to the adjustment of revenue to smooth margin levels over a period of time. Similar cost stabilization objectives can be accomplished with capital credits.

The change in total costs associated with a unit change in quantity supplied. (i.e. demand or energy)

One million watts (1,000 kW).

One million watt-hours (1,000 kWh).

A unit of length equal to 1/1000 of an inch, used in measuring the diameter of wire.

One tenth of a cent; a common utility industry monetary measure.

Equal to 1/1000 of an ampere.

Electric system owned by a city or other government entity to provide service for the people living within its boundaries. Also referred to as a municipal public utility.

The national trade association for manufacturers of equipment and apparatus used for the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electric power, such as electrical machinery, motors, transportation, communication, and lighting equipment. NEMA also sets standards for the industry.

National Electrical Code. The purpose of the Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

Voltage that exists between the system neutral (grounded conductor) and earth. Also called stray voltage.

High-frequency interference. May be caused by radio or TV signals, light dimmers, microwaves, lightning, computer power supplies, improper grounding, loose hardware or equipment. It may also be caused by sources other than those listed.

(see demand)

A sale of power to a consumer that can be stopped any time, for any reason, with no further commitment of service.

A load where the wave shape of the steady-state current does not follow the wave shape of the applied voltage.

Business not entered into for the purpose of making money.

Formed by the electric utility industry in 1968 to promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power supply in the electric utility systems of North America. NERC consists of nine Regional Reliability Councils encompassing virtually all of the power systems in the United States and Canada.

Department of Labor agency that sets standards for safe work places and enforces them through periodic inspections.

Oil-circuit recloser.

Power supplied during designated periods of relatively low system demands. (See demand)

Special lower rates for electricity used at the times of low system demand.

A unit measuring electrical resistance.

The strength of an unvarying electrical circuit is directly proportional to the resistance of the circuit. In other words, voltage is equal to current multiplied by resistance. Use the following formula: E=IxR, where E is voltage in volts, I is current in amps, and R is resistance in ohms.

A cutout in which all or part of the fuse support and its fuse link or disconnecting blade is mounted in oil with complete immersion of the contacts and the fusible portion of the conducting element (fuse link) so that arc interruption by severing of the fuse link or by opening of the contact will occur under oil.

The ability of a utility to purchase power from another utility or independent power producer and move it over transmission lines that belong to a utility not involved with the purchase, made possible through the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

The costs to a utility of generating electricity. In addition to costs of running a plant, includes maintenance expenses, taxes and depreciation.

The amount of income remaining after operating expenses are deducted from operating revenues.

Interruption of service to an electric consumer.

Any current in excess of the rated current of the equipment or the ampacity of a conductor.

Pertaining to conductors and other power delivery equipment that is located on poles, towers, and other above ground structures.

A device that opens as a result of excessive current, but not short circuit or ground-fault current. A current that is not more than six times the rated current for alternating current motors.

The part of the upper atmosphere that contains concentrations of a form of oxygen that screens out ultraviolet radiation.

Enclosed equipment, the exterior of which is at ground potential, positioned on a surface-mounted pad.

An electrical circuit that has positive and negative terminals connected to two distinct points, with voltage applied equally throughout.

The capacity of power lines distant from an individual transaction, using an interconnected system, to carry a part of the power being transferred between two utilities.

An electric system that purchases only part of its electric power from a single utility. Additional power requirements are met by self-generation, or by purchasing power from a separate supplier.

Solar radiation collected without the use of complicated and highly technical equipment. Design and orientation are the main concepts of passive solar energy collection.

Capital furnished by the patrons in connection with payments for electric service.

The maximum amount of electricity used by a utility customer at any time during the year. The peak is used to measure the amount of electric transmission, distribution, and generating capacity required to meet that maximum demand.

A power plant which is normally only operated to provide power during maximum peak load periods.

Cutting down electrical consumption during peak demand periods.

The amount of voltage or current represented by the distance between the positive peak and the negative peak on a sine wave.

The voltage that is applied across the resistors or induced in the coils of a three-phase system.

Technology that produces electric power directly from sunlight. A common application is in solar-powered pocket calculators, but various equipment remote from electric distribution lines also uses the technology.

A compartment to which one or more air ducts are connected and that forms part of an air distribution system.

Use with hyphen to mean a receptacle that supplies electricity to appliances. Used without the hyphen, it means the act of connecting an appliance to a receptacle.

Distinguishing one conductor or terminal from another. Identifying the positive conductor from the negative conductor or terminal.

The combining of high cost and low cost power so that all members pay the same rate.

Work needed to bring a unit of positive charge from distance to given point.

The energy for doing work. The time rate of generating, transferring or using electric energy, usually expressed in watts.

The ratio of real/true power (kilowatts) to apparent power (kilovolt-amperes) for any given load and time.

A network of generation, transmission, and distribution systems that are interconnected.

A conductor carrying electricity from the generator to the supplier or the ultimate consumer. Two words.

Two or more electric systems which are interconnected and operated on a coordinated basis to achieve economies in supplying their combined loads. (See Mid-Continent Area Power Pool.)

A company which supplies the actual energy either by generating it or by arranging for its delivery to the consumer.

Stealing energy, usually by tampering with a meter to lower electric bills; a dangerous and illegal act.

The part of a devise or equipment connected to the power supply circuit.

An engine, turbine, water wheel, or similar machine that drives an electric generator; or, for reporting purposes, a device that converts energy to electricity directly (e.g. photovoltaic solar and fuel cell(s)).

A political subdivision with territorial boundaries frequently covering more than one county for the purpose of generating, transmitting and distributing electric energy.

Number of members who must be present to conduct cooperative business legally.

Any channel designed expressly and used solely for holding conductors.

The sole source of electric transmission feeding an area. In the event of transmission failure, the area has no alternate transmission system from which to receive electricity.

Energy traveling outward from a source with a wave motion, such as the energy of electromagnetic waves.

A device that transfers heat to the air in a room.

A method by which the controlled load (water heater, air conditioner, irrigation pump, etc.) can be switched off or on via commands picked up by a radio receiver located at or near the load point. Switching signals are broadcast from one or more transmitters controlled by the utility.

A rate schedule clause which provides that maximum past or future demands shall be used in determining the billing demand for the entire year.

(see individual rate types, i.e. demand rate, interruptible rate, lifeline rate, seasonal rate, time-of-day rate, time-of-use rate, off-peak rate, and on-peak rate)

The category of electric rates used to charge customers for electric service. The two categories of electric rates are known as demand rates and metered rates.

The design and organization of billing charges by customer class to distribute the revenue requirements among customer classes and rating periods.

The portion of "A­pparent Power" that does not work. Measured in kilovars, it must be supplied to most types of magnetic equipment, such as motors.

The energy or work-producing part of "A­pparent Power". It is the rate of supply of energy, measured in kilowatts. The product of real power and length of time is energy, expressed in kilowatt-hours.

A device used to change AC to DC.

A government's legal right to govern businesses.

The price of electricity relative to the price of all other goods. For example, if the nominal price of electricity rose by 10 percent and all other prices rose by 20 percent, a drop in the relative price of electricity has occurred.

The amount of unused available capability of an electric power system at peakload for a utility system as a percentage of total capability.

Sales covering electrical energy supplied for residential, commercial, and industrial end-use purposes. Other small classes, such as agriculture and street lighting, also are included in this category.

A consumer who uses electricity.

Installation or replacement of equipment at a plant after the plant has been built.

The process of eliminating losses that occur as a result of meter tampering, fraud, and theft of electric energy.

Use of property covered by an agreement that allows utilities to construct and operate their facilities there. Sometimes acquired through the right of eminent domain. Plural is rights of way. Hyphenate when used as an adjective (i.e. right-of-way crew). (See easement, eminent domain)

The remote control of switching devices which uses power lines as signal carriers. A coded audio frequency "Ripple" is superimposed onto the power lines at one or more injection point(s). This signal is detected by receivers situated at the loads to be controlled. Generally used for load management purposes.

An annual educational trip to Washington, D.C., organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and statewide associations for high school students selected by local rural electric systems. Short form is Youth Tour, acceptable on all references.

A term used to describe the introduction of electricity to rural areas, unserved by power companies until then.

1935-1994 (see Rural Utilities Service)

The distance between the actual location of a conductor (at its lowest point in a given span) and an imaginary line drawn between the conductors two adjacent supports. (See also voltage sags.)

A large, bowl-shaped antenna used to receive broadcasts transmitted from orbiting satellites.

The shutdown of a generating unit, transmission line, or other facility, for inspection or maintenance, in accordance with an advance schedule.

Any consumer who uses electricity for a fractional part of the year.

Rate schedules that are structured and billed on a seasonal basis.

The capability of providing your own electricity through some means other than a utility, such as a wind generator, diesel or gas generator or heat recovery from an industrial manufacturing process.

A standard method of rating air conditioners based on three tests. All three tests are run at 80 degrees (F) inside and 82 degrees (F) outside. The first test is run with humid indoor conditions, the second with dry indoor conditions, and the third with dry conditions cycling the air conditioner on for 6 minutes and off for 24 minutes. The published SEER may not represent the actual seasonal energy efficiency of an air conditioner in your climate because it is calculated using an average U.S. climate.

The conductors and equipment used to deliver energy from the distribution transformer or secondary lines to the end users (customers).

Territory in which a utility system is required or has the right to supply or make electric service available to consumers.

Establishment of an accidental or unintended electrical conducting path that bypasses the planned route from the electrical power source to the intended load (end user).

Transmission lines are constructed either of aluminum or copper wires. These wires are carried on either a steel tower or wood pole structures. One of these wood transmission poles is referred to as a single pole structure.

An electric circuit that consists of one alternating current, typically used for all household power.

Energy supply usually consisting of two wires or conductors energized at 120V (240V line-to-line) and one grounded neutral conductor. Can be either overhead or underground.

An increase in voltage lasting less than 1/60th of a second. Usually caused by switching of heavy loads.

Generating units connected to the bus and ready to take load.

The property of a system or element by virtue of which its output will ultimately attain a steady state. The amount of power that can be transferred from one machine to another following a disturbance. The stability of a power system is its ability to develop restoring forces equal to or greater than the disturbing forces so as to maintain a state of equilibrium.

A stakeholder is any individual or party with a vested interest in the outcome of a debate. Generally, a stakeholder will somehow be impacted by this outcome.

A facility that supports a utility system and is generally running under no-load. It is available to replace or supplement a facility normally in service.

Support service that is available, as needed, to supplement a consumer, a utility system, or to another utility if a schedule or an agreement authorizes the transaction. The service is not regularly used.

Electric discharge resulting from an accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body.

A conventional generating station where the generator is driven by steam. The steam is generated by the heat produced from the burning fossil fuels.

A charge for electricity that depends on the total amount of kilowatt-hours used; the more a consumer uses, the cheaper the cost of each kilowatt-hour.

Neutral to earth voltage, which is voltage that exists between the system neutral (grounded conductor) and the earth.

Producing coal from underground by digging pits with giant shovels called draglines.

Coal with medium capability of producing heat. (See anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite)

A remote system to collect information from a substation or generating plant along with some remote control.

A device used to reduce damage caused by transient voltage surges (spikes).

The total amount of energy required to supply all consumers.

Used to indicate the maximum load on a system during any particular period. For example, if the maximum demand on the system is 600,000 kilowatts for a particular month, there is said to be system peak of 600,000 kilowatts.

An electric circuit with limited capacity extending from a distribution line; usually supplies a small number of customers.

Legally supported right of an electric power supplier not to have its territory or consumers taken over by another power supplier.

A unit of heat equal to 100,000 Btus.

Volts x amperes x 1.73/1000

An electric circuit that consists of three separate currents delivered at one-third cycle intervals by means of a three-wire or four-wire circuit; typically utilized by commercial and industrial loads.

Generally has four wires from the power pole to the meter - three 'hot' wires and a neutral wire. Even if a three-phase power line is available to a consumer, it does not necessarily mean that the consumer has three-phase service. Single-phase service is often supplied from three-phase lines.

A combination of circuits that differ in phase by one-third of a cycle (120 electrical degrees).

Rates that differentiate charges for energy used during more expensive peak (usually daytime) periods and less expensive off-peak (usually nighttime) periods. The system would require installation of meters which separately register usage during high-peak and low-peak periods. The goal is to reduce peak load, thus curbing the need to build additional power plants.

A generic term used to describe any rate whose applicability depends on the time of use. Rates such as off-peak, interruptible, or time-of-day, are all time-of-use rates.

The brand identity of a nationwide alliance of local, consumer-owned utilities providing high standards of service to the customer, big and small, and the communities they serve.

A device used to raise or lower voltage. Transformers are used to increase voltage at the generating plant for transmission to the substation. The substation transformers reduce voltage to distribution level: a distribution transformer reduces the voltage to a utilization level; another transformer may be required to further reduce the voltage for a doorbell.

The process of transporting electric energy over long distances to other principal parts of an electric system or to other utility systems for subsequent voltage reduction and distribution.

An interconnected system of wires and other equipment used to move large amounts of electricity from the generation source to a distribution system.

Poles, towers, structures and conductors used to transmit power from one terminal or station to another.

That system formed by the operation and possible interconnection of multiple transmission lines.

In the generation of electricity, steam is directed under high pressure onto the blades of the turbine. The pressure makes the turbine, and the attached generator, spin to generate electricity.

Underground Residential Distribution

A company that provides electricity, water, gas, phone, or internet for residential and commercial use. May or may not be a cooperative entity.

The fixed assets of a utility.

The apparent power consumed by a device. This is the product of the measured current and the measured voltage delivered to an appliance.

The 'pressure' that causes electrons to flow. Voltage is a measure of the potential for current flow and may exist between objects without a flow of current.

Any intentional reduction of system voltage by 3 percent or greater for reasons of maintaining the continuity of service of the bulk electric power supply system.

Under-voltage conditions of 1/60th of a second to 1/10th of a second duration. Caused by improper grounding, undersized wiring or sudden start-ups of large electrical loads. Also called voltage dips.

The standard unit of electric power in the United States. Electrical power measured in watts is equal to the voltage (V) times the current (I). W=V x I.

A unit of electrical energy equal to one watt of power acting for one hour.

Instrument used to measure and record watt-hour consumption.

A cartoon figure created in 1950 by free-lance artist Drew McLay and adopted as NRECA's mascot in 1951.

The amount of cash or other liquid assets that a company must have on hand to meet the current cost of operations until it is reimbursed by its customers.