Glossary

Alternating Current (AC)-  Is an electric current that reverses direction in a circuit at regular intervals.

Amperage (Amps) - The strength of a electrical current measured in amperes.

Amp Hour - One amp of electrical current flowing for one hour. Expresses the relationships between current (amps) and time. The Amp Hour rating tells you how much amperage is available when discharged evenly over a 20 hour period.

Cold Cranking Amps -  A performance rating for automobile starting batteries. It is defined as the current that the battery can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain a terminal voltage greater than or equal to 1.20 volts per cell, at 0degrees Fahrenheit (-18Celsius), when the battery is new and fully charged

Continuous Power - Continuous Power is the power/wattage the power inverter can consistently maintain

Direct Current (DC) - A current flowing in one direction only.  Direct current is often called a continuous current.

Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI's) - These devices are designed to eliminate electrical shock hazard resulting from individuals coming in contact with a hot AC line. The circuit interrupter is designed to sense any change in circuit conditions.  It is required by the NEC that all 12 volt, single phase, 15- or 20 ampere receptacle outlets that are installed outdoors or in bathrooms have ground fault interrupters connected to them

Ohm - A unit of electrical resistance equal to that of a conductor in which a current of one ampere is produced by a potential of one volt across its terminals.

Peak Power -  Peak or Surge power is the highest output, in watts, that the inverter will "surge" to under startup conditions.

Reserve minutes - Also called reserve capacity, is the number of minutes a battery will carry a 25 amp load before dropping to 10.5 volts. (10.5 volts is the fully discharged level, at which point the battery needs to be recharged.) Convert Reserve Minutes to Amp/Hours

Sine Wave - It is the ideal waveform for the transfer of AC power. There are two types of waveforms available. A "modified sine wave", and the "true sine wave". For more information about sine wave's view our section in the FAQ's.

Voltage - the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit. Expressed in volts (V)

Watt - An International System unit of power equal to one joule per second. The power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm.