Dictionary of Electrical Engineering

Commonly used terms in the Electrical industry.

kilowatt-hour (KWH)
a measure of electrical energy: 1000 watts delivered for one hour.
watt
unit of power in the SI system of units.
Watt
Watt, James (1736-1819) Born: Greenock, Scotland, U.K.

is best known for his work in the development of efficient steam power. Watt began his career as an instrument maker.
When asked to fix a troublesome Newcomen engine, he began to make improvements.

Watt eventually partnered with industrialist Matthew Boulton to form a steam engine company. Watt is credited with having devised the horsepower system. The unit of power, the watt, is named in his honor.
watt-VAR meter
meter capable of simultaneously measuring the real and reactive power delivered to an AC load.
wattmeter
an instrument for measuring electric power in watts. A wattmeter requires connections to measure both the current through and the voltage across the load being measured.