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The terms electronic and electrical are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. Electricity refers to the general concept of electricity, while electronic describes devices powered by electricity. The gray area comes when a device is both the medium for receiving electricity and the origin of the completed function. There are also cultural differences in usage.
In a number of cases, people tend to use the terms electronic and electrical interchangeably. While both terms are commonly used when discussing electronics, there is a subtle difference between the correct usage of each word. Here’s what you should know about the correct way to use both electronics and electricity when speaking or writing.
Electricity has to do with the general concept of electricity. It is generally acceptable to use the terms electric and electrical interchangeably. Essentially, the word “electric” will function as a way of qualifying the flow of electricity as it relates to a specific event. For example, if a fire starts due to a problem with the wiring in a building, the event can be described as an electrical or electrical fire, caused by electrical or electrical wiring. The use of electricity identifies a source of energy that serves to create a logical effect when conducted through a process or device.
Conversely, electronic is a term that describes devices powered by electricity. An electronic device is often constructed using one or more electrical elements that help manage the flow of electrical energy in the device. A television is a good example, as it’s partially composed of a number of individual electrical components that help conduct the flow of electricity. Similarly, desktop and laptop computers are electronic in nature. Portable devices such as cell phones are also electronic, as they work with the use of an electrical component – a battery.
There seems to be a gray area when it comes to defining various devices as electrical or electronic. Light bulbs are sometimes referred to as both electronic and electric. The common flashlight has also been described as both electronic and electric. The gray area seems to come into play when the device in question is both the medium for receiving the flow of electricity and the origin of the completed function of the electronic aspect of the device. For example, the light bulb receives electricity from the wiring, but at the same time emits light, which is the primary function of the fixture.
There are some differences in usage between electronic and electrical which also have to do with cultural factors. For example, it is not uncommon for citizens of Great Britain to refer to their local electricity company as “electricians”. In decades past, people in the United States often referred to small kitchen appliances as the “electric” skillet or the “electric” coffeemaker, even though these types of appliances would more properly be known as electronic in nature.
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