Which term is used to describe energy unless otherwise specified?

The term that describes energy unless otherwise specified is active energy. Active energy refers to the real power consumed by electrical devices to perform work or produce heat. It is the energy that does useful work in a circuit, such as lighting a bulb or powering a motor. In typical discussions of energy usage, unless indicated otherwise, it is assumed to refer to active energy, as it is the measurable portion of energy that is actually used in electrical applications.

Reactive energy, on the other hand, refers to energy that oscillates between the source and the load and does not perform any work. It is primarily associated with reactive components like inductors and capacitors in AC circuits and is measured in reactive volt-amperes (VAR).

Potential energy refers to energy stored in an object due to its position or arrangement, not specifically related to the electrical power context.

Stored energy is a broader term that can pertain to any type of energy held in a system for future use, including both active and potential energy forms.

In most contexts regarding electrical systems and power consumption, active energy is the term typically used to clarify the energy being discussed.