Electrical Terms
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Alternating current Electric current that often reverses direction when a change of voltage occurs |
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The standard measurement of electrical wire |
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The maximum amount of electrical current a conductor or any device can carry before degeneration occurs
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Ampere A unit of electrical current |
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Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) A circuit breaker that disconnects the power preventing an arc that can cause a fire
Arcing Current that passes through the air between a gap, using the air like a wire |
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Ballast An electrical device that limits the amount of current in an electrical circuit therefore, as to impede a constant voltage power supply to a device that would be destroyed otherwise
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Branch Circuit An electrical wiring run that is between the breaker or fuse and the outlet, light-fixture or devise it powers |
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Busbar A rigid metal piece in an electrical panel or fuse box that distributes electricity to the circuits |
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Circuit Breaker An automatic switch designed to safeguard the electrical circuit from overload and damage
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Conductor Anything that can carry electrical current A common electrical conductor is copper used for electrical wiring. |
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Current An electric charge carried by a flow of electrons over a conductor such as wire |
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Dimmer A device used to adjust the light by increasing or decreasing the voltage. Always follow the wattage recommended for the dimmer as, to high of wattage can cause overheating in the dimmer |
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Direct Current An electrical charge that flows in a constant direction |
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Fuse An over-current protection devise that interrupts the current to the circuit by melting apart |
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Ground A conductor to safely run current between a device or circuit to the earth |
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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) (GFI) A device that can be in a receptacle or as a breaker that detects excessive or imbalanced electrical current and stops the flow of electricity preventing electrical shock |
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Insulation A material that is used to shield wires and cables, because it is a poor conductor of current |
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Junction Box A plastic or metal container for housing electrical connections |
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National Electric Code (NEC) United States standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment |
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Neutral The wire that returns current to the ground at the service panel |
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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 |
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Outlet or receptacle A point along the circuit where a light or appliance receives it’s connection to the circuit |
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Overload When a circuit has carried more current than was intended and can cause overheating and damage to equipment |
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Panel The breaker or fuse box that is the main source receiving the power from the utility company to your home |
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Power The electric power that is measured in watts or kilowatts |
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Resistance The properties of an object or material to dissipate the flow of electricity in a circuit |
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Resistor A device designed to have the properties of resistance |
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Short circuit A large unintended path of current on a circuit that is above an acceptable level |
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Single Pole Switch A switch that turns a receptacle or device on and off |
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Terminal A screw or other component that wires are connected to in order to pass electrical current through
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An electrical switch with three terminals and is used to control a light or device from two locations such as a switch on either end of a hallway |
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Transformer An electrical device that converts electricity voltage and current to a different voltage and current |
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Uninterruptable Power Supply |
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Underwriters Laboratories An independent not for profit organization that performs safety testing on products |
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Voltage A measure of the energy of electricity |
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Wattage An amount of electric power measured in watts and kilowatts required by an appliance or device Amps x Volts = Watts |
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