Amp
An abbreviation for ampere, it is the measure of the rate of flow of
electric current.
Armored Cable
Also known as Armor-clad, AC, or BX, the cable has two insulated
conductors and a thin aluminum or copper bonding strip inside a metal
sheath. The metal sheath is the ground, not the bonding strip.
Ballast
A device providing current for fluorescent lights. With advancement of
technology, ballasts have become smaller in size, allowing the
manufacturing of compact fluorescent bulbs that can be used in place of
incandescent bulbs.
Box
A device used for mounting electrical fixtures and wiring on walls and
ceilings.
Braid
A flexible conductor made of a woven assembly of fine wires.
Busing
The joining of two or more circuits.
Bus
Also known as a bus bar, it is a heavy-duty, rigid connector used for
connecting circuit breakers or fuses to the incoming power.
BX
A popular brand name of armored cable.
Cable
A group of individual conductors bundled together.
Cable clamp
A mechanical clamp attached to the cable side of the connector for
supporting the cable or wire bundle, providing strain relief, and also
absorbing vibration and shock otherwise transmitted by the cable to the
contact / wire connection.
Cable shielding clamp
A device consisting of a sealing member and cable support designed for
terminating the screen of an electrical cable.
Connector, electrical
A device, either a plug or receptacle, used for terminating or
connecting the conductors of individual wires or cables and providing a
means to continue the conductors to a mating connector or printed
circuit board.
Contact
The conductive element in a connector that makes actual contact, for
the purpose of transferring electrical energy.
Contact area
The area in contact between two conductors, two contacts, or a
conductor and a contact and permitting the flow of electricity.
Contact arrangement
An arrangement determined by the number, spacing and arrangement of
contacts in a connector.
Circuit
Branch circuit.
Circuit Breaker
The over current protection device commonly in residential use. The
device can be opened and closed repeatedly to allow or stop power from
flowing along the branch circuit.
Conductor
A device intended for carrying electric current, typically wire or a
busbar.
Current
The rate of flow of electricity.
Device
Various items installed in boxes that help in controlling and
distributing current, including switches, receptacles, timers,
thermostats and dimmers.
Dielectric
A material having electrical insulating properties.
Feeder
The conductors that feed panels other than the service panel.
Fitting
Accessories including clamps and bushings that serve a mechanical
rather than an electrical function.
Four-way Switch
A set of three switches that are wired for controlling the same fixture
or group of fixtures.
Fuse
An over current protection device containing a thin strip of metal that
will melt and open the circuit in case of circuit overload. It must be
replaced after a circuit overload.
Gauge
It is the measure of the size of a wire. The smaller the number, the
thicker the wire and the higher its current-carrying capacity.
Ground
A connector running between a device or circuit to safely conduct
current to earth.
Ground Fault
Leaking of current to the grounding conductor.
Ground-fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A device designed for interrupting the flow of power when a minuscule
imbalance is detected between the flow and return of current.
Hot
Indicating that current is present. A hot lead is the one carrying
current along a circuit, and usually has black or red insulation. A hot
circuit is one in which the breaker is closed and current is present.
Insulation
A material which is a poor conductor of current and therefore used for
shielding wires, cables, and connectors.
Junction Box
Also known as a J Box, it contains splices in cables. It consists of a
removable cover that must be accessible.
Lug
Used for terminating a wire.
NEC
National Electrical Code®
Ohm
The measure of electrical resistance.
Open Circuit
An electrical circuit in which the flow of current is interrupted
because of an open breaker or fuse.
Overload
Running an equipment or wire in excess of its normal full-load rating.
Pigtail
A short length of wire attached to already existing wire.
Polarized
A system in which the slots / blades for the hot leads are narrower
than those for the neutral leads.
Raceway
A plastic or metal channel used for conducting wires or cables from one
point to another.
Romex®
A popular brand of nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
Service Entrance
The point from where the electrical service enters the house.
Service Rating
The maximum voltage or current which a connector is designed to carry
continuously.
Shielded Contact
A contact carrying alternating current and shielded from unwanted
signals (RFI and EMI). Usually, these contacts are not impedance
matched.
Socket contact
A contact having an engagement end that will accept entry of a pin
contact.
Solderless Connection
The joining of two metals by means of pressure and without using
solder, braze, or any method requiring heat.
Splice
A device used for joining two or more conductors to each other.
Stop Plate
A device attached to a crimping tool for properly locating a terminal,
splice or contact in the tool prior to crimping.
Strip
The process of removing insulation from a conductor.
Short Circuit
An accidental connection between two conductors or between a conductor
and ground or some other unintended surface. Back to alphabetical list
Single-pole Switch
A standard light switch with off and on positions to control flow of
current to one or more devices.
Split Receptacle
Also known as a split-wire, it is a receptacle in which each of the two
outlets is wired on a different circuit or in which one outlet is always
live and the other is switched.
Three-way Switch
A pair of switches that are wired to control the same fixture or group
of fixtures.
UL
Underwriters Laboratories is a nonprofit organization that undertakes
testing of electrical devices for ensuring their compliance with the
NEC.
Volt
The basic measure of electrical pressure.
Watt
The basic measure of electricity and can be explained with the formula
Amps x Volts = Watts.
Wire Nut
A brand of twist-on wire connector.
