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.
