Electrician Orange County

Terminology

Below is a list of words commonly used in the Electrical contracting field. This list will give you a better understanding when speaking to an electrician about your home.

ACB: Air Circuit Breaker.

Automatic Recloser: Switch used to automatically open then reclose after an over current event on a distribution voltage line.

Blackout: An interrupting of load to an electric utility customer or group of customers that reduces overall load to a system.

Breaker: see Circuit Breaker / Fuses.

Bulb Envelope Lighting: The outer enclosure of a light source; usually glass or quartz.

CB: Circuit Breaker.

Circuit: The conductive path over an electric charge may flow through.

Circuit Breakers / Fuses: Devices that are installed in the service panel of a home to limit the flow of electricity through a circuit. The breaker rating determines the capacity flow.

Code Corrections: Procedure designed to eliminate wiring conditions that do not meet National Electrical Code requirements and safety conditions.

Conduit: A channel for holding and protecting conductors and cables, made of metal or an insulating material, usually circular in cross section like a pipe.

Disconnect Switch: A simple switch that is used to disconnect an electrical circuit. It may or may not have the ability to stop the flow of current in the circuit.

Distribution Equipment: A device designed to provide electricity to multiple connections.

Duct: A channel for holding and protecting conductors and cables, made of metal or an insulating material, usually circular in cross section like a pipe.

Energy Saving Devices: Devices utilized within a dwelling designed to more efficiently make use of energy sources while providing heating, cooling, and light.

Heater: A heat source can be gas or electric. It can be used to adjust the temperature inside a room from a cold to a warm condition.

High-Tech Troubleshooting: A procedure performed by a trained and licensed technician for the purpose of and identifying electrical problems.

High Voltage: An electrical system designed to operate between 46kv and 230kv

Jacket: A covering over conductors for the purpose of electrical protection.

Load Center: Source for all power to the home. All circuits originate from the “Load Center” or “Service Panel.” Circuit breakers are located within this panel.

Low Voltage: A wiring system that provides power to some electronic devices operating on a voltage level lower than the 110 volts. These devices may be doorbells and thermostats.

Kilowatt: 1000 watts of power.

Medium Voltage: An electrical system or cable designed to operate between 1kv and 38kv.

Motors: Electronic device used to move, switch, or adjust one or more of the systems within a dwelling.

Pull Tension: The tension in pounds or kilograms required to pull a cable or wire into a duct or conduit or into an overhead location.

Pulling: The act of installing one or more cables.

Receptacles: Power sources located throughout a building to provide electricity where needed.

Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors: Wall and ceiling mounted sensors located in the home used to alert occupants of deadly gasses and smoke inside the home.

Spill Light: excess or unwanted light directed onto a surrounding property.

Switch: Circuit interruption device used to control the flow of electricity to outlets, appliances, and lights.

Thermostat: A low voltage electronic switch device that monitors temperature inside a home or office and turns on and off the heating or cooling system.

Track and Accent Lighting: Lighting specifically installed for direct purpose such as photos, art or hallways.

Wiring: A distributing network of wire that will conduct electricity to one or more receptacles, switches and appliances throughout a home or office to provide electricity where needed.