Electrical

 

120 Volt Service- The voltage electrical supply used to supply power throughout your home, for lighting and wall plugs.

240 Volt Service- Higher voltage electrical supply required to run air conditioners, electric furnaces, dryers, and electric ranges.

Amperage- Overall capability of a household service panel, usually 100 amps.

Armored cable- Two or more electrical wires that are grouped together and protected by a flexible metal covering.

Bus Bar- A solid metal bar in the household service panel. The hot bus bar is connected to main power line. A neutral bus bar provides a terminal for all neutral wires, and is part of the grounding connection.

Circuit Breaker- A resettable device that interrupts a circuit when there is an overload or fault in an electrical circuit.

Conduit- Metal piping used to carry flexible wiring.

Duplex Recepticle- Typically the wall plug, with connection for two grounded plugs. Required by code in new construction.

Fuse- A device that interrupts a circuit when there is an overload or fault in an electrical circuit. Not resettable, it must be replaced when it 'blows'. Typically screw in plugs, or snap in cartridges.

Ground Wire- A wire used in an electrical circuit to conduct current to the earth in the event of a short circuit.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter- In the home's wiring system, the GFCI constantly monitors electricity flowing in a circuit, to sense any loss of current. If the current flowing through the circuit differs by a small amount from that returning, the GFCI quickly switches off power to that circuit. The GFCI is designed to protect people from severe or fatal electric shocks. Required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet areas.

Junction Box- A box in the wall or ceiling that contains wire splices or cable connections.

Outlet Box- A box in the wall that contains either a light switch or a wall plug.

Overload- A demand for more electricity than the wires or the plug was designed to carry. Usually causes a circuit breaker to trip or a fuse to blow.

Rheostat- A dimmer switch that allows gradient control of current, and therefore light.

Romex -A brand name of plastic sheathed electrical cable that is used for indoor wiring.

Service Panel- The gray, main control box for a homes electrical supply, which contains breakers for each circuit, as well as the main electric disconnect for the home. Each circuit should be labeled on the inside of the cover, and have a circuit breaker or fuse (In older homes). The circuit breaker should indicate the amperage rating for that circuit.

Single Pole Switch - light switch used to control a light or set of lights from one location.

Switch- A device which controls an applicance, like a ceiling light, undercabinet lights, or exterior lights.

Three-Way Switch- a light switch used to control a light or set of lights from two locations.

UL - An abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratories, who test and certify electrical appliances and devices for safety.

Wire Guage - Diameter of copper wire used to carry various amounts of current. For example, #6 Guage copper wire will safely conduct up to 60 amps at 240V ( Used for main heating/cooling: central air conditioners, electric furnace), and conversely, #12 Guage copper wire will safely conduct up to 20 amps at 120V (Used for light fixtures and wall plugs).