Common Electrical Terms You Should Know To Help You Talk To An Electrician
Without a doubt, even household electrical systems are complicated. Add to that the terminology, jargon, and acronyms, and it would be difficult for someone unfamiliar with the field to understand. It's beneficial to know and comprehend some of the most common electrical terms utilized by electricians in the field whether you're just getting started in electrical contracting or trying your hand at a DIY job.
Here are some useful and very common electrical terminologies that you should know to help you talk to an electrician because you're most likely to run into one as you begin working on your house or a commercial electrical renovation:
1. Voltage
Voltage may be compared to the pressure on water passing through a pipe in an electrical circuit. Increasing the voltage results in greater electrical power, much as increasing the pressure raises the volume or flow rate of water via the pipes. As opposed to a DC source like a battery, the voltage from an AC power generator is not consistent. It rises and falls with each cycle. Electricians figure out the average nominal voltage and contrast it to the a steady voltage from a DC power source.
2. AC Power
AC is one of the greatest crucial electrical concepts to understand. A rotating turbine produces alternating electricity, which cycles its direction. This implies that the frequency of AC current is typical. It runs at 60 cycles per second in most of the world. Transformers are used to raise and lower alternating current (AC) voltage as opposed to direct current (DC) voltage.
3. Service Panel
The major control point for the electrical system is the service panel, where the wires connecting the transformer branch out and link to serve each circuit in the house. It is a rectangular metal box with an opening that reveals all of the individual circuit breakers.
4. Transformer
The transformer is mostly to blame for the current state of the electrical system. The transformer is a machine that changes the voltage of electricity. Although the smaller transformers on the power lines lower voltage for usage inside buildings, the larger ones at the power plant raise voltage to several thousand volts. A transformer is also found in many electronic gadgets, which lowers the residential voltage to a level secure enough for their delicate electronics.
5. Circuit Breaker
All of the electrical circuits in your home are represented by the collection of black switches within the service panel. Every switch is a component of a circuit breaker. Overload safety measures are provided via circuit breakers. Each one connects to a hot bus on the panel and manages a circuit that includes a few light fixtures or wall outlets. A breaker will trip if the circuit receives an unexpected surge in current to stop a house fire.
6. Neutral Conductor
The wire running from the positive terminal of the battery to the light is known as the "hot conductor" when connecting a device, such as a light, to a battery. The conductor that returns to the battery's negative terminal is known as the neutral conductor. It is necessary for the DC circuit to be complete in order for the light to operate. In AC circuits, the direction of the current cyclically changes, and both conductors of the power line are heated. A home's branch circuits typically operate at 120 volts.
7. Branch Circuit
Branch circuits are simple to picture as the branches of a tree if you see the service panel as the tree's trunk. A circuit breaker regulates each branch circuit. The electrical requirements of the building are met by all of the branch circuits combined.
8. Grounding Conductor
The electrical system also has a grounding terminal in addition to the neutral terminal. It usually connects to a metal rod driven into the ground outside the house, although it could alternatively link to an underground copper water pipe. The grounding of electrical equipment offers a straight, low-resistance route for fault current to go back to the electrical panel and trip a circuit breaker or blow a fuse. The grounding conductor connects to every appliance and metal electrical box as it travels continually along the circuit.
9. GFCI
A ground-fault current-interrupting receptacle or (GFCI) receptacle and circuit breaker guards against electrocution and shields machinery from ground-fault damage. A GFCI will trip when it detects a current surge of 5 mA (milliamps) or more because it is far more sensitive than a traditional circuit breaker to the current surge brought on by a ground fault.
10. Generator
In the event of a power outage, a generator can provide electricity to your home. A generator enables you to keep using necessary items like refrigerators, computers, cooling and heating systems, and lighting during a power outage. Both portable and fixed home generators are available. The connection and activation of a fixed or a portable generator are where the primary distinctions lie.
11. AFCI
A ground fault and an electrical arc are two distinct occurrences. A GFCI outlet has two buttons, however an arc-fault current interrupting receptacle or AFCI receptacle has a more complicated sensor. Additionally, an AFCI can distinguish between harmful arcing and the typical arcing that happens when you turn on a light, switch, or appliance. An AFCI's or arc fault protection's objective is to prevent fires.
12. Wiring
Switches and appliances are powered by wiring that runs throughout a structure. Electrical currents flow through wiring from one side of the wire to the other side. The following are a few of the wiring types that electricians use:
· Cleat wiring: For transient events, such as a festival or a military base, electricians use this wiring with waterproof cables.
· Batten wiring: Because this wiring needs brass pins and clips, it can only be used indoors because it cannot withstand inclement weather.
· Conduit wiring: Electricians frequently view conduit wire as the most secure type of wiring since it is protected by steel tubes.
· Casing wiring: This type of wiring encases the wires in wood or plastic to make them more robust for usage in homes and workplaces.
13. Electrical Panel
You might not even be aware that there is an electrical panel there if you don't know what it is. However, there is an electrical panel at each location in the house where a gadget or light fixture attaches to the electrical system of the structure. In the event that the wires overheat, an electrical panel separates the connections from the frame, insulation, and other materials that may catch fire. The most basic electrical boxes are constructed of plastic, spherical or rectangular, and usually affixed to the structure.
14. Surge Protection
Surge protection or surge protectors are a device that shields electrical equipment from erratic voltage spikes. An excessive voltage can harm an appliance or the outlet it is plugged into if it is applied to one. Surge protectors control voltages and dissuade any voltages that are unusually high for appropriate surge protection. Surge protectors are typically integrated into power strips with electrical outlets for efficient surge protection.
15. Copper
Copper is used in many different types of electrical wire, including those used in electrical equipment, telecommunications including 5G, and power production, transmission, and distribution. Copper serves as the electrical conductor and this is why copper is widely used for electrical wires.
16. Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is an electrical switch that operates automatically. Circuit breaker is intended to guard against damage to an electrical circuit brought on by a short circuit or an overload. You are shielded from power surges, power outages, and electrical fires by a reliable circuit breaker.
17. Conductor
Electricity flows through an electrical conductor. Electrical conductivity is the capacity to carry electricity. A high capacity for conductivity and low resistance characterize an excellent electrical conductor. Conductivity's opposite and reciprocal is resistance. Several instances of electrical conductors include the following: Aluminum, Copper, Gold, Silver, Water, and Human Skin.
18. Ampere
Ampere is a way to express how strongly an electric current is flowing across a circuit. A flow of current of one coulomb every second corresponds to one ampere. The amount of electrons flowing in a circuit as a percentage of the force they are up against is measured by amperage, often known as amp. When writing amps, electricians place the letter A after the number. For instance, if a vacuum has 12 ampere power, an electrician may write 12A.
19. Receptacle
An example of an AC power outlet is an electric receptacle. A set of openings linked to a wired power source is called an electric receptacle. Its purpose is to connect electrical equipment and building components to the main alternating current, or AC, power supply in order to power them.
A straight blade receptacle of 125V and 15A is typically used in electrical grade outlets. They work as the cable end's receiving end if you put it into a plug. An electrical outlet is another name for it.
20. Load Center
The main power supply for a building is the load center. From a load center, all electrical circuits branch out. To measure and control the amount of power a load center emits, electricians often install circuit breakers inside the load center.
Conclusion
Knowing the above mentioned common electrical terms are not only essential but also very beneficial when you talk to an electrician. It enables you to comprehend the products incorporated and their usage better for an efficient electrical performance. For excellent and skilled electrical service, it is also crucial to hire a competent electrical service to have the best experience in town.