Electrical - Electricians Jobs Terminology Meanings Definitions

Electricians - Electricians Jobs Electricians Terminology Electrical Meanings Electricians Definitions

Electricians Terms and Electricians Definitions

There are a number of electrical terms that are commonly used by electricians that have to do with the field of electricity. Many people are unfamiliar with these electrical terms, and in fact, the electrical definitions often vary in meaning between how people use them, as well as sometimes varying in meaning between countries. This glossary is meant to provide a brief overview of some of the more common electricians terms and electrical definitions.

Electricians Terms - Electrical Appliance

Appliances consume electricity instead of passing it on. The term appliance is not used to describe fixtures (such as lighting fixtures) or devices that simply pass electricity on.

Electricians Terms - Arcing

Current using the air instead of a wire to cross a gap.

Electricians Terms - Breaker

Switching device designed to disconnect power to a circuit when either heat or current exceeds the appropriate level for a designated period of time.

Electricians Terms - Cable

A set of wires, generally enclosed in an outer protective covering. Cables are part of a permanent installation, which is what differentiates them from a "cord".

Electricians Terms - Circuit

The most common use of the word circuit is actually in relation to "branch circuit", which is everything fed or interrupted by a specified fuse or breaker. It is the actual (or intended) path of the current.

Electricians Terms - Electrical Current

The flow of electrons within a wire or other conductor.

Electricians Terms - Device

An item which doesn't consume electricity, but instead interrupts or passes it on, such as with a switch, breaker or fuse.

Electricians Terms - Dimmer

Switch which can alter the voltage that it passes on, thus dimming the lights.

Electricians Terms - Fixture

An electrically-produced light assembly, which is non-portable.

Fuse

Device intended to melt apart, thus interrupting the flow of the current to its circuit.

Electricians Terms - Fusebox

Main source of circuits within a home, containing fuses instead of breakers.

Electricians Terms - GFI (or GFCI)

Ground-fault interrupter, a device that when properly connected can sense and disrupt ground faults at standard receptacles which are wired on from it, to prevent possible electrocution.

Electricians Terms - Junction Box

A box that is used only for making connections, and not for supporting a receptacle, light or switch.

Electricians Terms - Outlet

This term is usually used to refer to a receptacle for a cord to plug into.

Electricians Terms - Overload

An overload occurs when too many things are ran on the same circuit, causing the wires to get too hot, resulting in the breaker tripping.

Electricians Terms - Panel

Another term for "breaker box", which is a large metal box that contains the breakers for circuits.

Electricians Terms - Receptacle

Device that is an outlet that allows appliances or lights to be plugged in.

Electricians Terms - Socket

The part of a light fixture designed to hold the bulb or tube.

Electricians Terms - Splice

Unanchored electrical connector that joins two or more wires directly.

Electricians Terms - Electrical Switch

Device designed to interrupt the current to a part of the circuit.

Electricians Terms - Electrical Terminal

Pressure device or screw which has one or more wires connected for the purpose of passing along current and electrical continuity.

Electricians Terms - Electrical Wire

Bendable metal designed to carry electric current, which is coated with an insulating material, except in the case of a grounding wire.