Understanding electrical terminology helps homeowners communicate more effectively with professionals
Why Knowing Electrical Terminology Matters
When it comes to the electrical systems in your home, understanding the terminology can feel like learning a foreign language. At ACDC Electrical Services, we believe that informed homeowners make better decisions about their electrical needs. Whether you’re discussing an issue with our technicians, planning a renovation, or simply trying to understand your home’s electrical system better, this glossary will help you navigate electrical conversations with confidence.
Essential Electrical Terms Every Homeowner Should Know
A
Ampere (Amp): The basic unit of electrical current. Your home’s electrical service is rated in amps (typically 100-200 amps for modern homes), indicating how much electrical current your home can safely handle.
Alternating Current (AC): The type of electricity that powers homes in the United States. In AC power, the electrical current regularly reverses direction. Standard U.S. household current is 120 volts AC.
Arc Fault: A dangerous electrical discharge that can occur when electrical current flows through an unintended path. This can cause fires.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI): A safety device that breaks the circuit when it detects an arc fault, helping prevent electrical fires.
B
Breaker Box: Another term for an electrical panel or service panel. It contains circuit breakers that distribute power throughout your home.
Branch Circuit: An electrical circuit that extends from the main panel to outlets, lights, or appliances in your home.
Bonding: Connecting metallic parts to ensure electrical continuity and conductivity, providing a path for fault currents.
C
Circuit: A closed path through which electricity flows from a power source, through various devices, and back to the source.
Circuit Breaker: A safety device that automatically interrupts electrical flow in a circuit when it detects overload or short circuit conditions.
Conduit: A tube or channel that protects electrical wires running through it.
Current: The flow of electrical charge, measured in amperes (amps).
D
Direct Current (DC): Electrical current that flows in one direction only. Batteries provide DC power.
Dimmer Switch: A switch that allows you to vary the brightness of lights by controlling the amount of current flowing to them.
Double-Pole Circuit Breaker: A circuit breaker that provides 240 volts and takes up two slots in your electrical panel. Typically used for large appliances like dryers and electric ranges.
E
Electrical Code: Standards for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment. In Middle Tennessee, we follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) with possible local amendments.
Electrical Panel: The central distribution point for electricity in your home, containing circuit breakers or fuses.
Electrical Service: The total electrical capacity available to your home, measured in amps.
F
Fuse: An older type of overcurrent protection device that contains a metal wire that melts when too much current flows through it, breaking the circuit.
Fuse Box: An older type of electrical panel that uses fuses instead of circuit breakers.
Fixture: Any electrical device that’s permanently attached to your home’s wiring, such as lights, ceiling fans, or hardwired appliances.
G
Ground: A connection between an electrical circuit and the earth, providing a path for electrical current to flow safely away in case of a fault.
Ground Fault: An unintentional electrical path between a power source and a grounded surface, often through water or a person’s body.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): A safety device that quickly breaks an electrical circuit when it detects a ground fault, protecting you from electrical shock. Required in bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors, and other wet locations.
H
Hot Wire: The wire that carries electrical current from the panel to outlets and fixtures. Typically black, red, or another color (but not white, green, or bare).
Heavy-Up: Slang for upgrading your electrical service to handle more amperage, such as going from 100 to 200 amps.
I
Insulation: The non-conductive material that covers wires to prevent electrical contact with people or other wires.
Inverter: A device that converts DC power (like from solar panels) to AC power for home use.
J
Junction Box: A container for electrical connections, providing protection and access to wiring connections.
K
Kilowatt (kW): 1,000 watts, a measurement of electrical power.
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): The standard unit of electrical energy consumption, measuring one kilowatt of power used for one hour. This is what your electric bill measures.
L
Load: The amount of power used by electrical devices connected to a circuit.
Load Center: Another term for electrical panel.
M
Main Breaker: The large circuit breaker that controls all the power coming into your home’s electrical panel.
Multimeter: A device used to measure electrical values such as voltage, current, and resistance.
N
Neutral Wire: The wire that carries current back to the source after it flows through a device. Typically white.
National Electrical Code (NEC): A set of standards for safe electrical installations, updated every three years and adopted by most jurisdictions in the United States, including Lawrenceburg and surrounding counties.
O
Outlet/Receptacle: A connection point where you can plug in electrical devices. Standard outlets in homes provide 120 volts.
Overcurrent: Current exceeding the rated capacity of a conductor, leading to excessive heat generation and potential fire hazards.
Overlamping: Using a light bulb with higher wattage than a fixture is designed for, creating a fire hazard.
P
Panel: Short for electrical panel.
Polarized Plug: A plug with one blade wider than the other to ensure it can only be inserted in one direction, maintaining proper polarity.
Power Surge: A sudden increase in voltage that can damage electrical equipment.
R
Raceway: A channel used to hold wires or cables.
Receptacle Tester: A simple device that plugs into an outlet to verify it’s wired correctly.
Resistance: The opposition to the flow of current in an electrical circuit, measured in ohms.
S
Service Drop: The overhead wires that bring electrical power from the utility pole to your home.
Service Entrance: Where the utility’s power lines connect to your home’s electrical system.
Short Circuit: An abnormal connection between two points in an electrical circuit, causing excessive current flow and often tripping a breaker.
Single-Pole Circuit Breaker: A circuit breaker that controls a single 120-volt circuit and takes up one slot in your electrical panel.
Subpanel: A smaller electrical panel that receives power from the main panel and distributes it to a specific area of your home.
Surge Protector: A device that protects electrical equipment from voltage spikes.
T
Tamper-Resistant Receptacle: An outlet designed with internal shutters that prevent foreign objects from being inserted, protecting children from shock hazards.
Three-Way Switch: A type of light switch that allows you to control a light from two different locations.
Transfer Switch: A device that switches a load between two sources. Often used with generators to safely transfer from utility power to generator power.
U
Underwriters Laboratories (UL): An independent safety certification organization that tests and certifies electrical products.
Upgrade: Improving an electrical system to meet current codes or increased demands.
V
Volt: The unit of electrical pressure or force.
Voltage: The measure of electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuit.
W
Watt: The unit of electrical power, calculated by multiplying volts by amps.
Wire Gauge: A measurement of wire diameter. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire and the more current it can safely carry.
Weatherproof: Electrical components designed to withstand exposure to weather conditions.
Putting Your Knowledge to Work
Now that you’re familiar with these terms, you’ll be better equipped to:
- Communicate clearly with our ACDC Electrical Services technicians about your electrical issues
- Understand estimates and invoices for electrical work
- Make informed decisions about electrical upgrades and repairs
- Identify potential safety concerns in your home’s electrical system
Professional Electrical Services in Middle Tennessee
While understanding terminology is helpful, electrical work should only be performed by licensed professionals. ACDC Electrical Services has been proudly serving Lawrence, Giles, Wayne, Maury, Marshall, Lincoln, Perry, Hickman, and Williamson Counties for over 20 years. Our licensed electricians provide complete residential and commercial services, including:
- Electrical repairs and troubleshooting
- Panel upgrades
- Generator installation and maintenance
- HVAC electrical services
- New construction and remodeling electrical work
- 24/7 emergency services
For all your electrical needs, contact ACDC Electrical Services at 931-271-9603 or visit our website to schedule a service. Remember, electrical safety is not something to take lightly—always consult with a professional for any electrical concerns in your home.