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Electrical
Glossary A - D |
Ampere or Amp: The rate at which
electrical power flows to a light, tool, or appliance.
Armored Cable: Two or more wires grouped together and
protected by flexible metal covering.
Box: A device used to contain and protect wiring
connections. This is the little plastic or metal box that
contains the wires in your receptacles.
BX: See armored cable
Cable: Two or more wires grouped together and
protected by a covering or sheath.
Circuit: A continuous loop of electrical current
flowing along wires or cables. For example, you may group
your kitchen outlets into one circuit. The circuit switch is
what you turn off on your electrical panel when you are
working on that area to prevent electricity from going to
that area.
Circuit Breaker: A safety device that interrupts an
electrical circuit in the event of an overload or short
circuit. If you have an overload, the circuit breaker will
automatically shut the circuit. You must reset this switch
by going to your electric panel and turning it off and then
back on. You can tell a circuit breaker has been shorted
when there is a red flag in the circuit breaker window near
the off switch.
Conductor: Any material that allows electrical
current to flow through it. Copper is an excellent conductor
and is used in most electrical outlets.
Conduit: A metal or plastic tube used to protect
wires. Conduit may be used outside your home where a group
of wires enters the home.
Continuity: An uninterrupted electrical pathway
through a circuit or electrical fixture.
Current: The movement of electrons along a conductor.
Duplex Receptacle: A receptacle that provides
connections for two plugs. |
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