Definitions

Covered Conductor

A Conductor encased within material of composition or thickness that is not recognized by this Code as electrical insulation.

Multi wire branch circuit

A branch circuit that consists of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor that had equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit and that is connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system.

Branch circuit appliance

A branch circuit that supplies energy to one or more outlets to which appliances are to be connected and then has no permanently connected luminaires that are not a part of an appliance.

Individual branch circuit

A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment.

Branch circuit general purpose

A branch circuit that supplies two or more receptacles or outlets for lighting and appliances.

Luminaire

A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts design to position the light source and connected to the power supply. It may also include parts to protect the light source or the ballast or to distribute the light.

Grounding electrode

A conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.

Insulated Conductor

A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness that is recognized by this Code as electrical insulation.

Grounding electrode conductor

A conductor used to connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode system

Receptacle

A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.

Circuit breaker

A device designed to open and close the circuit by nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself and properly apply within its rating.

ground fault circuit interrupter

A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to deenergize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a class A device

Arc fault circuit interrupter

A device intended to provide protection from the affects of arc faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and by functioning to deenergize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.

Controller

A device or group of devices that serves to govern, in some predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to the apparatus to which it is connected.

Intersystem bonding termination

A device that provides means for connecting intersystem bonding conductors for communications systems to the grounding electrode system.

Disconnecting means

A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from the their source of supply.

Disconnecting means

A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply

Snap General Use Switch

A form of general-Use Switch constructed so that it can be installed in device boxes or on box covers, or otherwise conjunction with wiring systems recognized by this Code.

Switchboard

A large single panel frame, or assembly of panels on which are mounted on the face, back, or both, switches, overcurrent and other protective devices, buses, and usually instruments. These assemblies are generally accessed both from the rear as well as from the front and are not intended to be installed in cabinets.

Nonlinear load

A load of where the wave shape of the steady-state current does not follow the wave shape of the applied voltage

Dry location

A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness.

Nominal Voltage

A nominal voltage assigned to a circuit or system for the purpose of conveniently designating a voltage class.

Outlet

A point on the wiring system in which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

Instantaneous trip

A qualifying term indicating that no delay is purposely introduced into the tripping action of a circuit breaker.

Inverse Time Circuit Breaker

A qualifying term indicating that there is purposely introduced a delay in the tripling action of the circuit breaker which delay decreases as the magnitude of the current increases.

Panelboard

A single panel or group of panel units design for assembly in the form of a single panel including buses and automatic over-current devices, and equipped with or without switches for the controlled lighting, heat, or power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or turtle box placed an order against a wall, partition, or other support; and it accessible only from the front.

Dwelling Unit

A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons; including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.

Building

A structure that stands alone or that is cut off from adjoining structures by fire walls with all openings therein protected by approved fire doors.

General Use Switch

A switch intended for use in general distribution and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes, and it is capable of interrupting its rated current at its rated voltage.

Motor circuit switch

A switch rated in horsepower that is capable of interrupting the maximum operating overload current of a motor of the same horsepower rating as a switch at the rated voltage

Ground fault protection of equipment

A system intended to provide protection of a equipment from damaging line to the ground fault current space operating to cause disconnecting means to open up all ungrounded conductors of the fault circuit. This protection is provided at current levels less than those required to protect conductors from damage through the operation of a supply circuit over current device.

Grounded conductor

A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.

Multi outlet assembly

A type of surface, flush, or freestanding raceway designed to hold conductors and receptacles, assembled in the field or at the factory.

Device

A unit of an electrical system, other than a conductor, that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function.

Approved

Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

Feeder

All circuit conductors between the service equipment, the source of separately derived system, or other power supply stores in the final branch circuit overcurrent device.

Switchgear

An assembly completely enclosed on all sides and top with sheet-metal (except for ventilating openings and inspection windows) and containing primary power circuit switching, interrupting devices, or both, with buses and connections. This assembly may include control and auxiliary devices. Access to the interior of the enclosures provided by doors, removable covers, or both.

Motor control center

An assembly of one or more enclose sections having a common power bus and principally containing motor control units.

Transfer switch

An automatic or non-automatic device for transferring one or more load conductor connections from one power source to another.

Separately derived system

An electrical source, other than a service, having no direct connections to circuit conductors of any other electrical source other than those established by grounding and bonding connection.

Ground fault current path

An electrically conductive path from the point of a ground fault on the wiring system through normally noncurrent carrying conductors, equipment, or the earth to the electrically supply source

Cutout box

An enclosure designed for surface mounting that has swinging doors or covers secured directly to and telescoping with the walls of the box proper.

Cabinet

An enclosure that is designed for either surface mounting or flush mounting and is provided with a frame, may, or trim in which a swinging door or doors are or can be hung.

Effective ground fault current path

An intentionally constructed, low impedance electrically conductive path designed and intended to carry current underground fault conditions from the point of a ground fault on the wiring system to the electrical supply source and that facilitates the operation of overcome protective device or ground fault detectors

Authority having jurisdiction

An organization, office, or individuals responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure.

Lighting outlet

An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lamp holder or luminaire

Receptacle outlet

An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed

Ground fault

An unintentional, electrically conductive connection between and ungrounded conductor of an electrical circuit and normally non-current carrying conductors, metallic enclosures, metal raceways, metallic equipment, or earth.

Fitting

Any accessories such as the locknut, bushing, or other part of the wiring system it was intended primarily to perform a mechanical rather than an electrical function.

Overcurrent

Any current in excess of the rated current of equipment or the Ampacity of a conductor

Continuous load

Any load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more

Readily accessible

Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those whom ready access is requisite to actions such as to use tools, to climb over or remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

Bonded

Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity.

Grounded

Connected to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection.

Rain tight

Constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under specified test conditions.

Weatherproof

Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather will not interfere with successful operation.

Dust tight

Constructed so that dust will not enter the enclosing case under specified test conditions.

Watertight

Constructed so that moisture will not enter the enclosure under specified test conditions.

Rainproof

Constructed, protected, or treated so as to prevent rain from interfering with the successful operation of the apparatus under specified test conditions.

Guarded

Covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected by means of suitable covers, casings, barriers, rails, screens, mats, or platforms to remove the likelihood of approach or contact by persons or objects to a point of danger.

Energized

Electrically connected to, or is, a source of voltage.

Live Parts

Energized conductive components.

Explosionproof Equipment

Equipment enclosed in a case that is capable of withstanding an explosion of a specified gas o vapor that may occur within, and that operates at such an external temperature that a surrounding flammable atmosphere will not be ignited or thereby.

Utilization Equipment

Equipment that utilizes electric energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes.

Voltage to Ground

For grounded circuits, the voltage between the given conductor and that point or conductor of type circuit that is grounded; for ungrounded circuits, the greatest voltage between the given conductor and any other conductor of the circuit.

Wet Location

Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.

Premises wiring system

Interior and exterior wiring, including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed. This includes (a) wiring from the service point or power source to the outlets or (b) wiring from and including the power source to the outlets where there is no service point.

Damp Location

Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture.

Isolated

Not readily accessible to persons unless special means for access are used.

Exposed

On or attached to the surface or behind panels designed to allow access.

Qualified person

One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved

Continuous duty

Operation at a substantially constant load for an indefinitely long time

Intermittent Duty

Operation for alternate intervals of (1) load and no load; or (2) load and rest; or (3) load, no load, and rest.

Overload

Operation of equipment in excess of normal, full load rating, or out of a conductor in excess of rated Ampacity that, when a process for us official length of time, would cause damage or dangers overheating.

Overload

Operation of equipment in excess of normal, full-load rating, or of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, when it persists for a sufficient length of time, would cause damage or dangerous overheating.

Identified

Recognizable as suitable for the specific purpose, function, use, environment, application, and so forth, where described in a particular Code requirement.

Concealed

Rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of the building.

Enclosed

Surrounded by case, housing, fence, or walls that prevents persons from accidental contacting energized parts.

Enclosure

The case or housing apparatus, or the fence or walls surrounding an installation to prevent personnel from accidentally contacting energized parts or to protect the equipment from physical damage.

Branch circuit

The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlets

Equipment grounding conductor

The conductive path that provides a ground fault current path and connects normally noncurrent carrying metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded conductor or the grounded electrode conductor, or both.

Service

The conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy from the serving utility to the wire and system of the premises served.

Service conductors

The conductors from the service point to the service disconnecting mean

Main bonding jumper

The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the equipment grounding conductor or at the service.

System bonding jumper

The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the supply-side bonding jumping, or the equipment grounding conductor, or both, at a seperately derived system.

Equipment bonding jumper

The connection between two or more portions of the equipment grounding conductor

Interrupting rating

The highest current rated voltage that a device is identified to interrupt under standard test conditions

Ampacity

The maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of a views without exceeding its temperature rating.

Service Equipment

The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker or switches and fuses and their accessories, connected to the load end of the service conductors to a building or other structure, Or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cut off of the supply.

Service conductors, overhead

The overhead conductors between the service point and the first point of connection to the service entrance conductors at the building or other structure.

Service drop

The overhead conductors between the utility electric supply system and the service point.

Short circuit current rating

The perspective symmetrical fault current at a nominal voltage to which an apparatus or system is able to be connected without sustained damage exceeding to defined acceptance criteria

Service point

The point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility in the premises wiring.

Service entrance conductors, overhead system

The service conductors between the terminals of the service equipment and a point usually outside the building, clear of building walls, where joined by tap or spice to the service drop or overhead service conductors.

Service entrance conductors, underground system

The service conductors between the terminals of the service equipment and the point of connection to the service lateral or underground service conductors.

Insight form

The specified equipment is to be visible and not more than 50 ft distant from the other.

Service conductors, underground

The underground conductors between the service point and the first point of connection to the service entrance conductors in a terminal box, meter box or other enclosure, inside or outside the building wall.

Service lateral

The underground conductors between the utility electric supply system and the service point.

Appliance

Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, that is normally built in standardized sizes of types in and is installed or connected as a unit to preform one or more functions.

Dead Front

Without live parts exposed to a person on the operating side of the equipment.