Electrical: Section 1 - Working Safely with Wiring

Pigtail

A short wire used to connect two or more wires to a single screw terminal.

Neutral Wire

A wire that returns current at zero voltage to the source of the electrical power. Usually a wire with a white or light gray insulation.

Grounding Wire

A wire used in an electrical circuit to conduct current to the service panel in the event of a ground fault. Usually is just bare copper or has a green insulation.

Circuit

A continuous loop of electrical current flowing along wires.

Electrical Circuit

A continuous loop of electricity.

Overload

A demand for more current than the circuit wires or electrical device was designed to carry.

Meter

A device that connects to the service mast that measures the amount of electricity a building uses.

Wire Connector

A device used to connect two or more wires together. Also known as a wire nut.

Circuit Index

A list of which each circuit breaker controls. Generally listed inside of a service panel.

Grounding Electrode

A metal component that connects the service panel to the earth.

Conduit

A metal or plastic pipe used to protect wires.

Screw Terminal

A place where a wire connects to a receptacle, switch, or fixture.

Outlet

A place where electricity is taken for use.

Polarized Receptacle

A receptacle designed to keep hot current flowing along black or red wires and neutral current flowing along white or gray wires.

Duplex Receptacle

A receptacle that provides two plug in connections.

Armored Cable

An assembly of insulated wires enclosed in a flexible, interlocked metallic armor.

Electrical Box

An enclosure for wire connections. Also known as a junction box.

Short Circuit

An improper contact between two current-carrying wires, such as a hot wire with a neutral wire.

Continuity

An uninterrupted pathway through a circuit or fixture.

Conductor

Any material that allows electrical current to flow through it.

Insulator

Any material that resists the flow of electricity.

Hot Wire

Any wire that carries voltage. Usually a wire with black or red insulation.

Fixtures

Attach directly to a household electrical system for use.

Grounding

Connects a home's electrical system to the earth to help stabilize voltage fluctuations from lighting or other external surges, and provides a secondary return path for electricity in case the primary has a problem.

Tamper Resistant Three-Slot Receptacle

Connects appliances, tools, and other electric devices to the ground for protection against ground faults.

Bonding

Connects the non-current-carrying metal parts of an electrical system, such as metal boxes and conduit, in a continuous low-resistance path back to the main service panel.

Switch

Controls electricity passing through hot wires.

"Step Down" Transformers

Decreases the voltage of electricity for residential distribution along street wires, or even further to 120-volts for household use.

Service Panel

Distributes power to individual circuits, and contains fuses or breakers to protect those circuits from short circuits or overloads or to shut them off manually.

All paths possible

Does electricity take the path of least resistance, or all paths possible?

UL-Approved

Electrical parts or devices approved by Underwriters Laboratories.

Basic Delivery System

Electricity is created at the power plant and is then sent through "Step-Up transformers" that increase the voltage to half a million volts or more. This electricity is then delivered through transmission wires to be reduced by "Step- Down transformers" at substations. Substations send reduced electricity through street wire, which is further at smaller transformers on utility poles. This is then at the standard 120 volts used for households. The electricity travels through either overhead or underground wires, through a service mast and a meter and into a service panel, which can combine two 120 volt wires for large 240-volt appliances.

Ufer Ground

Grounding electrode in the form of reinforced steel in the building cement footer.

Grounding Rod

Grounding electrode that is pounding into the ground.

Transmission Wires

High voltage wires that carry electricity from step up transformers to the step down transformers located near communities.

Flexible Metal Conduit

Hollow, coiled steel or aluminum tubing to protect wires.

Receptacle Adapter

Plugs into a two-prong, polarized receptacle and connects bounds a three prong plug the to mounting coverplate screw.

Weatherhead

Prevents moisture from entering the house through the service mast.

Fish Tape Lubricant

Products designed for lubricating fish tape.

Recepticle

Provides plug in access to electricity.

Neutral Service Wire

Returns electricity from a house back to a pole transformer.

Substation

Takes electricity from high voltage transmission wires and reduces it for distribution along street wires. Located near communities.

"Step Up" Transformers

Takes the electricity from the power plant and increases the voltage to half a million volts or more.

Watts

The SI unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second, corresponding to the power in an electric circuit in which the potential difference is one volt and the current one ampere. Amps x Volts

Service Mast

The attachment point for wires on posts and houses. Normally this has two 120 volt wires, and a grounded neutral coming off of it.

6 feet

The minimum depth for a grounding rod.

Voltage

The potential force (pressure) of an electrical current. Watts / Amps

Ampacity

The maximum amount of electric current a conductor or device can carry before sustaining immediate or progressive deterioration. Watts / Volts

Ampere

The rate at which electrical current flows to a fixture, tool or appliance.

Stud Finder/Laser Level

Tool used for locating framing members and aligning electrical boxes.

Multimeter

Tool used for measuring AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, and duty cycle.

Fish Tape

Tool used for pulling wire through finished wall cavities or other unreachable locations.

Wire Strippers

Tool used for removing insulation from conductors.

Cable Ripper

Tool used for scoring non-metal sheathing.

Plug-In Tester

Tool used to check receptacles for correct polarity, grounding, and circuit protection.

Touchless Circuit Tester

Tool used to safely check circuits for current.

Double Insulated Tools

Tools that have non-conductive plastic bodies to prevent shocks from ground faults.

Cable

Two or more wires that are grouped together and protected by a covering or sheath.

Jumper Wire

Used to bypass the water meter and ensure an uninterrupted bonding pathway for grounding.

Overload

When a circuit is carrying too much current.

Ground Fault

When a hot wire comes in contact with a ground wire, grounding conductor, or metal.

Power Plants

Where electricity is produced.