Here are many terms used in describing
house, building, condominium, or cooperative wiring.
Some of terms are often misused.
Alternating Current (AC):
An
electric current that reverses direction in a circuit at
regular intervals. Alternating current, also called AC,
is used in most homes and buildings today.
Amps:
The unit of measure of the flow rate of current.
Circuit
Breaker:
A device that shuts of a circuit by mechanical action
when too much current is flowing. When a high current
passes through a circuit breaker a trigger rapidly
separates a pair of internal contacts. Unlike a fuse,
which must be replaced after it has blown once, a
circuit breaker can be reset after it has been tripped.
Circuit breakers have replaced fuses in modern
buildings.
Circuit
Breaker Panel:
An electric panel containing circuit breakers.
Conductor:
A substance, typically metal, that conducts an electric
current. Copper and aluminum are the most common
conductors in building wiring.
Current:
The rate of flow of electrons, measured in amps. The
more electrons flowing, the more energy that is
available. However, the flowing electrons heat up the
wire. Too much heating of the wire creates a fire
hazard.
Direct
Current (DC):
An electric current that flows in one direction in a
circuit. Direct current, also called DC, is rarely
used homes and buildings today.
Fuse:
A safety device used to protect against excessive
current. A fuse consists of a metal alloy strip with a
low melting point. Because of its electrical
resistance, the alloy strip is heated by electric
current. If the current exceeds a safe value, the strip
melts. This opens the circuit and stops the current.
Fuses are rarely seen in modern wiring.
Insulation:
A material that does not conduct electricity. A
conductor wrapped in insulation forms the wiring found
in homes and buildings. Most modern insulators are
plastic or vinyl.
Power:
As a first order approximation, power is the product of
the voltage times the current. Power is a measure of
how much work can be done in a certain period of time.
It is power (not voltage or current) that defines how
much work is actually done.
Sub-Panel:
An additional electrical panel installed after the main
circuit breaker panel.
Three-Phase Power:
Electrical power delivered in three separate phases.
This is the way electrical power is distributed
throughout the community and supplied to buildings.
Voltage:
The electrical energy available, measured in volts.
Volts:
The unit of measure of electrical potential.
Watt:
A unit of measure of electric power.
Wire:
A conductor surrounded by an insulator. Wires carry the
electric current throughout a building.
