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Electrical Trade Vocabulary

Basic electrical terms for students and apprentices. Electrical work can be deadly; always follow local code and use a licensed electrician.

83 cardsGrades 9–12, Adult#trades#electrical#vocational

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  • VoltageTerm
    Electrical pressure that pushes current; measured in volts
  • CurrentTerm
    Flow of electric charge; measured in amperes
  • ResistanceTerm
    Opposition to current; measured in ohms
  • PowerTerm
    Rate of using energy; measured in watts
  • Ohm's lawTerm
    Volts = amps x ohms
  • Watt's lawTerm
    Watts = volts x amps
  • ConductorTerm
    Material that carries current easily, like copper
  • InsulatorTerm
    Material that resists current, like rubber
  • CircuitTerm
    A complete path for current
  • Open circuitTerm
    A broken path; no current flows
  • Short circuitTerm
    An unintended low-resistance path causing very high current
  • Series circuitTerm
    Components in one path
  • Parallel circuitTerm
    Components on separate branches
  • ACTerm
    Alternating current, which changes direction
  • DCTerm
    Direct current, which flows one way
  • Hot wireTerm
    Carries current from the source; usually black or red
  • Neutral wireTerm
    Returns current to the source; usually white
  • Ground wireTerm
    Safety path to earth; bare copper or green
  • Circuit breakerTerm
    Switch that opens automatically when current is too high
  • FuseTerm
    A safety device with a link that melts on overcurrent
  • GFCITerm
    Ground fault circuit interrupter, which cuts power when current leaks
  • AFCITerm
    Arc fault circuit interrupter, which guards against arcing
  • Panel (breaker box)Term
    Enclosure holding circuit breakers
  • Service entranceTerm
    Where utility power enters a building
  • MeterTerm
    Device measuring electricity use
  • ReceptacleTerm
    Outlet where plugs connect
  • SwitchTerm
    Device that opens and closes a circuit
  • Three-way switchTerm
    Allows control of a light from two places
  • Junction boxTerm
    Enclosure for wire connections
  • ConduitTerm
    Protective tube for wiring
  • EMT conduitTerm
    Electrical metallic tubing, a thin-walled metal conduit
  • RomexTerm
    Common brand name for non-metallic sheathed cable
  • Wire gauge (AWG)Term
    Size of wire; a smaller number means thicker wire
  • 14 AWG wireTerm
    Commonly used on 15-amp circuits
  • 12 AWG wireTerm
    Commonly used on 20-amp circuits
  • AmpacityTerm
    Maximum current a conductor can carry safely
  • Voltage dropTerm
    Loss of voltage along a wire
  • Wire nutTerm
    Cap used to join wires
  • LugTerm
    A connector point for a wire
  • TerminalTerm
    A screw or clamp point where wire attaches
  • StripTerm
    Remove insulation from a wire end
  • PigtailTerm
    A short wire used to connect multiple wires to one terminal
  • LoadTerm
    A device that uses electrical power
  • Line sideTerm
    The side of a device connected to the power source
  • Load sideTerm
    The side leading to the devices
  • MultimeterTerm
    Tool measuring voltage, current and resistance
  • Voltage testerTerm
    Tool that detects live circuits
  • Lockout/tagoutTerm
    Safety procedure keeping a circuit off while working on it
  • NECTerm
    National Electrical Code, setting US wiring standards
  • PermitTerm
    Official permission to do regulated electrical work
  • InspectionTerm
    Official check that work meets code
  • Journeyman electricianTerm
    A licensed electrician who has completed an apprenticeship
  • Master electricianTerm
    A highly experienced, licensed electrician
  • ApprenticeTerm
    A trainee learning the trade on the job
  • TransformerTerm
    Device that changes voltage levels
  • Step-down transformerTerm
    Reduces voltage
  • MotorTerm
    Device converting electrical energy to motion
  • CapacitorTerm
    Component that stores charge
  • RelayTerm
    A switch operated by an electromagnet
  • ContactorTerm
    A heavy-duty relay for high-current loads
  • PhaseTerm
    One of the alternating currents in a power system
  • Single-phaseTerm
    Power common in homes
  • Three-phaseTerm
    Power common in industry
  • 120 voltsTerm
    Standard household outlet voltage in the US
  • 240 voltsTerm
    Higher household voltage for appliances like dryers
  • FrequencyTerm
    Cycles per second; 60 Hz in the US
  • Kilowatt-hourTerm
    A unit of energy used on electric bills
  • Load calculationTerm
    Figuring the total power demand of a building
  • OvercurrentTerm
    More current than a circuit is designed to carry
  • Arc flashTerm
    A dangerous explosion of energy from an electrical fault
  • Electrical shockTerm
    Current passing through the body; potentially deadly
  • PPETerm
    Personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves
  • BondingTerm
    Connecting metal parts to make them electrically continuous
  • Grounding electrodeTerm
    A rod or pipe that connects the system to the earth
  • DimmerTerm
    A switch that varies light brightness
  • Smart switchTerm
    A switch controlled by an app or voice
  • Solar panelTerm
    Device turning sunlight into DC electricity
  • InverterTerm
    Converts DC power to AC
  • Surge protectorTerm
    Device limiting voltage spikes
  • Extension cord ratingTerm
    Must match or exceed the load's amperage
  • KnockoutTerm
    A removable circle in a box for cable entry
  • Fish tapeTerm
    A tool for pulling wire through walls and conduit
  • Lineman's pliersTerm
    Heavy pliers for cutting and twisting wire

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