AC Power
A key electrical term to be familiar with is AC. Since the Tesla-Westinghouse power station at Niagara Falls began operations in 1885, alternating current (AC) electricity has become the norm across North America and subsequently around the globe. This type of electric current is generated through rotating turbines, causing the flow to alternate in a “wave-like” pattern as it moves back and forth.
“Imagine it as water moving through a pipeline,” explains Vasilevski.
Power plants produce alternating current (AC) since it’s simple to boost voltage levels to high values for effective transportation via power lines. This can later be reduced again through transformers when brought down from these central facilities to residential areas or commercial establishments. Thus, centralized generation sites utilize this method.
wind, solar, water
Nuclear fuel or fossil fuels have the capability to energize communities located hundreds of miles apart. Additionally, alternating current possesses a specific frequency. In North America, this frequency is set at 60 cycles per second.
On the contrary, DC voltage is utilized for small-scale uses such as operating electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, batteries, and various gadgets that demand a constant and stable flow of energy. Additionally, solar panels produce direct current power.
“Batteries naturally produce DC because the chemical reactions inside them push the current in one direction,” says Vasilevski. “It flows in a single direction without changing, like water flowing steadily in one direction through a hose.”
Grasping AC electrical jargon enables homeowners to comprehend how electricity enters their home, what occurs once it arrives, and how to manage it effectively.
Voltage
John Williamson, who serves as the electrical operations supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, draws comparisons between different voltages during his work.
electrical circuit
Due to the force applied to water moving through a pipe, just like increased pressure amplifies the volume and speed at which water flows through the pipes, boosting the voltage generates greater electric power.
The voltage from alternating current
power generator
Isn’t steady because it comes from a DC source such as a battery; instead, it fluctuates throughout each cycle. In order to contrast this with the consistent voltage provided by a DC power supply, electricians determine an average nominal voltage. This value represents the AC voltage (VAC), which appears on the labels of various appliances and electronic devices.
In North America, any gadget that connects to a regular outlet
wall outlet
Is rated for 120 VAC; however, due to voltage variations, the operational range typically spans from 110 to 125 VAC.
Transformer
The transformer primarily bears responsibility for producing the
electrical grid
What we have today is a transformer, which is a gadget capable of stepping up and down electrical voltages.
If you’ve ever passed by an electric power station, you have noticed the several big cylindrical structures linked to the transmission lines.
power lines
If you observe the utility poles near your home, you’ll notice small cylindrical objects attached to them; these are called transformers. The big transformers located at the power station boost the electrical voltage up to thousands of volts, whereas the smaller versions on the poles reduce this high voltage so it can be safely used within homes and businesses.
A number of electronic gadgets include a transformer within them to reduce household electricity levels to a safer range suitable for delicate components. This crucial component can typically be found inside the squared-off housing located at the tip of the cable where the prongs connect to form the plug.
Service Panel
The service panel serves as the primary hub for the electrical system, acting as the point where wires from the transformer enter and then distribute to feed the various circuits throughout the house. This component is typically a rectangular metal enclosure featuring a door that opens up to reveal its contents.
circuit breakers
For each of the separate circuits.
Every electrical wire bringing power into your home from the utility line transformer hooks up to a copper or alloy strip at the rear of the breaker box. Known as hot bus bars, these strips have connections for every circuit breaker in the house.
Electricity will flow only if it has a full loop; thus, the panel features a neutral terminal to supply an electric pathway back to the transformer. Additionally, it incorporates a wire connected to the ground, ensuring that every electrical device within the home can be safely grounded.
The panel is typically located in the basement, inside a closet, or outdoors, and accessible when you need to address issues with it.
electrical problems
It should be simple to access, so make sure to leave the area in front of it unobstructed.
Circuit Breaker
That set of black switches within your device
home’s service panel
encompasses all the electrical pathways in your residence. Every switch forms part of an apparatus called a circuit breaker. Should your dwelling have been constructed prior to 1950, it might be equipped with a fuse box. These fuse boxes use screw-in fuses rather than toggle-activated breakers.
Circuit breakers are
overload protection
Each device connects to one of the panel’s live buses and manages a circuit containing one or more light fixtures or electrical outlets. In case the circuit encounters an abrupt increase in current, the breaker will activate to stop this.
home fire
.
“If multiple appliances are used at the same time on one circuit, they could potentially demand more electricity than the wiring can safely manage,” explains Daniel Mock, who serves as the vice president of operations.
Mister Sparky
This leads to the circuit overheating and triggers the breaker.
Every circuit breaker comes with an “ampere rating,” which indicates the highest level of current it can handle before tripping. Breakers typically come in ratings of 15 and 20 amps for circuits operating at 120 volts. For large devices running off 240 volts, dual-pole breakers are usually employed, generally carrying ratings between 20 and 60 amps.
Branch Circuit
Imagine the service panel as the root system of a plant; then, envision each branch circuit as an extension reaching out like roots. These branch circuits are regulated by individual circuit breakers. Collectively, these circuits fulfill the entire power requirements for the structure.
The electrical code encompasses three kinds of branch circuits. First, we have the all-purpose circuit which provides electricity to both receptacles and light fixtures. Next comes the appliance circuit designed specifically for powering devices, excluding lighting units. Lastly, there’s the individual circuit—or what is often referred to as a dedicated circuit—which serves only one particular device.
Kitchen circuits are typically necessary in the cooking area, and occasionally they may be needed elsewhere too. Certain appliances require dedicated electrical lines.
large appliances
, including the
central air conditioner
,
electric range
and
water heater
, among others.
Neutral Conductor
When you attach an appliance like a lamp to a battery, the hot conductor refers to the wire extending from the battery’s positive terminal to the lamp. Conversely, the neutral conductor is the connection that runs back to the battery’s negative terminal. This return path is essential for forming a closed direct current (DC) loop; without it, the lamp will not function properly.
In AC circuits, the current frequently reverses direction in cycles, with both wires from the power supply being live. The voltage measured across these two live wires is 240 volts. Conversely, when measuring from either of the live wires to the neutral wire, the voltage reads at 120 volts.
Many of the circuit branches within a home operate at 120 volts. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the neutral conductor is designated as follows:
electrical cables
Must be white. The NEC does not specify a color for hot conductors, but they typically appear as black or red.
Grounding Conductor
In addition to the neutral terminal, the electrical panel includes a grounding terminal. This is usually linked to a metal rod driven into the earth outside the house, although it might alternatively be attached to some other grounded component within the building.
copper water pipe
This operates underground. Each branch circuit includes either a bare or green grounding conductor that connects to the grounding bus.
The electrical codes address both system grounding and equipment grounding as crucial for safety. Connecting the electrical system to the ground assists in stabilizing voltage levels under regular operation. Additionally, this connection ideally channels surges of electric current away during faults.
lightning strike
To Earth so it doesn’t harm anything.
Electric equipment grounding offers a continuous, minimal-impedance route for fault currents to return to the electrical panel, ensuring a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. This ground wire extends throughout the wiring system, linking with each component and metallic junction box along the way.
Ground-Fault
Even with properly installed grounding systems, electricity might still travel through a person’s body or an unsecured wiring link to reach the ground. This could occur if someone makes contact with a
damaged power cord
Or due to a defective appliance switch, or when an exposed live wire touches the grounding wire or a grounded metallic object. This situation is referred to as a ground fault. Such an event triggers a sudden increase in electric current which may lead to overheated wiring, damage to electrical devices, and potential electrocution hazards.
“The unpredictability of ground faults increases their danger because they occur whenever electricity takes an unplanned route to the ground,” explains WG Hickman, who owns the company.
Tri-County Air Service
.
A common scenario happens when an individual stands on a wet surface and comes into contact with an appliance having an exposed electrical component. In this case, electricity may utilize the person’s body as a path to earth, resulting in a severe—or even lethal—electric shock. Although standard 15- and 20-amp circuit breakers are intended to interrupt power flow during these surge events, they do not always prevent individuals from being shocked.
electrical shocks
.
Human bodies transmit electricity effectively since they consist of water and salts,” explains Vasilevski. “Even minimal currents can lead to muscle spasms, burns, or electric shocks. More intense exposures may halt the heartbeat or cause serious harm. A mere 30 milliamps of electrical flow can become perilous, highlighting why ground faults should not be taken lightly.
GFCI
A ground-fault current-interrupting (GFCI)
receptacle
or
circuit breaker
shields individuals from harm and prevents machinery from being damaged due to a ground fault. Unlike standard circuit breakers, Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) quickly detect even slight increases in electrical flow resulting from a ground fault. They activate at as little as 5 milliamps of increased current. An electric current exceeding this level has the potential to disrupt normal heart function in humans.
“Even under regular conditions, concealed problems such as a loose wire or compromised insulation can unexpectedly lead to a ground fault, making the installation of GFCI outlets crucial,” explains Hickman.
GFCI receptacles
Include two buttons on the front panel. One button tests the internal functionality, while the second one resets the system once it has been tripped. According to the NEC, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets must be installed in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and outdoor spaces—locations where water, an excellent electrical conductor, might be found. These GFCI outlets are progressively being substituted with newer models.
GFCI breakers,
Which safeguard whole circuits from a centralized point within the service panel.
Short Circuit
Similar to a ground fault, a short circuit leads to a spike in current, albeit due to distinct circumstances. A ground fault arises when electrical currents take an unintended route to the Earth. In contrast, a short circuit occurs when electric currents discover a path of lesser resistance within the circuit itself.
Shorts usually happen when a neutral wire comes into contact with a hot wire due to poor connections, damaged insulation, or incidents like accidents.
tree branch falling
on a power line.
“If a hot wire touches a neutral wire in your home’s wiring system or in an outlet or fixture, current will flow between them at rapid speed, which also causes overheating,” says Mock.
The rapid increase due to a short circuit often causes the breaker to trip. Should this process be delayed, the surge could instantly raise the wire temperature to thousands of degrees Fahrenheit. In cases where the wires are near each other without making contact, electrical arcing may take place as well. This arcing transforms the air into extremely hot plasma capable of swiftly starting a blaze.
AFCI
Electrical arcing and a ground fault represent distinct occurrences. Consequently, the protective devices designed for each vary from one another, even though they share some commonalities.
A circuit-breaking arc fault current (AFCI)
receptacle
It features the same two buttons as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), yet includes a more intricate sensor system. This advanced sensor not only identifies potential arc-causing conditions prior to them occurring, but it can also differentiate between hazardous arcs and the typical arcing that takes place when switching lights on or off, activating appliances, or operating various devices.
The aim of arc fault protection is to
prevent fires
, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) has progressively expanded the number of spaces where Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) must be installed, now covering almost the entire home. Installing them is increasingly becoming standard procedure.
dual-function
AFCI/GFCI breakers installed in the primary electrical panel instead of separate combination outlets around the home. This method is more cost-effective and offers broader protection.
Polarized Plug
Certain appliance plugs feature just two prongs. If they do,
different sizes
The plug has a polarization feature. You can only fit it into a socket where both slots match the size of each prong, ensuring correct insertion orientation. This design serves as a safeguard against potential grounding faults. For proper wiring, ensure the wider prong connects to the neutral wire.
Household appliances and movable lights with
polarized plugs
are configured internally such that the live wire of the circuit ends at the switch. Power will only reach the internal components or light bulb once you activate the switch.
A prime illustration is a table lamp. The larger prong links to the neutral wire of the electrical circuit. In turn, this connects to the metal threading inside the lamp socket. Meanwhile, the live wire goes through the switch before connecting to the brass contact at the base of the socket, ensuring it remains out of reach. Reversing the wiring would pose an electric shock risk during bulb replacement.
light bulb
fumbling for the lamp switch in the darkness.
Outlet
Various electrical terms have distinct meanings for everyday people and professionals. When most individuals talk about a wall plug, they’re referring to an outlet. However, this isn’t how electricians define the term. For them, an outlet refers to any point within a circuit where energy is supplied. This could be used to energize anything from a lighting fixture and a smoke detector to a permanently connected device, aside from what we commonly call a wall plug, which should technically be termed a receptacle.
The positions of electrical outlet boxes are usually determined during
the initial installation stage of electrical wiring
Before installing the drywall over the framing, the electrician installs cables leading to each of the designated outlet box positions and ensures they’re properly secured within these boxes. Once this task is completed, the electrician returns to meticulously organize and splice all the wires inside the outlet boxes, adding appropriate labels for clarity.
Once the walls have been finished with wallpaper or paint, the electrician just hooks up the predetermined cables to whichever gadget, lighting component, or electrical appliance is meant to be positioned in those spots.
Electrical Box
If you’re unfamiliar with what an electrical box is, you may not notice it at all. However, each spot in your home where a device or light fixture attaches to the building’s wiring system has one of these boxes installed. This complies with NEC regulations. The purpose of this box is to keep wire connections separate from the wood framing, insulation, and other potential ignition sources that could result from overheated wires.
The most basic electrical enclosures come in circular or square shapes, usually fabricated from plastic materials and often fastened directly to the frame with nails. However, certain components necessitate metal boxes which include a grounding screw allowing them to be attached to an earth connection.
During the installation of a new device into an established electrical setup, it’s typical to utilize a remodeling box, which is often made of shallow plastic (as this type of material does not require grounding). It offers
anchors
This enables you to secure it to the drywall rather than to the framing.
Multimeter
Certain electrical terminology pertains directly to electricity itself, whereas other terms denote various tools used in the field.
multimeter
is among the most potent diagnostic resources available
electrician’s tool
belt. This
inexpensive measuring device
includes a device for measuring voltage, current, and resistance along with a set of test leads. It has numerous applications such as verifying whether devices and wiring carry an electrical charge, and identifying discontinuities within a circuit.
In order to perform a voltage check on an apparatus like a switch, you should ensure that the power is turned on and the switch is linked within the circuit. During this process, your meter will measure the electrical potential difference between either the live wire and the neutral line or between the ground connection. Conversely, when testing something akin to a circuit breaker or fuse—referred to as a continuity test—the procedure requires having the electricity shut down first along with isolating the section of wiring under scrutiny from the broader system network. In doing so, the tester introduces a slight electric flow into the setup which allows them to gauge how much hindrance—or resistance—is present across it.
Wire Strippers
Wire strippers
are an additional crucial tool for electricians, and these should not be overlooked
Do-it-yourself homeowner undertaking electrical tasks
It should include a pair of spring-loaded pliers featuring different diameter notches along with wire strippers. These tools are essential for stripping off the insulation from single wires before joining them together or attaching them to a component.
The slots on the edges of a pair of wire strippers come in different sizes designed precisely for wrapping around wires of multiple thicknesses. Place one end of your target wire inside an appropriately sized slot. Close the handles to slice through the outer covering. Finally, employ the textured point at the front to remove this sheath easily. Using these tools is quicker compared to using just a blade; additionally, they offer greater safety and precision.
NEC
One entry on our list of electrical terminology doesn’t refer to a tool or a form of energy. When electricians discuss adhering to “code,” they’re referring to the regulations and standards שצרصند
National Electrical Code
(The National Electrical Code). The NEC was founded by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 1897, with its guidelines and standards being revised every three years.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) isn’t federal legislation, yet it has been embraced by all 50 U.S. states along with regulatory bodies in Mexico and various nations globally. Changes to this code predominantly affect new building projects and renovations. With only a handful of exceptions, these updates typically do not have backward applicability; hence
wiring
Installed under an earlier version of the code, it can typically stay in place as long as it remains in good working order and is safe for use.
Nevertheless, because the primary aim of the NEC guidelines and regulations is safety, homeowners contemplating modifications to their electrical systems ought to seek advice from an electrician. By doing so, they can confirm that these alterations comply with current codes.
About the Experts
-
Daniel Mock
serves as the vice president of operations for
Mister Sparky
Additionally, he boasts over 15 years of expertise in home services along with the electrical field. -
Daniel Vasilevski
serves as both the director and proprietor of
Bright Force Electrical
And has been employed as an electrician for over ten years. -
WG Hickman is the proprietor of
Tri-County Air Service
In Mississippi, where they have been offering electrical and HVAC services for nearly two decades. -
Todd Trip
p
serves as a general contractor and is the founder of
Trip Mills Builders
in Upstate South Carolina, and an expert in home improvements with
JustAnswer
.
