People of Bristol, Your local Electrician has compiled a A - Z of electrical terminology to help you understand what we are talking about.We always try to explain to our clients exactly what we are doing , unfortunately the jargon a registered electrician will use can not be helped as it comes second nature to us! I hope this list helps
If you need further information please contact us
AC - Alternating Current
Accessories - Sockets ,light switches etc are known as accessories
AFDD - Arc Fault Detection Device
Amp - (Ampere,amps) is the unit of measurement for the flow of current
BEV - Battery electric vehicle
Bayonet Cap - (BC) A lamp base that has pins requiring a push and twist into a lamp holder
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Capping - Plastic or metal to cover the cables when chasing
Chase - (Chases,Chased,Chasing)Cutting into walls to conceal cables and back boxes
Class 1 Equipment - Appliances and fittings that have exposed metal parts the need to be earthed
Class 2 Equipment - Has no exposed metal parts or does not need to be earthed as there is extra protection inside the equipment
Conduit - A plastic or metal tube used to enclose and protect cables
Consumer Unit - otherwise known as fuse board,fuse box is where electricity is controlled and distributed
CPC - Circuit Protective Conductor, see 'Earthing'
CPS - Competent Persons Scheme such as NAPIT , ELECSA & NICEIC allows electricians to certify their work
Current - See 'Amp'
DC - Direct Current
Down light - (Spot light, Down lighter,Spots) these are light fittings recessed in to a ceiling
Earthing - Earthing provides a path for fault current to prevent shock
Earth Rod - A metal rod driven into the ground to provide an independent means of earthing
Edison Screw - (ES)A type of lamp base that screws into a lamp holder
EIC - Electrical Installation Certificate ,this is a certificate you will receive on completion of any new installation and or alteration
EICR - Electrical Installation Condition Report, also previously known as Periodic Report, you should receive one of these following an assessment of your electrical installation , for more information on EICRS
EV - Electric Vehicle
EV Charger - Electric vehicle charging station
Flex - Flexible cable - a type of cabling used in some installations
Flush - Electrical accessories are on show but back boxes and cables are buried in the walls
Fuses - Protective devices
Green Goo - Green goo where cable insulation has broken down
HMO - House in Multiple Occupation for more information on HMO wiring please go to HMO wiring guide
HV - High Voltage
IR - Insulation resistance
Lamp - Light bulb
LED - Light Emitting Diode
LV - Low Voltage
Main Bonding - Connecting all incomming services and structural steel which may form a path to earth
Making Good - Restoring the fabric of a building
MCB - Miniature Circuit Breaker is the protective device found at a consumer unit protecting each circuit
MET - Main Earthing Terminal
Mini Trunking - A plastic enclosure to run cables for surface installations
OLEV - Office for Low Emission Vehicles
OZEV - Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
Part P - Is a building regulation that states anyone carrying out electrical work must ensure its designed and installed to prevent electric shocks - All electricians must comply to Part P for more information on Part P go to What is Part P?
PAT -Portable Appliance Testing
PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Protective Device - Usually a circuit breaker see 'MCB'
RCBO - Residual current Circuit Breaker with Over-current protection
RCD - Residual Current device
ReWire - The process of removing and replacing old or faulty wiring with new
Short - Short circuit - a fault between two points in a circuit
Sparky - Slang word for an Electrician
SPD - Surge Protection Device
Spur - (Spurred,Spurs) Normally an additional socket taken from an existing socket
Surface Mounted - A term used to describe an installation carried out on the surface of the fabrics of a building using mini trunking or clips
SWA - Steel Wire Armour , is a type of cable used
U/S - Unserviceable , means an item is broken or damaged
Volts - (Voltage,V)Is a unit of measure of voltage or potential difference
Watt - (Watts,Wattage,W) is a unit of measurement for energy used by an appliance
If you're still in doubt, contact a qualified electrician for advice.
Contact Anton on 0117 321 6406
Your local electrician - Bristol
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