Electrical Definitions
At times it can be hard keeping up with the language electrical installers used. Here's some electrical definitions and a small synopsis to help you understand the language electricians used.
| AC | Alternating Current | |
| ADOS | Automatic Disconnection of Supply | |
| Amp | Unit of electric current | |
| Band I Circuit | Any circuit which runs at less than 50v | |
| Band I I Circuit | Any wiring that carries mains voltage | |
| Belling Out | Slang for testing installations | |
| BS7671 | The wiring regulations which is the standard that electrical installations must adhere to | |
| BESA Box | A conduit fitting box | |
| Cartridge Fuse | A fuse inside a ceramic tube | |
| Clicks | A connection unit usually used in a lighting installations | |
| Class I Equipment | Equipment that runs on mains electricity and requires an earth | |
| Class I I Equipment | Equipment that runs on mains electricity and does not requires an earth | |
| Conduit | A form of mechanical protection for the installation of cables which can be either PVC or Steel | |
| Consumer Unit | Might also be referred to as a Distribution Board, Board, Wylex Unit,Fuse Board, Mains, Mains Board, Consumer Box, Split Load Board or 17th Edition Board | |
| CPC | Circuit Protective Conductor i.e. earth conductor | |
| CSA | Cross Sectional Area usually of a cable | |
| CTs | Current Transformers | |
| Current | A measure of electricity flowing in a circuit | |
| DC | Direct Current | |
| Earth Fault Loop Impedence | Impedence of the live circuit from a house back to the dub station which proves that the resistance is low enough to disrupt the protective device for that particular circuit within the prescribed in the wiring regulations | |
| Earth Electrode | Usually a Rob but not always - driven into the ground to earth a property. Used in T T earthing systems | |
| Earth Fault | A short circuit between the Live and the Earth | |
| Earthing System | Description of the type of earthing system in use | |
| Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) | Used for the installation of a new circuit that records the results of tests that must be undertaken to prove the system is safe to be energised. Once the system is energised, it then records all of the live test results | |
| Exposed Conductive Part | A metal part which can be touched and is not normally live but could become so when basic insulation fails | |
| Extra Low Voltage | A voltage not exceeding 50Volts | |
| Extraneous Conductive Part | A metal part which could under fault conditions introduce a voltage into a property | |
| Fast Fix Box | A socket or switch box usually installed after plastering has taken place | |
| Fault Current | A current which makes your protective device operate | |
| Fault Protection | A system put in place to prevent persons receving a shock under fault conditions | |
| Impedence | Opposition to current flow | |
| Insulation Resistance | A test on the system to ensure the system is satisfactory for energisation | |
| IP Rating | A rating given to an item for differing degrees of ingress i.e. solids, moisture or water. Most typically quoted for products being used outside or in bathrooms | |
| LABC | Local Authority Building Control | |
| Line Conductor | Usually the live conductor | |
| Main Protective Bonding Conductor | A conductor installed from the Mains earth terminal to all extraneous conductive parts | |
| MET | Main Earthing Terminal | |
| MCB | Miniature Circuit Breaker | |
| Megger | Refers to brand of testing equipment | |
| Minor Works Certificate | Used for an addition to an existing circuit that records the results of tests that must be undertaken to prove the system is safe to be energised. Once the system is energised, it then records all of tjhe live test results | |
| OHM | Unit of electrical impedence or resistance | |
| OSG | On Site Guide which provides contractors general guidance as to how to meet the requirements of the regulations | |
| Oveload Current | An over current in a healthy circuit e.g. too many items plugged in to a kitchen ring and the MCB keeps tripping | |
| PIR | Periodic Inspection Report is a an electrical report on an existing installation | |
| PME | Protective Multiple Earthing | |
| Polarity Testing | To prove a fuse or switch is fitted in the line conductor | |
| Prospective Fault Current | A measurement to simulate the largest fault current which would flow in the event of a short circuit | |
| Pyro | Slang for mineral insulated cable | |
| Resistance | The opposit to current flow | |
| Rewirable fuse | A fuse wire in a fuse carrier that is open to inspection Officially BS3036 | |
| RCD | A unit that monitors current flow in a circuit and will trip if it detects a small leakage to Earth | |
| Safe Zone | A zone within a wall whrere buried cables can be safely installed | |
| Short Circuit | A fault occuring between Line and Neutral | |
| Spur | An extension to a ring or radial circuit | |
| Tube | Slang for Conduit of any type | |
| Volt\Voltage | Unit of electricity rating usually 230Volts for UK domestic circumstances | |
| WATT | Unit of electric power | |
| Ze | Earth fault loop impedance at the origin of supply | |
| Zs | Earth fault loop impedance at the end of a circuit including the Ze value |
We are located at:
D.G.Electrical Services
61 Rookwood Avenue
Leeds
LS9 0NW
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If you have any queries or wish to make an appointment, please contact us:
Mobile: 07850347089
Tel: 0113 8084448
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