Browse 32 essential electrician terms and definitions used by professionals in Fort Wayne.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter is a protective device that detects unsafe electrical arcing and disconnects power before an arc can ignite nearby materials. An arc fault may occur when wiring becomes damaged, loose, pinched, or overheated. AFCIs help reduce fire risk on many residential branch circuits, but they don't replace proper wiring, grounding, or overload protection.
Bonding is the intentional connection of metal parts so they share the same electrical potential and provide a low-resistance path for fault current. In electrical systems, bonding connects equipment enclosures, metal raceways, water pipes, and other conductive parts to the grounding system, helping protective devices operate during a fault.
Branch Circuit is the portion of an electrical wiring system that carries power from the final overcurrent device to outlets, lights, appliances, or other connected loads. A branch circuit includes the circuit conductors, grounding path, and protective device. The circuit breaker or fuse must match the wire size and expected electrical load.
BX Cable is an older trade name for armored electrical cable that places insulated conductors inside a flexible metal sheath. The metal armor protects wiring from physical damage and may support the grounding path when approved fittings and bonding methods are used. Modern products are often classified as Type AC cable under electrical codes.
Circuit is a complete path that allows electric current to move from a power source through conductors and equipment, then return to the source. In building wiring, a circuit usually includes wires, a circuit breaker, outlets, switches, and connected loads. The circuit design determines its voltage, current capacity, protection, and safe use.
Conduit is a tube or raceway that protects and routes insulated electrical conductors. It may be made from metal, PVC, or other approved materials. Conduit helps shield wiring from impact, moisture, heat, chemicals, and sunlight. Electrical rules also govern conduit type, size, fittings, support, grounding, and the number of conductors inside.
Continuity Test is an electrical check that determines whether a complete conductive path exists between two points. A meter sends a small test current through a de-energized wire, fuse, switch, or connection. A low resistance reading or audible tone usually indicates continuity. While a very high or infinite reading indicates an open path.
Copper Wire is an electrical conductor made from copper, a metal with low electrical resistance and strong heat tolerance. Copper wire carries current through branch circuits, service equipment, appliances, controls, and communication systems. Insulation, wire gauge, temperature rating, and installation method determine where a specific copper wire may be used safely.
Current is the movement of electric charge through a conductor, device, or circuit. It's measured in amperes, also called amps, and flows when voltage creates an electrical path. Current determines how much electrical load wires and equipment carry. Excessive current can overheat conductors, trip breakers, damage equipment, or create a fire hazard.
Electrical Box is a protective enclosure that houses wire connections, switches, receptacles, light fixtures, or other electrical devices. An electrical box shields people from energized parts, protects wiring from impact, and provides a secure mounting point.
Electrical Grounding is a safety system that connects electrical equipment and circuits to the earth or a grounding conductor. This path carries fault current away from people and equipment, helps protective devices trip, and limits dangerous voltage on metal parts. Grounding differs from bonding, which connects conductive parts together.
Electrical Permit is official approval from a government authority to install, alter, or extend electrical wiring and equipment. The permit connects proposed work to adopted electrical codes, plan review, inspections, and a final approval record. Requirements vary by location, project type, building use, and whether a licensed electrical expert performs the work.
Electrical Service is the work involved in supplying, distributing, controlling, repairing, and safely using electricity in a building. It includes the utility connection, service conductors, meter, main disconnect, panelboard, branch circuits, wiring, devices, and related equipment. Electricians inspect, install, maintain, test, and repair these parts to support safe electrical operation.
Electrician License is a government-issued credential that permits a qualified person or electrical contractor to perform defined electrical work legally. Requirements vary by state and local authority and may involve education, supervised experience, examinations, insurance, fees, and renewal. The credential helps verify training and supports compliance with electrical codes and permit rules.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter is a protective device that monitors electrical current leaving and returning through a circuit. If the device detects an imbalance, it disconnects power in a fraction of a second. This protection helps reduce shock risk where electricity may contact water, grounded surfaces, or a person.
Journeyman Electrician is a licensed or certified electrical worker who has completed required training and experience and can perform many electrical tasks without direct supervision. A journeyman electrician typically installs, repairs, tests, and maintains wiring, circuits, equipment, and electrical systems under local licensing rules and the National Electrical Code.
Load Calculation is the process of determining how much electrical power a building, panel, feeder, or circuit needs under expected operating conditions. The calculation adds connected loads, applies demand factors, and checks voltage, amperage, conductor size, overcurrent protection, and service capacity against applicable electrical code requirements.
Master Electrician is a licensed electrical expert who has met smart experience, examination, and code knowledge requirements set by a state or local authority. A master electrician may design, install, inspect, troubleshoot, and supervise electrical work, depending on local rules. The title doesn't have one uniform national definition.
National Electrical Code is a safety standard for electrical design, installation, and inspection in homes, buildings, and facilities. Published by the National Fire Protection Association as NFPA 70, it covers wiring methods, equipment, grounding, overcurrent protection, and electrical work practices. Local authorities adopt and enforce specific editions through building and electrical codes.
NFPA 70 is the National Electrical Code, a widely adopted safety standard for designing, installing, and inspecting electrical systems. The National Fire Protection Association publishes NFPA 70 and updates it on a regular cycle. Local and state authorities may adopt the code with changes, so the enforceable rules depend on the adopted edition.
Ohm is the SI unit of electrical resistance. It measures how strongly a material or device opposes electric current. One ohm allows one ampere of current to flow when one volt is applied. Electricians use ohms to assess wires, heating elements, coils, loads, and faults during electrical testing and troubleshooting.
Ohm's Law is the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. The law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance, written as I = V/R. It also allows you to calculate voltage with V = I × R or resistance with R = V/I when two values are known.
Overload is a condition in which an electrical circuit carries more current than its conductors, devices, or protective equipment can safely handle. Excess current creates heat in wires and connections. A circuit breaker or fuse should interrupt the circuit before damage occurs. Although repeated overloads may indicate an undersized circuit or excessive demand.
Panelboard is an electrical enclosure that houses circuit breakers or fuses and distributes power from an incoming feeder to branch circuits. A panelboard includes bus bars, overcurrent protection, and spaces for circuit connections. The assembly protects wiring, allows circuit control, and helps electricians identify and service electrical loads in a building.
Romex is a common trade name for nonmetallic-sheathed electrical cable used in residential and light commercial wiring. The cable contains insulated conductors and, in many types, a bare or insulated grounding conductor inside a plastic jacket. Electricians use Romex for branch circuits in dry, protected spaces, subject to code requirements.
Short Circuit is a unintended low-resistance path that lets excessive electric current flow between points at different voltage. The path may form through damaged insulation, loose wiring, a failed component, or contact with ground. The sudden current rise can trip a circuit breaker, damage equipment, create heat, and start an electrical fire.
Surge Protector is a device that limits short bursts of excess voltage before those bursts reach connected equipment. A surge protector diverts or absorbs transient energy caused by lightning, utility switching, or electrical faults. Common forms include plug-in power strips and whole-home surge protective devices installed at an electrical panel.
Three-Phase Power is an electrical supply method that uses three alternating currents with equal frequency and voltage, separated by 120 electrical degrees. The phases deliver power in a steady pattern, which supports efficient operation of motors, industrial equipment, commercial buildings, and large electrical loads with less conductor material than comparable single-phase systems.
Voltage is the electrical pressure that pushes electric charge through a circuit. Measured in volts, voltage creates the force needed for current to flow through wires, devices, and loads. Common household circuits use about 120 volts. While larger equipment may require 240 volts or a three-phase supply.
Watt is the SI unit of power. Which measures how quickly electrical energy is used or transferred. One watt equals one joule of energy per second. Electrical devices display power in watts or kilowatts, while the wattage rating helps determine circuit load, operating cost, generator capacity, and suitable wire and overcurrent protection.
Wire Gauge is a numbered system that identifies the diameter and current-carrying capacity of electrical wire. In the American Wire Gauge system, lower numbers indicate thicker wire, while higher numbers indicate thinner wire. Proper gauge selection depends on circuit amperage, voltage, conductor material, insulation, installation method, and allowable voltage drop.
Wiring Diagram is a visual plan that shows how electrical components, wires, terminals, switches, and protective devices connect in a circuit. Symbols and labeled lines identify the path of power and control signals. Electricians use the diagram to install, test, repair, and modify residential, commercial, automotive, and industrial electrical systems safely.
