Ampacity - The maximum current it can carry panelboard - One or more metal cabinets that serve as

continuously without exceeding the temperature a single unit, including buses, automatic overcurrent
limitations of the insulation and sheathing material protection devices (fuses or circuit breakers); it is
equipped with or without switches for the control of
Enclosures - Electrical boxes and cabinets made of
light, heat, and power circuits
metal (e.g., steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and so
on) or nonmetallic (plastic) materials that provide SPST switch - A switch is used to control a single or
protection for conductors, connections, controls, and group of lamps from one location; the switch has only
other electrical equipment two terminals

service drop - Overhead wires extend from a pole- circuit breaker - A device designed to open (or trip) and
mounted distribution transformer to the building's close a circuit by non-automatic means and to open the
service entrance and are generically referred to as the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent
without damage to itself when properly applied within
disconnect switch - A mechanical switching device that
its rating
is used to isolate a circuit or equipment from the supply
side. It could either be fused or non-fuse type busway - A standardized, factory-assembled enclosure
consists of outer duct-like housing, bus bars, and
non-time delay fuse - A fuse that holds five times its
insulators
rating for ¼ to 2 seconds (not ideal to loads that require
more than 2 seconds to accelerate) switchboard - A large cabinet or assembly of metal
cabinets in which is connected disconnecting switches,
SPDT switch - Also called a three-way switch; it is used
overcorrect protection devices (fuses or circuit
to control a single lamp from two different locations.
breakers), other protective devices, and instruments
The switch has three terminals
designed to divide large amounts of electrical current
service disconnect - A required part of the service into smaller amounts of current used by electrical
entrance equipment that allows electrical service from equipment
the utility company to be switched off so that power is
insulated conductor - A conductor encased within
disconnected to the building installation. It is a set of
material of composition or thickness recognized by the
fuses or a circuit breaker that protects the service
PEC as electrical insulation
entrance conductors
fuse - An overcurrent protective device with a circuit
junction boxes - A special type of electrical box used to
opening fusible part that is heated and severed by the
enclose conductor connections. Connections are
passage of overcurrent through it
commonly called junctions in the trade
pull box - A type of junction box that allows access to a
transformers - Used in transmitting and distributing
raceway for snaking conductors through the raceway;
power from the power plant to a substation; the
knockouts in most boxes and other enclosures can be
operation of a large commercial installation depends on
easily removed to allow wiring to enter the box
power distribution that, in turn, depends on these; used
to change voltage, current, and phase of electrical bus bars - These are electrical conductors (usually
power nearby and within a building copper or aluminum) that serve as a common
connection for two or more electrical circuits; they are
dual-element time delay fuse - A fuse holds five times
typically solid bars used for power distribution
the rating for 10 seconds
service lateral - Underground (buried) service entrance
overcurrent protection devices - These safeguard the
conductors are typically called
building service or an individual circuit from excessive
current flows; it protects the circuit components from receptacle - A female connecting device with slotted
severe overheating when current flowing through the contacts. It is installed at an outlet or on equipment,
circuit reaches an amperage that will cause an excessive where it is intended to easily establish an electrical
or dangerous temperature rise in conductors connection with an inserted plug
raceway - An enclosed channel for holding wires, cables
or busbars.

wire gutters - Metal sheet or nonmetallic, flame-

resistant plastic troughs that serve as a housing that
encloses and protects conductors

outlet - The location in a branch circuit where electricity

is used

bare conductor - A conductor having no covering or

electrical insulation whatsoever

thermoplastic cable - Single insulated conductor of solid

or stranded bare annealed high conductivity copper,
with thermoplastic lead free insulation of PVC (Polyvinyl
Chloride) and protected by a nylon jacket; normally
designed to operate up to 600 V

overcurrent rating - This property of an OCP device is

the highest amperage it can carry continuously without
exceeding a specific temperature limit (e.g., without
overheating)

power station - An industrial facility that houses the

prime mover, electric generator and auxiliaries for
conversion of mechanical energy, chemical energy
and/or nuclear energy into electrical energy

four-way switch - A switch used to control a single lamp

from three or more different locations

electrical conductor - Any material that conducts

electrical current; they are either solid or stranded

covered conductor - A conductor encased within

material of composition or thickness that is not
recognized by the PEC as electrical insulation

service entrance conductors - Conductors that carry

power from the transformer through a metering device
to the building's service disconnects

cable - Contains more than one conductor bundled

together in a factory assembly of wires. An outer
sheathing encases and protects the conductors,
simplifying installation of multiple wiring

interrupting capacity - OCP devices must have an this

property sufficient for the maximum possible fault-
current (short-circuit)

raceway - An enclosed channel such as a conduit, tube,

or gutter designed for holding wires, cables, or busbars