If you have researched getting electrical work done or ever had a conversation with an electrician you will come across electrical jargon which you probably don’t understand and find a little intimidating?
So today we’re going to explain the mysterious electrician lingo and what it all means.
AC – Alternating current. AC periodically reverses direction (unlike DC see below)
Amps – The ‘Ampere’ is the unit utilised to measure electrical current
Bonding – Connecting non-electric metal items to protect from electric shock.
Chasing – Channels dug into walls to run electrical cables to sockets, light switches etc.
Circuit – Electricity runs in a continuous ring and returns to its source, for example, the ring main in your home will start at the consumer unit run around your home to supply sockets with electricity and return to the consumer unit.
Consumer Unit – The go between the mains electric supply and the electrical circuits of your home. Controls the flow of electricity while preventing electrocution and damage to circuits and appliances.
Current – The flow of electrons moving through a circuit
DC – Direct current electrons flow in the same direction (unlike AC see above)
Earth – Takes fault current to ‘earth’ (the ground) protecting humans from electrocution
Fuses – Cuts the electric supply when too much electricity flows through a circuit. You’ll find fuses in plugs, your consumer unit or fuse box (if you have an old fusebox it’s time to upgrade to a modern consumer unit). Old style fuses utilised fuse wire which melted cutting the supply. Modern fuses cut out automatically and can be rest with the flick of a switch (see RCD’s below)
Insulation – Electrical cables and components are covered in plastic (insulation) which prevents electricity from passing through.
Live – The live wire carries the electrical current, the live wire is brown (older properties may have red live wires)
Neutral – The neutral wire carries the current back to the circuit, the wire is blue (older properties may have black wires for the neutral)
Part P – Essential building regulations stating that those carrying out electrical work must make sure that the installation is safe from electrical shocks and electrical fire.
RCD – ‘Residual current device’ protects you and your circuits from electrocution by cutting the flow of electricity when a fault occurs.
Unit – Used by electric companies to measure the amount of electricity used in your home.
Volts – The unit used to measure voltage.
Voltage – Voltage is the pressure or force that makes electricity flow, the higher the voltage, the more powerful the flow.
Watt – The unit used to measure power.