Electrical Safety Glosary - 01

Ampere (amps)
A measure of electrical cur­rent flow.

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
Provides protection from fires caused by effects of elec­trical arcing in wiring. An AFCI device will de-energize the circuit when an arc fault is detected.

Circuit
The path (usually wire) through which current flows between an electrical en­ergy source and an electrical device, appliance or fixture.

Circuit breaker or Fuses
Protect against over­current and short circuit conditions that could result in potential fire hazards by opening a circuit path in case of an overcurrent.

Electrical faults
A partial or total failure in an electrical conductor or appliance.

Energized
Electrically connected to a source of potential difference, or electrically charged so as to have a potential different from that of the ground.

Gauge
Standard or scale of measure for cir­cuit conductors.

Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)—Pro­vides the best available protection against se­vere shock and electrocution. A GFCI device will de-energize a circuit when it senses a dif­ference in the amount of electricity passing through the device and returning through the device, or a “leak” of current from the circuit.

Grounded/grounding
A conducting con­nection, whether intentional or accidental, by which an electric circuit or equipment is connected to the earth, or to some conduct­ing body of relatively large extent that serves in place of the earth.

Overcurrent
Any current in excess of the rated current or ampacity of a conductor. May result in risk of fire or shock from insulation damaged from heat generated by overcurrent condition.

Outlet
A contact device installed along a cir­cuit for the connection of an attachment plug and flexible cord to supply power to portable equipment and electrical appliances. Also known as receptacles.

Three-pronged plugs and outlets
Grounded appliances and outlets (unless marked other­wise) have a third socket or prong. The third wire, or grounding conductor, provides a path from the frame or housing of grounded electri­cal appliances back to the circuit breaker panel to permit current flow in event of an electrical fault in the equipment. When a ground fault occurs, the circuit breaker can trip to remove
energy from the faulty equipment but does not respond quickly enough to prevent the risk of severe shock.

Short circuit
An abnormal electrical path.

Voltage (volts)
A measure of electrical po­tential

Wattage (watts)
A measure of power or the rate of energy consumption by an electrical device when it is in operation, calculated by multiplying the voltage at which an appliance operates by the current it draws (Watts = Volts X Amperes).