gh-ec-electrical-wiring-domestic key terms

The maximum continuous current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry under stated conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating. It depends on conductor size, insulation type, ambient temperature, and how many current-carrying conductors share a raceway or cable.

A breaker or fuse that automatically opens a circuit when current exceeds its rating, protecting conductors and equipment from overheating. It must be selected so that its rating does not exceed the ampacity of the conductors it protects, except where the code permits the next standard size up.

A device that de-energizes a circuit within a set time when current leaking to ground exceeds a small threshold, typically 4 to 6 milliamperes for personnel protection. Required in dwelling bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoors, basements, and other wet or damp locations.

A device that detects the characteristic current signature of a dangerous parallel or series arc and opens the circuit. Required for most 120-volt branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling bedrooms, living areas, and similar rooms, with limited exceptions for certain appliances and fire-alarm circuits.

The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet or outlets it serves. It may be a multiwire circuit, a individual circuit serving one load, or a general-purpose circuit feeding many receptacles and lighting outlets.

All circuit conductors between the service equipment, or a separately derived source, and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device. Feeders carry the combined load of the branch circuits they supply and are sized from calculated demand, not from the sum of branch-circuit breaker ratings.

The conductors that carry power from the utility service point to the service equipment. They include overhead drop or underground lateral conductors, service-entrance conductors, and the sets that terminate at the main disconnect or panelboard.

The necessary equipment, usually a main breaker or fused disconnect with related control and metering, connected to the load end of service conductors. It is the point where the utility supply is controlled and where the main bonding jumper ties the grounded conductor to the equipment grounding system.

The ratio of the maximum demand of an installation to the total connected load. It is applied to load calculations so that service and feeder capacity reflect realistic simultaneous use rather than the sum of every appliance nameplate rating.

The method of totaling general lighting, small-appliance, laundry, appliance, heating, cooling, and motor loads, then applying demand factors, to determine the minimum service and feeder capacity. Dwelling units use the optional or standard method permitted for one-family and multifamily occupancies.

The conductor that connects the grounding electrode system, such as a ground rod, metal water pipe, or concrete-encased electrode, to the grounded conductor or equipment grounding terminal at the service. It provides a path to earth and must be sized per the code table for the service conductors.

The conductor that connects the non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and enclosures to the grounded system so that a fault produces a low-impedance path and trips the overcurrent device. Its size is based on the rating of the circuit's overcurrent protective device.

The set of electrodes, such as ground rods, metal water piping, concrete-encased electrodes, and building steel, that are bonded together to form the earth connection at a building. Where multiple electrodes are present, they must be bonded into a single system.

The connection, usually a screw, strap, or conductor, that ties the grounded service conductor to the service equipment enclosure and the grounding electrode system. It is installed only at the service or first disconnect, so that downstream panels keep neutral and ground separated.

Connecting metal parts together so they are electrically continuous and at the same potential, preventing dangerous voltage differences during a fault. Bonding jumpers are required around water meters, gas piping, metal raceways, and other conductive paths that might otherwise carry stray current.

An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed for the connection of attachment plugs. Receptacles are rated by voltage, amperage, and configuration, and their placement in dwellings is governed by spacing, wall-space, and countertop rules.

A receptacle with shutters that block foreign objects from entering the slots unless a proper plug is inserted. Required in dwelling units for most 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles, including those in bedrooms, kitchens, and living areas.

A receptacle designed to resist moisture and corrosion when exposed to weather, marked as weather-resistant. It is required in damp or wet outdoor locations, and must be used with an enclosure or cover that keeps the receptacle protected whether or not a plug is inserted.

A wiring arrangement in which the ungrounded circuit conductor is carried down to a switch and back up to the controlled outlet on a second conductor, with the grounded conductor not run to the switch. Modern rules require a grounded conductor at most switch locations in dwellings.

A switch with three terminals that, used in pairs, lets a load be controlled from two locations. The travelers connect the two switches and the common terminal of each connects to the supply or the load, so either switch can complete or break the circuit.

The required internal volume of an outlet, device, or junction box based on the number and size of conductors, devices, clamps, and equipment grounds it contains. Each conductor counts according to a table, and the total must not exceed the box's marked cubic-inch capacity.

An enclosure where conductors are spliced, tapped, or connected to devices, providing space and protection for the connections. It must remain accessible and be sized for the conductors and devices it contains, with covers installed after wiring.

A channel of metal or nonmetallic tubing, such as rigid conduit, EMT, or PVC, that encloses and routes conductors. Raceways provide physical protection, support conductors, and can serve as an equipment grounding conductor when the code permits.

A factory assembly of insulated conductors enclosed in a flexible, nonmetallic outer jacket, commonly used in wood-frame dwellings. It must be secured and supported at required intervals, protected where subject to damage, and kept within its temperature and ampacity limits.

The outer covering of a cable assembly that protects the insulated conductors inside from moisture, abrasion, and physical damage. The sheath must be stripped back only as needed at boxes and must be secured to the box or fitting so conductors are not stressed.

The reduction of a conductor's allowable current when several current-carrying conductors share a raceway or cable, or when ambient temperature is high. Adjustment factors from the code tables are applied to the base ampacity to keep insulation within its temperature limit.

A motor-compressor assembly in which the motor operates within the refrigerant atmosphere and cannot be serviced separately. Branch-circuit and overload sizing follow specific code articles, and the nameplate rated-load current, not the generic motor tables, drives the calculation.

The short-circuit and ground-fault protection for a motor circuit, sized from the motor's full-load current using percentages in the code rather than the conductor ampacity. It is separate from overload protection, which protects the motor from sustained excess current.

A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment or a single type of load, such as a refrigerator, dishwasher, or furnace. Dwelling rules require dedicated circuits for specific appliances, including bathroom receptacles and kitchen small-appliance countertop outlets.

A 20-ampere branch circuit in a dwelling that supplies receptacle outlets in the kitchen, dining room, pantry, or similar areas. At least two are required, they may serve countertop and other outlets but not lighting, and they must have no other outlets outside those areas.

The required ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for receptacles and outlets in specified locations, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoors, and near laundry sinks. It may be provided by a GFCI receptacle, a GFCI breaker, or a listed device upstream of the outlet.

The required connection of pool shells, metal fittings, ladders, pumps, and associated equipment to a common bonding grid so that voltage differences around the pool are eliminated. It is separate from the equipment grounding conductor and must be installed even where the pool water is nonconductive.

A circuit supplied by a listed Class 2 power source, limited in voltage and energy so that it presents a low fire and shock hazard. Class 2 wiring for doorbells, thermostats, and low-voltage lighting has separation and installation rules distinct from power circuits.

Cabling and conductors operating at limited voltage and energy for signaling, control, or communication purposes. It must be kept separated from power conductors, protected from physical damage, and installed with the clearances and support required for its circuit class.

A circuit that carries voice, data, video, or similar signals, such as telephone, internet, or cable television wiring. Communications cables have their own installation, grounding, and separation requirements and may not be installed in the same raceway as power conductors except as permitted.

The state board that licenses residential and general contractors in Georgia and enforces qualifying-agent, examination, and continuing-education requirements. Electrical contracting work in Georgia is separately licensed and regulated, so a contractor must confirm which license their scope of work requires.

The individual who meets a licensed contracting firm's experience and examination requirements and is responsible for its construction work. The agent must be regularly employed by the firm and can generally qualify only one company at a time.

The local approval to begin regulated electrical work and the subsequent inspection by the authority having jurisdiction to confirm code compliance. Work must be permitted before starting, inspected at required stages, and corrected if deficiencies are cited before final approval.

The organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the electrical code and approving materials, installations, and inspections. The AHJ interprets code requirements locally and may adopt amendments that are stricter than the model code.

The defined extent of electrical work a contractor is licensed, insured, and contracted to perform on a project. It determines permit needs, inspection responsibilities, and whether subcontractors with specialized licenses must be engaged.