Glossary of Electrical Terms
ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) – Allows switching from primary power source to a secondary power source i.e. standby generator.
Circuit Breaker – An over current protection device that opens a circuit upon sensing a current overload.
Distribution Board or Panel – Divides the electrical main feeds into various circuits, providing a circuit breaker or fuse for each circuit.
GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) – A device or receptacle that will disconnect whenever there is an imbalance in current between the hot conductor and the neutral.
Knob & Tube Wiring – Concealed knob and tube wiring uses knobs and tubes, usually porcelain, to support and insulate conductors as they pass through hollow wall, and ceiling spaces.
Photovoltaic Cell – Also known as Solar Cell is a device that converts solar energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.
Power Monitoring – Tracks real-time power conditions like current, voltage, and power factors to expose energy waste and disturbances in an electrical system.
Renewable Energy – Is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat.
Renewable Energy Technologies – include solar power, wind power, biomass, hydroelectricity, micro hydro, and bio fuels.
Smart Home – A home, usually a new one, that is equipped with special structured wiring to enable occupants to remotely control or program an array or automated home electronic devices by entering a single command.
Standby Power – (Also known as emergency power) are systems (like Generators) that supply auxiliary power.
Surge Protection – An appliance designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes. A surge protector attempts to regulate the voltage supplied to an electric device by either blocking or by shorting to ground voltages above a safe threshold.
Wind Turbine – Is a rotating machine which converts the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy.