| ANSI
| Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute. It does not develop standards, but functions as a coordinating body for the purpose of encouraging development and adoption of worthwhile standards. |
| Codes
| Rules established by governing bodies for the proper and safe use and installation of electrical equipment. |
| Electrical Bus
| The conductor(s), usually made of copper or aluminum, which carries the current and serves as a common connection for two or more circuits. |
| Electrical Symbols
| Graphical representations of electrical components. |
| Fault
| See “Short Circuit.” |
| Fault Current
| The surge of amperage created during an electrical failing. |
| Fixed Low Voltage Circuit Breaker
| A circuit breaker rated for less than 1000V and bolted into a fixed position with bus or cable mechanically bolted to breaker terminations. |
| Fully Rated
| This is a type of system coordination in which all circuit breakers are rated to operate independently |
| Ground Fault
| Current leakage from an ungrounded conductor to the grounding path in an electrical system. |
| Interrupting Rating
| The maximum short circuit current that an overcurrent protective device can safely interrupt. |
| Loadcenter
| A wall mounted device that delivers electricity from a supply source to loads in light commercial or residential applications. |
| Loop Distribution System
| The power source is looped through the service area and returns to the point of origin. If one power source fails, switches can be opened or closed to supply the power. |
| NEC
| Abbreviation for National Electrical Code. A set of electrical installation standards published by the National Fire Protection Agency. The NEC is the most widely adopted electrical code in the United States. |
| Network Distribution System
| Interconnected circuits connect the customer to two or more power sources. Most reliable for continuity of service. |
| One-Line Diagram
| A graphical representation of an electrical distribution system. |
| Overcurrent
| A current higher than the current a conductor or electrical component can safely handle. |
| Overload
| A temperature build-up caused by excessive loads on a circuit causing damage to the conductor's insulation. |
| Panelboard
| A wall mounted device that delivers electricity from a supply source to loads in light commercial, commercial and industrial applications. |
| Radial Distribution System
| One power source for a group of customers. A circuit failure in the system causes a power interruption for all in the system. |
| Selectively Coordinated
| A type of system coordination in which all circuit breakers are fully rated at the point of application |
| Series Rated
| A type of system coordination in which the main upstream circuit protection device must have an interrupting rating equal to or greater than the available fault current of the system. |
| Short Circuit
| An electrical fault that is created when two exposed conductors touch or when conductor insulation fails. |
| Single-Phase
| A continuous single alternating current cycle. |
| Specification
| The detailed descriptions of electrical equipment to be provided for an application. |
| Standards
| Guidelines and regulations for the manufacturing of electrical equipment. |
| Step-Down Transformer
| Decreases the output voltage that is being supplied. |
| Step-Up Transformer
| Increases the output voltage that is being supplied. |
| Three-Phase
| A continuous series of three overlapping AC cycles offset by 120 degrees. |
| UL Listed
| Listed by Underwriters Laboratory, an independent laboratory that tests equipment to determine whether it meets certain safety standards when properly used. |
