Residential Homeowners Glossary of Electrical Terms

Understanding basic electrical terms helps Canadian homeowners stay informed, stay safe, and make better upgrade decisions — especially as homes evolve toward smart energy, renewables, and EV integration. Use this glossary as a quick reference for common electrical concepts used in BC homes.

A

AC (Alternating Current): The type of electricity supplied to homes. The current alternates direction 60 times per second (60 Hz).
AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter): A breaker or outlet that detects dangerous electrical arcs and shuts off power to prevent fires.
Aluminum Wiring: A lightweight conductor used in some older homes. Requires approved connectors to prevent oxidation and overheating.
Ampere (Amp): A measure of electrical current (flow of charge).
Atom: The basic unit of matter; the movement of electrons between atoms creates electricity.
Appliance Circuit: A dedicated circuit supplying large home appliances like ovens or dryers.

B

Battery: A device that stores DC electricity for use when needed. Common in backup power and solar systems.
Blackout: A total power loss affecting an area.
Bonding: Connecting all metal parts and enclosures to a common ground potential to reduce shock hazards.
Breaker (Circuit Breaker): A protective switch that automatically stops electrical flow when a circuit is overloaded or shorted.
Brownout: A temporary drop in voltage causing dim lights or sluggish appliances.
Bus Bar: A conductive metal strip distributing power inside a panel.
Bluetooth Lighting Controls: Wireless control systems for lights and smart devices using Bluetooth signals.

C

Capacitor: A component that stores and releases electrical energy; often used in motors and HVAC systems.
CEC (Canadian Electrical Code): The national standard regulating electrical installations in Canada.
Circuit: A complete path for current to flow from source to load and back.
Conductor: A wire that allows electricity to pass through it, usually copper or aluminum.
Conduit: A tube that protects and routes electrical wires.
Cable (NM, Romex): Non-metallic sheathed cable used in residential wiring.
Cable Ripper: A handheld tool used to strip the outer jacket from NM (Romex) cable.
Cable Stapler: A tool used to secure electrical cable to wood framing safely without damaging insulation.
Current (I): The rate of flow of electricity, measured in amperes.
Charging Station (EVSE): Equipment for safely charging electric vehicles at home.

D

DC (Direct Current): Electricity that flows in one direction, produced by batteries and solar panels.
Dimmer Switch: A control that adjusts light brightness by reducing voltage to the fixture.
Distribution Panel (Load Center): The main breaker box where electricity is divided into household circuits.
Drill / Driver: Used by electricians to mount boxes and secure fixtures.
Drop (Service Drop): Overhead wires running from the utility pole to the home.
De-energized: A state where no electrical power is present; a safe condition for professional servicing.
Drywall Saw: A small hand saw used to cut wall openings for electrical boxes and devices.

E

Earth / Ground: A direct connection to the earth that stabilizes voltage and provides a safe fault path.
Electric Meter: Measures how much electricity your home consumes.
Electrical Resistance: The opposition to current flow in a material.
Energized: A wire or system that currently has electrical voltage.
Energy Management System (EMS): A system that monitors and controls home energy use, often integrated with smart thermostats and solar inverters.
EV (Electric Vehicle): A vehicle powered by batteries charged from grid or solar power.
Extension Ring: A box extender that adds depth to electrical boxes in finished walls.

F

Fault: An abnormal current path such as a short circuit or ground fault.
Fission: The nuclear reaction that splits atoms to generate electricity in reactors.
Flexible Conduit (Flex): A bendable protective tubing used in tight spaces.
Flat Cable (Romex): Common non-metallic residential wiring cable.
Fuse: A safety device that melts when current exceeds safe limits, breaking the circuit.
Frequency (Hz): The number of AC cycles per second (60 Hz in Canada).

G

Generator: A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical power, often used for backup supply.
Geothermal Energy: Renewable energy from heat within the earth, used in some HVAC systems.
Ground: A safety connection directing stray current safely into the earth.
Ground Fault: When electricity flows unintentionally to ground, often detected by GFCIs.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): A receptacle or breaker that quickly cuts power if a shock risk is detected.
Grid: The network of power lines delivering electricity from generation plants to homes.
Gauge: The size of a wire; smaller numbers mean thicker wires.

H

Hertz (Hz): Unit of frequency; one cycle per second.
Hot Wire: A conductor carrying live current to outlets or fixtures.
Hydroelectric Power: Electricity generated from moving water, widely used in BC through BC Hydro dams.
Hidden Wiring: Electrical cables installed behind walls or ceilings.
Home Automation: Smart systems that manage lighting, HVAC, and security from a central app or voice control.
Heat Pump: An efficient HVAC unit that transfers heat using electricity rather than generating it directly.

I

Insulator: Material (like rubber or plastic) that resists electrical flow.
Insulated Connector: A fitting that protects wire insulation when pulling through conduit.
IMC (Intermediate Metal Conduit): A medium-weight metal conduit used for protection and grounding.
Inverter: Converts DC power (from batteries or solar panels) to AC power used in homes.
Isolation Switch: A safety device that completely disconnects power for maintenance.
Induction: The process of generating electricity by moving a conductor through a magnetic field.

J

Junction Box: An enclosure for connecting or splicing electrical wires.
Joule (J): The basic unit of electrical energy.
Jack: A female connector for low-voltage systems like Ethernet or phone lines.
Jiffy Box: A compact box used for retrofit wiring behind drywall.

K

Kilowatt (kW): A measure of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts.
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): A measure of energy use over time; one kWh = 1 kW for one hour.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring: An early wiring system using porcelain knobs and tubes; requires careful upgrades to meet modern code.
Knockout (KO): A removable disc in electrical boxes for wire entry.

L

Load: Any device that consumes electrical energy such as appliances, lights, or motors.
Line: The supply side of a circuit feeding electricity from the panel.
Lighting Circuit: A circuit dedicated to light fixtures.
Lightning Arrestor: A device protecting homes from lightning-induced surges.
Load Center: Another term for the electrical panel or breaker box.
Low Voltage: Systems operating below 50 V, such as doorbells and thermostats.

M

Main Breaker: The master switch that disconnects all electrical power to a home.
Meter Base: The housing for the electric meter.
Magnetic Field: The area around magnets or current-carrying wires where magnetic forces act.
Motor: Converts electrical energy into mechanical movement.
Multimeter: A diagnostic tool used to measure voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits.
Microinverter: A small inverter attached to individual solar panels for optimized output.
Megawatt (MW): Equal to one million watts; used to describe utility-scale power generation.

N

Neutral Wire: The return path for current in an AC circuit, connected to the ground at the main panel.
Nucleus / Neutron / Proton: Atomic particles central to the production and flow of electricity.
NMC (Non-Metallic Conduit): PVC conduit used in wet or corrosive environments.
Nominal Voltage: The design voltage for which equipment is rated such as 120 V or 240 V.

O

Ohm (Ω): The unit of electrical resistance.
Outlet (Receptacle): A connection point for plugging in electrical devices.
Overcurrent: Current above a circuit’s safe capacity.
Overload: Excessive demand placed on a circuit, often tripping a breaker.
Overvoltage / Spike: A sudden rise in voltage, sometimes caused by lightning or grid switching.

P

Panelboard (Panel): The assembly of circuit breakers distributing power throughout the home.
Power (Watt): The rate of doing electrical work; volts × amps.
Photovoltaic (PV): Solar technology that converts sunlight into electricity.
Power Factor: Efficiency measure of how effectively electrical power is used.
Plug: The device inserted into a receptacle to connect equipment to power.
Protective Ground: A path for fault current to safely return to earth.

Q

Q-Factor: Describes energy efficiency in reactive circuits.
Quad Receptacle: A four-outlet configuration used in kitchens or workshops.
Quick Disconnect: A fitting allowing safe, fast electrical disconnection for maintenance.

R

Resistance (R): Opposition to electrical flow.
Resistor: A component designed to limit or control current.
RMS (Root Mean Square): The effective voltage or current of an AC system.
Renewable Energy: Power derived from natural sources like wind, solar, or water.
RCD (Residual Current Device): Similar to a GFCI; detects current imbalance to prevent shock.
Relay: An electrically operated switch used for control circuits.
Receptacle: The wall outlet receiving a plug.
Riser: A vertical conduit run between floors.

S

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Utility monitoring system controlling power grids.
Short Circuit: A direct path between conductors causing excessive current flow.
Service Entrance: The point where utility power enters the home.
Smart Meter: A digital meter that tracks electricity use and communicates data automatically to the utility.
Solar Energy: Electricity produced from sunlight via photovoltaic panels.
Screwdriver Set: Essential tools for installing outlets, switches, and fixtures.
Stud Finder: Used to locate wall studs before cutting or drilling for electrical boxes.
Spike: A sharp, brief voltage increase.
Switch: A device for manually opening or closing a circuit.
Surge Protector: A device that limits voltage spikes to protect sensitive electronics.
Subpanel: A smaller breaker box feeding specific areas or additions.

T

Transformer: A device that increases or decreases voltage.
Turbine Generator: Equipment that converts motion from wind or water into electricity.
Thermography: Infrared imaging used to detect hot spots in electrical systems.
Three-Phase Power: A form of AC power used in commercial and large residential systems.
Tesla (T): The unit of magnetic flux density.
Timer Switch: Automatically turns circuits on or off at set times for lights or fans.
Torque Wrench: Used to properly tighten electrical lugs and breaker connections to code-specified torque values.
Tape Measure: Used to accurately measure box placement, conduit runs, and device spacing.
Test Light / Voltage Tester: A small tool that checks for the presence of live voltage before working on a circuit.
Tong Tester (Clamp Meter): Measures current flowing through a conductor without disconnecting it.

U

Underground Feeder (UF Cable): A cable rated for direct burial outdoors.
Utility: The organization supplying electrical service to consumers.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A battery backup unit that provides power during short outages.

V

Volt (V): The unit of electrical potential difference.
Voltage Drop: The loss of voltage as current travels along a wire.
Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): Controls motor speed by adjusting voltage and frequency.
Volt-Ampere (VA): Measurement of apparent power.
Voltage Regulator: Maintains consistent output voltage under changing loads.

W

Watt (W): The unit of power used to rate devices and appliances.
Watt-Hour (Wh): One watt used for one hour; measures energy consumption.
Wind Turbine: A renewable energy device converting wind into electricity.
Wiring Device: Any control or outlet component such as switches and receptacles.
Wire Nut: A connector used to join two or more wires safely.
Wi-Fi Thermostat: A smart thermostat controlled via wireless connection.
Wire Stripper: A tool that removes insulation from wires without damaging the conductor.
Wire Fish Tape: A long, flexible steel or fiberglass tape used to pull wires through conduit or wall cavities.
Work Light: A portable light used to illuminate electrical panels or attic spaces during service work.

X, Y, Z

X (Reactance): The opposition to AC flow caused by capacitance or inductance.
X-fmr (Transformer): Common schematic abbreviation for transformer.
Y (Wye Connection): A 3-phase system configuration with a shared neutral point.
Z (Impedance): The total opposition to AC, combining resistance and reactance.
Zero Energy Home: A house designed to produce as much energy as it consumes annually.

Canadian Electrical Standards

Canadian Electrical Code (CEC, CSA C22.1): Governs safe electrical installation and maintenance practices across Canada.
CSA Z462: Defines workplace electrical safety and arc flash protection requirements.
CAN/ULC S801: Specifies safety practices for utility generation, transmission, and distribution operations.
CSA C22.2 Series: Covers product-specific standards for safe design and performance of electrical devices.

Canadian Associations & Organizations

Technical Safety BC: Oversees licensing, permits, and inspection of electrical work in British Columbia.
CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association): Develops and maintains national electrical and product standards.
BC Hydro: The provincial power utility responsible for energy delivery and efficiency rebate programs.
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA): Regulates contractor licensing and electrical safety enforcement in Ontario.
Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): Represents Canada’s solar, wind, and energy storage sectors.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): Promotes national energy efficiency, conservation, and clean energy programs.

Stay Safe and Informed

Electricity powers modern homes, but even small mistakes can be dangerous. Always turn off power before inspecting wiring and call a licensed electrician for any regulated electrical work or installations.

Need Electrical Help in the North Okanagan?

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