Electrical Terminology

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Hot Conductor

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Common term used by electricians when referring to an ungrounded, unswitched conductor. It has black insulation but may be red in a 120/240 volt system.

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Open Circuit

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State in an electrical system where no current flows due to a break in the circuit.

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Grounded Conductor

Back

A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded (Neutral Conductor). It has white insulation or marking.

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Grounding Conductor

Back

A wire intentionally connected to the earth, often referred to as a 'ground conductor'.

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Silver Terminal

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The terminal that the neutral is connected to on devices.

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Brass Terminal

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The terminal that the hot conductor is connected to on devices.

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Green Terminal

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The terminal that the grounding conductor is connected to on devices.

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Romex

Back

Common term used by electricians when referring to nonmetallic cable or NM cable. Romex is a brand name.

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Switch Leg

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Common term used by electricians to refer to the conductor that connects the switch to a light fixture.