Electrical Basic Terms

Question 1

What is the formal term for “Hot or Live Wire”

Answer 1

Ungrounded Conductor

Question 2

What is the formal term for “Neutral Wire”

Answer 2

Grounded Conductor

Question 3

What is the formal term for “Panel Ground Wire”
A) Neutral Conductor
B) Equipment Grounding Conductor
C) Bonding Jumper
D) Ground Fault Conductor

Answer 3

B) Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC)

Question 4

What is the formal term for “Grounding Wire”

Answer 4

Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC)

Question 5

What is the formal term for “Ground Rod”

Answer 5

Grounding Electrode

Question 6

What is the formal terminology for “Main Breaker”

Answer 6

Service Disconnect

Question 7

What is the formal term for “Main Panel”

Answer 7

Service or Distribution Electric Panelboard with a Service Disconnect

Question 8

What is the formal term for “Sub-Panel”

A) Distribution Panel
B) Breaker Box
C) Feeder Panel
D) Auxiliary Panel

Answer 8

A) Distribution Panelboard Without a Service Disconnect

Question 9

What is the formal term for “Panel Cover”

Answer 9

Dead Front

Question 10

What is the formal term for “Wires to Outlets”

Answer 10

Branch Circuit Conductors

Question 11

What is the formal term for “Outlet”

Answer 11

Lighting and/or Receptacle Outlet

Question 12

What is the formal term for “Service to Remote Panel”

Answer 12

Feeder

Question 13

The maximum current in amps that a conductor can carry without exceeding its maximum temperature rating is called:

A) Voltage Drop
B) Short-Circuit Current
C) Ampacity
D) Resistance

Answer 13

Answer:
✅ C) Ampacity

Rationale:
Ampacity refers to the maximum amount of electrical current a conductor can safely carry before its insulation or materials degrade due to excessive heat. This rating is determined by factors such as conductor size, insulation type, ambient temperature, and installation conditions. Voltage drop (A) relates to energy loss over distance, short-circuit current (B) is the surge of current in a fault, and resistance (D) refers to the opposition to current flow.

Question 14

Appliance

Answer 14

Utilization equipment that performs a function such as clothes washing or air conditioning.

Question 15

AFCI

Answer 15

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is a device that provides protection from arc faults by recognizing arcing and de-energizing the circuit when detected.

Question 16

AWG

Answer 16

American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a standardized system for round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire, used since 1857. Increasing gauge numbers indicate decreasing wire diameters.

Question 17

Bonded

Answer 17

Connected to establish electrical continuity and conductivity.

Question 18

Branch Circuit

Answer 18

The conductors that run between the final overcurrent protective device in the panelboard and an outlet such as a receptacle or light fixture.

Question 19

Cabinet

Answer 19

A mounted enclosure with a swinging door.

Question 20

Circuit Breaker

Answer 20

A device designed to open and close a circuit manually and automatically open the circuit during overcurrent.

Question 21

Current

Answer 21

The rate of flow of electricity through a conductor, measured in amps.

Question 22

Dead Front

Answer 22

The cover of the panelboard cabinet that protects from live parts within.

Question 23

Device

Answer 23

A component of an electrical system intended to carry or control, but not utilize, electricity (e.g., switches, thermostats).

Question 24

Disconnecting Means

Answer 24

A device used to disconnect conductors of a circuit from the power supply.

Question 25

Feeder

Answer 25

The conductors between the service equipment and the final overcurrent device, commonly used for subpanels.

Question 26

kcmil

Answer 26

Conductor sizes larger than 4/0 AWG, measured in thousands of circular mils (kcmil).

Question 27

GFCI

Answer 27

Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) protects by de-energizing a circuit when a current to ground exceeds a preset value.

Question 28

Ground Wire

Answer 28

The equipment grounding conductor (EGC), usually green or bare copper, intended to carry current only during a ground fault.

Question 29

Hot Wire

Answer 29

Ungrounded current-carrying conductors, typically black.

Question 30

Line

Answer 30

The incoming power source to the electrical equipment.

Question 31

Load

Answer 31

The outgoing power from electrical equipment.

Question 32

Main Breaker

Answer 32

The main service disconnect that shuts off power to all circuits downstream.

Question 33

Meter

Answer 33

The device where the utility connects its meter to the meter socket.

Question 34

Neutral Wire

Answer 34

The grounded conductor of a circuit, typically white or gray, connecting to the grounded neutral in the service panel.

Question 35

Outlet

Answer 35

A point on the wiring system where current is taken to supply equipment, such as receptacles or light fixtures.

Question 36

Overcurrent Protection Device

Answer 36

A device, such as a circuit breaker or fuse, that opens a circuit when the current exceeds a preset value.

Question 37

Panelboard

Answer 37

A device containing busbars, terminals, overcurrent protection devices, and hardware within a cabinet.

Question 38

Receptacle

Answer 38

A contact device at an outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.

Question 39

Receptacle Outlet

Answer 39

An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.

Question 40

Romex®

Answer 40

A trade name for nonmetallic sheathed cable used in homes, such as 14/2 or 12/2 with ground.

Question 41

Service

Answer 41

The conductors and equipment delivering energy from the utility to the home’s wiring system.

Question 42

SE and SEU Cable

Answer 42

Service-entrance cables for connecting the service drop to the meter base and panelboard.

Question 43

Nomenclature and Abbreviations

Answer 43

Common alternate ways to specify wire sizes, such as #14/2 or 10-3 w/gnd.

Question 44

Pronunciation

Answer 44

AWG is often referred to as "gauge," and large sizes like 3/0 are pronounced as "three aught."