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ELECTRICAL | AUTOMATION
DESIGN/BUILD

GLOSSARY OF ELECTRICAL TERMS

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B
C
D
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U-V-W
X-Y-Z
 

Sealed Transformer - Completely sealed from outside atmosphere and usually contains an inert gas which is slightly pressurized.

Secondary Taps - Taps located in the secondary winding (see definition for Tap).

Secondary Voltage Rating - Designates the load circuit voltage for which the secondary winding (winding on the output side) is designed.

Secondary Winding - The transformer winding connected to the load or output side.

Separate Built-In Cooking Unit - A stationary cooking appliance, including its integral supply leads or terminals and consisting of one or more surface elements or ovens, or a combination of these, constructed so that the unit is permanently built into a counter or wall.

Series/Multiple - A winding of two similar coils that can be connected for series operation or multiple (parallel) operation.

Service, Consumer's - All that portion of the consumer's installation from the service box or its equivalent up to and including the point at which the supply authority makes connection.

Service, Supply - Any one set of conductors run by a supply authority from its mains to a consumer's service.

Service Box - An approved assembly consisting of a metal box or cabinet constructed so that it may be effectually locked or sealed, containing either service fuses and a service switch or a circuit breaker, and of such design that either the switch or circuit breaker may be manually operated when the box is closed.

Service Room - A room or space provided in a building to accommodate building service equipment, and constructed in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, or applicable local legislation.

Shockproof as Applied to X-Ray and High-Frequency Equipment - Means hat the equipment is guarded with grounded metal so that no person can come into contact with any live part.

Short-Time Duty - see definition for Duty.

Signal Circuit - Any electrical circuit, other than a communication circuit, which supplies energy to a device which gives a recognizable signal, such as circuits for doorbells, buzzers, code-calling systems, signal lights, and the like.

Sine Wave - The waveform produced by rotating a loop of wire at uniform speed in a magnetic field and measuring the voltage that is induced, along with the angular displacement of the wire.

Single Dwelling - A dwelling unit consisting of a detached house, one unit of row housing, or one unit of a semi-detached, duplex, triplex, or quadruplex house.

Single Receptacle - see definition for Receptacle.

Slow-Burning as Applied to Conductor Insulation - Means the insulation has flame-retardant properties.

Slow speed Ratio - A speed ratio of melting characteristics from 10-13 (see Speed Ratio).

Solar Photovoltaic Systems - the total components and subsystems that in combination convert solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.

Special terminology and general system components:

AC Module - a complete, environmentally protected assembly of interconnected solar cells, inverter, and other components designed to generate ac power.

Array
- a mechanical integrated assembly of modules or panels with a support structure and foundation, tracking, and other components as required, to form a power producing unit.

Interconnected System - a solar photovoltaic system that operates in parallel with, and that may deliver power to, another system such as a supply authority system.

Module
- the smallest complete, environmentally protected assembly of interconnected solar cells.

Panel
- an assembly of modules, mechanically fastened together and prewired to form a self-contained unit.

Photovoltaic Output Circuit
- circuit conductors between the photovoltaic source circuit(s) and the power conditioning unit or direct-current utilization equipment.

Photovoltaic Power Source
- an array or aggregate of arrays that generates direct-current power at system voltage and current.

Photovoltaic Source Circuit
- conductors between modules and from modules to the common connection point(s) of the direct-current system.

Power Conditioning Unit
- equipment that is used to change voltage level or waveform, or otherwise alter or regulate the output of a photovoltaic power source.

Power Conditioning Unit Output Circuit
- conductors between the power conditioning unit and the connection to the service, distribution, or utilization equipment.
Solar Cell - the basic photovoltaic device that generates electricity when exposed to light.

Soldered - A uniting of metal surfaces by the fusion thereon of a metal alloy, usually of lead and tin.

Sparkover - A disruptive discharge between electrodes of a gapped protective device.

Spas - see definition for Pools, Tubs, and Spas

Special Permission - The written authority of the inspection department.

Specialty Arrester - An arrester designed specifically for a particular application to meet the specified needs of that application. Riser pole and under-oil are specialty arrester.

Speed Ratio - A ratio given for the time current characteristics of fuse links; the ratio of the 0.1 second minimum melting current to the 300 or 600 second melting current (300 seconds for fuse links rated 100A and less, 600 seconds for 140 and 200 A ratings).

Split Receptacle - see definition for Receptacle.

Splitter - An enclosure containing terminal plates or busbars having main and branch connectors.

Starter - A controller for accelerating a motor from rest to normal speed and for stopping the motor, and usually implies inclusion of overload protection.

Steady State - A condition in which circuit s values remain essentially constant, occurring after all initial transients or fluctuating conditions have settled down.

Stress, Voltage - A transient current of voltage usually associated with lighting or switching.

Submersible Pump - a pump-motor combination where the enclosed electrical equipment is intended to operate submerged in water.

Supply Authority - Any person, firm, corporation, company, commission, or other organization supplying electric energy.

Surface Raceway - A surface mounted or pendant enclosure, consisting of one or more channels for the purpose of containing and protecting conductors and intended to accommodate associated fittings, wiring devices, luminaires, and accessories.

Surge - Transient current or voltage associated with lightning or switching.

Switch - A device for making, breaking, or changing connection in a circuit:

General use Switch - A switch intended for use in general distribution and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes and is capable of interrupting its rated current at rated voltage.

Indicating Switch - A switch of such design or so marked that the fact as to whether it is "on" or "off" may be readily determined by inspection.

Isolating Switch - A switch intended for isolating either a circuit or some equipment from its source of supply. It is not intended either for establishing or interrupting the flow of current in any circuit.

Motor-Circuit Switch - A manually operated knife or snap switch rated in horsepower fused or unfused.

Switch, Limit - A switch that is operated by some part or motion of a power-driven machine or equipment to alter the electric circuit associated with the machine or equipment.

Switchboard - A panel or assembly of panels on which is mounted any combination of switching, measuring, controlling, and protective devices, buses, and connections, designed with a view to successfully carry and rupture the maximum fault current encountered when controlling incoming and outgoing feeders.

Switchgear - A general term covering switching and interrupting devices and their combination with associated control, metering, protective and regulating devices; also assemblies of these devices with associated interconnections, accessories, enclosures and supporting structures, used primarily in connection with the generation, transmission, distribution and conversion of electric power.

Switchgear Assembly - An assembled piece of switchgear equipment (indoor or outdoor) including but not limited to one or more of the following: switching; interrupting; control; metering; protective and regulating devices, together with their supporting structures; enclosures; conductors; electric interconnections and accessories.

Symmetric - A term used to explain the normal, rhythmic ac flow of current (transient or dc component = ); the steady state component of any current or fault current calculation.

System Capacity - Represents the ability of a system to meet its customer's needs, or the electrical demand of its customer. System capacity is provided by generators, transmission lines, distribution networks and load management.

System Voltage - The rms power frequency voltage from line-to-line as distinguished from the voltage from line-to-neutral.

 
Source: Canadian Electrical Code and National Electrical Code
 
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