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Glossary of Electrical Terms
Adapter
a cord or block style device with different ends that allows different devices to connect [link]
Amperage
measurement of the flow rate of electricity, expressed in amperes, amps or ampacity [link]
AWG
American Wire Gauge, a system for specifying cord diameter, larger numbers represent smaller gauges [link]
California Standard
a standard of 50 amp plugs and connectors [link]
CE
a European standard of safety and conformity of certain products [link]
Conductor
an internal material of a cord (usually copper) that conducts electricity
Connector
the female end of a cord which mates with a plug or inlet [link]
Cord Clamp
a device used to secure a cord to a box to prevent accidental disconnect [link]
Cord Grip
a metallic mesh used to provide relief and support wires [link]
CSA
Canadian Standards Association, a Canadian product safety and certification organization
Ground
a connection between an electrical device and the earth for safety reasons
Harmonized Code
an international coding system for specifying the attributes of cord voltages, jackets, diameters, etc. [link]
Hertz
measurement of frequency, equaling one cycle per second, U.S. devices are typically 60 Hertz and international devices are typically 50 hertz
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission, an international organization that sets standards for electrical products
IEC320
IEC standard of thirteen 2 or 3 wire plugs, connectors, inlets or outlets usually used in the computer industry [link]
IEC60309
IEC industrial standard for plugs, connectors, inlets and outlets in which the pins are arrayed with the ground pin in a different clock position so that only compatible connectors mate [link]
Inlet
a recessed male device that is mounted in a panel or wall which mates with a female connector [link]
Insulation
the material that encases a conductor preventing the transmission of electricity
IP Rating
Ingress Protection Rating, a two digit code specifying the level of protection from foreign objects with the first digit referring to protection from solids and the second digit referring to protection from liquids [link]
Jacket
the outer wrapping of a cord [link]
Lock Out
a device used to prevent accidental connection [link]
Locking
refers to a NEMA device with circular prongs that locks the connection in place [link]
Marine
a plug, connector, inlet, outlet or receptacle rated for marine use [link]
Midget
referring to an inlet or outlet with a shallow depth so that it may be mounted in areas with limited space
Mounting Box
a box that is used to mount a receptacle and wall plate [link]
NEMA
National Electrical Manufacturers Association, an organization based in the U.S. that sets standards for electrical products
OD
Outer Diameter, the diameter of a cord
Outlet
a recessed female device that is mounted in a panel or wall which mates with a male plug [link]
Pendant
a cord with a male plug on one end and a mounting box with receptacle and wall plate attached to the other
Pin and Sleeve
vernacular for an IEC60309 device [link]
Plug
the male end of a cord that is inserted into a connector, outlet, or receptacle [link]
Polarized
a plug and connector formed in a way that only allows proper connection [link]
Pole
a terminal in an electrical device through which current enters or leaves; in European devices typically all poles are hot, while in U.S. devices, poles may be hot or neutral
Receptacle
a female device that is mounted in a mounting box which is then usually mounted into a wall [link]
RoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substances, a European directive dictating materials that may not be used in the manufacture of certain products [link]
Single Pole
a plug, connector, inlet or outlet with one conductor [link]
Straight Blade
refers to a NEMA device with straight prongs [link]
Temperature Rating
the maximum temperature at which insulation will maintain its integrity
UL
Underwriters Laboratories, an independent non-profit product safety and certification organization
Voltage
measurement of electrical pressure, expressed in volts
Wall Plate
a cover for a mounting box usually with cutouts that accommodate a receptacle [link]
Wattage
measurement of electrical power, wattage is calculated as voltage x amperage
Wires
total number of wires in an electrical device, wires may be load bearing, neutral or grounding