The Electrician's Dictionary

1900: a 4 in. square box that is 1-1/2 in. deep.
1900 DEEP: a 4 in. square box that is 2-1/8 in. deep.
8B: a 4 in. octagon box that is 1-1/2 in. deep
8B Deep: a 4 in. octagon box that is 2-1/8 in. deep.
A.R.: Automatic recloser
Abandon Plug: Floor plate plug inserts. These threaded plugs seal up an unused device opening in a floor box plate. You order them in sizes from 1/2" to 2"
A-Bushing: This is a plastic bushing used inside the enclosure to insulate the end of rigid conduit. Comes in sizes from 1/2" to 6" and are generally rated to 105°. The bushing to insulate the wires coming out of the conduit is the BB bushing
AC: A flexible package consisting of an armor jacket wrapped around wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Similar to MC, AC has an overall Mylar wrapping over all the wires to provide protection and therefore doesn't require the use of Anti-Short Bushings.
Acorn: A Ground Rod Clamp is a copper mechanical connector used to connect a wide range of wire sizes and types to a ground rod. Those ground rods may be copper or stainless steel. It works by sliding over the ground rod, having the wire inserted under the flat part of the screw, and mechanically tightening down with a wrench.
Add-A-Depth Ring: a means of extending the walls of a device box to the wall surface, proving a barrier between a wiring device and the surrounding wall material
Adjustable Beam Clamp: When you absolutely don't want your beam clamp to have the chance to slip off the beam, one of the two adjustable style beam clamps is the one to use. The standard style (E-160) has a fixed bottom where the threaded rod is attached and the swivel (E-165) lets the threaded rod adjust left and right. To use these clamps on an I-beam, the flange can't exceed .8" and the hook rod which comes in sizes 6, 9 or 12" must reach.
Air Plenum: a compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and which forms part of the air distribution system
AJ: An anchor that consists of an inner steel cone, with a cylindrical machine-threaded hole, surrounded by a lead jacket, cylindrical on the outside. You drill a hole in concrete or masonry the shape of the AJ, drop it in with the base of the cone toward the bottom of the hold, then force the lead down tightly in the hole by hitting the AJ driver
Aligator Knob: A tie stick.
Alley Arm: A side arm brace, which braces a crossarm that is uneven.
AMP (A): a measurement of the amount of electrical current in a circuit at any moment.
Anti-Short Bushing: When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.
Aprrentice Plug: Knockout plugs used to cover exposed knock-out holes in steel boxes and enclosures
Arkansas Union: Thread a conduit so far that the coupling will screw all the way onto conduit. Butt another piece of threaded conduit to end and unscrew coupling off first pipe and onto second.
Armor: a metallic covering around the cable for mechanical protection. Typically interlocked steel or aluminum.
Armor-Clad/Cable: A flexible package consisting of an armor jacket wrapped around wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Similar to MC, AC has an overall Mylar wrapping over all the wires to provide protection and therefore doesn't require the use of Anti-Short Bushings.
Ash Tray: A Mudcap.
AT&T Strand Clamp: This has been known since the turn of the century as the AT&T standard strand clamp or guy clamp. It is made from hot dipped galvanized rolled steel and will hold any size guy strand from 1/4" to 1/2" diameter.
Atomic: The "tilt-in" 2-piece connector for non-metallic sheathed cable (a.k.a. Romex™) is a labor saving design that lets the electrician clamp the connector onto the cable, tilt it into the knockout and tighten down the screws. The screws both bind the connector to the enclosure and compress onto the cable making a secure fit. This eliminates the need to remove the locknut and re-attach it inside an often cramped box. Originally marketed by Tomic™. Available in conduit sizes from 1/2" to 1-1/2", (see also 'Butterfly Connector'; 'Tomic').
Attic Monkey: An electrician with a slim build best suited for crawling through tight spaces.
B Type Splice: These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Baby Shoes: Small copper lugs which take circuit size wires.
Back to Back Connector: Connects and separates two boxes while building a raceway between them.
Baker Board: Adjustable sliding scaffold board.
Ball and Brush: A rat tail can be either the flexible mandrel alone or the mandrel and wire brush hooked together. This assembly is then pulled through the conduit prior to pulling cable to remove any dirt, debris or obstacles that were introduced after the conduit was installed.
Ball Of Mason: Rough twine.
Baloney: A cable.
Baloney Bender: A guy who works with thick or heavy cable.
Band Iron: This is a ¾" wide galvanized steel band with holes to accommodate nails and bolts. Available with the holes evenly spaced or with alternating small and large holes. It is typically used to hang some kind of pipe from some kind of support system such as strut, wooden studs or simple masonry.
Bang On Bushing: When a fitting is not required by NEC, you use this insulating bushing to protect data cables coming out of exposed EMT.
Bang on Strap: Flange Clip
Banger: A device used to locate faults in cables underground. This device uses a high voltage discharge to produce an audible thump where the fault exists. The thump is caused by the discharge exiting into the ground. The device is typically self- contained as a portable device that can be used out in the field, (see also, 'Thumper"; 'Surge Generator'; 'Banger').
Banjo Box: Mobile storage box for contractor tools on a jobsite.
Bantam Plug: Plastic drywall anchor.
Bar Hanger: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, ( see also 'Crossbar Hanger').
Base Spacer: When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
Bat Wing: This is a spring metal device used to secure conduit, armored cable, portable cord, communication cables, etc to a flange, wire or rod. The term Bat Wings comes from its brand name in 1959. Although the KX part number is shown, it also refers to the K series. The KX series is used to secure wire where the K series is used for conduit.
Battleship: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Battleships: Thin sheet metal clamps that are used to mount steel boxes in drywall.
B-Bushing: This is an insulated throat metal bushing that when used in conjunction with a locknut, affixes GAL or IMC to a metal enclosure and provides abrasion protection to the wire insulation. It comes in die-cast or malleable iron with a plastic insulator.
Beam Clamp - Adjustable: When you absolutely don't want your beam clamp to have the chance to slip off the beam, one of the two adjustable style beam clamps is the one to use. The standard style (E-160) has a fixed bottom where the threaded rod is attached and the swivel (E-165) lets the threaded rod adjust left and right. To use these clamps on an I-beam, the flange can't exceed .8" and the hook rod which comes in sizes 6, 9 or 12" must reach.
Beam Clamp (Malleable): Beam Clamps are used to hang objects from some kind of flange. They are attached by tightening a set-screw between the jaw base and the beam flange and come in sizes from 1/4" to 2". The bottom and back are tapped to accept a bolt or threaded rod.
Beam Eater: Self Tapping Tapcon
Beanies: These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Bear Grease: Z.L.N. electric contact aid.
Beater: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Becky: A cable sling.
Bell Box: To an oldtimer, a Bell Box or Bell Cover refers to any one, two or three gang weatherproof die cast aluminum box, extension or cover. BELL, founded in 1946 by Frank BELLeck and Harry Stllman, was the first to market weatherproof boxes and covers. It became part of SquareD in 1971 and then in 1986, part of the Hubbell RACO family. The boxes and extensions have anywhere from three to five threaded hubs ranging from 1/2 to 1". Covers are available for almost any combination of devices you can imagine.
Bell Cover: To an oldtimer, a Bell Box or Bell Cover refers to any one, two or three gang weatherproof die cast aluminum box, extension or cover. BELL, founded in 1946 by Frank BELLeck and Harry Stllman, was the first to market weatherproof boxes and covers. It became part of SquareD in 1971 and then in 1986, part of the Hubbell RACO family. The boxes and extensions have anywhere from three to five threaded hubs ranging from 1/2 to 1". Covers are available for almost any combination of devices you can imagine.
Bell Hanger Bit: Used for telephone installations. A hole in the bit end assists in wire pulling.
Bell Wire: Thermostat wire usually 18 or 22 guage.
Bell Wrench: Wrench for tightening various square head bolts.
Ben Franklin: Besides being an inventor, statesman, author, freemason, and Founding Father, he also was an electrician.
Bender: A hammer.
Bible: The electrician's code book.
Bicycle: A chain drill for boring holes.
Binder Head Screw: An old term for a Fillister Head Screw.
Bird Condom: These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Bird dog: Someone watching everything you do
Birdcage: A plastic lamp cage or guard to fit over pigtail and protect lamp from breakage.
Bit Bender: Assist manipulating Fish Bits for accurate placement within the wall.
Black Beauty: Cable tie mounting blocks with peel-off backing available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Black Button®: This is a low-profile, push-in or snap-in plastic Romex (NM) connector for 1/2" or 3/4" knockouts. The low profile makes it ideal for A/C disconnects.
Black Iron: The strut used to hang acoustical tile is called Black iron. This is the "C" shaped, 1- 1/2" black strut that is bolted to the concrete deck or wooden beams using CADDY® hangers to create a secure mounting point for the grid ceiling runners. When looking-up fittings for black iron, most catalogs, such as CADDY®, use the term Lathers Channel.
Blackburn Clamp: Service wedge clamp
Blankup Canopy: When a ceiling fixture or fan is removed and another device is not put in its place, the box can be blanked-up with either a steel blank or a more decorative blankup canopy. The canopy is painted white and is available in 4" and 5" sizes.
BLOCK-LOC ®: a Hubbell Inc. trade name for self-positioning masonry boxes and tile covers.
Blow Gun: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Boatswain'S Chair: A small wooden seat supported by four ropes secured to a ring or tied at a common point above the workman's head.
Boingie Nut: The Spring Nut or Boingie Nut is used to attach objects to strut. The spring holds the nut in place inside the channel while you bolt the object to the strut.
Bonding: the permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path that will assure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed.
Bonding Jumper: There are two type of bonding jumpers: CONDUIT to CONDUIT or CONDUIT to CABINET/ENCLOSURE. The BJ series shown below is for bonding two rigid or EMT conduits together while the BJE is for bonding conduit to enclosure. The device consists of a "U" bolt, malleable clamp and a tinned copper braid. You see these used most often with expansion fittings which requires that telescoping portions of raceway or expansion couplings maintain their electrical continuity as if it was a continuous run of conduit. In service equipment, they are used to continue the ground from the bonding bushing to the enclosure wall. It comes in sizes from 11" to 15 3/8" long and works on 1/2" through 6" pipe.
Booger Light: Security or emergency lighting fixtures that are typically mounted above drives and entryways, often fitted with a proximity sensor along with a daylight sensor.
Booger Wire: a neutral wire.
Bookie Tool: a staple puller.
Bookie Wheel: a measuring device.
Boomer: a lineman who leaves one job to get to the next job;
Booties: insulators for meter clips.
Bottles: insulators for glass.
Box: padmounted transformer or switchgear.
Box Cleats: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Box Connector: Connects and separates two boxes while building a raceway between them.
Box Extender: This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
BOX MOUNT: a term commonly used to denote where the screws of a cover attach.
Box Spacer: Connects and separates two boxes while building a raceway between them.
BOX-LOC®: RACO trade name for our snapon metal stud bracket.
Bracket Bar: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Bracket Set: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Breakaway Swivel: The swivel acts like a circuit breaker to disengage the pulling rope from the wire when a certain pulling tension is exceeded. It does it by using break-away pins in the swivel that come in ratings from 200 to 1000 pounds. To change the break- away setting, you just change the pin.
Breaker Bar: Called a breaker bar by the trade and a "Flex Handle" by Klein, this tool is a long handle with a flexible head to which a 1/2" or 3/8" drive socket is attached. The long handle provides substantial leverage which allows the user to "break" difficult bolts or nuts.
Breaker Lock: Breaker locks are used to prevent someone from accidentally turning-on a breaker which has been switched off by a maintenance worker or contractor in compliance with OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard. Usually used in conjunction with lockout tags that explain the who and why the breaker was locked-out. The model number shown below is specifically for the Square D QO single-pole breaker but there are versions for all the major manufacturers. You have to pay very careful attention to the catalog description to see if it fits the specific model of the manufacturers breaker you are trying to fit.
Bridal Ring: Loop that supports wire. Threaded or wood-screw tip to attach to clip or wood.
Broomsticks: phase spacers, used to keep phases from coming into contact with each other at midspan.
Bubble Cover: Weatherproof outlet box cover used to protect electrical connections that are exposed to weather or wet conditions. Designed to fully protect the connection while the cover is closed
Buck Arm: two sets of crossarms at 90 degree angles to each other.
Bucket Bag: A nylon multi-pocket bag that fits over 5gal bucket to turn it into a tool bag.
Bucket Of Steam: These are practical joke terms that foreman typically use to break-in the apprentices. It gets amusing when the apprentice sends the request up the line where it gets ordered by purchasing and sent to the distributor. Usually it stops there but sometimes it will be a new inside person who asks around the office how to code a bucket-of-steam or some other prank item.
Bucket Truck: an aerial lift truck for raising men high enough to work on lines from the insulated bucket of the truck.
Bug: Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Bug Wrench: a speed wrench for bug installation.
Bugeye: This device is useful for quickly determining if a receptacle has power and if there is anything obviously wrong with the wiring. Enhanced models perform GFCI testing but this tester is essentially idiot-proof through the use of three lights and a sticker explaining the meaning of these lights.
Bugs: solderless - typically bolted - connectors.
Bull Line: heavy line that pulls wires in, (see also 'hard line').
Bull Pen: where a work crew dwells before and after work.
Bull Wheel: a reel device, keeps tension on a transmission conductor during stringing operations.
Bulldog Grip: When you are working with guy wire or other types of aircraft cables you need some way of bringing the cable to tension while it is set in place and clamped down. While these wire cables offer terrific pulling strength for their small size, they are notoriously difficult to grab onto. The Bulldog grip, or Klein's Haven, is a small, lightweight grip that is ideal when the compression of the conductor is not an issue. When coupled with a come-along, the Bulldog grip tensions and holds the wire temporarily while a permanent fixture can be made. They are available for cable sizes from .063 through .750 although the 1/4" size is most common.
Bulldog Wrench: an alligator wrench.
Bullet Lampholder: an indoor track head;
Bulletproof Fiberglass: When you need to use fiberglass and it has to be high-impact resistant, the Champion Fiberglass with its special fiber windings and 1/4" wall thickness has been shown to resist penetration by a .22cal bullet. Called XWALL conduit, it has been used by telecom companies to protect their fiber optic cables in aboveground installations and in marine environments to protect high voltage cable from the corrosive elements that PVC Coated GAL just can't protect against.
Bullhorn: Epoxirod bi unit.
Bundle: Multiple strings of conductor.
Bunny Gun: The cable cutter is a tool used to cut copper or aluminum electric wire from #1 through 1000MCM. They come in four varieties: palm grip, manual two-handled units, ratchet cutters and electric cutters.
Bushing: a fitting provided to protect wires from abrasion and intended for use where conductors enter or leave the raceway system.
Bust Anchor: A multi-bladed anchor set into a hole dug in the earth. It expands to form a cone shaped square in either 6” or 8” sizes. When covered by the earth, it supports the Anchor Rod through the compression of the earth above it. Reinforcing ribs provide strength to the blades which are capable of handling extremely heavy loads.
Buster: expanding and tamping bar used on expanding anchors.
Butt Set: This is a device installers use as a portable telephone with alligator clips and specialized tone and probe capabilities.
Butterfly: "; Invented by hardware store owner William H. Rubely in the late 1800's and initially called the ""Tuckahoe Toggle Bolt"" , the toggle bolt has been used whenever you need to mount something to a non-structural, hollow, thin wall where a screw would simply pull right out. A toggle bolt has wings like a butterfly that fold closed against an internal spring to be inserted into the wall. Once through the wall, it snaps open and provides a secure are wide surface area to fasten an object to the wall using the attached a threaded screw. You'd see it used in sheetrock or wood applications holding a fire alarm box, a speaker to ceiling tile, a bulletin board, etc. When the screw is removed, the wing simply drops behind the wall to the floor below and is abandoned.; "
Butterfly Box: A box that is designed to be installed after the finished wall is installed. Old work boxes have ears, opposing corner tabs, integral to the box that press against the back side of the wall as the fastening screws are tightened.
Butterfly Connector: The "tilt-in" 2-piece connector for non-metallic sheathed cable (a.k.a. Romex™) is a labor saving design that lets the electrician clamp the connector onto the cable, tilt it into the knockout and tighten down the screws. The screws both bind the connector to the enclosure and compress onto the cable making a secure fit. This eliminates the need to remove the locknut and re-attach it inside an often cramped box. Originally marketed by Tomic™. Available in conduit sizes from 1/2" to 1-1/2", (see also 'Butterfly Connector'; 'Tomic').
Butter-Its-Not: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Butthole: 1/2" plastic romex connector
Buzzard Tongue: Zip ties.
BX Cable: A flexible package consisting of an armor jacket wrapped around wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Similar to MC, AC has an overall Mylar wrapping over all the wires to provide protection and therefore doesn't require the use of Anti-Short Bushings.
C.S.P.: acronym for completely self-protected transformer.
C.S.T.: acronym for customer subsurface transformer.
C.T.: acronym for current transformer.
Cable: two or more insulated conductors wrapped in metal or plastic sheathing.
Cable Box: a box provided with clamps to accommodate either metallic or nonmetallic sheathed cable.
Cable Caster®: A very simple tool to fish a line through conduit or a chase. It uses a fish casting reel to pull the mouse back.
Cable Clamp: generic name for a clamp that mechanically secures the cable to the electrical outlet box.
Cable Cleaner: A cleaner used to remove contamination from a variety of insulations and jackets of high voltage cable prior to completing the splicing process.
Cable Cutter: The cable cutter is a tool used to cut copper or aluminum electric wire from #1 through 1000MCM. They come in four varieties: palm grip, manual two-handled units, ratchet cutters and electric cutters.
Cable Protector: Nails to wood stud where cable passes through to protect wire & plumbing pipe from nails driven into the wall sometime in the future, (see also 'Stud Plate'; 'Safety Plate'; 'Cable Protector').
Cable Stretcher: These are practical joke terms that foreman typically use to break-in the apprentices. It gets amusing when the apprentice sends the request up the line where it gets ordered by purchasing and sent to the distributor. Usually it stops there but sometimes it will be a new inside person who asks around the office how to code a bucket-of-steam or some other prank item.
Cables Ties: Zip ties.
Cage: A plastic lamp cage or guard to fit over pigtail and protect lamp from breakage.
Calking Anchor: You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
Camel Toe: "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Can lights: A recessed light or downlight is a light fixture that is installed into a hollow opening in a ceiling. When installed it appears to have light shining from a hole in the ceiling, concentrating the light in a downward direction as a broad floodlight or narrow spotlight.
Can Wrench: A tubular wrench with two hex head sockets (3/8" and 7/16"). One end for the bolts used on telephone boxes and the other for binding-post terminals.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) –: an independent testing agency that certifies products to its established standards of safety and performance.
Candlestick: fiberglass downlead bracket, named so for its shape.
Candy Grabbers: channellock pliers.
Cant Hook: a curved and pointed hook on the end of a wooden or fiberglass pole
Caplet: Fitting used to terminate type ac cable or nm cable to open wiring or knob and tube. Similar to a weatherhead.
Capped Corner Coupling: When you need to run EMT along the wall and make an "L" on the inside corner of the wall with access to the wire inside, the Inside Corner Elbow is the fitting for the job. The top screws off for access to the wires inside and the set screws connect the fitting to the conduit. Available in 1/2" and 3/4".
Carflex®: Originally invented by Anaconda in 1947, Sealtite® is the Trade name for flexible, liquid-tight conduit. It can be found in applications as mundane as an air conditioning whip all the way to nuclear power plants. In its many forms, it is essentially a flexible metal core (much like Greenfield) covered by a moisture resistant covering. The typical construction for general use in electrical construction is a crush resistant core made from high-grade galvanized steel with smooth bore for easy wire fishing. The PVC jacket covers the core to provide protection from moisture, dirt, and abrasion. This product can also be ordered in a low smoke, low toxic version for Transit Authority work.
Carnival Light/Socket: Lampholder that uses 12G Circuit Wire to Power & Suspend bulb from the air.
Caroet Flange: a ring that is used with a floor box to provide a decorative finish.
Carpenter Pencil: Thick, square pencil used for marking on rough surfaces.
Carpet Plate: Brass adapter that fits between floor box collar and device mounting plate.
Cartridge Fuse: A cartridge fuse found in amperage sizes 60amp or lower. This group also includes midget, glass and ceramic fuses with the exception being that these fuses are used for electronic devices. If you are asked for a cartridge safety switch, it refers to a 60 or 30amp switch. The item code shown below is a reference to one type of fuse and isn't an indication at all of what the customer wants. You need to know amperage, voltage, UL Class, interrupting rating and most importantly, application.
Cast Floor Box: Water tight cast iron floor box in round or multi-gang rectangular.
Cat Head: capstan hoist, for relocating weighty loads.
Catchers Mask Heater: Aptly named the "Catchers Mask" heater, this unit is often found on jobsite trailers because it is a combination radiant and fan forced heater that has a safety tipover switch. The three settings of 600, 900 and 1500 watts are sufficient for personal use and the units seem to survive the jobsite hardships you'd expect to find. The radiant setting is used at the 600 watt level and is an option on the 1500 watt level.
Cattle Guard: a guy guard, made from metal or plastic.
Caulk-In®: You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
CBS Bar: Ceiling box support attaches to black iron and provides place to attach a box.
C-channel: The strut used to hang acoustical tile is called Black iron. This is the "C" shaped, 1- 1/2" black strut that is bolted to the concrete deck or wooden beams using CADDY® hangers to create a secure mounting point for the grid ceiling runners. When looking-up fittings for black iron, most catalogs, such as CADDY®, use the term Lathers Channel.
Century-Line® Wall Sleeve: During new construction, it is often necessary to plan and prepare for conduit to pass through a concrete wall. Wall Sleeves are used during the forming process prior to the concrete being poured to ensure proper placement of the conduit and to allow for a more complete seal once the conduit is inserted. While the Link-Seal® Modular Seal works well without the wall sleeve, together they create a system that is superior to just the Modular Seal itself. Called the Century-Line® sleeve, they are made from HDPE and are 1/8 the weight of seeel sleeves. They range in diameter from 2" to 25" and have a built-in expansion joint.
Chain Wrench: Wrench used to turn large pipes made from bicycle chain for leverage.
Chair: When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
Channel Locks®: Large grooved joint pliers with right angle teeth for excellent holding ability.
Chase Nipple: This fitting connects one electrical product to another through a knockout ranging from 3/8" to 6". It functions like a nipple except it is formed with a flat locknut affixed at one end. You'd use it to connect fixtures together to form continuous runs, connect metal boxes together, etc. The center of the Chase nipple is hollow and they are available with an insulated throat. Named after this turn of the century manufacturer. Sometimes gets confused with Close Nipple which is completely different.
Cheater: Breaker: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Cheater: Wire Device: Converts a 2-wire ungrounded outlet so it accepts a 3-wire U-Ground plug. It is rated 120V and 15amp. This is not a safe item to use and should be replaced with a modern 3-prong outlet with a proper ground.
Cheaters: channellock pliers, named so because they make the job easier.
Cheese Head Screw: An old term for a Fillister Head Screw.
Cherry: Plastic insulator to separate guts from the backbox (as in the cabinet that contains a panel).
Cherry Picker: a bucket truck. (Cherries not included).
Chicago Bender: In addressing conduit bending, the NEC requires that "bends in conduits will be made so that the tubing will not be injured and that the internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced." The Chicago-Type manual benders accomplish this quickly and reliably. It consists of a carriage to provide firm support, a removable bending frame so the user can work off the carriage or workbench, a 0 to 90degree bending indicator, a short handle and a shoe to accommodate specific conduit sizes. The user puts a piece of rigid pipe into the short handle to gain greater leverage. Shoes come in sizes from 1" to 2".
Chicago Grip: See 'Chicago Grip.'
Chicken Catcher: The service wedge clamp provides a mechanical strain relief for self-supporting drop wire. It gets attached or wedged to the support wire on incoming utility ACSR, Aluminum or AAAC conductors which typically range from #6 to 4/0. This fitting protects the cable from breaking under adverse weather conditions and is a convenient device to support the cable while the drop portion is cut to size. They are available from several suppliers such as Blackburn, Madison, and Porcelain Products with different part numbers depending upon the wire type and size.
Chicken Tracks: Epoxirod tri unit, (see also 'crows foot').
Chicken Wing: in distribution construction a steel post insulator standoff, (see also 'turkey wing').
Chico: "; CHICO, like CONDULET, is a registered trademark of Crouse-Hinds. According to Product Line Manager of Fittings, Brad Delans, CHICO comes from their name. C = Crouse, HI for Hinds and CO for company. Sealing compound used for hazardous location fittings. It provides a seal around and between the electrical conductors within the fitting. The sealing compound (cement) comes in package sizes ranging from 8oz to 10lbs and is mixed with water on the jobsite in the shipping container. As a liquid insulating compound, it is used along with the sealing or packing fiber. The fiber serves to prevent the sealing compound from leaking into the conduit and it put between the wires and the fitting hub before the sealing compound is poured into the fitting. The part numbers for Crouse-Hinds is as follows: A3 = 16oz can, A05 = 80oz can, X4 = 2oz of FIBER and X7 = 16oz of FIBER.; "
Chili Bowl: an oversized pin-type insulator.
Chinese Finger: Basket type pulling grip where wire mesh tightens over wire when pulled.
Chinese Money: Reducing washers.
Chocolate Bar: Sometimes called a quick connector, this insulation displacement connector is used to tap into electrical wires to draw power without having to cut, splice and tape the wires.The chocolate bar refers to this specific size (14-18 AWG tap on a 10-12 AWG run) but the family of taps is used for everything from automotive wiring, fixtures, marine and control circuits.
Choker: a sling made out of nylon.
Christmas Tree: auxiliary arm extending from a pole that is used to lift conductors.
Circuit: the path of electrical flow from a power source through an outlet and back to ground.
CJ: Used to support nonmetallic sheathed cable (RX) or MC/AC cable on wood or metal studs. Available in 4 styles for Wood, Metal Stud or Furring Strip/Hat Channel. Used to get compliance with NEC for Metal Stud Use.
Clamp Back: a raceway fastening accessory typically used with a conduit strap to position a raceway away from a wall.
CLASS I locations: are those locations in which flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
CLASS II locations: are those locations that are hazardous because of the present combustible dust.
CLASS III locations: are those locations that are hazardous because of the presence of easily ignitable fibers or flyings, but in which the fibers or flyings are not likely to be in suspension in the air in quantities sufficient to produce ignitable mixtures.
Cleat Hanger: see bar hanger.
Clevis Hanger: Used to hang conduit from a strut support.
CLF: acroymn for current limiting fuse.
Climbers: hooks for climbing poles.
Clock Hanger: Electrical plate with recessed outlet to hang and power a wall clock.
Close Nipple: A conduit nipple is a piece of pipe that has been treaded on both ends. The stock length ranges from CLOSE to 12" long and the diameter ranges from a nominal 1/2" to 6". A CLOSE nipple is a trade term meaning that this nipple is the shortest one available. They are ordered by specifying both length and diameter.
Clum Some: a greenhorn, or new, helper.
CODEGUARD®: RACO trademark for weatherproof cover and Hubbell WRTR device.
Coffin Hoist: a chain hoist of any type.
Cold Chisel: When working with stone and metal, the cold chisel is the right choice. Comes in varying widths and lengths but usually has a flat or mushroomed head for the striking area.
Cold Galvanize: When sprayed on ferrous metal, it prevents it from oxidizing. Composed mainly of zinc, is used to galvanize bare metal or to touch-up hot dipped galvanized fittings & pipes.
Cold Shrink: Slips over splice, pull-out plastic core, rubber shrinks by 50% to form tight seal.
Cold Shut: When you want to attach something to a chain, the cold shut is an easy way to do it. Slip the cold shut into the chain link and drive it closed with a swift, accurate hammer blow. Next, peen the exposed end flat to guard against the cold shut from opening. When used for chain repair, use a cold shut one size larger than the chain you are repairing.
Colorado Jim® Cable Support: Used to support nonmetallic sheathed cable (RX) or MC/AC cable on wood or metal studs. Available in 4 styles for Wood, Metal Stud or Furring Strip/Hat Channel. Used to get compliance with NEC for Metal Stud Use.
Combination Box Cover: Cover to adapt 4" or 5" boxes to accept a wiring device. Wall plate added later, (see also 'Square Device Box'; 'Combination Box Cover').
Combination Coupling: a coupling device used to join two dissimilar raceways (ie., rigid and flex).
Come-A-Long: a wire grip for holding tension of a conductor or strand. Also spelled cum-a-long.
Come-A-Long: a wire grip for holding tension of a conductor or strand.
Coming Up Easy: a phrase meaning pick-up the load or increase tension.
Concentric Knockout: a combination knockout where all the knockouts have the same center (eg., masonry boxes).
Concrete Anchor: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
Concrete Box: a box intended for use in concrete and masonry block. It is not intended for installation in a floor.
Concrete Pipe Sleeve: "; This is an 8-1/2"" deep sleeve that is put into place by the electrician prior to the concrete being poured and it comes in varying widths. After the concrete sets, conduit is run through the sleeve to run risers from deck to deck. If a pour is deeper than 8-1/2"", then the user will use two or more stacked together to do the job. They are made from a slippery plastic and are usually a forest green color. You would order them in sizes from 1-1/2"" through 6"". A 4"" Crete sleeve would allow a 3"" pipe to fit inside.; "
Concrete Rings: This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
Concrete-Tight Fitting: a fitting that, when assembled to conduit or tubing of the proper size, excludes concrete aggregate.
Conductor Fill: refers to the number of current carrying and grounding conductors permitted by the National Electrical Code (NEC) to be used in conduit and tubing.
Conductor Galloping: When ice or water build-ups, high winds cause high-amplitude, low-frequency oscillation of overhead powerlines.
Conductors: electrical term describing wires capable of carrying an electrical current or wire being used as a ground, usually sheathed with an insulating material.
Conduit: (raceway) a pipe or tube designed to enclose and protect conductors or cables from moisture and physical damage.
Conduit Body: a portion of a conduit or tubing system that provides access through a removable cover(s) to the interior of the system at a junction of two or more sections of the system or at a terminal point of the system.
Conduit Clamp: a fastening clamp used to mount raceways.
Conduit Hanger: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Conduit Spacer: These spacers are typically used in high-rise concrete deck construction where you pre-situate your conduit and then pour the concrete around it. When you have two or more pipes coming up through the deck and you need to make sure they stay in alignment with each other so they will properly match-up with standard knockouts on junction boxes, you use either Eyeglasses or Nail On Deck Plates. They both come in two or three hole configurations from 1/2" to 1" rigid but the nail-on deck plates have a greater surface area to contact with the wooden deck and are reported to hold the conduit in place better than the typical Eyeglasses.
Conduit Union: Connects two pieces of threaded rigid conduit when one piece can't be turned. Comes in aluminum, steel, malleable iron and zinc/die-cast construction in sizes from 1/2" to 5" If the same thing needs to be done for non-threaded pipe, you would use a threadless compression coupling.
Condulet: a term used to refer to malleable or aluminum conduit bodies.
Connector: a fitting intended to terminate a cable or raceway into a box, panel, etc.
Cord Grip (CG): a connector used to terminate flexible cords and cables into an enclosure.
Corn Clamp: "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Corn Cob: thimble adapter pin.
Country Clamp: See 'Waterpipe Ground Clamp'.
Coupling: a fitting intended to connect two lengths of raceway.
Cowboy: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Crab: A network crab connector (CRAB) is used in an underground manhole to connect several large power cables together. Typically made from pure copper, they are also available in aluminum and come insulated or bare. Crabs can also be made with fusible joints to provide current limiter protection for all cables in the crab.
Crete Sleeve: "; This is an 8-1/2"" deep sleeve that is put into place by the electrician prior to the concrete being poured and it comes in varying widths. After the concrete sets, conduit is run through the sleeve to run risers from deck to deck. If a pour is deeper than 8-1/2"", then the user will use two or more stacked together to do the job. They are made from a slippery plastic and are usually a forest green color. You would order them in sizes from 1-1/2"" through 6"". A 4"" Crete sleeve would allow a 3"" pipe to fit inside.; "
Crosby Clamp: The "Crosby" wire rope clip is a galvanized fitting used to securely fasten wire rope or guy strand. It is extremely durable. The U bolt goes over the wire and the iron saddle is attached below. Then, the bolts are tightened and the guy wire is locked in place.
Crosby Clip: wire rope guy wire clip.
Crossarm Clevis: Clevis and insulator to deadend service drop. Various sizes.
Crossbar Hanger: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Crowsfoot: When you want to hang a light fixture on the wall or ceiling and there isn't a ceiling box in place, the crowsfoot provides a 3/8" threaded fixture stud to mount to. The 1/2" stud is also available but not common.
CSA: see Canadian Standards Association.
Cube Tap: "; Converts single receptacle opening to 3 openings in a short cube shaped device. Usually made from soft brown rubber.; "
Cubefuse™: The CUBEFuse™ is a compact industrial power fuse where all of the components meet IEC 60529 for "finger safe" compliance. This means that the maintenance personnel have added protection from accidentally touching energized equipment during fuse replacement.. From 1 to 60 amp 3 pole 600v configurations.
Current Sniffer: These devices detect the presence of voltage without direct contact with the wire. One style (Greenlee 1010 or Fluke 1ACA1) looks like a pen and you touch the tip to a possible power source such as a wire or outlet and if the tip glows red, you know there is some level of voltage present. An upgraded version of the Greenlee 1010 Volt Tick called the 1112 includes a flashlight. The other style is an audible detector that chirps as you get closer to the load, detects a higher and lower voltage range, detects both hot & neutral, and detects if breakers are powered.
D.A. Bolt: acroynm for double-arming bolt.
Damp Location: partially protected locations such as under canopies or roofed open porches, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as basements, barns, and cold-storage warehouses.
Dead Front Plug: A male dead front plug for 15A 120V.
Dead Man: A multi-bladed anchor set into a hole dug in the earth. It expands to form a cone shaped square in either 6” or 8” sizes. When covered by the earth, it supports the Anchor Rod through the compression of the earth above it. Reinforcing ribs provide strength to the blades which are capable of handling extremely heavy loads.
Deadbreak Elbow: A connector that facilitates connecting transformers, switches, sectionalizing cabinets and junctions to underground cables when there is no electrical load, (see also 'Deadbreak Elbow').
Deck Stand: The FBS is used to secure an electrical box or conduit from moving during a concrete pour. They attach to the floor or concrete forms and adjust up to 8" and come in 12", 16" and 18" heights. Offered by Caddy® as the FBS, Raco as the 429 and by ARC-CO as the RBSS. The ARC-CO unit comes with a hickey for easier installation to the back knockout of a box while the Caddy® has a slotted center suitable for a nut & bolt.
De-Ox: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Device Cover: A raised device cover is used to adapt a 4" or 5" box to accept wiring devices. A finish plate is then put over the device. They come in 1 or 2 gang and in a variety of "raise" sizes from flat to 1-1/4" and are used on drywall or plaster.
Device Ears: ears or tabs with holes spaced to accommodate wiring devices. Device ears are found on plaster rings, switch boxes and handy boxes.
Device Mount: a term commonly used to denote where the screws of a device cover attach.
Diaper: rubber blanket pinned on overhead construction;
Dielectric Grease: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Dig Pole: a transition pole for going from overhead to underground distribution.
Digging Bar: temporary lifting device, (see also 'pole buddy').
Dikes: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Disc: an insulator, either deadend type or suspenion type.
Diving Board: Adjustable sliding scaffold board.
Do Nothing: conduit box support bracket
Doco: acronym for drop out cutout which is an open-type cutout.
Dog Bone: EHV yoke plates, name so for their shape;
Dog House: Electric floor mounted surface outlet mounts from a poke-thru.
Dolphin® B: These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Donkey Dick: Insulated multi-tap connector, like the IPLD5004.
Donut: Reducing washer to fit a smaller pipe into a conduit entrance.
Doogle Switch: Two switches in a single device.
Door: on enclosed-type cutouts, the door.
Door Switch: Recesses in the jam of a door and closes a circuit when the door opens.
Double Crossbar: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Double Expansion Shield: A Zinc anchor that sets in masonry by tightening a screw or bolt 1/4-3/4".
Double Sided Tape: Termed "double sided tape," this has the sticky stuff on both sides and is used to attach lightweight items that will later be screwed into place. It is more for alignment and ease of final installment than for permanent installation when used in the electrical industry.
Double Thunderloc: A Zinc anchor that sets in masonry by tightening a screw or bolt 1/4-3/4".
Drag Line: Nylon rope blown, shot, or snaked into conduit to pull wire or a bigger pull line.
Draw Stud: Draws knockout tool punch into the die to punch holes in sheet metal.
Drifter: a lineman who wants to see the world.
Dryer Cord: Pre-molded extension cord for a clothes dryer.
Dryer Receptacle: 30amp power receptacle used for clothing driers.
Duplex Receptacle: Electrical outlet device having two plug receptacles.
DURALO®: is a trademark identifying a tricoat protective finish used on iron electrical conduit fittings for standard and hazardous locations.
Dversibit®: Quality bit welded to a long flexible steel shaft to install wire in existing work.
Dynabolt: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
E.H.V.: acronym for extra-high voltage.
Eagle Eye: leveling crossarms by sight with no measuring instruments.
Earthquake Clip: Officially called a Lay-In Fixture Support Clip, it is used to support lay-in fixtures to the ceiling grid so they can withstand a shock such as a hurricane or earthquake.
Ec Clamp: The Edge Beam Clamp (EC) mounts pipe parallel to the beam. Associated products are the Edge (EC) and Right Angle (RC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 1/2" to 3" conduit.
Edge Pipe Clamp (Ec): The Edge Beam Clamp (EC) mounts pipe parallel to the beam. Associated products are the Edge (EC) and Right Angle (RC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 1/2" to 3" conduit.
Eels: line hose, temporary cover up.
Egg Breaker: a guy strain insulator.
Egg Sucker: an insulated pole, usualy made of fiberglass, used by electric utility workers when engaged on live-line working on energized high-voltage electric power lines, to protect them from electric shock, (see 'shot gun stick').
Eggs: When guy wires are used to support a pole or tower structure, they can act as a lightning rod electrocuting someone who may be touching the wire then the structure gets hit. To help protect against this, these are used to electrically insulate the lower portion of the guy wire from the upper, (see also 'Guy Strain Insulators'; 'Goat Head'; 'Eggs').
Elbow: a curved section of raceway intended to change the direction of the run.
Elbow Pre-Fab: Conduit elbows are available for EMT, RIGID, PVC COATED GALVANIZED, FIBERGLASS and PVC. The standard elbows come in 90 degree and 45 degree but a wide range of bends and radiuses are available. In general, the customer ordering a PREFAB 45 is looking for a 45 degree elbow and you have to ask what kind of conduit it is being connected to.
Electrical Tape: Inexpensive, black vinyl electrical tape.
Electroplating: a term used to describe the process of electrically depositing a layer of corrosion resistant material (i.e., zinc) onto steel or iron parts.
Elephant Ear: a high-strength strain insulator.
Elephant Ears: the arc chute on certain types of cutouts for extinguishing the arc while breaking a load;
EMT: "; Electro Metallic Tubing (EMT) is used to protect wires within an electrical system. It is the most commonly used raceway because it can be concealed or surface mounted, it is low cost, light weight and doesn't require threading tools like rigid. The bending process, however, requires more skill than with rigid because EMT is prone to kink. It is also called ""thin-wall"" because the wall is much thinner than rigid conduit of the same nominal size. Available from Wheatland, Allied, LTV and others.; "
End Run: that portion of the branch circuit that extends to the last fixture or device.
Endo: A tie stick.
ENT: Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing (ENT) – a plastic corrugated raceway of circular cross section that is resistant to moisture and chemical atmospheres, and that is flame retardant.
Epdm: acronym for ethylene propylene diene modified).
Equalizers: a pair of connectors;
Erickson®: Connects two pieces of threaded rigid conduit when one piece can't be turned. Comes in aluminum, steel, malleable iron and zinc/die-cast construction in sizes from 1/2" to 5" If the same thing needs to be done for non-threaded pipe, you would use a threadless compression coupling.
ETL: certification mark for Intertek Testing Services. ITS tests to the standards of UL, CSA and other international standards.
Expanding Anchor: A multi-bladed anchor set into a hole dug in the earth. It expands to form a cone shaped square in either 6” or 8” sizes. When covered by the earth, it supports the Anchor Rod through the compression of the earth above it. Reinforcing ribs provide strength to the blades which are capable of handling extremely heavy loads.
Expansion Deflection Coupling: Expansion Deflection couplings (joints) are fittings that allow for 3/4" movement in any direction between two pieces of Rigid, IMC or PVC conduit. The deflection term comes from its ability to bend up to 30 degrees. They are typically used when the conduit has to withstand vibration from machinery or vehicles. Made by Crouse- Hinds, OZ Gedney and others; they come in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 6".
Expansion Fitting - Connector: Expansion connectors (joints) are fittings that allow for longitudinal movement to provide expansion, and contraction when connecting rigid metal conduit to a junction box. This may happen for a variety of reasons such as when conduit is entering a foundation, from ambient temperature fluctuations, from unintended consequences of long conduit runs, or building design requirements. Made by Crouse-Hinds, OZ Gedney and others, they come in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 6" and are available as a coupling or a connector. The connectors offer a possible advantage over couplings in that the maximum amount of movement possible is limited only by the space in the junction box. Given that rigid connectors allow for up to 4" or 8" movement, this feature can be an advantage.
Expansion Fitting - Coupling: Expansion couplings (joints) are one-piece fittings that allow for longitudinal movement to provide expansion and contraction in a metal conduit system. This may happen for a variety of reasons such as when conduit is entering a foundation, from ambient temperature fluctuations, from unintended consequences of long conduit runs, or building design requirements. Made by Crouse-Hinds, OZ Gedney and others, they come in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 5" and are available as a coupling or a connector. The AX version shown is a coupling for Rigid conduit while the TX is for EMT.
Exposed Work Cover: Attach wiring devices to this and then this attaches to 4/5" box. Many combos.
Extension Ring: used to extend the box when it is recessed back in a wall. Also provides more cubic inch capacity for the box if needed.
EXTRA DUTY®: "; a tradename applied to weatherproof while-in-use covers that have passed UL testing and are listed as “Extra Duty”.; "
Eyeball: visual determination without using tools.
Eyeglasses: These spacers are typically used in high-rise concrete deck construction where you pre-situate your conduit and then pour the concrete around it. When you have two or more pipes coming up through the deck and you need to make sure they stay in alignment with each other so they will properly match-up with standard knockouts on junction boxes, you use either Eyeglasses or Nail On Deck Plates. They both come in two or three hole configurations from 1/2" to 1" rigid but the nail-on deck plates have a greater surface area to contact with the wooden deck and are reported to hold the conduit in place better than the typical Eyeglasses.
Eyes: Safety glasses.
Ez Anchor: Nylon or Zinc self-drilling anchor used for #8 x 1" screws into sheetrock, (see also 'Sure Wall').
F clips: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
F Strap: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Fan Box: a box that is UL listed for the support of a ceiling (paddle) fan.
Far Side Box Support: This 3-1/4" accessory attaches to the back of a wall box and supports it by resting between the box and the wall or support behind it. The Raco unit is a plastic device while the CADDY® J1A35 is a bendable piece of sheet-metal.
F-Brackets: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
F-Clamps: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Feed Bag: A tool bag used by lineman , made by Klein Tools.
Female Plug: A female plug attached to portable cord for 15A 120V.
Female Reducer: An adapter used when you have a knockout or threaded female outlet needs to be reduced to a smaller size conduit. Once installed by threading into a female outlet it has a female adapter that receives a threaded male fitting of the smaller conduit.They often come with a hex head which allows easy tightening into the outlet using a wrench. Sizes range from 3/4" to 1/2" all the way to 3/4" to 1/2". The reverse of this application is the Male Enlarger.
Ferrule Fuse: A cartridge fuse found in amperage sizes 60amp or lower. This group also includes midget, glass and ceramic fuses with the exception being that these fuses are used for electronic devices. If you are asked for a cartridge safety switch, it refers to a 60 or 30amp switch. The item code shown below is a reference to one type of fuse and isn't an indication at all of what the customer wants. You need to know amperage, voltage, UL Class, interrupting rating and most importantly, application.
Festoon Socket: Lampholder that uses 12G Circuit Wire to Power & Suspend bulb from the air.
Fiberfill: "; CHICO, like CONDULET, is a registered trademark of Crouse-Hinds. According to Product Line Manager of Fittings, Brad Delans, CHICO comes from their name. C = Crouse, HI for Hinds and CO for company. Sealing compound used for hazardous location fittings. It provides a seal around and between the electrical conductors within the fitting. The sealing compound (cement) comes in package sizes ranging from 8oz to 10lbs and is mixed with water on the jobsite in the shipping container. As a liquid insulating compound, it is used along with the sealing or packing fiber. The fiber serves to prevent the sealing compound from leaking into the conduit and it put between the wires and the fitting hub before the sealing compound is poured into the fitting. The part numbers for Crouse-Hinds is as follows: A3 = 16oz can, A05 = 80oz can, X4 = 2oz of FIBER and X7 = 16oz of FIBER.; "
Finger Line: 10354" line.
Finger Safe: The CUBEFuse™ is a compact industrial power fuse where all of the components meet IEC 60529 for "finger safe" compliance. This means that the maintenance personnel have added protection from accidentally touching energized equipment during fuse replacement.. From 1 to 60 amp 3 pole 600v configurations.
Finished Walls: studs, furring strips, joists, that are covered with wood paneling, drywall, plaster, Masonite or ceramic are considered finished.
Fire Ring: This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
Fish Bit: Quality bit welded to a long flexible steel shaft to install wire in existing work.
Fish Leader: When fishing tape, it is often beneficial to have the fish tip be flexible to get around sharp bends or ridges created at fitting junctions. The tape leader looks like a tightly coiled spring with an attachment at one end to hold the fish line and a screw at the other to attach to the fish.
Fish Line: Nylon line used during the power fishing phase of cable pulling. Comes in a variety of strength ratings and is often specific to the vendor of the power fishing equipment being used. This line attaches to a conduit piston (mouse) and when the mouse is shot by the blower, the fish line goes along and is used to pull back the heavy pulling rope.
Fish Tape: When inserted into a conduit run, it provides a means to attach wires or fish line at one end and pull them out through the other. The flat, spring metal design makes it extremely flexible and capable of navigation through elbows and turns. It is typically sold in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4" widths with lengths from 25 to 100'. For convenience, they are also sold within fish dispenser reels to automatically extend and retract the fish tape but most people buy the inexpensive wire fish only and store it in a short piece of Greenfield.
Fish Tape Ball: Swivel ball that attaches to steel fish tape. Prevents wire damage during pull.
Fixture: "; a lighting assembly that is permanently attached to a building’s wiring system, usually to a ceiling box.; "
Fixture Bar: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Fixture Bar (Adjustable): An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, ( see also 'Crossbar Hanger').
Fixture Bar (For Mud Box): An octagon shaped box that hangs from ceilings from lathers channels and often gets mistaken as a mud rings or other boxes that are buried by concrete.
Fixture Bar (T-Bar Ceiling): 12-30" bar clips onto T-bar (or grid) ceiling to attach a fixture/junction box.
Fixture Ears: ears or tabs with holes in them spaced 2- 3/4 in. or 3- 1/2 in. apart to accommodate lighting fixtures.
Fixture Locknut HD: Notched steel heavy duty fixture locknut 3/8" for heavy fixtures.
Fixture Whip: Pre-frabricated 6" piece of BX with connector to quickly wire-up light fixtures.
Flexible Armored Cable (BX): commonly called BX, a manufacturer’s trade name. It may be described as prewired flexible metallic conduit since it includes two or more current carrying conductors and can be supplied with a grounding conductor.
Flexible Metal Conduit: A hollow, metal, flexible conduit system made of either steel or aluminum. Wires are pulled through them in accordance with NEC 350, 430-123, 502-4, 503-3, 517- 30, 645-5. You find this used most often for fixture whips, motor attachments to safety switches, and other short run connections where a flexible system is more suitable than a rigid pipe system.
Flip Cutout: an open link cutout.
Floater: a lineman who would quit in the middle of a job;
Floor Box: a box provided with means for flush mounting in a floor. The floor box may be used to provide power, telephone or data connections in office or store areas.
Flower Pot: "; This is an 8-1/2"" deep sleeve that is put into place by the electrician prior to the concrete being poured and it comes in varying widths. After the concrete sets, conduit is run through the sleeve to run risers from deck to deck. If a pour is deeper than 8-1/2"", then the user will use two or more stacked together to do the job. They are made from a slippery plastic and are usually a forest green color. You would order them in sizes from 1-1/2"" through 6"". A 4"" Crete sleeve would allow a 3"" pipe to fit inside.; "
Fluorescent Hook Hickey: Regular hook hickey which has a 3/8" thread on the top and a hook on the bottom for a 3/8" rod. The regular is as opposed to the wide hook, or the slotted switch or the ceiling hook hickies. This item is coded as Yorkville to refer to the old industry standard catalog but is not manufactured by Satco, Angelo or any others at this time. Available stock is limited to New Old Stock.
FLUSH-FIT®: a Hubbell Inc. trade name for a device leveling plate that corrects loose and recessed devices.
Folding Extension Ruler: "; A 6' a hard-wood folding ruler painted yellow with the measurement markings in black. The extension part is a metal (brass) piece that slides out from the first leg of the ruler and extends 6"" to aid in making inside or hard to reach measurements. While the ""Slipstick"" term is normally associated with the slide rules of the pre- calculator age, the term Slipstick refers to the sliding metal extension on the folding ruler.; "
Follow Bar: Bender Follow Bar.
Footed Box Support: The FBS is used to secure an electrical box or conduit from moving during a concrete pour. They attach to the floor or concrete forms and adjust up to 8" and come in 12", 16" and 18" heights. Offered by Caddy® as the FBS, Raco as the 429 and by ARC-CO as the RBSS. The ARC-CO unit comes with a hickey for easier installation to the back knockout of a box while the Caddy® has a slotted center suitable for a nut & bolt.
Ford Tool: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Foreman in the Wire: Curl or kink in a wire.
Form 35: a style of conduit body that requires a two screw cover.
Form 7: a style of conduit body that requires a clip cover.
Form 8: an “expanded volume” style of conduit body that requires a two screw cover.
Four-and-A-Quarter: dead end insulator made from porcelain.
Fox and Hounds: Audible circuit tracer; breaker buzzer.
Friction Tape: Provides abrasion protection in wire and cable splices.
Frog: This Walker Headerduct accessory is a flat elbow which connects round conduit to a cell in the cellular floor deck system or directly to the headerduct itself. It comes in three sizes 3/4", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2". As a note: Headerduct is normally installed above and at right angles to the cells but this product can connect to either/or.
From - to Coupling: When you want to transition from one raceway type to another, you need a combination coupling. These fittings are available in Steel & Diecast and come in set-screw or compression. Although many possibilities exist, they typically go from RIGID to EMT, from RIGID to IMC, from EMT to Liquid Tight (Sealtite) and from EMT to Flexible Conduit (Greenfield). The most complete line appears to be made by Bridgeport.
Fullman: Beam Clamps are used to hang objects from some kind of flange. They are attached by tightening a set-screw between the jaw base and the beam flange and come in sizes from 1/4" to 2". The bottom and back are tapped to accept a bolt or threaded rod.
Furring Strips: small wood strips attached to an existing wall to provide a means to attach paneling or drywall.
Fuse Adapter Remover: Removes the "S" type fuse adapter from Edison base fuse holders by shearing off the cleats that secure the fuse adapter in place. This is an extremely hard to find item.
Fuzz Box: a noisy tester.
Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC): "; Galvanized Rigid Metal Conduit comes in 10' lengths with nominal trade diameters ranging from 1/2"" to 6"". Unlike EMT which is a straight tube, rigid comes with a 3/4"" NPT thread on both ends. A coupling is threaded on one end and a color- coded thread protector on the other. RED represents 3/4"" and 1-1/4"". #24356f is used on all even sizes (1"", 2"", etc) and BLACK is on all the 1/2 sizes (1/2"", 2-1/2"", etc). GAL can be in wet or dry locations and exposed or concealed in a variety of circumstances. As a protection against metal-to-metal contact and for oxidation related corrosion resistance, the conduit is coated with zinc using the hot-dip galvanizing process. See the product called COLD GAL to see how it applies to this conduit.; "
Gang Box: Mobile storage box for contractor tools on a jobsite.
Gangable: box with a side that can be removed to allow the attachment of another box for installation of multiple devices.
Garage Plug: 30" 16/3 SJT cord spliced into a temporary light circuit for a local outlet.
Garvin Cover: Attach wiring devices to this and then this attaches to 4/5" box. Many combos.
Gate: an open type cutout's fusetube.
Gauge: a term used to describe the physical size of a wire.
Gee Clip: Connects the ground wire from Romex to a metal switch/outlet box.
Gem Box: Metal box, usually 2" - 3-1/2" deep with various mounting from ears, nail-on, to masonry
GFI or Gfci: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This device interrupts power when it senses voltage leaking through the grounding system. The GFC(I) protects the human while the breaker protects the electrical system.
Gimlets: Hanger bolts.
Go For Em: When you want to transition from one raceway type to another, you need a combination coupling. These fittings are available in Steel & Diecast and come in set-screw or compression. Although many possibilities exist, they typically go from RIGID to EMT, from RIGID to IMC, from EMT to Liquid Tight (Sealtite) and from EMT to Flexible Conduit (Greenfield). The most complete line appears to be made by Bridgeport.
Go to Coupling: When you want to transition from one raceway type to another, you need a combination coupling. These fittings are available in Steel & Diecast and come in set-screw or compression. Although many possibilities exist, they typically go from RIGID to EMT, from RIGID to IMC, from EMT to Liquid Tight (Sealtite) and from EMT to Flexible Conduit (Greenfield). The most complete line appears to be made by Bridgeport.
Goat Head: When guy wires are used to support a pole or tower structure, they can act as a lightning rod electrocuting someone who may be touching the wire then the structure gets hit. To help protect against this, these are used to electrically insulate the lower portion of the guy wire from the upper, (see also 'Guy Strain Insulators'; 'Goat Head'; 'Eggs').
Goat Skin: tarp that covers work for you to come back to the next day.
Goathead: an angle iron punch.
Goathorns: guy hooks, made out of iron.
Gold Fish®: Brass plated wound-wire metallic fish tape suited for multi-bend applications.
Golf Cart: a tire-driven conductor pushing machine
Good and Plenty Splice: These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Goof Plate: These plates are used to conceal mistakes made during the installation or sheet rocking of the wall boxes. If a cutout was made too large or the taping not done properly, there just won't be enough wall behind a normal plate to hide the gap between the wall and the box. A large plate is used for these cases and they come in large and extra-large depending upon how wide the gap is. The part number shown is just to guide you to the correct section of the catalog because these come in multiple gangs, colors and device configurations.
Goof ring: This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
Goose Grease: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Goose Neck: Part of a downlight consisting of the BX, socket & housing to clip trim into.
Gooseneck: Part of a downlight consisting of the BX, socket & housing to clip trim into.
Gopher: a lineman's helper.
Gorilla Snot: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
GORILLA-RING®: a RACO® concrete ring UL approved for fixture and ceiling fan support.
Gotcha: term for a split hinge design ring used in Hubbell strain relief cord connectors.
Goulash: Wet cement or concrete.
Grasshopper: see flip cutout.
Greenfield: A hollow, metal, flexible conduit system made of either steel or aluminum. Wires are pulled through them in accordance with NEC 350, 430-123, 502-4, 503-3, 517- 30, 645-5. You find this used most often for fixture whips, motor attachments to safety switches, and other short run connections where a flexible system is more suitable than a rigid pipe system.
Greenfield Connector: Aluminum or steel flex connector.
Greenie®: The Greenie® is an Ideal Industries green colored wire nut used for grounding and bonding. Its features specify that it accepts 2 #14 to 3 #12 w/1 #14 AWG wire combinations.
GRID-BRACE®: A Hubbell Inc. trade name for a ceiling support assembly designed for ceiling fan or fixture support for suspended ceilings.
Grip-Lok: refers to old work clips used to secure switch boxes with plaster ears in hollow walls.
Grizzly® Bar: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Ground: a conducting connection between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth. Neutral wires carry the current to ground in all circuits. An additional grounding wire, or the sheathing of metal clad cable or conduit, protects against shock from a malfunctioning tool or other device.
Ground Adapter: Converts a 2-wire ungrounded outlet so it accepts a 3-wire U-Ground plug. It is rated 120V and 15amp. This is not a safe item to use and should be replaced with a modern 3-prong outlet with a proper ground.
Ground Clip: Connects the ground wire from Romex to a metal switch/outlet box.
Ground Fitting: a fitting used to attach a grounding conductor to a ground pipe or rod.
Ground Hog: a lineman's helper.
Ground Lug: means used to connect a ground wire to a fitting, clamp, or enclosure. Generally made of copper, aluminum, brass or bronze.
Ground Screw: a UL listed screw used to secure a grounding conductor to an enclosure.
Ground Tail: Green #12 or #14 solid wire with ground screw affixed to the an electrical box to provide a ground connection.
Ground Wire: the conductor used to connect the electrical equipment to ground (or earth) at the service entrance point, minimizing the potential for electrical shock. Usually clad in green insulation or unclad.
Grunt: a lineman's helper.
Gun Slinger: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Gut Strap: A nylon or leather belt with hooks to support a heavily laden tool belt.
Gut Wrench: a curved and pointed hook on the end of a wooden or fiberglass pole
Gutter Connector: A gutter connector makes it easier and faster to interconnect enclosures and troughs while providing a cleaner and more uniform appearance to the final installation. The typical interconnection method is to use a threaded nipple, a locknut on the outer surface of the enclosure, and a bushing on the inside of the enclosure. The three-piece gutter connector requires only one locknut to tighten down and provides a universal 1” distance between surfaces which eliminates time spent adjusting the locknuts on the nipples to get a uniform spacing.
Guy Bolt Clamp: This has been known since the turn of the century as the AT&T standard strand clamp or guy clamp. It is made from hot dipped galvanized rolled steel and will hold any size guy strand from 1/4" to 1/2" diameter.
Guy Jack: a chain hoist.
Guy Strain Insulators: When guy wires are used to support a pole or tower structure, they can act as a lightning rod electrocuting someone who may be touching the wire then the structure gets hit. To help protect against this, these are used to electrically insulate the lower portion of the guy wire from the upper, (see also 'Guy Strain Insulators'; 'Goat Head'; 'Eggs').
Guy Wire Clamp: The "Crosby" wire rope clip is a galvanized fitting used to securely fasten wire rope or guy strand. It is extremely durable. The U bolt goes over the wire and the iron saddle is attached below. Then, the bolts are tightened and the guy wire is locked in place.
Half (1/2) Size Breaker: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Half Power: a lineman working off a jag.
Hand Bender: There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders (or one- shot benders). While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process. The One-Shot bender got its' name because you can make a 90 degree bend with a single motion.
Handy Box: Steel surface mounted box measuring 4" high and 2-1/2" wide.
Handy Ell: a 90 degree elbow used either to connect two runs of conduit, or to connect a run of conduit to an enclosure.
Hanger Strap: This is a ¾" wide galvanized steel band with holes to accommodate nails and bolts. Available with the holes evenly spaced or with alternating small and large holes. It is typically used to hang some kind of pipe from some kind of support system such as strut, wooden studs or simple masonry.
Hard Head: a lag screw.
Hard Line: steel bull line for pulling in wires, (see also 'bull line').
Haven Grip: When you are working with guy wire or other types of aircraft cables you need some way of bringing the cable to tension while it is set in place and clamped down. While these wire cables offer terrific pulling strength for their small size, they are notoriously difficult to grab onto. The Bulldog grip, or Klein's Haven, is a small, lightweight grip that is ideal when the compression of the conductor is not an issue. When coupled with a come-along, the Bulldog grip tensions and holds the wire temporarily while a permanent fixture can be made. They are available for cable sizes from .063 through .750 although the 1/4" size is most common.
Hazardous Locations: are those locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.
Headache: any item falling down from a pole;
Heaters: Thermal Overloads usually attached to the output of a motor contactor.
Heavywall: see rigid metal conduit.
Hickey - Conduit: There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders. While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process.
Hickey Fixture Stud: When you want to hang a light fixture on the wall or ceiling and there isn't a ceiling box in place, the crowsfoot provides a 3/8" threaded fixture stud to mount to. The 1/2" stud is also available but not common.
Hidden Work: residential and commercial construction where the electrical work is hidden by the finished wall; only the wiring device, switch, wall plate or light fixture is visible.
High Pot: to apply high potential to electrical machine or equipment, normally done during insulation testing.
High Voltage Blanket: Switchboard matting is generally a non-conductive, black rubber mat conforming to ASTM D-178-93 Type I for use as a floor covering around live electrical equipment. the product is available with a smooth finish, a corrugated or diamond a plate surface. It is sold in 3' widths with varying lengths.
High Voltage Sticker: Family of stickers that say "danger high voltage" in a variety of styles/sizes.
Hog Liver: a flat guy strain insulator, made out of porcelain.
Holdit Switch Box Support: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Hollow Wall Anchor: A term for a sleeve type hollow-wall anchor typically installed into sheetrock that work by using the installation screw to expand a metal frame that compresses the front and back of the anchor to the sheetrock. Then, the installation screw can be used to bolt an object to the wall. They come in screw sizes ranging from 1/8" to 1/4" and from 1-1/16" to 3-3/8" long.
Home Run (electrical): Any circuit that goes directly from the fixture to the breaker panel. For dedicated outlets, isolated fixtures and high-load items, you would want them to be on their own breakers. Those would get a home run, a line that goes all the way back without stopping.
honeymoon grease: wire pulling lube
Hood: insulator cover.
Hook Hickey: Regular hook hickey which has a 3/8" thread on the top and a hook on the bottom for a 3/8" rod. The regular is as opposed to the wide hook, or the slotted switch or the ceiling hook hickies. This item is coded as Yorkville to refer to the old industry standard catalog but is not manufactured by Satco, Angelo or any others at this time. Available stock is limited to New Old Stock.
Hooks: used for climbing poles.
Hookstick: insulated stick for disconnecting.
Hose: rubber or plastic cover up equipment (conductor cover).
Hot Arm: an extension arm.
Hot Box: "; Rectangular box that a piece of 1/2"" through 4"" PVC is put into so it can be heated to the point where it can be bent for offsets, saddles, bends, etc. As compared to the PVC BLANKET, the HOT BOX bends a longer section of pipe and covers a wider range of sizes in one product. The PVC BLANKET, however, is smaller and more portable. To make bends, the electrician puts the pipe into the box, powers on the unit, rotates the pipe while it heats-up and waits for the pipe to become flexible. The pipe is then removed from the box and bent into the appropriate shape.; "
Hot Link: An extension link, often ball-and-socket type.
Hot Stick: Tester: This is a safety device used to determine if an AC voltage exists in a powerline. Fire departments use them to identify dangerous downed wires and linesmen use them to identify live or dead cables. The units vary but have either a light or an audible sound or both which gets louder and/or brighter as the voltage gets higher.
Hot Wire: the higher voltage conductor carrying electrical current (usually black) in a 120V single phase system.
Hotdog: Red wire marker dispenser with 10 flip-top slots holding numbers 1-49, or letters A- Z or Colors.
House Bracket: a secondary rack.
House Knob: a wire holder.
Hug-A-Bug: Refers to the insulating covers used for multiple tap connectors, parallel taps, T- taps, etc. The cover snaps over the connection and this quick installation saves the labor involved in the taping and insulating process.
Hung Ceiling Box: This octagon box often gets confused with the mud rings or mud boxes because it has the same shape and bottom studs, but it is for a hung ceiling and doesn't get buried by the concrete. The fixture bars that support it are wired into the lathers channel.
Hurricane Clip: Officially called a Lay-In Fixture Support Clip, it is used to support lay-in fixtures to the ceiling grid so they can withstand a shock such as a hurricane or earthquake.
I.D.: inside diameter
Ice Skates: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Idiot Light Tester: This device is useful for quickly determining if a receptacle has power and if there is anything obviously wrong with the wiring. Enhanced models perform GFCI testing but this tester is essentially idiot-proof through the use of three lights and a sticker explaining the meaning of these lights.
Idiot Stick: a long, round steel bar with 2" chisel on one end, (see also 'digging bar').
IMC: see intermediate metal conduit.
Impulse Generator: A device used to locate faults in cables underground. This device uses a high voltage discharge to produce an audible thump where the fault exists. The thump is caused by the discharge exiting into the ground. The device is typically self- contained as a portable device that can be used out in the field, (see also, 'Thumper"; 'Surge Generator'; 'Banger').
Inside Corner Elbow: When you need to run EMT along the wall and make an "L" on the inside corner of the wall with access to the wire inside, the Inside Corner Elbow is the fitting for the job. The top screws off for access to the wires inside and the set screws connect the fitting to the conduit. Available in 1/2" and 3/4".
Instant Foundation: the foundation of a streetlight.
Insulated Throat Connectors: insulated throat connectors have a thermoplastic line pressed or glued into the throat. This liner helps to prevent damage to the insulation when the conductors are pulled.
Insulation: sheathing or jacket of nonconducting material used to cover wires.
Interduct: Electrical nonmetallic tubing for fiber optic cable. Though it was originally #24356f, it now comes in a variety of colors, typically orange.
Intermediate Spacer: When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
J Hook: a drive and screw hook.
Jack Chain: Strong decorative weldless steel chain to hang fixtures. Usually made out of brass or zinc.
Jack Straps: small blocks used to pull up wire secondary.
Jacob'S Ladder: a rope ladder that is easily moved.
Jake-Fitting: Short elbow w/cover on back. Either threaded or S. S., and male, female or both ends.
Jap Wrap: Cheap, black electrical tape (140034 x 60).
Jelly Beans: "; The ""U"" style connector was invented by 3M® in the 1970's for communications applications. It eliminated the need to strip and twist the POTS (Plain Old Telephone) wires by using insulation displacement ""U"" shaped crimping contacts. Insert the wires, crimp the circle shut and you have a secure connection. Over time, a variety of wire sizes and tap types were created and color codes used to tell the wire sizes. The UG is used to tap into an existing line without causing any kind of interruption. Good for sizes 19-26AWG solid telecom or alarm wire.; "
Jelly Jar Fixture: The Jelly Jar fixture got it's name from early light fixtures which resembled an upside down jelly jar of the kind used to preserve foods. It is generally accepted to mean one of the variety of vapor proof fixtures which are ceiling or wall mounted and come in either 100 or 200 watts. These fixtures can have a metal grille guard or just be the exposed glass.
Jet Shots: Nylon rope blown, shot, or snaked into conduit to pull wire or a bigger pull line.
Jetline: Nylon rope blown, shot, or snaked into conduit to pull wire or a bigger pull line.
Jic Enclosure: Arguably, this is not slang but since the term JIC is used to refer to the smaller junction boxes, I've included it here. The Joint Industry Council (JIC) published two Advisory Standards. EMP-1 'Electrical Standards for Mass Production Equipment' and EGP-1 'Electrical Standards for General Purpose Machine Tools' Although the council no longer exists, manufacturers such as Hoffman still refer to the JIC standards. They have been replaced with current standards such as the NEMA and UL 50
Jiffy Box: old work switch box.
Jiffy Clip: Box Support: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Jiffy Clip: Strap: This product has been around since the beginning days of conduit and is used to secure the flexible or EMT conduit to the wall surface. According to their website "Founded in 1894, Minerallac developed and patented many of the most common parts used in electrical construction today. This includes the Standard Conduit Hanger in 1904 and the one-hole strap "Jiffy Clip" in 1913." Of unique interest is the Minerallac "Duplex" Jiffy Clip which looked like an M and held down two pieces of BX, Copper plumbing tubing, Greenfield, EMT, etc parallel to each other.
Jiffy Deadend: non-compression deadend used on metals such as copper.
Jiggler: a glow light, secondary voltage tester, (see also 'wiggle').
Johnny Balls: When guy wires are used to support a pole or tower structure, they can act as a lightning rod electrocuting someone who may be touching the wire then the structure gets hit. To help protect against this, these are used to electrically insulate the lower portion of the guy wire from the upper, (see also 'Guy Strain Insulators'; 'Goat Head'; 'Eggs').
Joist: "; horizontal beams that extend from wall to wall and support the floor or ceiling – typically 2 in. x 10 in., 2 in. x 8 in. or 2 in. x 6 in.; "
Jolly Rancher: "; 2 port, 3 port..etc connectors for conductors (solid) Ideal™ or Wago™ are common brands.; "
Joy Jelly: Silicone compound for elbow terminators.
Jugs: horizontal post insulators.
Juice: Voltage
Jumbo Plate: These plates are used to conceal mistakes made during the installation or sheet rocking of the wall boxes. If a cutout was made too large or the taping not done properly, there just won't be enough wall behind a normal plate to hide the gap between the wall and the box. A large plate is used for these cases and they come in large and extra-large depending upon how wide the gap is. The part number shown is just to guide you to the correct section of the catalog because these come in multiple gangs, colors and device configurations.
Jumper Holding Stick: wire holding stick.
Junction Box: an enclosure used for splitting circuits into different branches. In a junction box, wires connect only to each other, never to a switch, receptacle, or fixture.
Kalamazoo Cutter: Ask an old-timer what a Kalamazoo is and he'll remember some big machine used to cut pipe so the threader could thread it. With the arrival of the portable bandsaw, the Kalamazoo faded into history in our industry but someone looking for a Kalamazoo would be happy to get a portable bandsaw.
Kearnys: Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Kellums Grip: Basket type pulling grip where wire mesh tightens over wire when pulled.
Kettle: an overhead transformer.
Keystone Double: A Zinc anchor that sets in masonry by tightening a screw or bolt 1/4-3/4".
Kick Plate: Nails onto stud where Romex passes throughto protect from other nails & screws from later work.
Kilowatt (KW): one thousand watts, kilowatt measures power.
Kilowatt-Hour: the standard measure of electrical consumption or energy.
Kindorf: Brand name - for better known as "strut".
kleins: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Knee: Small angle bracket for strut.
Knife Blade Fuse: A fuse found in amperage sizes greater than 60amp. If you are asked for a knife blade safety switch, it refers to a 100amp or greater switch because the 60amp will be a cartridge style fuse. Safety switches come in 30a, 60a, and then jump to 100a although knife fuses are available starting at 70a, 80a, etc. The item code shown below is a reference to one type of fuse and isn't an indication at all of what the customer wants. You need to know amperage, voltage, UL Class, interrupting rating and most importantly, application.
Knife Switch: a safetey switch, usually made out of brass.
Knock Out Closure: Used to cap-off pipe w/o a bushing or close a knock-out. Various sizes. Plastic.
Knuckle Buster: an adjustable wrench.
KO (Knockout): a circular tab on the side or bottom of a box pushed back in place with a small piece of steel remaining uncut to hold the tab in place until it is removed for installation of conduit or a connector.
Kool Aid (Cu/Al Aid): "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Korns Clamp: "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Kruse Switch Support: A support switchbox for plaster.
Kwik Bolt: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
Kwik Step Bit®: "; A bit that lets you cut multiple pre-set hole sizes in a single bit. Their self-starting tips means that you don’t need to center punch the hole prior to drilling. They are made from high grade steel and are ideal for cutting through thin metals like steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Because there is only one cutting edge, step-bits produce consistently round holes that are de-burred as they are drilled.; "
KWIK-BRACE®: a RACO® new work adjustable brace that is UL approved for fixture and ceiling fan support.
KWIK-HANG®: a RACO® swivel fixture cover or box support hanger
Kybo: A portable toilet, sometimes found on a jobsite.
L.R.T.: When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.
Ladder: When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
Ladder Chain: Within the electrical industry, a chain is typically used to lock ladders and gangboxes to a secure post when leaving a jobsite. Low grade chain is used for this purpose and is typically available in 10' lengths.
Lady Slippers: a name applied to present-day climbers by old timers.
Lamp Holder: a current carrying device used to support, illuminate and protect lamps.
Landed: To terminate a conductor to a device/block
Lath Screw: This is a self-drilling Phillips round wafer head sheet metal screw. It is also referred to as a Sharp Point, Wafer, Peanut, SMS, RWH or a M/T head. It is used to attach lathe or Caddy® type fasteners to metals studs. It is a #8 screw in lengths from 9/16" to 1-1/4" but is usually ordered in 1/2".
Lathers Channel: The strut used to hang acoustical tile is called Black iron. This is the "C" shaped, 1- 1/2" black strut that is bolted to the concrete deck or wooden beams using CADDY® hangers to create a secure mounting point for the grid ceiling runners. When looking-up fittings for black iron, most catalogs, such as CADDY®, use the term Lathers Channel.
Laundry Drop: 30" 16/3 SJT cord spliced into a temporary light circuit for a local outlet.
Lay-In Ground Lug: This is a "J" shaped grounding lug where the cable comes in from the side and just lies in the lug. The screw is tightened down and the wire is held fast. This lug can be found alone as in the GBL series or attached to a grounding bushing or some other fitting. It comes in a variety of sizes to handle different wire gauges so this part number shown is only one of several possibilities to point you in the right direction.
Lead Head: a nail;
Left Hand Monkey Wrench: These are practical joke terms that foreman typically use to break-in the apprentices. It gets amusing when the apprentice sends the request up the line where it gets ordered by purchasing and sent to the distributor. Usually it stops there but sometimes it will be a new inside person who asks around the office how to code a bucket-of-steam or some other prank item.
Leg Irons: used for climbing poles.
Leroy: a nickname for a generator
Levolier Switch: Levolier? Pull Switch.
Lezbos: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Lid: a hard hat.
Limberneck: a person on the ground.
Line Gut: a cover for a conductor.
Line Profile: a drawing from a side angle of a line to be reviewed by an engineer.
Liners: cloth that lines the inside of a hard hat.
Linesman's Pliers: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Link Seal® Modular Seal: In new or existing construction when a pipe must pass through a solid wall, local codes determine to what degree the opening between the outside of the pipe and the wall must be resealed. In some cases an expanding seal is required to guard against the spread of fire. In others, the outside pressure of dirt or water requires a different, more permenant seal. Link-Seal® Modular Seal was created to address the need to hydrostatically seal pipes up to 20 psig. These uses come about in vaults, manholes and when walls must be backfilled with soil or come under water pressure. They are ordered in varying widths and lengths according to a highly specific formula based on the opening but all come shipped as a belt of interconnecting rubbler links. This belt is then wrapped around the pipe and slid into the wall opening. Once in place, the bolts in each link are tightened creating an expanding seal to protect against water and a range of chemicals.
Link-Seal® Wall Sleeve: During new construction, it is often necessary to plan and prepare for conduit to pass through a concrete wall. Wall Sleeves are used during the forming process prior to the concrete being poured to ensure proper placement of the conduit and to allow for a more complete seal once the conduit is inserted. While the Link-Seal® Modular Seal works well without the wall sleeve, together they create a system that is superior to just the Modular Seal itself. Called the Century-Line® sleeve, they are made from HDPE and are 1/8 the weight of seeel sleeves. They range in diameter from 2" to 25" and have a built-in expansion joint.
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit: flexible metal conduit with a plastic outer jacket that protects the electrical system against sunlight, liquids, vapors or solids.
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (NMLT): liquidtight flexible nonmetal conduit is a raceway of circular cross section having a smooth inner surface with integral reinforcement within the conduit wall.
Little red things: When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.
Load Bearing: walls that are an integral part of the structure that supports the joists.
Loadbreak Elbow: A connector that facilitates connecting transformers, switches, sectionalizing cabinets and junctions to underground cables when there is no electrical load, (see also 'Deadbreak Elbow').
Lobster Claw: an adjustable two pronged instrument.
Locknut: an internally threaded barbed nut for use on conduit or fittings to prevent turning and to provide a secure joint.
Lok Bolt: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
Loppers: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Low Voltage Partition: a barrier added inside an electrical box to separate communication and power circuits. Also required where voltage levels between adjacent switches exceed 300.
Loxbox: Mounting switch boxes in beaverboard, sheetrock or other drywall.
LRT's (little red things): Anti-short bushings for MC cable.
Lube: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
Lube Spreader: Pulled through conduit just after the brush and just before the cable is pulled to spread a coat of wire lubricant on the inside of the conduit. It comes in sizes from 2" through 6"
Luff Blocks: a set of rope blocks (pulleys).
Lug: see ground lug.
Machine Screw Anchor: You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
Mack Clamps: jumper clamps, usually black and red, that are insulated.
Madison Clip: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
MADISON HOLD ITS®: Registered trademark for #977 griplok old work brackets.
Mae West: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Maggots (Maggies): These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.
Magic smoke: Term used when a component is shorted out and burns up.
Male Enlarger: An adapter used when you have a knockout or threaded female outlet that you need to adapt to a larger size conduit, the Male Enlarger is used. Once installed by threading into a female outlet, it has a male adapter that receives a threaded fitting. Comes in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 3/4" to 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". The reverse of this application is the Female Reducer.
Male Plug: A male dead front plug for 15A 120V.
Mandrel: A rat tail can be either the flexible mandrel alone or the mandrel and wire brush hooked together. This assembly is then pulled through the conduit prior to pulling cable to remove any dirt, debris or obstacles that were introduced after the conduit was installed.
Masonry Anchor: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
Masonry Box: box installed in block walls as the blocks are being laid. The mason cuts the block to fit around the box.
Mast Kit: A receptacle located at the top of vertical conduit, referred to as a mast, where overhead conductors enter a residence.
MC: A flexible package consisting of an armor jacket wrapped around wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Similar to MC, AC has an overall Mylar wrapping over all the wires to provide protection and therefore doesn't require the use of Anti-Short Bushings.
MC Cable: metal clad cable. A UL classification indicating an assembly of insulated conductors with a metal cladding applied over the core and with grounding conduct
Meat Hook: a hook for moving or lifting items.
Megger: Tests the condition of wire insulation and the presence of shorts.
Megohmeter®: Tests the condition of wire insulation and the presence of shorts.
Mellow Yellow: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
Merry Widow: Reducing washers.
Mesh Grip: Basket type pulling grip where wire mesh tightens over wire when pulled.
Metal Stud Punch: When installing pipe, flex, data cable or AC/MC in metal studs, there is often a need to make a hole in the stud other than the manufacturer knockout. This tool punches a hole through studs up to 20guage. Once the stud has been punched, you need to use a bushing or insulator to shield the wire or conduit from the rough edges of the steel. Those insulators are the Greenlee 711, 714 and 715 family of items.
Mib: This is an insulated throat metal bushing that when used in conjunction with a locknut, affixes GAL or IMC to a metal enclosure and provides abrasion protection to the wire insulation. It comes in die-cast or malleable iron with a plastic insulator.
Michigan Plate: Conduit & Box support plate. P/N CSP1 Mfg by SP Products.
Mickey Mouse Key Puller: a cotter key puller.
Midway Plate: These plates are used to conceal mistakes made during the installation or sheet rocking of the wall boxes. If a cutout was made too large or the taping not done properly, there just won't be enough wall behind a normal plate to hide the gap between the wall and the box. A large plate is used for these cases and they come in large and extra-large depending upon how wide the gap is. The part number shown is just to guide you to the correct section of the catalog because these come in multiple gangs, colors and device configurations.
Mighty Mouser®: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Milk House Heater: A low cost, portable, fan forced jobsite heater.
Milking Stool: a yoke used on the end of a structure for supporting hot line tension tools.
Minerallac®: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Mini-Breaker: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Minnies: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Moles: line crew that is working underground.
Molly®: A term for a sleeve type hollow-wall anchor typically installed into sheetrock that work by using the installation screw to expand a metal frame that compresses the front and back of the anchor to the sheetrock. Then, the installation screw can be used to bolt an object to the wall. They come in screw sizes ranging from 1/8" to 1/4" and from 1-1/16" to 3-3/8" long.
Monel®: "; The term MONEL® is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation for an alloy they manufacture for a wide range of industries such as fishing, industrial, etc. The electrical trade uses the word MONEL Wire to refer to a #18 (.018 diameter) tie wire used in circumstances requiring a high resistance to atmospheric corrosion. Applications include Water Pollution plants, Transit Authority and industrial applications with exposure to various gases, salt water, etc. Monel itself was invented in 1905 as a high tensile strength nickel-copper alloy.; "
Monkey balls: Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Monkey Bars: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Monkey Wrench: The Monkey, Pipe and Stillson Wrenches all fall in the category of a adjustable wrenches that have serrated jaws which grip the pipe or other curved surface being worked on. Although they come in sizes ranging from 8" to 24", the 8" and 12" are the most popular.
Mounting Ears: ears on a box which are used to mount a box cover, device or fixture.
Mouse: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Mouse House: a metallic or nonmetallic pedestal that can provide power or voice/data to a floor location.
Mouse Trap: Wiremold combination connector that joins wiremold to conduit.
Mud (Cement): Wet cement or concrete.
Mud (Wall): Joint compound for fixing holes in drywall or applying over taped seams.
Mud Box: This octagon box often gets confused with the mud rings or mud boxes because it has the same shape and bottom studs, but it is for a hung ceiling and doesn't get buried by the concrete. The fixture bars that support it are wired into the lathers channel.
Mud Ring (Box): This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
Mud Ring (Cover): A raised device cover is used to adapt a 4" or 5" box to accept wiring devices. A finish plate is then put over the device. They come in 1 or 2 gang and in a variety of "raise" sizes from flat to 1-1/4" and are used on drywall or plaster.
Mulberry Plate: Cover to adapt 4" or 5" boxes to accept a wiring device. Wall plate added later, (see also 'Square Device Box'; 'Combination Box Cover').
Mulbery Cover: Attach wiring devices to this and then this attaches to 4/5" box. Many combos.
Mule tape: Flat nylon rope for pulling cables through conduit
Music Stand: a hot line tool rack.
Myers® Hubs: These fittings range from 1/2" to 6" and are used to connect threaded rigid conduit to a threadless knockout in either an indoor or an outdoor location. They are called Myers Hubs because Myers was the first company to manufacture the watertight hub and despite being part of the Crouse Hinds/Cooper organization, the trade still calls them Myers Hubs. Don't get confused if someone calls for a female Myers hub because the female refers to the fact that all Myers hubs are female. The NEC requires that this device positively bond the conduit to the enclosure.
Nail Down Deck Sleeve: "; This is an 8-1/2"" deep sleeve that is put into place by the electrician prior to the concrete being poured and it comes in varying widths. After the concrete sets, conduit is run through the sleeve to run risers from deck to deck. If a pour is deeper than 8-1/2"", then the user will use two or more stacked together to do the job. They are made from a slippery plastic and are usually a forest green color. You would order them in sizes from 1-1/2"" through 6"". A 4"" Crete sleeve would allow a 3"" pipe to fit inside.; "
Nail-On: A tie stick.
Nail-On Deck Plates: These spacers are typically used in high-rise concrete deck construction where you pre-situate your conduit and then pour the concrete around it. When you have two or more pipes coming up through the deck and you need to make sure they stay in alignment with each other so they will properly match-up with standard knockouts on junction boxes, you use either Eyeglasses or Nail On Deck Plates.They both come in two or three hole configurations from 1/2" to 1" rigid but the nail-on deck plates have a greater surface area to contact with the wooden deck and are reported to hold the conduit in place better than the typical eyeglasses.
Nail-On Safety Plate: Nails to wood stud where cable passes through to protect wire & plumbing pipe from nails driven into the wall sometime in the future, (see also 'Stud Plate'; 'Safety Plate'; 'Cable Protector').
Nail-Up Straps: a fastening device used to mount raceways to wooden studs, siding, etc.
Narrow Back: an electrician who works indoors.
National Electrical Code (NEC): a set of rules governing safe wiring methods drafted by the National Fire Protection Association. Local codes sometimes differ from and take precedence over NEC requirements.
National Electrical Manufacturers Assocation (NEMA): a US Manufacturers Organization which actively promotes standardized product specifications for electrical apparatus.
NEC: see National Electrical Code.
NEMA: see National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association.
Neutral Wire: a grounded conductor that completes a circuit by providing a return path to the source. Neutral wires are always identified by white or gray insulation.
New Work: electrical work that is completed before the drywall or plaster is installed.
Nic Wrench: A tubular wrench with two hex head sockets (3/8" and 7/16"). One end for the bolts used on telephone boxes and the other for binding-post terminals.
Nipple: an externally threaded fitting intended primarily to serve as a short raceway between close-spaced enclosures.
Nitros: light bulbs used in street lights.
NM: see nonmetallic sheathed cable.
No-Bolt Stud: As its name suggests, the "No-Bolt" fixture stud is used without bolting the stud to the bottom of the box. You just insert the 3/8" or 1/2" stud into the back of the box and tighten down the locknut. This design gives you a strong fixture support without taking space from inside the box.
No-Dog Bender®: This is an attachment for an existing bender set that allows the user to make offset bends from 0" to 3" in 1/2" and 3/4" conduit in one motion. It reams both the inside and the outside of the conduit at the same time which is necessary to comply with NEC 348-11. The term 'No-Dog' comes from the term 'Dog Leg' which is a kink in the conduit. So a No-Dog bend is a bend where the conduit doesn't get bent.
No-Dog Offset Level®: "; The ""No-Dog"" is a hand tool that eliminates ""dog-legs"" in offsets and saddles. It is a lightweight aluminum level measuring 1/2"" by 1"" by 2"" that is clipped to the end of the conduit when making bends.You would use an offset bend to avoid an obstacle or to make the pipe conform closely to the surface it is being installed onto. This makes it easier to securely fasten the pipe and makes for a cleaner, more professional job. A dog leg is when the opposite bends are out of alignment with each other. If the pipe was laid on its side. It wouldn’t lie flat. The NO-DOG level helps prevent this.; "
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable: Flexible, nonmetallic sheathed cable, typically used to wire houses,
Noodle: neutral wire of any circuit or feed
Nose Bag: a pouch with pockets for holding tools.
Nut Driver: This tool looks like a screwdriver but is used on hex head nuts. There is a different tool for each nut size. Although the part number shown below is for fractional sizes, it is also available for metric.
Nutty Putty: Compound sealing putty used to seal connectors
O.C.B.: acronym for oil circuit breaker.
O.D.: outside diameter (of conduit, etc.).
Oakum: "; OAKUM was once used to seal the cracks between the planks of wooden hulled sailing ships. It is made by impregnating hemp fiber with tar or creosote that binds the hemp together and makes it moisture resistant. Over time, it was adopted to seal air cracks around windows and doors, plug holes that rodents and bats won't chew through and close the openings in walls and floors where cast iron plumbing pipes passes through. Today, it is a relic that is still used for the same purposes but electricians use it to seal holes around electrical piping where the code doesn't require that a firestop be used. When it gets wet, it expands 10 times its dry size. The NUPAK brand uses Bentonite as the impregnating compound. Although not commonly used, it is still stocked in 5lb boxes composed of 2' strands.; "
Octagon Box: a metal box used on a wiring system, usually at an outlet. It provides means for connection to a wiring system and is intended primarily to enclose splices and wiring devices or to support a fixture or other equipment intended for similar installation.
Offset Connectors: connects the conduit on the wall surface to a KO in the box where the KO and wall surface are on different planes.
Offset Emt Connector: When EMT is run along the surface of the wall and you want to connect to a wall box, the EMT won't align with the box knockout. This offset connector raises the connector just slightly so it meets with where the box knockout is.
Old Man: an "A" frame transformer gin that is used for lifiting, (see also 'pole buddy').
Old Work: electrical work that takes place after the drywall or plaster is in place.
One-Shot Bender: There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders (or one- shot benders). While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process. The One-Shot bender got its' name because you can make a 90 degree bend with a single motion.
Out House Cover: Outdoor duplex recepticle cover with two hatches, one for each outlet
Outlet: A mounted female electrical fitting that contains the live parts of the circuit
Outlet Socket: Converts lampholder socket to a polarized 2-prong plug.
Ox-Gard: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
P.C.B.: acronym for polychlorinated biphenyl chemical.
P.T.O.: acronym power take-off.
Pain Hanger: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Pan: see pancake box.
Pancake Box/Pan: Very thin round box for ceiling mounting a fixture. They come in 3-1/2" or 4" widths but are 1/2" deep.
Panduit: "; Plastic wireway with a clip on cover used inside of control panels to manage wires. Generally used between each physical row of devices installed inside control panels.; "
Panel Connector Extension: If you have a fitting with a male end that you need to extend up to 1" further, the panel connector extension will fit the bill. Made from malleable iron, it comes in 1/2" through 1-1/4" sizes.
Parachute Bag: Fabric bag with multiple compartments and drawstring to pull it closed.
Parallel Clamp (PC): The Edge Beam Clamp (EC) mounts pipe parallel to the beam. Associated products are the Edge (EC) and Right Angle (RC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 1/2" to 3" conduit.
Parrot Beak: "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Partition Walls: walls that are nonload bearing—typically interior walls of an office building that can be removed.
PC Clamp: The Edge Beam Clamp (EC) mounts pipe parallel to the beam. Associated products are the Edge (EC) and Right Angle (RC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 1/2" to 3" conduit.
Peanut: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Peanut Screw: This is a self-drilling Phillips round wafer head sheet metal screw. It is also referred to as a Sharp Point, Wafer, Peanut, SMS, RWH or a M/T head. It is used to attach lathe or Caddy® type fasteners to metals studs. It is a #8 screw in lengths from 9/16" to 1-1/4" but is usually ordered in 1/2".
Peckerhead: The wiring box mounted to an electric motor is called a peckerhead for reasons which are presently unknown.
Pen and Pencil Set: a digging bar and spoon.
Penatrox: "; Typically though of as the goo used in compression and split-bolt connections where aluminum wire is used, the PENETROX product is an oxide-inhibiting grease designed to create an air-tight and moisture resistant joint. The goal is to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of the metal products used in the electrical connection. Depending upon the type of metals found in the joint, you would use a specific version of the product containing suspended particles designed for that metal. Type ""A"" contains Copper particles and is used for Aluminum to Copper or Aluminum to Conduit (Steel). Type ""B"" contains Zinc particles and is used where the metals are all aluminum. It has found favor in a number of industries, such as Ham Radio operators, where the grease acts as a lubricant for threaded connections and reduces the chance of them seizing down the road.; "
Penny: A metal blank that is put temporarily inside a bushing and screwed onto the end of a conduit run. By doing this, dirt, plaster, nails, etc. are kept out of the conduit system during construction. When connecting to complete the installation, the penny comes out and you re-use the bushing. Today, it is made in metal but it used to be available in paper and wood. Also known as "push penny" and was usually made out of thin cardboard.
Periscope: A receptacle located at the top of vertical conduit, referred to as a mast, where overhead conductors enter a residence.
Persuader: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Persuader Screwdriver: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Phase: one (single) conductor.
Pickle Fork: a two or three prong tie stick.
Pickles: connectors used for connecting two wires.
Pig dicks: Sheetrock anchor that screws into the sheetrock like a corkscrew.
Pig Livers: special yokes used on EHV lines or dead ends.
Pig Tail: a spiral disconnect or spiral link stick.
Pigeon Pecker: Dolphin B Connectors
Piggly Wiggly: a short piece of curled 12 awg solid wire similiar to a small spring about an half inch long
Piggyback Breaker: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Pigs Foot: 14" hand-held demolition ripping or prying bar.
Pigtail (Lamp): A lamp socket with 2-leads right or left hand base for temporary lighting.
Pigtail (Wire): Green #12 or #14 solid wire with ground screw affixed to the an electrical box to provide a ground connection.
Pineapple: an insulator for a spool.
Pipe Wrench: The Monkey, Pipe and Stillson Wrenches all fall in the category of a adjustable wrenches that have serrated jaws which grip the pipe or other curved surface being worked on. Although they come in sizes ranging from 8" to 24", the 8" and 12" are the most popular.
Pistol Grip: an elbow terminator.
Piston: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Pizza Plate: a fork suspension attachment.
Plaster Ears: ears on switch boxes that prevent the box from falling back into the wall.
Plaster Frame: A raised device cover is used to adapt a 4" or 5" box to accept wiring devices. A finish plate is then put over the device. They come in 1 or 2 gang and in a variety of "raise" sizes from flat to 1-1/4" and are used on drywall or plaster.
Plaster Ring: A raised device cover is used to adapt a 4" or 5" box to accept wiring devices. A finish plate is then put over the device. They come in 1 or 2 gang and in a variety of "raise" sizes from flat to 1-1/4" and are used on drywall or plaster.
Plastic Asshole: This is a low-profile, push-in or snap-in plastic Romex (NM) connector for 1/2" or 3/4" knockouts. The low profile makes it ideal for A/C disconnects.
Plenum: a compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected to form part of the air distribution system.
Pliers: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Plug: a threaded means used to close unused threaded openings.
Plumbers Tape: This is a ¾" wide galvanized steel band with holes to accommodate nails and bolts. Available with the holes evenly spaced or with alternating small and large holes. It is typically used to hang some kind of pipe from some kind of support system such as strut, wooden studs or simple masonry.
poco: Poco is short for Power Company. ie. Edison, PG&E, ConEd, Reliant, etc.
Pogo Stick: telescoping tools.
Pole Buddy: a transformer gin that is used for lifting.
Pole Stub: reinforcer for the bottom of a pole.
Pole-Crab: aluminum wire-tong saddle.
Pookie: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
POPO: Power On / Power Off
Porcelain Extender: When you want to extend an Edison base lamp out from the socket, the porcelain socket extender is an ideal choice.
Pork Chop: See 'Chicago Grip.'
Post Servit ®: Split bolt connector used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Pot: pole top transformer.
Potato Hook: a fixed-prong tie stick.
Pothead: the point at which overhead electrical conductors come together as a single cable;
Pouch: a bag with pockets for holding tools.
Power Fisher: The device that a power blower shoots through a conduit system when fishing the initial line. It typically has a hard plastic core with a flexible foam body that fits a specific pipe size. It comes in 1/2" through 6" conduit sizes and has a loop at both ends to attach the fish line.
Pregalvanized: the application of hot zinc to the exterior surfaces of steel.
Priout: a circle or pear shaped tab cut into the steel with a tie (a little piece of steel uncut) holding it in place; the priout has a slot in it where a screwdriver tip is inserted to pry out the tab, providing an opening for cable.
Proof Coil: Within the electrical industry, a chain is typically used to lock ladders and gangboxes to a secure post when leaving a jobsite. Low grade chain is used for this purpose and is typically available in 10' lengths.
Proximity Detector: These devices detect the presence of voltage without direct contact with the wire. One style (Greenlee 1010 or Fluke 1ACA1) looks like a pen and you touch the tip to a possible power source such as a wire or outlet and if the tip glows red, you know there is some level of voltage present. An upgraded version of the Greenlee 1010 Volt Tick called the 1112 includes a flashlight. The other style is an audible detector that chirps as you get closer to the load, detects a higher and lower voltage range, detects both hot & neutral, and detects if breakers are powered.
PTC or PTB Pull Box: These pull boxes fit inline with the conduit run and allow for straight runs (PTC) or 90 degree bends (PTB). The large size and variable length lets them serve as pulling fittings or accessible splice boxes. They have threaded hubs with 1" to 6" nominal sizes, gasketed covers and are made of steel. Available in 12", 18", 24", 36" and 48" stock lengths
Pull Cap: Used to cap-off pipe w/o a bushing or close a knock-out. Various sizes. Plastic.
Pulling Basket: Basket type pulling grip where wire mesh tightens over wire when pulled.
Pulling Elbow: Short elbow w/cover on back. Either threaded or S. S., and male, female or both ends.
Pull-O-Penny®: Used to cap-off pipe w/o a bushing or close a knock-out. Various sizes. Plastic.
Pump Plier: Large grooved joint pliers with right angle teeth for excellent holding ability.
Push Penny: Used to cap-off pipe w/o a bushing or close a knock-out. Various sizes. Plastic.
PVC Bender: "; Rectangular box that a piece of 1/2"" through 4"" PVC is put into so it can be heated to the point where it can be bent for offsets, saddles, bends, etc. As compared to the PVC BLANKET, the HOT BOX bends a longer section of pipe and covers a wider range of sizes in one product. The PVC BLANKET, however, is smaller and more portable. To make bends, the electrician puts the pipe into the box, powers on the unit, rotates the pipe while it heats-up and waits for the pipe to become flexible. The pipe is then removed from the box and bent into the appropriate shape.; "
PVC Blanket: Portable electric blanket that a piece of 1/2" through 4" PVC is put into so it can be heated to the point where it can be bent for offsets, saddles, bends, etc. As compared to the HOT BOX, the PVC BLANKET is easily portable and bends the same range or pipe sizes but not with one unit. The PVC BLANKET also heats an area approximately 60% of the length that a HOT BOX is capable of.
Quadplex Breaker (Quad): "; The term Quadplex and Triplex comes from the Murray (ITE) product and in general refers to a breaker that offers the benefits of 4 poles in two breaker positions with the benefit that if one phase trips on the 240v configuration, the other phase trips internally instead of relying on the pole handles to be physically tied. A QUAD breaker is when the two outside two poles are tied together and the inside two poles tied together providing two 2-pole 240vac breakers. A Triplex breaker is when either A) the two outside poles are tied together for a 2-pole 240v breaker and the two inside poles operating independently as two 1-pole 120v breakers or B) the same as A but switching inside and outside poles. The alternative to using a QUAD or TRIPLEX breaker is to take two twin breakers and physically tie the two inside and/or two outside poles together. The downside is that this method relies on the physical connection of the pole handles for the other breaker to trip instead of the internal trip mechanism.; "
Quick Bolt: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
Quick Cap: This B-Line product is designed to maintain the spacing of rigid conduit during a concrete deck pour and prevent debris from falling into the conduit. It takes the place of pipe caps and tape and does for the 1/2" through 1" rigid what Spacers do for larger conduit. Although two products are sold: Quick Caps and Spacers, the Quick Cap does both while the spacer only maintains conduit distance.
Quick Fit: Keyhole mounting system
Rabbit: scrap, leftover, or loose pieces of wire, mainly copper (because of value)
Rabbit Ears: This essential electrician's tool comes in a variety of configurations which will cut and strip wire, serve as a pliers, crimp wire connectors, hold and clean 5/8" pole line threaded bolts and more. Electricians, however, use them for things they were not intended for such as a hammer, pry bar and all-around bolt-cutter.
Rabbit gun: The cable cutter is a tool used to cut copper or aluminum electric wire from #1 through 1000MCM. They come in four varieties: palm grip, manual two-handled units, ratchet cutters and electric cutters.
Race Way: enclosed channel designed expressly for holding wire or cables. Conduit is a raceway; so is a duct.
Rafter: parallel beams that support a roof running from the top of the joist to the peak of the roof.
Raintight: constructed so as to pass the UL rain test.
Raised Device Cover: A raised device cover is used to adapt a 4" or 5" box to accept wiring devices. A finish plate is then put over the device. They come in 1 or 2 gang and in a variety of "raise" sizes from flat to 1-1/4" and are used on drywall or plaster.
Rake: There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders (or one- shot benders). While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process. The One-Shot bender got its' name because you can make a 90 degree bend with a single motion.
Ralco® Plug: The Ralco Style plug dates to the earliest times of switchboard design when the circuits were switched with patch cords similar to the old phone switchboards. Made of wood with bronze contacts, they handled heavier ampacity (30a) loads for portable devices. Currently offered as replacement parts under the Amphenol / Pyle-National line which address the arcing issues that arise from higher amperage direct make/break through fully enclosed contact chambers. While they are not used today in new installations, the installed base is sufficiently large to justify Amphenol's continued support of this product. (See OLDtimer story)
Range Recepticle: This 50amp receptacle is used for electric kitchen ranges.
Rat Tail (Cable Pulling): A rat tail can be either the flexible mandrel alone or the mandrel and wire brush hooked together. This assembly is then pulled through the conduit prior to pulling cable to remove any dirt, debris or obstacles that were introduced after the conduit was installed.
Rat Tail File: The Rat Tail file is a slim round file 6" to 12" long with a tapered end that is used to enlarge holes or remove burrs from knockouts. The long, slim tapered shape looks like a rats tail.
Rawlstud: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
RAYNGUARD®: RACO® trademark for extra duty weatherproof proof metallic while in use cover.
RAYNTITE®: RACO® trademark for weatherproof device cover approved for use in wet locations.
RC Clamp: "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Red Devil: When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.
Red Head: When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.
Red One: an extremely short distance.
red scotchlock: red wire nut
Red Seal Cover: see raised cover.
Redhead Jumper: jumper clamps, usually black and red, that are insulated.
REDI-LOC®: a registered RACO®trademark for MCI, AC and HCF cable connectors.
Reduced Bushing: a threaded steel or malleable iron bushing used to make transitions from one trade size of rigid/IMC to another
Reduced Washer: a stamped steel washer which, when used in pairs, reduces the size of an opening in an enclosure.
Reptile: an insulating line hose, (see also 'snake').
RETRO-BRACE®: a RACO® old work adjustable brace for fixture or ceiling fan support.
RETRO-RING®: a RACO® old work, steel mounting bracket for 4 in. square boxes.
Ridge Pin: metal pin used on the top of a pole.
Right Angle Clamp (RC): "; The Right Angle Beam Clamp (RC) attaches pipe at a right angle to a beam. Associated products are the Parallel (PC) and Edge (EC) clamp. Comes in sizes from 3/8"" to 4"" conduit.; "
Rigid Bender: There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders. While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process.
Rigid Metal Conduit: "; Galvanized Rigid Metal Conduit comes in 10' lengths with nominal trade diameters ranging from 1/2"" to 6"". Unlike EMT which is a straight tube, rigid comes with a 3/4"" NPT thread on both ends. A coupling is threaded on one end and a color- coded thread protector on the other. RED represents 3/4"" and 1-1/4"". #24356f is used on all even sizes (1"", 2"", etc) and BLACK is on all the 1/2 sizes (1/2"", 2-1/2"", etc). GAL can be in wet or dry locations and exposed or concealed in a variety of circumstances. As a protection against metal-to-metal contact and for oxidation related corrosion resistance, the conduit is coated with zinc using the hot-dip galvanizing process. See the product called COLD GAL to see how it applies to this conduit.; "
Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit: three types of rigid nonmetallic conduit are listed by UL: (1) rigid nonmetallic plastic Schedule 40 and 80 PVC; (2) rigid nonmetallic underground plastic; and (3) rigid nonmetallic underground other than plastic, fiber type.
Rip cord: The string inside of cables used to split outside jacket
Riser Pole: a transition pole for going from overhead to underground distribution.
RMC: "; Galvanized Rigid Metal Conduit comes in 10' lengths with nominal trade diameters ranging from 1/2"" to 6"". Unlike EMT which is a straight tube, rigid comes with a 3/4"" NPT thread on both ends. A coupling is threaded on one end and a color- coded thread protector on the other. RED represents 3/4"" and 1-1/4"". #24356f is used on all even sizes (1"", 2"", etc) and BLACK is on all the 1/2 sizes (1/2"", 2-1/2"", etc). GAL can be in wet or dry locations and exposed or concealed in a variety of circumstances. As a protection against metal-to-metal contact and for oxidation related corrosion resistance, the conduit is coated with zinc using the hot-dip galvanizing process. See the product called COLD GAL to see how it applies to this conduit.; "
Robertson Head Screw: a type of screw with a square key that is popular in Canada. A special tool (called a Robbie) is required to drive the screw.
Rod Coupling Nut: This coupling joins two pieces of threaded rod together and is ordered in sizes matching the diameter of the rod. Under the T&B number shown below, it is a H- 195 under Kindorf but H-119 under Superstrut.
Romex®: Flexible, nonmetallic sheathed cable, typically used to wire houses,
Rope (Pulling): A rope used by mechanical pulling machines to draw pipe through conduit. It comes in a variety of lengths, widths and tensile strengths depending upon the pull being performed.
Rope (Wire): Service Entrance cable which picks up where the utility service drop leaves off. Typically, it connects at the top of the service mast with utility rated bug nuts and runs down to the meter base. From the meter, it is usually used to enter the building and connect to the distribution panel. Sometimes you may see it used on branch circuits as permitted by the National Electrical Code.
Roughneck: a trouble chaser.
RS Cover: Attach wiring devices to this and then this attaches to 4/5" box. Many combos.
Saddle (Bender): This is a piece of a larger bending tool.
Saddle Pin: a crossarm-type pin that fits like a saddle.
Saddle Washer: Saddle-type washer for strut.
Safety Plate: Nails to wood stud where cable passes through to protect wire & plumbing pipe from nails driven into the wall sometime in the future, (see also 'Stud Plate'; 'Safety Plate'; 'Cable Protector').
Sav-A-Climb: universal fitting for laying lines over crossarms and through trees with a stick.
Sawdust Machine: a brace and bit (hand powered manual drill), or drill, (see also 'sawdust pump').
Sawdust Pump: a brace and bit (hand powered manual drill), (see also 'sawdust machine').
Saws all: Any reciprocating saw
Sawzall: A reciprocating saw by Milwaukee.
Sealtite®: Originally invented by Anaconda in 1947, Sealtite® is the Trade name for flexible, liquid-tight conduit. It can be found in applications as mundane as an air conditioning whip all the way to nuclear power plants. In its many forms, it is essentially a flexible metal core (much like Greenfield) covered by a moisture resistant covering. The typical construction for general use in electrical construction is a crush resistant core made from high-grade galvanized steel with smooth bore for easy wire fishing. The PVC jacket covers the core to provide protection from moisture, dirt, and abrasion. This product can also be ordered in a low smoke, low toxic version for Transit Authority work.
Service Clamp: The service wedge clamp provides a mechanical strain relief for self-supporting drop wire. It gets attached or wedged to the support wire on incoming utility ACSR, Aluminum or AAAC conductors which typically range from #6 to 4/0. This fitting protects the cable from breaking under adverse weather conditions and is a convenient device to support the cable while the drop portion is cut to size. They are available from several suppliers such as Blackburn, Madison, and Porcelain Products with different part numbers depending upon the wire type and size.
Service Drop: the conductor connecting a pole and a terminal on a building.
Service Entrance Cable (SE): service entrance cable can be compared to nonmetallic sheathed cable (Romex®) in large conductor sizes, with a weatherproof nonmetallic outer covering. It is often encased by rigid, IMC or EMT conduit for additional protection.
Service Entrance Head: an enclosed fitting intended for use at service entrances where open wiring is connected to a serviceentrance cable or raceway system.
Servit®: Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Servit® Post: Split bolt connector used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Sesamee Hook: A resettable combination lock, not utilizing a key.
Sesamee Lock: AN "OPEN SESAMEE" LOCK. THERE IS NO KEY, ONLY A RESETTABLE COMBINATION LOCK.
Set Back: the distance a box is set forward on a stud to accommodate the thickness of the finished wall and leave the face of the box flush with the front surface of the wall.
Set Screw Connector: a fitting which terminates a run of conduit into an enclosure using set screws to secure the conduit.
Set-Up Box: trade term for an octagon box, factory installed on a bar hanger.
Sharp Point Screw: This is a self-drilling Phillips round wafer head sheet metal screw. It is also referred to as a Sharp Point, Wafer, Peanut, SMS, RWH or a M/T head. It is used to attach lathe or Caddy® type fasteners to metals studs. It is a #8 screw in lengths from 9/16" to 1-1/4" but is usually ordered in 1/2".
Sharp Shooter: a narrow-blade shovel for digging into hard ground.
Sharpie: Sharp tip black permanet marking pen for blank write-on books
Sheath: "; material, usually an extruded plastic material applied outermost to a wire or cable. Often called a jacket.; "
Sheaves: a set of rope blocks (pulleys).
Sheetrock Clamps: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Sheetrock Support: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Shin Guard: Fits in end of conduit to shield cable from sharp edges during a pull.
Shoe (Bender): A component of a large bending device.
Shoe Fly: a temporary line used to get around something.
Shoilded Cable: a cable in which the insulated conductor(s) are enclosed in a conductive mesh envelope. The mesh is intended to protect the enclosed conductor(s) from external electrical interference.
Short Hook Up: a cord and clips for an electric drill.
Shot Gun Stick: an insulated pole, usualy made of fiberglass, used by electric utility workers when engaged on live-line working on energized high-voltage electric power lines, to protect them from electric shock, (see 'egg sucker').
Sidewinder Bender®: In addressing conduit bending, the NEC requires that "bends in conduits will be made so that the tubing will not be injured and that the internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced." The Chicago-Type manual benders accomplish this quickly and reliably. It consists of a carriage to provide firm support, a removable bending frame so the user can work off the carriage or workbench, a 0 to 90degree bending indicator, a short handle and a shoe to accommodate specific conduit sizes. The user puts a piece of rigid pipe into the short handle to gain greater leverage. Shoes come in sizes from 1" to 2".
Silver Bullet: This is a self-drilling Phillips round wafer head sheet metal screw. It is also referred to as a Sharp Point, Wafer, Peanut, SMS, RWH or a M/T head. It is used to attach lathe or Caddy® type fasteners to metals studs. It is a #8 screw in lengths from 9/16" to 1-1/4" but is usually ordered in 1/2".
Single Jack: A large pry-bar used for a variety of purposes ranging from persuading the large heavy object to move a few inches, to pulling spikes to stripping construction materials during demolition.
Sinker: a steel pin pushed through crossarms.
Sister Eye: ovaleye bolt eyelet with a hole for inserting a bolt.
Sister Hook: This is a safety and securing device used in cable pulling applications. The figure- eight design opens sideways and once connected to the pulling equipment, it won't open because it snaps shut. NOTE: The sister hook is made from malleable iron and will be the weakest link if used with steel devices. They are sold in sizes by the eye opening and each size has a different safe pulling load before it will shatter. They are available in 9/16" (430lbs) through 1 1/16" (2065lbs).
Sit-N-Spin: This is a rotating coil dispenser used for Greenfield, Armored Cable, Romex and any other product that is pulled from a coil during installation. The design allows easy dispensing and avoids the tangling that often ruins armored cable and takes valuable installation time to straighten out.
Skil Saw: A circular saw.
Sky Hook: These are practical joke terms that foreman typically use to break-in the apprentices. It gets amusing when the apprentice sends the request up the line where it gets ordered by purchasing and sent to the distributor. Usually it stops there but sometimes it will be a new inside person who asks around the office how to code a bucket-of-steam or some other prank item.
Sky Tie: This is a quarter-bend bus drop cable clamp is that both supports at a 90° angle and anchors the bus-drop cable where it connects to the bus-duct. Comes in 1/2" TO 1- 1/8" sizes. Essentially it stops the bus-drop cable from drooping and supports the weight of attached air lines and portable tools.
Skywire: atop poles, towers, and buildings a wire that protects lines and wiring from lightning.
Slave Market: an employment agency's office.
Sleeve Anchor: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
Sleeve Nut: This coupling joins two pieces of threaded rod together and is ordered in sizes matching the diameter of the rod. Under the T&B number shown below, it is a H- 195 under Kindorf but H-119 under Superstrut.
Slip Fitter: Fits on top of a pole to convert 1-1/2" - 4" pipe to a 1/2" or 3/4" nipple.
Slip Stick: an insulated pole, usualy made of fiberglass, used by electric utility workers when engaged on live-line working on energized high-voltage electric power lines, to protect them from electric shock, (see 'shot gun stick').
Slip Thread: PVC Female Adaptor
Slippery Eel: Snake with a fiberglass core & nylon sheath used with energized circuits.
Slipstick: "; A 6' a hard-wood folding ruler painted yellow with the measurement markings in black. The extension part is a metal (brass) piece that slides out from the first leg of the ruler and extends 6"" to aid in making inside or hard to reach measurements. While the ""Slipstick"" term is normally associated with the slide rules of the pre- calculator age, the term Slipstick refers to the sliding metal extension on the folding ruler.; "
Slug: A solid blade on open type cutouts that allows the fuse holder to be used as a switch.
Smoke Test®: Aerosol spray used to test the proper operation of both commercial and residential smoke detectors. Eliminates the need to light cigarettes or matches in order to generate smoke.
Smooth Step Bit: "; A bit that lets you cut multiple pre-set hole sizes in a single bit. Their self-starting tips means that you don’t need to center punch the hole prior to drilling. They are made from high grade steel and are ideal for cutting through thin metals like steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Because there is only one cutting edge, step-bits produce consistently round holes that are de-burred as they are drilled.; "
Smurf: Electrical nonmetallic tubing for fiber optic cable. Though it was originally #24356f, it now comes in a variety of colors, typically orange.
Smurf Tube: Electrical nonmetallic tubing for fiber optic cable. Though it was originally #24356f, it now comes in a variety of colors, typically orange.
Snake: When inserted into a conduit run, it provides a means to attach wires or fish line at one end and pull them out through the other. The flat, spring metal design makes it extremely flexible and capable of navigation through elbows and turns. It is typically sold in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4" widths with lengths from 25 to 100'. For convenience, they are also sold within fish dispenser reels to automatically extend and retract the fish tape but most people buy the inexpensive wire fish only and store it in a short piece of Greenfield.
Snake Eyes: 250 V Recepticle with prongs horizontal instead of verical, 15 or 20AMP.
Soap: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
Socket Extender: When you want to extend an Edison base lamp out from the socket, the porcelain socket extender is an ideal choice.
Spacer (Base): When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
Spacer (Intermediate): When burying multiple runs of electrical conduit in concrete, they need to have specific spacing between each other to ensure the integrity of the resulting concrete pour. Too close together and the concrete slab won't have sufficient rigidity. Too far apart and the installation may not be possible or efficient. Spacers are therefore used to keep the proper distance between conduits and to support them as the concrete is slushing and being compacted around them.The installation uses two types of spacers: Base and Intermediate. The Base spacer, sometimes called a chair, goes at the very bottom of the pile and the first conduit is laid inside it. The intermediate spacers go on top of each conduit and form both the top of one and the bottom of the next. That is why they are sometimes called the ladder.
Spark Ring: This is an open bottomed octagon ring that gets cemented into the building floor (deck) after being nailed to the wood sub flooring. By using back plates and covers, it becomes a complete deck box and is available in depths from 2" to 6" with knockouts from 1/2" to 1". It is called a concrete ring when it is extending an existing mud box and it can be called a mud box when it has a back plate and serves as a mud box. A classic mud box, however, comes as one unit with the back plate welded in place.
Sparky: Electrician, or sometimes an electrical engineer.
Spider Plate: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Spider®: The Spider is a registered Trademark of Hubbell and refers to a 50amp temporary power distribution box for construction sites both indoor and outdoor. It has a flat top and sits on "spider" legs to keep the electrical connections off the ground and mud. The typical configuration is 6 20a straight blade GFCI receptacles, a 30a twist lock and two 50a twist locks. The part numbers vary with differing receptacle configurations.
Spin Tight: This tool looks like a screwdriver but is used on hex head nuts. There is a different tool for each nut size. Although the part number shown below is for fractional sizes, it is also available for metric.
Splice: the joining of two or more conductors.
Splice Box: see junction box.
Split Bolt Connector: Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Split Coupling®: Used to join two threaded conduits when conduit can't be turned for a coupling.
Spool Bolt: An upset bolt used to support spool insulators, (see also 'spool bolt'; 'upset bolt').
Spoon: A cup shaped shovel with a long handle.
Spring Nut (Strut): The Spring Nut or Boingie Nut is used to attach objects to strut. The spring holds the nut in place inside the channel while you bolt the object to the strut.
Square Device Box Cover: Cover to adapt 4" or 5" boxes to accept a wiring device. Wall plate added later, (see also 'Square Device Box'; 'Combination Box Cover').
Square to Round Cover: Converts a square box to a round opening. Multiple size raises.
Squeeze On: A connector (fitting) applied by compression.
Squeeze Wrench: Hand operated wrench used for compression or cutting.
Squirrel Cage: Steel brackets that are mounted on poles to support line conductors.
STAB-IT®: a RACO® trademark for our line of boxes with built-in cable connectors for flexible armored cable.
Staking: The act of surveying and marking new locations for lines and line poles.
Stakon Tool: A terminal installation tool.
Stand Off Strap (Sos): The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Standard Conduit Hanger: The steel conduit hanger is used to secure 1/2" to 4" rigid (GAL) or EMT conduit to some type of support using the hole on top of the hanger. Typically, the pipe is suspended from strut or directly from the concrete using a piece of threaded rod but the hanger is also used to attach conduit directly to an insulator or some other surface. Manufactured by Steel City, Erico (Caddy), Bridgeport and others; the hanger is available with or without the lower bolt and nut. Originally invented by Minneralac in 1904 as the Standard Conduit Hanger.
Steam Boat: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Steamboat: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Steering Guide: Assist manipulating Fish Bits for accurate placement within the wall.
Step Bit: "; A bit that lets you cut multiple pre-set hole sizes in a single bit. Their self-starting tips means that you don’t need to center punch the hole prior to drilling. They are made from high grade steel and are ideal for cutting through thin metals like steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Because there is only one cutting edge, step-bits produce consistently round holes that are de-burred as they are drilled.; "
Sticky Backs: Cable tie mounting blocks with peel-off backing available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Stickyback Tape: Termed "double sided tape," this has the sticky stuff on both sides and is used to attach lightweight items that will later be screwed into place. It is more for alignment and ease of final installment than for permanent installation when used in the electrical industry.
Stillson Wrench: The Monkey, Pipe and Stillson Wrenches all fall in the category of a adjustable wrenches that have serrated jaws which grip the pipe or other curved surface being worked on. Although they come in sizes ranging from 8" to 24", the 8" and 12" are the most popular.
Stinger: the wire that connects a cutout to transformer;
Stone Of Tie Wire: Tie Wire as used in the electrical construction industry is sold in coils of 12 pounds and generally made from 16 gauge black soft annealed wire. It is popular because it is both pliable and difficult to break. This property of being easy to bend makes it ideal for hanging troffers from black iron, holding victor splits in place for temporary wiring and other uses. It is often ordered in units of Stones or as a Stone of Tie Wire because of the old British measurement of a STONE. A STONE is 14 American Pounds, over time the trade has shrunk it to 12 pounds.
Stove Bolt: Round head machine screw with nut attached
Strain Relief Connector: These are fittings which are used to connect flexible cord (SO, SVO, SJTO, etc) to a box or knockout while protecting the insulation of the cord from abrasion at the point of entry and maintaining the watertight seal as appropriate.
Straps: used to support conduit as required by Code. Beam and conduit clamps perform this function in industrial locations.
Street Elbow: A short 90 degree, threaded, male to female, ridgid elbow available in short or long without a cover
String-O-Lights®: The term String-O-Lights is a Trademark of McGill and it refers to a 100' pre- fabricated string of temporary lighting typically found on a jobsite after it has been gutted but lighting is still needed for the workers. It generally consists of two #12 solid wires to which 10 festoon sockets and plastic cages are attached every 10 feet. Competitors offer variations where the wire is rubber cord and/or where laundrydrops are added for power tools but the picture shown here is the typical item requested and sold.
Strong Arm: a hoist used to pull wire, often a strap or chain.
Stud: 2 in. x 4 in. or 2 in. x 6 in. wood or steel used to construct walls.
Stud Grounding Bolt: Split bolt connector used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Stud Mount: name for mud rings that allow for quick installation to studs and eliminates the needs for far-side support.
Stud Plate: Nails to wood stud where cable passes through to protect wire & plumbing pipe from nails driven into the wall sometime in the future, (see also 'Stud Plate'; 'Safety Plate'; 'Cable Protector').
Stud Punch: When installing pipe, flex, data cable or AC/MC in metal studs, there is often a need to make a hole in the stud other than the manufacturer knockout. This tool punches a hole through studs up to 20guage. Once the stud has been punched, you need to use a bushing or insulator to shield the wire or conduit from the rough edges of the steel. Those insulators are the Greenlee 711, 714 and 715 family of items.
Stud Wall: wood or steel 2 in. x 4 in. spaced 16 in. or 24 in. on center — drywall or paneling typically is attached to the studs to finish the wall.
Stud Wedge Anchor: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
Stump Jumper: Lineman
Sure Wall: Nylon or Zinc self-drilling anchor used for #8 x 1" screws into sheetrock, (see also 'Sure Wall').
Surge Generator: A device used to locate faults in cables underground. This device uses a high voltage discharge to produce an audible thump where the fault exists. The thump is caused by the discharge exiting into the ground. The device is typically self- contained as a portable device that can be used out in the field, (see also, 'Thumper"; 'Surge Generator'; 'Banger').
Sweep: Conduit elbows are available for EMT, RIGID, PVC COATED GALVANIZED, FIBERGLASS and PVC. The standard elbows come in 90 degree and 45 degree but a wide range of bends and radiuses are available. In general, the customer ordering a PREFAB 45 is looking for a 45 degree elbow and you have to ask what kind of conduit it is being connected to.
Switch Box: Metal box, usually 2" - 3-1/2" deep with various mounting from ears, nail-on, to masonry
Switch Box Support: Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Switch Guard: A guard that protects a toggle switch from accidentally being switched on or off.
Switch Stick: a disconnect stick.
Switchboard Matting: Switchboard matting is generally a non-conductive, black rubber mat conforming to ASTM D-178-93 Type I for use as a floor covering around live electrical equipment. the product is available with a smooth finish, a corrugated or diamond a plate surface. It is sold in 3' widths with varying lengths.
Swivel Lok: reference for multi-position liquidtight connectors for type B liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit and extra flexible liquidtight nonmetallic tubing.
T11: Outdoor weatherproof switch or outlet box.
Table Tap: Converts single receptacle opening to 3 openings in a wide brick shaped device
Tag Line: a rope used to tie-off line or to control load being lifted.
Tag Out: A link stick.
Tamp In®: You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
Tamperproof Screwdriver: A screwdriver for snake-eye tamper proof screws used in security locations.
Tampon: Combination of the fish line and the mouse in one unit. Comes in conduit sizes from 1/2" through 1" only.
Tap Clamp: a clamp used when dealing with a hot line.
Tear Drop: A Ground Rod Clamp is a copper mechanical connector used to connect a wide range of wire sizes and types to a ground rod. Those ground rods may be copper or stainless steel. It works by sliding over the ground rod, having the wire inserted under the flat part of the screw, and mechanically tightening down with a wrench.
Telephone Elbow: A short 90 degree, threaded, male to female, ridgid elbow available in short or long without a cover
The Bat: Nylon or Zinc self-drilling anchor used for #8 x 1" screws into sheetrock, (see also 'Sure Wall').
The Round®: Called "The Round®" by industry leader Honeywell, this single pole - double throw low 24 volt heating & cooling thermostat is a beige round device showing current temperature and desired temperature from 40 - 90 degrees. It works by rotating the clear plastic bezel to which a mercury switch is attached. The mercury switch is simply a glass tube with electrodes at one end. When the tube is tilted so the mercury contacts the electrodes, the circuit is completed. When it tilts away, the circuit is broken. A bimetallic coil acts as a thermometer by combining two different metals into a strip. Since they expand and contract at different rates, the coil expands or contracts in response to temperature. Depending upon the relationship of the mercury switch to the coil, the device connected to the thermostat goes on or off.
Thermoplastic-Sheathed Cable: Flexible, nonmetallic sheathed cable, typically used to wire houses,
Thinwall Conduit: Electro Mechanical Tubing (EMT) is used to protect wires within an electrical system. It is the most commonly used raceway because it can be concealed or surface mounted, it is low cost, light weight and doesn't require threading tools like rigid. The bending process, however, requires more skill than with rigid because EMT is prone to kink. It is also called "thin-wall" because the wall is much thinner than rigid conduit of the same nominal size. Available from Wheatland, Allied, LTV and others.
Thomas Edison: The guy who got us all a job.
Threadless Compression Coupling: This type of fitting uses compression to attach to the rigid conduit. Made of steel, it comes in a coupling or a connector style in sizes 1/2" to 4". It is faster than threading pipe and it works well in tight areas when threading is impossible or when the pipe can't be turned.
Three-Phase Set: three shovels: a spoon, a spade, and a shovel; all three are of different design for different uses.
Thru Bolt: a machine bolt.
Thumb Gum: Compound sealing putty used to seal connectors
Thumper: A device used to locate faults in cables underground. This device uses a high voltage discharge to produce an audible thump where the fault exists. The thump is caused by the discharge exiting into the ground. The device is typically self- contained as a portable device that can be used out in the field, (see also, 'Thumper"; 'Surge Generator'; 'Banger').
Thunder Tite®: You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
Thunderbolt®: Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
Thunderstud®: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
Tie Wire: Tie Wire as used in the electrical construction industry is sold in coils of 12 pounds and generally made from 16 gauge black soft annealed wire. It is popular because it is both pliable and difficult to break. This property of being easy to bend makes it ideal for hanging troffers from black iron, holding victor splits in place for temporary wiring and other uses. It is often ordered in units of Stones or as a Stone of Tie Wire because of the old British measurement of a STONE. A STONE is 14 American Pounds, over time the trade has shrunk it to 12 pounds.
Tiger Box: name for a patented switch box for old work applications.
Tile Cover: Cover for 4" or 5" box, multiple gang and multiple height raise for tile work.
Tilt-In Connector: The "tilt-in" 2-piece connector for non-metallic sheathed cable (a.k.a. Romex™) is a labor saving design that lets the electrician clamp the connector onto the cable, tilt it into the knockout and tighten down the screws. The screws both bind the connector to the enclosure and compress onto the cable making a secure fit. This eliminates the need to remove the locknut and re-attach it inside an often cramped box. Originally marketed by Tomic™. Available in conduit sizes from 1/2" to 1-1/2", (see also 'Butterfly Connector'; 'Tomic').
Tite Bite®: You can order an Greenfield connector or you can order a TITE-BITE® connector. When you ask for a Greenfield connector, you get a connector with a screw that clamps a ring around the conduit. The T&B TITE-BITE has a saddle that presses down and is asked for by name. It comes in sizes from 3/8" to 4" and in 45degree through 90degree. They can be ordered with or without the insulated throat option. All that having been said, on larger sizes of armored cable, you use the Greenfield connector and not the BX connector. You can compare this to the TB254 which is a standard squeeze connector to see the difference.
TKO: references a combination 1/2 in. and 3/4 in. knockout. The two knockouts are off- center to enable a 1/2 in. locknut to engage the box for proper grounding of the electrical system.
Toggle Bolt: "; Invented by hardware store owner William H. Rubely in the late 1800's and initially called the ""Tuckahoe Toggle Bolt"" , the toggle bolt has been used whenever you need to mount something to a non-structural, hollow, thin wall where a screw would simply pull right out. A toggle bolt has wings like a butterfly that fold closed against an internal spring to be inserted into the wall. Once through the wall, it snaps open and provides a secure are wide surface area to fasten an object to the wall using the attached a threaded screw. You'd see it used in sheetrock or wood applications holding a fire alarm box, a speaker to ceiling tile, a bulletin board, etc. When the screw is removed, the wing simply drops behind the wall to the floor below and is abandoned.; "
Toggle Switch: a switch intended for use in general distribution and branch circuits.
Toilet Seat Cover: A w/p plate for T-11 Boxes with either 1 or 2 flip top lods for recepticle.
Tombstone: see mouse house.
Tomic: The "tilt-in" 2-piece connector for non-metallic sheathed cable (a.k.a. Romex™) is a labor saving design that lets the electrician clamp the connector onto the cable, tilt it into the knockout and tighten down the screws. The screws both bind the connector to the enclosure and compress onto the cable making a secure fit. This eliminates the need to remove the locknut and re-attach it inside an often cramped box. Originally marketed by Tomic™. Available in conduit sizes from 1/2" to 1-1/2", (see also 'Butterfly Connector'; 'Tomic').
Tongs: a tool used to control a pole when setting the pole;
Toothpick: Adjustable sliding scaffold board.
Toque: a hard hat.
Torpedo Level: 9" level shaped like a torpedo usually with a magnetic base.
Trade Size: conduit is referred to by trade size according to its inside diameter.
Transformer Bank: made by attaching two or three transformers to the same circuit, typically used when a three-phase transformer cannot be used.
Transformer Vibration Pad: The term transformer pad can refer to everything from a neoprene vibration isolating pad to a vault box pad that the transformer is mounted to. In this case we are looking at the vibration isolation pads which come in sizes ranging from 3/8" (economy) to 3/4" (deluxe). The construction varies but generally consists of an oil resistant corrugated neoprene pad on one surface. As the thickness increases, a 2nd corrugated pad is added to the other side and on the larger sizes, cork is put between the neoprene.
Trapeze (Caddy): Called a Lightweight Trapeze, it allows the user to hang AC/MC or EMT from a length of 1" EMT. Each trapeze is rated for loads up to 100lbs and is available for 14-2 thru 12-3 MC/AC or 1/2" through 2" EMT.
Traveling Chain: A movable grounding device.
Traveling Chair: A two wheel trolley with an attached chain typically used on a steel i-beam.
Traveling Ladder: Wooden ladder with fiber rollers generally used when work or inspection has to be done on transmission hardware or conductor.
Triple Tap: Converts single receptacle opening to 3 openings in a wide brick shaped device
Triplex Breaker: "; The term Quadplex and Triplex comes from the Murray (ITE) product and in general refers to a breaker that offers the benefits of 4 poles in two breaker positions with the benefit that if one phase trips on the 240v configuration, the other phase trips internally instead of relying on the pole handles to be physically tied. A QUAD breaker is when the two outside two poles are tied together and the inside two poles tied together providing two 2-pole 240vac breakers. A Triplex breaker is when either A) the two outside poles are tied together for a 2-pole 240v breaker and the two inside poles operating independently as two 1-pole 120v breakers or B) the same as A but switching inside and outside poles. The alternative to using a QUAD or TRIPLEX breaker is to take two twin breakers and physically tie the two inside and/or two outside poles together. The downside is that this method relies on the physical connection of the pole handles for the other breaker to trip instead of the internal trip mechanism.; "
Tri-Tap Tool: A screwdriver with 3 of the common tap sizes (6-32, 8-32, 10-32 or 10-24).
Tri-Volt Transformer: Transformer with a three voltage secondary (i.e.) 8-12-24.
Trough Edge Guard: Creates a wire protection grommet for sheetmetal when cutting into an enclosure.
Trubolt® Wedge Anchor: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
True Tape: Tape with footage markings that when inserted into a conduit run an accurent measurement can be taken.
T-Stripper: "; This is a hand tool that strips the insulation off wires. It comes in a variety of different configurations that vary the wire size, handle type, and other features. See the Old TIMER story.; "
Tube Cutter: Cuts EMT.
Tube Guard: A plastic sleeve placed over fluorescent lamps to contain glass fragments in the event the lamp breaks.
Tupperware: Plastic/insulated protective cover.
Turkey Wing: A steel post insulator standoff used in distribution construction, also known as a 'chicken wing'.
Twin Breaker: In the space of one 1" breaker, fits two breakers side-by-side (Twin) or over/under (Piggyback).
Two Men In A Boat (ST. Louis Term): Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.
Two Pound: A lineman's hammer which typically weights two pounds.
Type UF: see underground feeder cable.
TY-RAP: Zip ties.
U Bangi: 15 kV rubber line hose.
U Guard: U-guard is a product that protects cable and conduit installations on the surface of a utility pole. It is often used to protect bare SEU running down a utility pole when the service is "buried" underground. It is available in both Steel and PVC but the PVC has dominated the market for a variety of reasons. The PVC is made from a tough, UV resistant thermoplastic for extra long life and comes in a variety of widths from 1 to 6" and schedule 40 and 80.
U-Conduit: A Hubbell trade name for the Universal Conduit Body. The U·Conduit Body’s interchangeable plates/panels allow the body to be configured into any of the five standard conduit body types LB, LL, LR, T, and C, for EMT or Rigid/IMC conduit.
Ug Splice: "; The ""U"" style connector was invented by 3M® in the 1970's for communications applications. It eliminated the need to strip and twist the POTS (Plain Old Telephone) wires by using insulation displacement ""U"" shaped crimping contacts. Insert the wires, crimp the circle shut and you have a secure connection. Over time, a variety of wire sizes and tap types were created and color codes used to tell the wire sizes. The UG is used to tap into an existing line without causing any kind of interruption. Good for sizes 19-26AWG solid telecom or alarm wire.; "
UL: see Underwriters Laboratories.
Umbrella Bolt: "; Invented by hardware store owner William H. Rubely in the late 1800's and initially called the ""Tuckahoe Toggle Bolt"" , the toggle bolt has been used whenever you need to mount something to a non-structural, hollow, thin wall where a screw would simply pull right out. A toggle bolt has wings like a butterfly that fold closed against an internal spring to be inserted into the wall. Once through the wall, it snaps open and provides a secure are wide surface area to fasten an object to the wall using the attached a threaded screw. You'd see it used in sheetrock or wood applications holding a fire alarm box, a speaker to ceiling tile, a bulletin board, etc. When the screw is removed, the wing simply drops behind the wall to the floor below and is abandoned.; "
Underground Feeder Cable: underground feeder cable (Type UF) is a group of conductors manufactured in the form of a cable assembly similar to Type NM (Romex®) but with the physical and electrical characteristics that allow for direct burial in the earth.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL): An independent testing agency that tests and lists electrical equipment to its established standards of safety and performance.
Unibit: "; A bit that lets you cut multiple pre-set hole sizes in a single bit. Their self-starting tips means that you don’t need to center punch the hole prior to drilling. They are made from high grade steel and are ideal for cutting through thin metals like steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Because there is only one cutting edge, step-bits produce consistently round holes that are de-burred as they are drilled.; "
Universal Crossbar: An adaptor used to affix a lighting fixture directly to an electric box when the fixture and electrical box mounting holes do not line up, (see also 'Fixture Bar').
Upset Bolt: A bolt used to support spool insulators.
Ur Splice: "; The ""U"" style connector was invented by 3M® in the 1970's for communications applications. It eliminated the need to strip and twist the POTS (Plain Old Telephone) wires by using insulation displacement ""U"" shaped crimping contacts. Insert the wires, crimp the circle shut and you have a secure connection. Over time, a variety of wire sizes and tap types were created and color codes used to tell the wire sizes. The UY is a butt connector for 2 or 3 solid wires 19-26AWG. It is filled with a moisture resistant gel. Comes in three styles: UY (moisture-resistant seal), UY-2 (RUS listed) and UY2-D (dry). A similar product, the UR, handles a larger wire size.; "
Urd: Underground residential distribution.
Utility Box: Steel surface mounted box measuring 4" high and 2-1/2" wide.
Uy Connector: "; The ""U"" style connector was invented by 3M® in the 1970's for communications applications. It eliminated the need to strip and twist the POTS (Plain Old Telephone) wires by using insulation displacement ""U"" shaped crimping contacts. Insert the wires, crimp the circle shut and you have a secure connection. Over time, a variety of wire sizes and tap types were created and color codes used to tell the wire sizes. The UY is a butt connector for 2 or 3 solid wires 19-26AWG. It is filled with a moisture resistant gel. Comes in three styles: UY (moisture-resistant seal), UY-2 (RUS listed) and UY2-D (dry). A similar product, the UR, handles a larger wire size.; "
Vault: A service box or vault is an underground room into which cables are pulled, terminated, connected, and serviced. They generally have racks to hold the cables and reduce the strain on the connectors and are most often sold as prefab units. Concrete construction is no longer the rule; favoring the lightweight composite designs that afford long life and easier handling and installation. Available with or without bottoms, knockouts, in various sizes, etc.
Velco Tie: Velco cable tie.
Velcro Tie: VELCRO CABLE TIE
Victor Split: This is a porcelain insulator that is typically used to suspend Non-metallic cable (Romex™) from above. The two-piece insulator clamps around the cable and is bound together with "Tie-Wire". The resulting attachment lets the cable slip through the insulator so it doesn't strain the insulation.
Vinyl Tape: Inexpensive, black vinyl electrical tape.
Volt (v): a unit of electromotive force.
Volt Tick®: These devices detect the presence of voltage without direct contact with the wire. One style (Greenlee 1010 or Fluke 1ACA1) looks like a pen and you touch the tip to a possible power source such as a wire or outlet and if the tip glows red, you know there is some level of voltage present. An upgraded version of the Greenlee 1010 Volt Tick called the 1112 includes a flashlight. The other style is an audible detector that chirps as you get closer to the load, detects a higher and lower voltage range, detects both hot & neutral, and detects if breakers are powered.
Wago Wall-Nuts: The Wago Wall Nut is a pushwire connector for both solid and stranded copper wire. Using push-in connectors eliminates the twisting and taping of traditional wirenuts while providing the visual access to the wires through the clear shell and offering a test port to allow for continuity testing. Sizes range from 2 to 8 connectors and 12 to 18 gauge.
Walking Crab: A lever lift.
Wall Wart: Converts a 2-wire ungrounded outlet so it accepts a 3-wire U-Ground plug. It is rated 120V and 15amp. This is not a safe item to use and should be replaced with a modern 3-prong outlet with a proper ground.
Waterfall: A triple-drum puller.
Waterpipe Ground Clamp: See 'Waterpipe Ground Clamp'.
Watt (w): a measure of the power an electrical device consumes; [volts x amps = watts].
Weatherhead: A receptacle located at the top of vertical conduit, referred to as a mast, where overhead conductors enter a residence.
Weatherproof: an enclosure constructed for outdoor use.
Weatherproof-While-In-Use: term commonly used to describe covers that are designed to be rain tight with cords installed.
Wedge Anchor: Heavy duty, stainless steel, one-piece expansion bolt that works by compressing the side sleeve against the hole made in concrete or stone. Available in sizes ranging from 1/4" x 1-3/4" all the way to 1-1/4" x 12".
Wedge Clamp: The service wedge clamp provides a mechanical strain relief for self-supporting drop wire. It gets attached or wedged to the support wire on incoming utility ACSR, Aluminum or AAAC conductors which typically range from #6 to 4/0. This fitting protects the cable from breaking under adverse weather conditions and is a convenient device to support the cable while the drop portion is cut to size. They are available from several suppliers such as Blackburn, Madison, and Porcelain Products with different part numbers depending upon the wire type and size.
Welding Receptacle: This 50amp power receptacle is used for welding machines.
Westerns: Standard climbers for old type Western Union, (see also 'hooks').
Wet Locations: installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas, and locations exposed to weather and unprotected.
Whip: Pre-frabricated 6" piece of BX with connector to quickly wire-up light fixtures.
Whiskey Stick: The vials in a level have alcohol in them to prevent them from freezing and to avoid condensation. The term whiskey stick came about from colored alcohol used to provide some contrast to the clear glass vial.
Widow: A tool used to grip cable, (see also 'cable grip').
Wiggle: Secondary voltage tester, featuring a glow light (see also 'jiggler').
Wiggle Wire: Any kind of formed wire used to secure conductors to insulators.
Wiggy: The "Wiggy" is a simple, extremely durable line voltage indicator (tester). It has two test leads connected to a solenoid coil inside a molded plastic casing. A spring presses against the solenoid holding it down. To show the voltage, an indicator bar is attached to the solenoid. As the voltage increases, the solenoid moves against the spring. The user reads the voltage by comparing the position of the indicator with a fixed chart on the face of the tester. If it is reading AC current, a neon lamp in the face of the tester lights-up, the unit hums and vibrates. The voltage it shows is a general approximation, not an exact value. It's strength comes from its durability, ease of use and ability to show both AC and DC plus the polarity of the current through the Red/Black indicator lights. Its nickname came from the company that introduced it; the Wiggington Company.
Wildcat Connection: Three-phase four wire delta.
Wildcat Leg: A four wired delta service, with a center tap connection to a transformer winding, (see also 'wild-leg'; 'wild phase'; 'high leg').
Window Clamp: When a manufacturer says Beam Clamp, they mean the family of clamps that attach members to a steel support beam. While there are many different kinds of beam clamps, the Window Clamp is the beam clamp with U-bolts. Whether you use Kindorf, PowerStrut, B-Line or some other strut manufacturer, they all offer Window Clamps of similar construction because there is generally only one way to mechanically make these things happen. As an aside, when a distributor or electrician refers to a Beam Clamp, they typically mean the "C" style clamp that screws tight to the flange of a beam and has a threaded hole to accept threaded rod. The Window Clamp, however, is the style that U-bolts the strut to the support beam.
Window Pole: A disconnect stick which allows a lineman to open and close disconnect cutouts or switches.
Wire Balls: Wire nuts.
Wire Bender: Hand bender that helps installer bend large MCM cable during installation.
Wire Biter: Electrician
Wire Delta Wire Bender Cutout: An open link cutout which protects distributions transformers from current spikes or surges, (see also 'flip cutout').
Wire E'S: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
Wire Rope Clip: The "Crosby" wire rope clip is a galvanized fitting used to securely fasten wire rope or guy strand. It is extremely durable. The U bolt goes over the wire and the iron saddle is attached below. Then, the bolts are tightened and the guy wire is locked in place.
Wire Twister: An electrician who typicall works indoors. (see also 'narrow back').
Wonder Bar: 14" hand-held demolition ripping or prying bar.
Woodhead Tester: This device is useful for quickly determining if a receptacle has power and if there is anything obviously wrong with the wiring. Enhanced models perform GFCI testing but this tester is essentially idiot-proof through the use of three lights and a sticker explaining the meaning of these lights.
Woonder Bar: 14" hand-held demolition ripping or prying bar.
Wrecking Bar: 14" hand-held demolition ripping or prying bar.
WRTR: an electrical device that is weatherresistant and tamper-resistant.
X-Tract-O: Removes the "S" type fuse adapter from Edison base fuse holders by shearing off the cleats that secure the fuse adapter in place. This is an extremely hard to find item.
Y Adapter: Converts 1/2" k/o to hold two lampholers or bullets.
Yellow 77: Lubricating compound used to reduce tension between cable insulation and the conduit during the pulling process. In the early days of the electrical industry, people used Ivory Soap Flakes to perform this function earning it the term SOAP. In 1973, inventor Nelson Jonnes concocted a water-polymer solution that would eventually become Polywater® It was initially marketed as "Slippery Stuff" and sold to divers as a body lube to help ease into and out of the wet suits. Eventually it was used as a sex lube and Polywater® sold that division off. The Polywater® product caught-on as a cable lubricant initially with the Transit Authorities, which required the use of Bentonite Clay. Polywater® Cable lubricant is sold by a wide variety of manufacturers today.
Yo-Yo (Thermostat): Called "The Round®" by industry leader Honeywell, this single pole - double throw low 24 volt heating & cooling thermostat is a beige round device showing current temperature and desired temperature from 40 - 90 degrees. It works by rotating the clear plastic bezel to which a mercury switch is attached. The mercury switch is simply a glass tube with electrodes at one end. When the tube is tilted so the mercury contacts the electrodes, the circuit is completed. When it tilts away, the circuit is broken. A bimetallic coil acts as a thermometer by combining two different metals into a strip. Since they expand and contract at different rates, the coil expands or contracts in response to temperature. Depending upon the relationship of the mercury switch to the coil, the device connected to the thermostat goes on or off.
Zinc-It®: When sprayed on ferrous metal, it prevents it from oxidizing. Composed mainly of zinc, is used to galvanize bare metal or to touch-up hot dipped galvanized fittings & pipes.
Zip Cord: Two wire cord used to wire portable lamps.
Zip It®: Nylon or Zinc self-drilling anchor used for #8 x 1" screws into sheetrock, (see also 'Sure Wall').
Zip Ties: Zip ties.

The Electrician's Dictionary

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