Electrical Definitions
This section provides some definitions of the jargon that is often used to confuse and frighten.
Sometimes technical terms have to be used to enable specific specifications to be defined. If I use any that are not understood and not listed here please do not hesitate to contact me for an explanation.
| Abbrev | Expanded | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BS7671 | British Standards 7671 | Electrical Standards. Currently 17th Edition 2008. Not Statutory but will be used in court as evidence if not adhered to. |
| CPC | Circuit Protective Conductor | Earth wire. The most important part of the electrical installation with respect to safety. |
| CU | Consumer Unit | Main fuse box. Can be fuses or Circuit Breakers. Commercial versions known as Distribution Boards (DB) |
| ECA | Electrical Contractors' Association (www.eca.co.uk) | Provides inspection, assessment and certification services to contractors working with electrical installations in commercial and industrial. Equivalent to NICEIC. |
| EEBADS | Earthed Equipotential Bonding & Automatic Disconnection of Supply | Connecting of non electrical metalwork to earth & the method of disconnection if faults occur. Term removed under 17th Edition Regulations. |
| EIC | Electrical Installation Certificate | Certificate supplied on completion of a new circuit or installation. |
| ELECSA | Competent Persons Scheme for Part P registration. (www.elecsa.org.uk). | Provides inspection, assessment and certification services to contractors working with electrical installations in private dwellings. Similar to NICEIC. |
| MCB | Miniature Circuit Breaker | Type of fuse but can be switched back on if it trips. As per 17th Edition Regulations now known as a Circuit Breaker. |
| MEW | Minor Electrical Works | Supplied when minor changes are made to existing circuits. A simple version of the EIC. |
| NAPIT | National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers. (www.napit.org.uk). | Provides an independent professional trade body for electrical inspectors, electrical contractors & electricians. Non Mandatory Body similar to NICEIC & ELECSA. |
| NICEIC | National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. (www.niceic.org.uk). | The NICEIC is the UK's consumer safety organisation and independent regulatory body for the electrical industry. Non Mandatory Body similar to NAPIT & ELECSA. |
| Part P | Building Regulations Part P | Designed to ensure safety in domestic dwellings by ensuring changes made is verified by a certified Part P competent person. |
| PAT | Portable Appliance Testing | Generally any item with a Plug that needs regular testing. Not applicable to domestic locations. |
| PIR | Periodic Inspection Report | An inspection on an electrical installation. Sometimes referred to as a safety inspection. |
| PME | Protective Multiple Earthing | Type of electrical supply to a building. Also known as TN-C-S. Most common type of supply now used. Often printed on or near the main electricity meter or fuse. |
| PV | Solar PhotoVoltaic | Solar Energy Sources |
| RCBO | Residual Current Breaker Outgoing | Combination of RCD & Circuit Breaker. RCD unit also protecting against overload & short circuit. |
| RCCB | Residual Current operated Circuit Breaker | RCD unit but no overload or short circuit protection. |
| RCD | Residual Current Device | Device that trips if an imbalance in the circuit occurs possibly caused by someone touching a live wire. Mandatory in many areas and now in common usage especially in new houses. |
| SELV | Separate Extra Low Voltage | Under 55v with transformer. Often 12v. Commonly used as bathroom lights as safe in wet locations. |
| SWA | Steel Wire Armoured | Cable for harsh environments. Commonly used outside. |
| TN-C-S | Terra Neutral-Combined-Separate | Most common type of electricity supply to buildings. Also known as PME. |
| TNS | Terra Neutral Separate | Older style of electricity supply to buildings but perfectly safe. |
| TT | Terra Terra | Overhead Cable electrical supply to buildings. Used in conjunction with earth stakes. RCD protection required for this type of supply. |