Glossary for Electrical Exams for Contractor Licensing

Alternating Current (AC)
It is a type of electrical current, in which the direction of the flow of electrons switches back and forth at regular intervals or cycles.
Amperes is the unit used to measure electric current.
Apparent Power
True power is called apparent power, and it is the product of a circuit's voltage and current, without reference to the phase angle.
Capacitive Reactance
Capacitive Reactance is the internal resistance of the capacitance to the alternating current.
Circular Mills
Circular Mills is a unit of area, equal to the area of a circle with a diameter of one mil.
Conductor is an object or type of material that allows the flow of electrical current
Current is the rate at which an electric charge flows in a conductor.
Current-Flow Path
Current-Flow Path is the path through which current flows within a circuit
Closed circuit
Closed Circuit means a complete electrical connection around which current flows or circulates.
Common Denominator
Common denominator is a feature shared by all members of a group.
Delta Connected Systems
Electrical Distribution systems do not contain a nuetral.
Direct Current (DC)
Direct Current (DC) is the constant flow of Electric Charge from high to low Potential.
Distribution (Electric Power Distribution)
Distribution (Electric Power Distribution) is the final stage in the delivery of electric power; it carries electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers.
Distribution Transformers
Distribution Substation
Distribution Substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system.
Distribution Systems
It can be defined as the sequential flow of procedures, systems, and activities that are designed and linked to facilitate and monitor the movement of goods and services from the source to the consumer.
Electromechanical relays
Electromechanical relays are electrically operated switches used to isolate circuits or batteries, detect faults on transmission and distribution lines, and control a high powered circuit using a low power signal.
Feeders is a piece of industrial control equipment used to deliver solid material at a known rate into some process.
Generally refers to a voltage that is changing in the form of a sine wave.
Henry is the SI unit of inductance and it symbol is H.
Horsepower is a measure of power, and voltage measures the amount of energy carried in a circuit.
It is the tendency of an electrical conductor to oppose a change in the electric current flowing through it.
Inductive Reactance
Inductive Reactance is defined as the opposition to current flow. It is the reaction of the inductor to the changing value of alternating current.
Inverse Resistance
The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the flow of electric current. The inverse quantity is electrical conductance and is the ease with which an electric current passes.
This unit is typically used to express the output power of engines and the power consumption of electric motors, tools, machines, and heaters. It is also a common unit used to express the electromagnetic power output of broadcast radio and television transmitters.
Mixed Circuit
Mixed Circuit is the one that has a "combination" of series and parallel paths for the electricity to flow.
NC Contact in a relay
NC Contact in a relay is normally closed.
National Electrical Code
NO Contact in a relay
NO Contact in a relay is normally open.
The Ohm is the SI unit of electrical resistance. One ohm is the resistance in a circuit transmitting a current of one ampere when subjected to a potential difference of one volt.
Ohms Law
It is a law stating that electric current is proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance.
Open circuit
Open circuit an electrical circuit in which the continuity is broken so that current does not flow.
Parallel Circuit
A parallel circuit is a closed circuit in which the current divides into two or more paths before recombining to complete the circuit.
Phase (Electrical Phase)
A phase is a relative displacement between waves having the same frequency.
The rate at which the work is being done in an electrical circuit is called electric power.
Power Factor
Power Factor is the relationship (phase) of current and voltage in AC electrical distribution systems.
Primary Distribution Feeders
Primary feeders are conductors within the distribution system which connect from the distribution sub-station and transfer power to the distribution centers.
Primary Distribution System Consist of feeders that deliver power from distribution substations to distribution transformers. A feeder usually begins with a feeder breaker at the distribution substation.
Primary Distribution Transformers
Primary Distribution Transformers is straightforward: to step down the voltage and provide isolation between primary and secondary.
Radical Distribution System
A system whereby power is received at the utility supply voltage level by a single, incoming substation.
Reactive Power
Relay is a solenoid set up to actuate switch contacts when its coil is energized.
It is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.
Ring Main Distribution System
Ring Main Distribution System is a method of the power distribution system, in which different parts of the power distribution network (or each load center) have an option to feed power from the same source through more than one route.
Secondary Transmission System
A low-voltage network or secondary network is a part of electric power distribution which carries electric energy from distribution transformers to electricity meters of end customers.
Series Circuit
A series circuit is a closed circuit in which the current follows one path, as opposed to a parallel circuit where the circuit is divided into two or more paths.
Single-phased Circuits
Single-phased Circuits is power systems are defined by having an AC source with only one voltage waveform.
Solid-State Relays
Solid-state relays are an electronic switching device that switches on or off when a small external voltage is applied across its control terminals.
State of a relay
State of a relay is open a closed.
Trigonometry is used to show how stress and force are directed along with supports that are not vertical or horizontal.
True Power
The actual amount of power being used, or dissipated, in a circuit is called true power, and it is measured in watts.
Voltage (Electromotive Force)
An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
Voltage Drop
The volt is the SI unit of electromotive force. One volt is the difference of potential that would allow one ampere of current to go through one ohm of resistance.
Wye Connected Systems
Electrical Distribution Systems which contain a neutral.

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