Acronyms used in the Electrical Field Quiz

Answer: Alternating Current and Direct Current

Electricity is voltage and current. Voltage is electrical pressure, and current is the flow of charged particles. The difference between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) is that the electrons in an AC circuit regularly reverse their direction. In a DC circuit electrons always flow in the same direction.

Answer: Uninterruptable Power Supply

An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is a backup power supply, such as a battery, that provides emergency power in the event that power is lost from the main supply.

Answer: British Thermal Unit

British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measure of heat energy. It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

A basic rule-of-thumb for selecting a room air conditioner is; 6,000 BTU unit for 200 square feet, 7,500 BTU unit for 300 square feet, and 10,000 BTU unit for 450 square feet.

Answer: Polychlorinated Biphenyl

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used as coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment because they are good insulators and don't burn easily.

In 1977, the manufacturing of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. because of harmful effects to the environment and the possibility they cause cancer.

Answer: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical device that can be either a circuit breaker or the receptacle outlet that is designed to protect a person from an accidental electrical shock or electrocution.

The basic theory of how a GFCI works is that the GFCI constantly monitors current flowing in a circuit. If the current path is altered, the GFCI quickly recognizes the change and turns off power to prevent a lethal dose of electricity.

Answer: National Electrical Code

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is used as a guide by all electrical professionals in the US and sets the standards in the industry. The NEC was first published in 1897 and is revised and updated every three years to reflect current trends in the electrical industry.

Answer: American Wire Gauge

Conductors "Wire" sizes used in the electrical industry use 3 different scales: AWG, Ought, and KCMIL. Conductors range from #14 AWG to 2000 KCMIL. American Wire Gauge (AWG) scale is the standard for smaller wires, #14,#12,#10,#8,#6,#4,#3,#2,#1 AWG. The "Ought" scale is the next larger wires, written as 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, & 4/0. The larger wires are identified by KCMIL which stands for one thousand circular mils. The standard sizes are; 250,300,350,400,500,600,700,800,900,1000,1250,1500,1750,2000 KCMIL.

Answer: Horsepower

Horsepower (HP) is the measure of the rate of doing work. In electrical terms, one horsepower is equal to 746 watts. In physical terms, one horsepower is equal to 550 foot-pounds per second, or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute.

The term horsepower was invented by the engineer/inventor James Watt. He wanted a way to talk about the power available from ponies, while using these animals in the coal mines to lift coal.

Answer: Armored Cable

AC, BX, and MC are all flexible cables that have a jacket wrapped around the wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Armored cable (AC) has a heavy armor-jacket that serves as an equipment ground. Metal-Clad Cable (MC) has an independent green conductor that serves as the grounding wire. BX cable is no longer manufactured because of it lacking a grounding conductor.

There are several stories about where the term BX came from; one being that "B" stands for the product line B and the "X" stands for experimental, because BX cable was invented by accident. Another story claims that it got its name from the town that it was discovered in, the "Bronx" New York. If you have a story or claim, please send it to me.

Answer: Underground Feeder

Underground Feeder (UF) cable is listed for direct burial by UL standards. "Underwriters Laboratories" is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. The jacket of UF cable is made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and is sunlight, moisture, and chemical resistant to protect the wire which can be buried without the need or use of conduit tubing.

Here are some other commonly used acronyms: "EMT" Electrical Metallic Tubing, "VD" Voltage Drop, "KVA" KiloVolt Amps, "IG" Isolated Ground, "OSHA" Occupational Safety & Health Administration, "RPM" Revolutions Per Minute, "IBEW" International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, "EMF" ElectroMotive Force, "RMC" Rigid Metal Conduit, "WP" Weather Proof, "MDP" Main Distribution Panel, "CB" Circuit Breaker, "OCPD" OverCurrent Protection Device, "AHJ" Authority Having Jurisdiction, "BJ" Bonding Jumper.