Electrical Study Guide (copy)

Digital Multimeter

A handheld electronic instrument with a digital display that measures AC/DC voltage, resistance, and current by using test probes to analyze electrical signals.

Non-Contact Voltage Tester

A pen-shaped device used to safely detect live electrical wires and outlets without contact, using sensors to identify electric fields.

LED Circuit Tester

Handheld electronic diagnostic tool with probes or leads used to test circuits for voltage, continuity, and proper polarity in electrical systems.

Circuit Breaker Finder

A kit with a plug-in transmitter and a handheld receiver with lights or beeps, used to locate breakers and trace wires.

Conduit Bender (EMT Bender)

Long-handled tool with a curved metal head, used to form accurate 45° and 90° bends in electrical raceways for routing electrical wiring.

Fish Tape

Long, flexible steel or fiberglass pulling tool stored in a reel, used to route electrical wires through conduit and enclosed spaces.

Insulated Screwdrivers

Hand tools with metal shafts coated in thick plastic insulation and rubberized handles, designed to safely tighten or loosen screws.

Knockout Punch

A metal cutting tool with dies and a draw bolt that pulls a cutting head through panels, creating clean holes for conduit connections.

Non-Metallic Cable Ripper

A thin U-shaped metal hand tool used to safely slit NM cable sheathing without damaging internal conductors.

Electricians Scissors

Compact, heavy-duty metal cutting tool with sharp notched blades and insulated handles used to cut wire, cable, and strip insulation during electrical work.

Linesman Pliers

Heavy-duty hand tools with flat gripping jaws and cutting edges, used for twisting and cutting wire.

Long Nose Pliers

Slim, pointed hand tools with elongated jaws, used for gripping tight spaces, stripping wire, forming loops, and holding wire.

Cable Cutters

Heavy-duty, scissor-like hand tools with sharp, curved blades designed to cleanly cut thick insulated conductors and large-gauge wiring.

NM Cable Cutter

Compact, scissor-like hand cutting tool with sharp blades designed to cleanly sever sheathed wiring assemblies during installation or modification work.

Wire Stripper (with Crimping
Function)

Multi-purpose hand tool with notched jaws, used to remove insulation, cut wire, and attach terminals securely.

Circuit Breaker

Protective electrical device rated in amps, housed in a panel, that automatically trips to interrupt current flow and protect wiring from overloads or short circuits.

Cartridge Fuse

Cylindrical electrical protection device with metal end caps and internal fusible element, designed to melt under overload and interrupt current flow to protect circuits.

Knife Fuse

High-amperage electrical protection device with flat blade contacts, rated 60–600 amps, designed for heavy service panels to interrupt current during overload conditions.

Conduit Straps

Metal fastening hardware used to secure electrical tubing to surfaces, available in single or double foot designs that wrap around EMT, rigid, or PVC raceways.

Core Solder

Spool-wound metal joining wire with internal flux used to bond metals, with rosin types for electrical wiring and acid types for sheet metal work.

Insulated Staple

Plastic-coated fastening device used to secure low-voltage electrical wiring to surfaces, commonly for doorbells or controllers, and not rated for 120-volt circuits.

Non-Metallic Cable Staples

Plastic or insulated fastening devices used to secure non-metallic electrical cable to wood framing, holding wiring safely in place without damaging insulation.

Non-Metallic Clamp Connector

Screw-tightened bracket used to secure non-metallic (NM) electrical cable to a junction or outlet box, providing strain relief and cable protection.

Solderless Connector

Crimp-style electrical joining device used to connect wires without soldering, available insulated or uninsulated, commonly used for durable mobile equipment wiring connections.

Strap Nail Drive

Die-cast zinc fastening strap driven into wood with a hammer, featuring a curved cradle that holds conduit securely in place.

Wire Nut

Twist-on electrical connector used to join AC wires, with color coding to indicate wire capacity and ensure safe, secure connections.

Service Panel

Main electrical distribution unit that receives incoming power and routes it through circuit breakers, providing overcurrent protection and control for building circuits.

Friction Tape

Cloth-based adhesive electrical wrapping used over rubber insulating layers on wire splices, providing abrasion protection and replacing outer braid insulation for electrical safety.

Plastic Tape

A vinyl electrical insulating wrap available in various colors, used to protect wire splices and connections while providing moisture resistance and electrical insulation.

Rubber Tape

Self-fusing insulating wrap used to protect high-voltage electrical connections, typically layered beneath outer coverings for added sealing, insulation, and moisture protection.

Ground Rod

Metal electrode driven into the earth to provide electrical system grounding, connected to service equipment with a conductor and clamp for safety.

Ground Rod Clamp

Metal clamp used to securely attach a conductor to a buried electrode, reinforcing bar, or metal water pipe, ensuring safe electrical grounding.

Armored Cable

Electrical wiring assembly with flexible metal casing surrounding insulated conductors, designed to run continuously from box to box without splices for protection.

Electric Cord

Flexible insulated electrical wiring used for extension assemblies and portable tools, available in plastic or rubber jackets for durability, safety, and reliable power delivery.

Extension Cord

Flexible insulated electrical lead with plug and receptacle ends, used to extend power supply from an outlet to portable tools or devices safely.

Non-Metallic Cable

Plastic-sheathed conductors used for residential indoor branch circuits, containing 2–4 conductors in common sizes 14–6 for safe power distribution.

Plastic Covered Electric Wire

Insulated conductor with protective plastic coating used in circuits, where gauge size indicates thickness; higher numbers represent smaller conductors for electrical distribution.

Single Conductor

Single insulated electrical wire, solid or stranded, with thermoplastic insulation (e.g., TW or THHN), used in conduit wiring from 14 to 0 AWG sizes.

UF Cable

Moisture-resistant electrical assembly with solid plastic insulation and protective jacket, designed for direct burial and outdoor wiring applications.

Electrical Metallic Tubing

Thin-walled, rigid steel conduit with smooth interior, sold in 10-foot lengths and ½–2 inch sizes, joined with fittings to protect indoor electrical wiring.

EMT Connector

Small cylindrical metal fitting with a threaded or set-screw end and locknut, used to join EMT conduit to electrical boxes or panels.

EMT Coupling

Short cylindrical metal fitting with compression or set-screw ends used to securely join two EMT conduit sections, maintaining alignment, continuity, and electrical grounding.

EMT Sweep

Pre-bent, smooth-radius EMT conduit section with no threads, used to change direction of wiring runs while maintaining cable protection and easy wire pulling.

Flexible Conduit

Flexible raceway made of interlocked, heavily zinc-coated steel strip wound in a spiral, used to protect and route wiring where movement or bending is required.

Rigid Conduit

Heavy-duty steel raceway with threaded female ends, available in galvanized or enamel finishes, used to protect wiring in exposed or harsh environments.

Rigid Coupling

Threaded steel fitting used to join two sections of rigid conduit, ensuring a secure, grounded, and continuous protective path for electrical wiring.

Rigid Elbow or Sweep

Threaded male rigid metal conduit fitting with a curved 90-degree or sweep bend, used to change wiring direction while maintaining protection and alignment in conduit runs.

Raintight Hub

Cast aluminum conduit fitting with mounting flange and threaded inlet, used to securely attach conduit to panels while providing a rain-tight, weather-resistant seal.

Service Entrance Elbow

Threaded rigid conduit elbow with female ends and removable cap, used to change direction and provide access for wire pulling or splicing.

Service Entrance Cap

Weatherproof hooded fitting made of cast aluminum or PVC, used to terminate service entrance raceways and protect conductors from moisture intrusion.

PVC Conduit

Rigid gray plastic raceway used indoors, outdoors, or underground, joined with solvent cement to provide waterproof protection and routing for electrical wiring.

PVC Coupling

PVC fitting used to join two sections of conduit, solvent- welded with cement to create a permanent, waterproof, and rigid electrical conduit connection.

PVC Elbow or Sweep

Curved PVC conduit fitting with long radius bend, solvent-welded to pipe sections, used to smoothly change wiring direction while reducing cable stress.

PVC Male Adapter

PVC conduit fitting with solvent-weld end and male threaded end, used to connect PVC conduit to boxes, panels, or other threaded electrical components.

PVC Pull Elbow

PVC 90-degree conduit elbow with removable cover for wire pulling or splicing access, solvent-welded to conduit and identified by LB or LR configurations.

Cord Cap

Male electrical plug attached to the end of extension or power tool cords, used to connect flexible cords to receptacles for power supply.

Cord Connector

Female electrical coupling device designed to receive a male plug, providing a safe connection point for extension assemblies and power tool power supply.

Duplex Receptacle

Wall-mounted electrical outlet with two sockets, installed in flush or surface boxes, providing convenient power access for standard plug-in devices.

GFCI Receptacle

Electrical outlet with test and reset buttons that monitors current flow, automatically shutting off power to prevent shock from ground faults in wet or hazardous locations.

Junction Box

Metal enclosure, typically square or octagonal, used to house and protect electrical wire connections and splices.

Round Box

Round electrical enclosure used for ceiling fixtures or light installations, designed to house and protect wire connections while supporting lighting devices.

Switch Box

Metal or plastic enclosure with knockouts for raceways or nonmetallic wiring assemblies, used to house switches and protect wiring connections safely.

Single-Pole Toggle Switch

Basic on/off control device with two terminals and a single toggle, used to control one circuit from one location by opening or closing the connection.

Three-Way Toggle Switch

Three-terminal control device with one common and two traveler screws, used to operate a circuit from two locations by routing current between connections.