Junior Electrical Final Exam Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering atomic theory, basic electricity, residential wiring, circuits, and safety standards for the Junior Electrical Final Exam.

Proton

A particle with a positive charge.

Neutron

A particle with a neutral charge.

Electron

A particle with a negative charge.

Current

The movement or flow of electrons.

Voltage

Also known as potential difference or electrical pressure.

Resistance

Opposition to current flow.

Standard Residential Power

The standard power coming into a house, which is $240\,V$.

Small Appliances

Devices in a home that typically use $120\,V$, such as common small appliances.

Large Appliances

Devices like many water heaters, dryers, and ranges that use $240\,V$.

Single-pole breaker

A breaker that provides $120\,V$.

2-pole breaker

A breaker that provides $240\,V$.

Wire Gauge Rule

The lower the wire gauge number, the thicker the wire (e.g., #10 is thicker than #14).

Series Circuit (Current)

In this type of circuit, current is the same everywhere.

Series Circuit (Resistance & Voltage)

In this type of circuit, both resistance and voltage add up.

Parallel Circuit (Voltage)

In this type of circuit, voltage is the same everywhere.

Parallel Circuit (Resistance)

Resistance is calculated using reciprocals: $\frac{1}{\frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3}}$.

Parallel Circuit (Current)

In this type of circuit, current adds up.

Receptacle Conductor Count

In box fill calculations, a receptacle counts as $2$ conductors.

Cable Clamp Conductor Count

Any amount of cable clamps count as $1$ conductor.

Ground Wire Conductor Count

All ground wires up to $4$ count as $1$ conductor; after that, each additional ground counts as $0.25$ conductors.

Junction Box

A meeting place for wires used for splicing, extending wires, or connecting different parts of circuits together.

Pull Box

An access hatch designed to make it easier to pull wires through conduit.

Main Service Disconnect

The primary device used to shut off all power to a building.

Sub-panel Wiring

A panelboard installed after a main disconnect where grounds and neutrals must be separated, the neutral bar is isolated, and the ground bar is bonded.

Grounded Conductor

The neutral conductor, which is grounded at the transformer.

Grounding

The connection of electrical systems to the earth for safety using electrodes like ground rods or cold water pipes.

Bonding

The connection of metal parts together to create a safe fault-current path.

Readily Accessible

A location reached quickly without ladders, tools (except a key), or obstacles.

Conductor

A material through which electricity flows.