Electrical Components

What is the English name for “disjuntor”?

Circuit breaker

What is the English name for “fusível”?

Fuse

What is the English name for “contator”?

Contactor

What is the English name for “relé”?

Relay

What is the English name for “transformador”?

Transformer

What is the English name for “barramento”?

Busbar

What is the English name for “quadro/painel elétrico”?

Switchboard

What is the English name for “conjunto de manobra e proteção”?

Switchgear

What is the English name for “quadro de distribuição”?

Panelboard

What is the English name for “chave seccionadora”?

Disconnect switch

What is the English name for “seccionador”?

Isolator

What is the English name for “transformador de corrente (TC)”?

Current Transformer (CT)

What is the English name for “transformador de tensão (TP)”?

Voltage Transformer (VT)

What is the English name for “dispositivo de proteção contra surtos (DPS)”?

Surge Protective Device (SPD)

What is the English name for “bloco de terminais/borneira”?

Terminal block

What is the English name for “prensa-cabo”?

Cable gland

What is the English name for “terminal de cabo”?

Cable lug / terminal lug

What is the English name for “leito/eletrocalha”?

Cable tray

What is the English name for “eletroduto”?

Conduit

What is the English name for “canalização/caminho para cabos”?

Raceway

What is the English name for “caixa de junção”?

Junction box

What is the English name for “caixa de passagem/puxamento”?

Pull box

What is the English name for “fixador de cabos”?

Cable cleat

What is the English name for “condutor de aterramento”?

Grounding conductor

What is the English name for “jumper de equipotencialização”?

Bonding jumper

What is the English name for “alimentador”?

Feeder

What is the English name for “circuito derivado”?

Branch circuit

What is the English name for “chave/interruptor”?

Switch

What is the English name for “dispositivo de partida de motor”?

Motor starter

What is the English name for “centro de controle de motores”?

Motor Control Center (MCC)

What is the English name for “disjuntor miniatura”?

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

What is the English name for “disjuntor em caixa moldada”?

Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

What is the English name for “disjuntor aberto”?

Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)

What is the English name for “disjuntor a vácuo”?

Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB)

What is the English name for “chave de abertura sob carga”?

Load-break switch

What is the English name for “escada para cabos”?

Cable ladder

What is the main difference between an MCB and an MCCB?

An MCB is generally used for lower-current applications and is more compact; an MCCB is designed for higher currents and larger installations.

What is the main difference between an MCCB and an ACB?

An MCCB is a molded-case breaker commonly used for feeders and larger loads; an ACB is a larger air circuit breaker commonly used as a main LV breaker in switchboards.

What is the main difference between an ACB and a VCB?

An ACB interrupts current using air and is commonly used in low-voltage systems; a VCB uses a vacuum interrupter and is commonly used in medium-voltage switchgear.

What is the main difference between a circuit breaker and a fuse?

A circuit breaker can generally be reset after operation; a fuse melts when excessive current flows and must be replaced.

What is the main difference between an isolator and a load-break switch?

An isolator is primarily for safe isolation and normally should not interrupt load current; a load-break switch is designed to open and close an energized circuit under specified load conditions.

What is the main difference between a switch and a circuit breaker?

A switch controls a circuit but is not necessarily designed to interrupt fault current; a circuit breaker is designed to interrupt abnormal or fault currents within its rated capacity.

What is the main difference between a switchboard and a panelboard?

A panelboard is generally a smaller distribution assembly with branch-circuit protection; a switchboard is generally larger and used for higher-capacity distribution and feeders.

What is the main difference between switchgear and an MCC?

Switchgear is primarily associated with switching, protection, and isolation of power circuits; an MCC groups motor control equipment such as starters, breakers, and motor protection.

What is the main difference between a CT and a VT?

A CT steps down current for measurement and protection; a VT steps down voltage for measurement and protection.

What is the main difference between a conduit and a raceway?

Conduit is a specific type of enclosed raceway, usually tubular; raceway is a broader term for a channel or enclosure used to route and protect conductors.

What is the main difference between a cable tray and a cable ladder?

A cable tray has a continuous base or bottom, while a cable ladder uses rungs with open space between them.

What is the main difference between a junction box and a pull box?

A junction box is commonly used to house conductor connections or splices; a pull box primarily provides access to facilitate pulling conductors through a raceway system.

What is the main difference between a cable gland and a cable cleat?

A cable gland secures and seals a cable where it enters equipment; a cable cleat mechanically supports and restrains cables.