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Circuit: |
The completed path traveled by an electric current. |
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Circuit Breaker: |
The automatic switch that interrupts a circuit when the electric current passing through it is too strong. |
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Distribution Line: |
One or more circuits of an electric system on the same line of poles or supporting structures (or underground facilities) operating at 13,000 volts or less. |
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Fault: |
A failure of an electric power line. |
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Fuse: |
A safety device that melts and breaks the current when too strong of a current is flowing. |
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Grounding: |
Connecting an electrical current to the ground, giving current a place to safely escape; the third wire on most electrical wires is the ground wire. |
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Insulator: |
Any material that will not conduct electricity, such as rubber or glass. |
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Lightning Arrestor: |
A device that can reduce the voltage of a power surge by passing the surge current to a ground. It's capable of interrupting a fault and restoring the current to original operating conditions. |
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Phase: |
The indication of electricity's voltage at any given point within its cycle. If the electricity alternates at the same time, it is operating in a single-phase system, such as that found in homes. |
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Relay: |
An electrically operated device for closing and opening a circuit to protect service from interruption or to prevent or limit damage to equipment. |
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Service Drop: |
The wires or cable running from the utility pole to the customer's home/business. |
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Short: |
An accidental connection joining two sides of a circuit and sharply increasing the flow of electricity beyond the limits of the conductor. |
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Transformer: |
An electromagnetic device for increasing or decreasing electrical voltage. |
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Transmission Lines: |
Wires or cables through which high voltage electric power is moved; a line used to transport electric energy from a source of supply (generating station or receiving point) to other principal parts of the system (major substations or delivery points). |
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Undergrounding: |
The placing of wires, cables and transformers under the ground. |
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Volt: |
A unit of electrical pressure; the force at which electrical charges move through conductors. In the United States, 120 volts is standard. |
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