Electricians are people who specialize in electrical wirings, machines and appliances. Electricians install electrical wirings but they could also help in the installation of electrical appliances as well. To better understand what your electrician is talking about, here are some basic and advanced electrical terms you need to know:

1. Circuit – An assembly of different electrical elements. It is a path made for power or electricity to run.
2. Consumer unit – Similar to a panel (see Panel) but it contains fuses instead of breakers. It is also called a fuse box.
3. Fuse – A fuse is made to interrupt current and electricity flow to a circuit and it does so by melting apart.
4. Ground – Ground is a reference point in a circuit, and it got its name as most grounds are connected directly the earth.
5. Ground rod – A ground rod is used for grounding and it needs to be driven onto the ground at least 8 ft. deep.
6. Hot – It is a term used for electric materials that have electrical force.
7. Amps – Amperes are the unit of measurement of currents, and it is often called amp.
8. Volts – Usually measured 120V and 240V, volts are measurement of the force of voltage entering the circuit.
9. Receptacle – A receptacle is a type of AC outlet.
10. Open circuit – It is considered an open circuit if there is an incomplete path of opposite terminals of the power source.
11. Short circuit – A short-circuit is one that permits current flow in a path that is intended to permit no electrical impedance. It is a connection that has low resistance between the nodes.
12. Neutral – A neutral wire is the center tap at the transformer. This is used to split a 240V into a 120V for electric appliances, devices and fixtures that has lower voltage limits.
13. Fixture – A fixture is a source of light that is most distinguished from a device or an appliance. A fixture is, from the name itself, is a non-portable source of electrical light.
14. Appliance – Anything that does not produce light as its main product. Instead of just passing it on, an appliance is movable object that uses electricity to be able to operate. Some examples of these appliances are fax machines and washing machines.
15. Device – A device is something that does not use electricity, bus rather it passes or interrupts the electric flow to some end appliance. An example of device is a laptop charger.
16. Static electricity – The buildup of electricity on the surface of the object is called static electricity. It could be discharged or one could wait for it to be discharged.
17. Panel – A panel is a box containing circuit breakers. It is the main source of electricity and the main connection from the outside electricity to one’s home.
18. Sub-panels – A sub-panel is a smaller panel, used to extend electricity source from a building to another far-away place.
19. Rheostat – Also called a dimmer, a rheostat is something that reduces or increases the amount of voltage for light sources.
20. Candela – Brightness is measured in candelas. One candela approximately gives off the amount of light that a candle does.
21. Phantom load – The consumption of electrical appliances which are plugged but not in use.
22. Wattage – The rate of electricity consumption is called wattage.
23. Splice – A connection (splice) between two fibers or wires.
24. Jack – Refers to the more portable part of a connection.
25. Socket – Refers to the more fixed part of a connection.