Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms (continued)
fixed wiring
permanent wiring installed in homes and other buildings
flexible wiring
cables with insulated and stranded wire that bends easily
fuse
overcurrent protection device that has an internal part that melts and
shuts off the current in a circuit if there is an overload
GFCI
ground fault circuit interrupter—a device that detects current
leakage from a circuit to ground and shuts the current off
ground
physical electrical connection to the earth
ground fault
loss of current from a circuit to a ground connection
ground potential
voltage a grounded part should have; 0 volts relative to ground
guarding
covering or barrier that separates you from live electrical parts
insulation
material that does not conduct electricity easily
leakage current
current that does not return through the intended path, but instead