National Home Inspector Exam Prep Podcast

14 - Glossary of Electrical Terms: Essential Definitions

Season 1 - Electrical Systems ⚡ Season 1 Episode 14

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Professional home inspectors must communicate using precise electrical terminology. This glossary episode covers essential terms for the National Home Inspector Exam and professional practice.

Key Term Categories

Safety Devices:

  • GFCI (protects people from shock)
  • AFCI (protects structures from fire)
  • Circuit breakers and fuses (overcurrent protection)

Grounding/Bonding:

  • Grounding (surge protection, connection to earth)
  • Bonding (clearing ground faults, low-resistance return path)
  • GEC (grounding electrode conductor)
  • EGC (equipment grounding conductor—really bonding)

Service Components:

  • Service drop/lateral
  • Service entrance conductors
  • Service equipment
  • Service point

Electrical Measurements:

  • Voltage (pressure)
  • Current/Amperage (flow)
  • Resistance (opposition to flow)
  • Power (work performed)

Formulas:

  • Ohm's Law: I = E / R
  • Watt's Law: P = E × I
  • Joule's Law: Heat = I² × R × Time

Study Tips for Glossary

  • Create flashcards for each term
  • Group terms by category (safety, measurements, components)
  • Practice using terms in context (inspection reports)
  • Understand relationships between terms (GFCI vs AFCI, grounding vs bonding)
  • Memorize formulas and their applications
  • Review terms before exam

Common Confusion Points

GFCI vs AFCI:

  • GFCI: Protects people (shock)
  • AFCI: Protects structures (fire)
  • Completely different devices

Grounding vs Bonding:

  • Grounding: Connection to earth, surge protection
  • Bonding: Low-resistance return path, clears faults

EGC vs GEC:

  • EGC: Equipment grounding conductor (really bonding wire in cables)
  • GEC: Grounding electrode conductor (connects system to earth)

Service Equipment vs Panelboard:

  • Service equipment: Disconnects all power
  • Panelboard: Contains branch circuit OPDs (may contain service equipment)

Professional Communication

Use precise terminology in:

  • Inspection reports
  • Client communications
  • Conversations with electricians
  • Exam responses
  • Professional presentations

Avoid:

  • Slang terms
  • Brand names (unless necessary)
  • Vague language ("thingy," "doohickey")
  • Incorrect technical terms

Key Takeaways

  • Precise terminology essential for professional practice
  • Understand differences between similar terms
  • Know formulas and measurements
  • Master safety device terminology
  • Distinguish grounding from bonding
  • Use correct terms in reports and communication

Final Exam Preparation

Review all 14 episodes systematically. Focus on:

  • Required locations/spacing
  • Clearance requirements
  • Proper installation standards
  • Typical defects
  • Safety principles
  • Formulas and calculations

Series Completion

Congratulations on completing the National Home Inspector Electrical Training series! You now have comprehensive knowledge of electrical systems from service entrance to final outlet. Continue practicing, gain field experience, and maintain ongoing education.

For complete training with visual materials, practice exams, and certification support, visit nhiexamprep.com

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