Glossary
Glossary of electrical supply and contracting terms
Plain-language definitions of the terms electrical distributors and contractors use every day — from line card and multiplier to submittal, panel schedule and NFPA 70B.
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Apprentice hoursDocumented on-the-job and classroom hours an electrical apprentice completes to progress through an apprenticeship and toward a license.Arc flashA sudden release of energy from an electric arc that can cause serious burns and injuries; assessed and managed through electrical safety practices such as NFPA 70E.
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Certified payrollWeekly payroll records a contractor submits on many public projects to show workers were paid the required prevailing wages.Change orderA written change to a construction contract’s scope, price or schedule, agreed after the contract is signed.Cut sheetA manufacturer’s product data sheet showing a product’s specifications, dimensions and options — a core part of a submittal.
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Line cardA list of the manufacturers and product lines a distributor carries, usually organized by product category.Line side and load sideThe line side is where electrical power comes in from the source; the load side is where power goes out to the equipment or circuits being fed.List priceA manufacturer’s published price for a product, before any discount or multiplier is applied.Long-lead equipmentEquipment that takes long enough to manufacture and deliver that it can delay a project if it isn’t ordered early — such as switchgear, transformers and generators.
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NFPA 70BThe Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, covering how electrical equipment is maintained for safety and reliability.NFPA 70EThe Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, covering how people work safely around electrical hazards.Net priceThe price actually paid after discounts or a multiplier are applied to list price.
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Single-line diagramA simplified drawing of an electrical system that shows how power flows from the source through the main equipment, using single lines to represent circuits.Special pricing agreementAn arrangement where a manufacturer lets a distributor sell specific products below normal pricing for a particular customer, project or quantity — often with the difference claimed back from the manufacturer.SubmittalDocumentation — product data, shop drawings and supporting documents — submitted for approval to show that the products a contractor plans to install meet the project specifications.