⚡ Electrical

• AFCI ay-ef-see-AI ▶ EN
  interruptor AFCI een-teh-roop-TOHR ah-EF-see-EE ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A breaker that detects dangerous arcing in the wiring and trips to prevent fires.

  The bedroom circuits need AFCI breakers per code. — Los circuitos de las recámaras necesitan interruptores AFCI según el código.

• amperage AM-per-ij ▶ EN
  amperaje ahm-peh-RAH-heh ▶ ES

  The amount of current flowing through a wire, measured in amps.

  That saw pulls a lot of amperage on startup. — Esa sierra jala mucho amperaje al arrancar.

• arc flash ARK FLASH ▶ EN
  arco eléctrico AR-koh eh-LEK-tree-koh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  An explosive release of electrical energy that can burn or kill; live panel work requires rated PPE.

  Wear your arc flash gear before racking that breaker. — Ponte tu equipo contra arco eléctrico antes de mover ese interruptor.

  Also: relámpago de arco (general)

• ballast BA-lust ▶ EN
  balastro bah-LAHS-troh ▶ ES

  The unit inside a fluorescent or HID fixture that controls current to the lamps.

  That flickering usually means the ballast is going bad. — Ese parpadeo casi siempre es que el balastro ya va de salida.

  Also: balasto (general)

• bender BEN-der ▶ EN
  dobladora doh-blah-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  The tool used to bend conduit into offsets, 90s, and saddles.

  Grab the half-inch bender and put a 90 on this stick. — Agarra la dobladora de media y hazle un noventa a este tramo.

• breaker BRAY-ker ▶ EN
  interruptor een-teh-roop-TOHR ▶ ES

  The switch in the panel that trips and cuts power when a circuit pulls too much current.

  The breaker tripped again; something is overloading that circuit. — Se volvió a botar el interruptor; algo está sobrecargando ese circuito.

  Also: pastilla (MX) · disyuntor (general)

• bulb BULB ▶ EN
  foco FOH-koh ▶ ES

  The replaceable lamp that screws or snaps into a fixture.

  Put daylight bulbs in the work lights. — Ponle focos de luz de día a las lámparas de trabajo.

  Also: bombilla (general) · bombillo (PR)

• busbar BUS-bar ▶ EN
  barra de distribución BAH-rrah deh dees-tree-boo-SYOHN ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The metal bar inside a panel that the breakers snap onto and draw power from.

  Never touch the busbar; it stays hot even with the branch breakers off. — Nunca toques la barra de distribución; sigue viva aunque apagues las pastillas.

• bushing BUH-shing ▶ EN
  boquilla boh-KEE-yah ▶ ES

  A smooth ring on the end of a conduit or connector that keeps the edge from cutting the wires.

  Put a plastic bushing on before you pull the feeders. — Ponle una boquilla de plástico antes de jalar los alimentadores.

• cable KAY-bul ▶ EN
  cable KAH-bleh ▶ ES

  Two or more insulated wires bundled together inside one outer jacket.

  That cable feeds the whole second floor. — Ese cable alimenta todo el segundo piso.

• ceiling fan SEE-ling FAN ▶ EN
  ventilador de techo ven-tee-lah-DOHR deh TEH-choh ▶ ES

  A fan hung from the ceiling; it needs a box rated to carry its weight.

  Use a fan-rated box for that ceiling fan. — Usa una caja para ventilador para ese ventilador de techo.

  Also: abanico de techo (PR)

• circuit SER-kit ▶ EN
  circuito seer-KWEE-toh ▶ ES

  One complete wiring path from a breaker out to its outlets or lights and back.

  The kitchen counters need two 20-amp circuits. — Las barras de la cocina necesitan dos circuitos de 20 amperes.

• conduit KON-doo-it ▶ EN
  tubo conduit TOO-boh kon-DOO-eet ▶ ES

  Metal or plastic tubing that protects electrical wires run through walls, slabs, and ceilings.

  Run the conduit along the ceiling before they hang the drywall. — Corre el tubo conduit por el techo antes de que pongan la tablaroca.

  Also: tubería eléctrica (general)

• conduit body KON-doo-it BAH-dee ▶ EN
  condulete kon-doo-LEH-teh ▶ ES

  A fitting with a removable cover, like an LB, that gives access for pulling wire around a tight turn.

  Put a conduit body where the pipe turns into the building. — Pon un condulete donde el tubo da vuelta hacia el edificio.

• connector koh-NEK-tor ▶ EN
  conector koh-nek-TOHR ▶ ES

  The fitting that secures conduit or cable where it enters a box or panel.

  Every cable needs a connector where it enters the panel. — Cada cable necesita un conector donde entra al panel.

• continuity kon-tih-NOO-ih-tee ▶ EN
  continuidad kon-tee-nwee-DAHD ▶ ES

  An unbroken electrical path; you test for it to find breaks in a wire.

  Check continuity on that run before you terminate it. — Checa la continuidad de esa corrida antes de conectarla.

• coupling KUP-ling ▶ EN
  cople KOH-pleh ▶ ES

  The fitting that joins two lengths of conduit end to end.

  You're short a coupling for that last stick of EMT. — Te falta un cople para ese último tramo de EMT.

• cover plate KUH-ver PLAYT ▶ EN
  tapa TAH-pah ▶ ES

  The finish plate screwed over an outlet or switch to cover the box.

  Install the cover plates after the painters finish. — Coloca las tapas después de que terminen los pintores.

  Also: placa (general)

• de-energize dee-EH-ner-jaiz ▶ EN
  desenergizar des-eh-nehr-hee-SAHR ▶ ES Safety-critical

  To shut off and verify zero voltage on equipment before working on it.

  De-energize the feeder and test it before you cut. — Desenergiza el alimentador y pruébalo antes de cortar.

• dedicated circuit DEH-dih-kay-ted SER-kit ▶ EN
  circuito dedicado seer-KWEE-toh deh-dee-KAH-doh ▶ ES

  A circuit that serves only one appliance, like a microwave or dryer.

  The code requires a dedicated circuit for the dishwasher. — El código pide un circuito dedicado para la lavatrastes.

• diagonal cutters dai-AH-goh-nal KUH-ters ▶ EN
  pinzas de corte PEEN-sahs deh KOR-teh ▶ ES

  Angled cutting pliers for snipping wire flush; crews call them dikes.

  Hand me the dikes to trim these pigtails. — Pásame las pinzas de corte para recortar estas colitas.

• dimmer DIH-mer ▶ EN
  atenuador ah-teh-nwah-DOHR ▶ ES

  A switch that lets you raise or lower the brightness of the lights.

  The dining room lights go on a dimmer. — Las luces del comedor van con atenuador.

  Also: dimmer (MX)

• disconnect dis-koh-NEKT ▶ EN
  desconectador des-koh-nek-tah-DOHR ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A switch box near equipment that cuts all power to it for safe service.

  Pull the disconnect before you open the condenser. — Baja el desconectador antes de abrir la condensadora.

  Also: interruptor de seguridad (general)

• doorbell DOR-bel ▶ EN
  timbre TEEM-breh ▶ ES

  The low-voltage button and chime system at the entry door.

  The doorbell transformer mounts next to the panel. — El transformador del timbre se monta junto al panel.

• electrical tape ee-LEK-trih-kul TAYP ▶ EN
  cinta de aislar SEEN-tah deh ah-ees-LAHR ▶ ES

  Stretchy vinyl tape used to insulate and wrap electrical connections.

  Wrap the splice with electrical tape before closing the box. — Forra el empalme con cinta de aislar antes de cerrar la caja.

  Also: cinta aislante (general)

• EMT ee-em-TEE ▶ EN
  tubo EMT TOO-boh eh-em-eh-TEH ▶ ES

  Thin-wall steel conduit that bends with a hand bender; the most common conduit in commercial work.

  We need ten sticks of half-inch EMT for this hallway. — Necesitamos diez tramos de EMT de media pulgada para este pasillo.

  Also: conduit de pared delgada (general)

• extension cord ek-STEN-shun KORD ▶ EN
  extensión eks-ten-SYOHN ▶ ES

  A portable cord for temporary power to tools; damaged cords must come off the job.

  Run a heavy extension cord out to the saw station. — Lleva una extensión gruesa hasta la estación de la sierra.

• fish tape FISH TAYP ▶ EN
  guía GHEE-ah ▶ ES

  A flat flexible steel or fiberglass line pushed through conduit to pull wires back.

  Feed the fish tape from the panel and I'll grab it at the box. — Mete la guía desde el panel y yo la agarro en la caja.

• flexible conduit FLEK-sih-bul KON-doo-it ▶ EN
  tubo flexible TOO-boh flek-SEE-bleh ▶ ES

  Spiral metal or plastic conduit that bends by hand, used for short connections to equipment.

  Use flexible conduit for the last three feet to the motor. — Usa tubo flexible en los últimos tres pies hasta el motor.

  Also: coflex (MX)

• fuse FYOOZ ▶ EN
  fusible foo-SEE-bleh ▶ ES

  A one-time protective device with a metal strip that melts and opens the circuit on overload.

  The disconnect for the AC takes 30-amp fuses. — El desconectador del aire lleva fusibles de 30 amperes.

• gauge GAYJ ▶ EN
  calibre kah-LEE-breh ▶ ES

  The thickness of a wire; a smaller number means a thicker wire that carries more current.

  That circuit needs 12 gauge wire, not 14. — Ese circuito necesita alambre calibre 12, no 14.

• GFCI jee-ef-see-AI ▶ EN
  interruptor GFCI een-teh-roop-TOHR hee-EF-see-EE ▶ ES Safety-critical

  An outlet or breaker that trips instantly on a ground fault to protect people from shock; required near water.

  Every outlet in the bathroom has to be GFCI protected. — Todos los contactos del baño tienen que estar protegidos con GFCI.

• ground GROWND ▶ EN
  tierra física TYEH-rrah FEE-see-kah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The safety connection that gives stray current a path into the earth instead of through a person.

  Never cut the ground off a cord; it can save your life. — Nunca le cortes la tierra física a una extensión; te puede salvar la vida.

  Also: puesta a tierra (general)

• ground wire GROWND WAI-er ▶ EN
  cable de tierra KAH-bleh deh TYEH-rrah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The bare or green wire that ties devices and boxes to the grounding system.

  Pigtail the ground wire to the box and the receptacle. — Haz una colita con el cable de tierra a la caja y al contacto.

• grounding rod GROWN-ding ROD ▶ EN
  varilla de tierra vah-REE-yah deh TYEH-rrah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The copper rod driven into the earth that anchors the building's grounding system.

  Drive the grounding rod eight feet down next to the meter. — Clava la varilla de tierra ocho pies junto al medidor.

• high voltage HAI VOHL-tij ▶ EN
  alto voltaje AHL-toh vohl-TAH-heh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Dangerously high electrical pressure; stay clear and treat marked areas as deadly.

  That transformer cabinet is high voltage; only the utility opens it. — Ese gabinete del transformador es de alto voltaje; solo la compañía de luz lo abre.

  Also: alta tensión (general)

• home run HOHM RUN ▶ EN
  línea directa al panel LEE-neh-ah dee-REK-tah al pah-NEL ▶ ES

  The first run of wire or conduit that goes all the way from a circuit back to the panel.

  Label the home run so we know which breaker it lands on. — Etiqueta la línea directa al panel para saber a qué interruptor llega.

  Also: el home run (MX)

• hot wire HOT WAI-er ▶ EN
  cable vivo KAH-bleh VEE-voh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The wire that carries live voltage from the panel, usually black or red; it can shock you.

  Test before you touch; that hot wire is still energized. — Prueba antes de tocar; ese cable vivo todavía tiene corriente.

  Also: fase (general) · el positivo (MX)

• junction box JUNK-shun BOKS ▶ EN
  caja de conexiones KAH-hah deh koh-nek-SYOH-nes ▶ ES

  A covered box where wires are spliced together; splices must never be buried in the wall.

  Every splice goes inside a junction box with a cover. — Cada empalme va dentro de una caja de conexiones con su tapa.

  Also: caja de registro (general)

• kill the power KIL thuh POW-er ▶ EN
  corta la corriente KOR-tah lah koh-RRYEN-teh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Shut off all electricity to the circuit or equipment right now.

  Kill the power before anybody touches that box. — Corta la corriente antes de que alguien toque esa caja.

  Also: mata la luz (MX)

• knockout NOK-out ▶ EN
  knockout noh-KAHT ▶ ES

  The pre-punched round disc on a box or panel you pop out to bring a conduit or cable in.

  Pop a knockout on the side of the box for the flex. — Bota un knockout en el costado de la caja para el flexible.

  Also: perforación desprendible (general)

• LED el-ee-DEE ▶ EN
  LED LED ▶ ES

  Low-energy lighting technology that runs cool and lasts far longer than old bulbs.

  The whole building is getting LED fixtures. — Todo el edificio va a llevar luminarias LED.

• light fixture LAIT FIKS-cher ▶ EN
  luminaria loo-mee-NAH-ryah ▶ ES

  The complete light unit that mounts to the ceiling or wall.

  The light fixtures for the lobby arrive Thursday. — Las luminarias del lobby llegan el jueves.

  Also: lámpara (MX)

• lineman's pliers LAIN-manz PLAI-ers ▶ EN
  pinzas de electricista PEEN-sahs deh eh-lek-tree-SEES-tah ▶ ES

  Heavy square-nose pliers electricians use to twist, pull, and cut wire.

  Twist those grounds together with your lineman's pliers. — Trenza esas tierras con tus pinzas de electricista.

• live LAIV ▶ EN
  vivo VEE-voh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Carrying voltage right now; treat every wire as live until you test it.

  Careful, that panel is still live. — Aguas, ese panel todavía está vivo.

  Also: energizado (general)

• load LOHD ▶ EN
  carga KAR-gah ▶ ES

  Everything drawing power on a circuit or service.

  Figure the load before you size the feeder. — Calcula la carga antes de elegir el alimentador.

• lockout tagout LOK-out TAG-out ▶ EN
  bloqueo y etiquetado bloh-KEH-oh ee eh-tee-keh-TAH-doh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The OSHA procedure of locking and tagging a power source so no one can turn it on while people work.

  Nobody works on that machine without lockout tagout. — Nadie trabaja en esa máquina sin bloqueo y etiquetado.

  Also: candadeo (general)

• low voltage LOH VOHL-tij ▶ EN
  bajo voltaje BAH-hoh vohl-TAH-heh ▶ ES

  Wiring under 50 volts, like doorbell, thermostat, data, and alarm cables.

  The low voltage crew comes after the electricians rough in. — La cuadrilla de bajo voltaje entra después de la obra negra de los electricistas.

• lug LUG ▶ EN
  zapata sah-PAH-tah ▶ ES

  The heavy metal clamp terminal where big conductors bolt onto a panel or piece of equipment.

  Torque the lugs on the main before energizing. — Dale torque a las zapatas del principal antes de energizar.

• main breaker MAYN BRAY-ker ▶ EN
  interruptor principal een-teh-roop-TOHR preen-see-PAHL ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The big breaker at the top of the panel that shuts off power to the whole building.

  Shut off the main breaker before you pull the panel cover. — Apaga el interruptor principal antes de quitar la tapa del centro de carga.

  Also: pastilla principal (MX)

• MC cable em-SEE KAY-bul ▶ EN
  cable MC KAH-bleh EH-meh SEH ▶ ES

  Cable with a flexible metal armor around the wires, common in commercial framing.

  Rough in the offices with MC cable, not EMT. — Haz la obra negra de las oficinas con cable MC, no con EMT.

  Also: cable armado (general)

• meter MEE-ter ▶ EN
  medidor meh-dee-DOHR ▶ ES

  The utility device that measures how much electricity the building uses.

  The inspector has to sign off before the utility sets the meter. — El inspector tiene que aprobar antes de que pongan el medidor.

• meter base MEE-ter BAYS ▶ EN
  base del medidor BAH-seh del meh-dee-DOHR ▶ ES

  The socket enclosure on the wall where the utility's electric meter plugs in.

  Mount the meter base at eye level next to the panel. — Monta la base del medidor a la altura de los ojos junto al panel.

• mud ring MUD RING ▶ EN
  anillo de yeso ah-NEE-yoh deh YEH-soh ▶ ES

  The raised ring on a box that brings the device opening flush with the finished wall.

  Use a half-inch mud ring for five-eighths drywall. — Usa un anillo de yeso de media para tablaroca de cinco octavos.

• multimeter MUL-tee-mee-ter ▶ EN
  multímetro mool-TEE-meh-troh ▶ ES

  The meter that reads voltage, current, resistance, and continuity.

  Put the multimeter on the terminals and tell me what you read. — Pon el multímetro en las terminales y dime qué lectura te da.

• neutral NOO-trul ▶ EN
  neutro neh-OO-troh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The white grounded conductor that carries current back to the panel to complete the circuit.

  Don't share a neutral between those two circuits. — No compartas el neutro entre esos dos circuitos.

• old work box OHLD WERK BOKS ▶ EN
  caja para remodelación KAH-hah PAH-rah reh-moh-deh-lah-SYOHN ▶ ES

  A box with wings that clamps into existing drywall where there is no stud to nail to.

  Cut the hole and pop an old work box in for the new outlet. — Corta el hueco y mete una caja para remodelación para el contacto nuevo.

• outlet OUT-let ▶ EN
  contacto kohn-TAK-toh ▶ ES

  The wall point where you plug in tools and appliances.

  Set the outlets at 16 inches to center off the floor. — Pon los contactos a 16 pulgadas al centro desde el piso.

  Also: tomacorriente (general) · enchufe (PR)

• outlet box OUT-let BOKS ▶ EN
  chalupa chah-LOO-pah ▶ ES

  The single-gang box set in the wall that holds an outlet or switch.

  Nail an outlet box to that stud at switch height. — Clava una chalupa en ese barrote a la altura del apagador.

  Also: caja para contacto (general)

• overload OH-ver-lohd ▶ EN
  sobrecarga soh-breh-KAR-gah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Too much load on a circuit, which heats the wires and trips the breaker.

  Two heaters on one cord is an overload waiting to happen. — Dos calentadores en una sola extensión es una sobrecarga segura.

• panel PA-nel ▶ EN
  centro de carga SEN-troh deh KAR-gah ▶ ES

  The metal box that holds the breakers and distributes power to every circuit.

  Label every breaker in the panel before we close up. — Etiqueta cada interruptor del centro de carga antes de cerrar.

  Also: tablero eléctrico (general) · caja de breakers (PR)

• phase FAYZ ▶ EN
  fase FAH-seh ▶ ES

  One energized leg of the electrical supply; panels can have one, two, or three of them.

  Balance the loads across all three phases. — Balancea las cargas entre las tres fases.

• pigtail PIG-tayl ▶ EN
  colita koh-LEE-tah ▶ ES

  A short piece of wire spliced in to connect a device to the wires in the box.

  Make a pigtail so the receptacle isn't carrying the whole circuit. — Haz una colita para que el contacto no cargue todo el circuito.

  Also: puente (general)

• pull box PUL BOKS ▶ EN
  caja de registro KAH-hah deh reh-HEES-troh ▶ ES

  A larger box placed in long conduit runs to make wire pulling easier.

  Set a pull box every hundred feet on that run. — Pon una caja de registro cada cien pies en esa corrida.

• pull wire PUL WAI-er ▶ EN
  jalar cable hah-LAHR KAH-bleh ▶ ES

  To feed and drag conductors through conduit from one box to another.

  We pull wire on the third floor after lunch. — Jalamos cable en el tercer piso después del lonche.

• PVC conduit pee-vee-SEE KON-doo-it ▶ EN
  tubo conduit de PVC TOO-boh kon-DOO-eet deh peh-veh-SEH ▶ ES

  Gray plastic conduit glued together, used underground and in wet areas.

  Bury the PVC conduit eighteen inches deep in the trench. — Entierra el tubo de PVC a dieciocho pulgadas de profundidad en la zanja.

• receptacle reh-SEP-tah-kul ▶ EN
  toma de corriente TOH-mah deh koh-RRYEN-teh ▶ ES

  The actual device with slots that receives a plug; the formal word for an outlet.

  Swap that damaged receptacle for a tamper-resistant one. — Cambia esa toma de corriente dañada por una a prueba de niños.

  Also: contacto (MX)

• recessed light ree-SEST LAIT ▶ EN
  lámpara empotrada LAHM-pah-rah em-poh-TRAH-dah ▶ ES

  A light set up inside the ceiling so only the trim shows; crews call them cans.

  Lay out the recessed lights on four-foot centers. — Traza las lámparas empotradas a cada cuatro pies.

• rigid conduit RIH-jid KON-doo-it ▶ EN
  tubo conduit rígido TOO-boh kon-DOO-eet REE-hee-doh ▶ ES

  Heavy threaded steel conduit used where wiring needs maximum protection, like service risers.

  The riser to the weatherhead has to be rigid conduit. — La subida a la mufa tiene que ser de tubo rígido.

  Also: tubería rígida (general)

• romex ROH-meks ▶ EN
  cable romex KAH-bleh ROH-meks ▶ ES

  Plastic-jacketed cable with hot, neutral, and ground wires; the standard wiring for houses.

  Staple the romex every four and a half feet along the stud. — Engrapa el romex cada cuatro pies y medio a lo largo del barrote.

  Also: cable NM (general)

• rough-in RUF-in ▶ EN
  obra negra OH-brah NEH-grah ▶ ES

  The first stage of wiring: boxes, conduit, and cable installed before drywall goes up.

  The electrical rough-in has to pass inspection before insulation. — La obra negra eléctrica tiene que pasar inspección antes del aislamiento.

  Also: el rough (MX)

• service drop SER-vis DROP ▶ EN
  bajada de acometida bah-HAH-dah deh ah-koh-meh-TEE-dah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The overhead wires that run from the utility pole down to the building.

  Keep the scaffold away from the service drop. — Mantén el andamio lejos de la bajada de acometida.

• service entrance SER-vis EN-trans ▶ EN
  acometida ah-koh-meh-TEE-dah ▶ ES

  The point and equipment where utility power enters the building.

  We're upgrading the service entrance to 200 amps. — Vamos a subir la acometida a 200 amperes.

• shock SHOK ▶ EN
  descarga eléctrica des-KAR-gah eh-LEK-tree-kah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Electric current passing through the body; even 120 volts can kill.

  He got a shock off that ungrounded tool; tag it out. — Le dio una descarga eléctrica esa herramienta sin tierra; etiquétala y sácala.

  Also: toques (MX)

• short circuit SHORT SER-kit ▶ EN
  corto circuito KOR-toh seer-KWEE-toh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A fault where hot touches neutral or ground, dumping huge current and tripping the breaker.

  The breaker trips instantly; there's a short circuit somewhere. — El interruptor se bota al instante; hay un corto circuito en algún lado.

• single-phase SIN-gul FAYZ ▶ EN
  monofásico moh-noh-FAH-see-koh ▶ ES

  Power with one alternating phase, the standard supply for houses.

  This house has standard single-phase 120/240 service. — Esta casa tiene servicio monofásico estándar de 120/240.

• smoke detector SMOHK dee-TEK-tor ▶ EN
  detector de humo deh-tek-TOHR deh OO-moh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The alarm that sounds when it senses smoke; hardwired units are interconnected so all sound together.

  Code requires a smoke detector in every bedroom. — El código exige un detector de humo en cada recámara.

• socket SAH-ket ▶ EN
  soquet soh-KET ▶ ES

  The threaded holder a bulb screws into.

  The socket is burnt; replace it before hanging the fixture. — El soquet está quemado; cámbialo antes de colgar la lámpara.

  Also: portalámparas (general)

• splice SPLAIS ▶ EN
  empalmar em-pahl-MAHR ▶ ES

  To join two or more wires together inside a box.

  Splice the new run to the old circuit in the junction box. — Empalma la corrida nueva al circuito viejo en la caja de conexiones.

• staple STAY-pul ▶ EN
  grapa GRAH-pah ▶ ES

  The fastener hammered over romex to hold it against studs and joists.

  Don't drive the staple so hard that it pinches the cable. — No claves la grapa tan fuerte que machuque el cable.

• strap STRAP ▶ EN
  abrazadera ah-brah-sah-DEH-rah ▶ ES

  The clamp that fastens conduit to the wall or structure at set intervals.

  Code says a strap within three feet of every box. — El código pide una abrazadera a menos de tres pies de cada caja.

  Also: omega (general)

• strip STRIP ▶ EN
  pelar peh-LAHR ▶ ES

  To remove the insulation from the end of a wire so it can be connected.

  Strip about three quarters of an inch off each wire. — Pela como tres cuartos de pulgada de cada alambre.

• stub-up STUB-up ▶ EN
  tubo saliente TOO-boh sah-LYEN-teh ▶ ES

  A short piece of conduit left sticking up out of the slab or wall for a future connection.

  Mark every stub-up before the concrete pour. — Marca cada tubo saliente antes del colado.

  Also: el stub (MX)

• subpanel SUB-pa-nel ▶ EN
  subcentro de carga soob-SEN-troh deh KAR-gah ▶ ES

  A smaller secondary panel fed from the main panel, often for a garage or addition.

  The shop gets a 60-amp subpanel off the main panel. — El taller lleva un subpanel de 60 amperes desde el panel principal.

• switch SWICH ▶ EN
  apagador ah-pah-gah-DOHR ▶ ES

  The device on the wall that turns lights or equipment on and off.

  Put the switch on the latch side of the door. — Pon el apagador del lado de la chapa de la puerta.

  Also: interruptor de luz (general) · switch (PR)

• temporary power TEM-poh-reh-ree POW-er ▶ EN
  luz provisional LOOS proh-vee-syoh-NAHL ▶ ES

  The GFCI-protected power setup that feeds the jobsite while the building is under construction.

  The temporary power pole goes in before framing starts. — El poste de luz provisional se pone antes de empezar la estructura.

• terminal TER-mih-nal ▶ EN
  terminal tehr-mee-NAHL ▶ ES

  The screw or point on a device where a wire is landed.

  Tighten every terminal to the torque on the label. — Aprieta cada terminal al torque que marca la etiqueta.

• THHN tee-aych-aych-EN ▶ EN
  cable THHN KAH-bleh teh-AH-cheh-AH-cheh-EH-neh ▶ ES

  Individual insulated building wire rated for heat, pulled inside conduit.

  Load the cart with number 12 THHN in four colors. — Sube al carrito THHN calibre 12 en cuatro colores.

• three-phase THREE FAYZ ▶ EN
  trifásico tree-FAH-see-koh ▶ ES

  Power with three alternating phases, used for big motors and commercial buildings.

  The rooftop units need three-phase power. — Los equipos de azotea necesitan corriente trifásica.

• three-way switch THREE-way SWICH ▶ EN
  apagador de escalera ah-pah-gah-DOHR deh es-kah-LEH-rah ▶ ES

  A pair of switches that control the same light from two locations, like both ends of a hallway.

  Wire a three-way switch at the top and bottom of the stairs. — Cablea un apagador de escalera arriba y abajo de la escalera.

• transformer trans-FOR-mer ▶ EN
  transformador trans-for-mah-DOHR ▶ ES

  Equipment that raises or lowers voltage, like the can on the pole or the box feeding the site.

  The utility sets the transformer next week. — La compañía de luz instala el transformador la próxima semana.

• trim-out TRIM-out ▶ EN
  acabados ah-kah-BAH-dohs ▶ ES

  The finish stage: installing devices, plates, and fixtures after paint.

  We start trim-out on the first floor Monday. — Empezamos los acabados del primer piso el lunes.

  Also: el trim (MX)

• voltage VOHL-tij ▶ EN
  voltaje vohl-TAH-heh ▶ ES

  The electrical pressure that pushes current through a wire, measured in volts.

  Check the voltage at the outlet; it should read about 120. — Checa el voltaje en el contacto; debe marcar como 120.

• voltage drop VOHL-tij DROP ▶ EN
  caída de voltaje kah-EE-dah deh vohl-TAH-heh ▶ ES

  Voltage lost over a long run of wire; long runs need thicker wire to compensate.

  Upsize to number 10 for that run or you'll have voltage drop. — Súbele a calibre 10 en esa corrida o vas a tener caída de voltaje.

• voltage tester VOHL-tij TES-ter ▶ EN
  probador de voltaje proh-bah-DOHR deh vohl-TAH-heh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  A pen or two-lead tester that tells you whether a wire is live before you touch it.

  Always check with the voltage tester, even if the breaker is off. — Siempre checa con el probador de voltaje, aunque el interruptor esté apagado.

• wattage WAH-tij ▶ EN
  potencia poh-TEN-syah ▶ ES

  The power a device uses, measured in watts; volts times amps.

  Add up the wattage of the fixtures before sizing the dimmer. — Suma la potencia de las lámparas antes de elegir el atenuador.

• weatherhead WEH-ther-hed ▶ EN
  mufa MOO-fah ▶ ES

  The curved fitting at the top of the service riser that keeps rain out of the conduit.

  Leave three feet of wire hanging out of the weatherhead for the utility. — Deja tres pies de cable colgando de la mufa para la compañía de luz.

• wire WAI-er ▶ EN
  alambre ah-LAHM-breh ▶ ES

  A single electrical conductor, bare or insulated, that carries current.

  Pull three wires through that conduit: black, white, and green. — Jala tres alambres por ese tubo: negro, blanco y verde.

• wire nut WAI-er NUT ▶ EN
  capuchón kah-poo-CHOHN ▶ ES

  The twist-on plastic cap that joins two or more wires together.

  Twist the wires tight before you put the wire nut on. — Trenza bien los alambres antes de ponerles el capuchón.

  Also: conector de rosca (general)

• wire strippers WAI-er STRIH-pers ▶ EN
  pinzas peladoras PEEN-sahs peh-lah-DOH-rahs ▶ ES

  Pliers with sized notches that cut the insulation off a wire without nicking the copper.

  Use the wire strippers, not your teeth or a knife. — Usa las pinzas peladoras, no los dientes ni la navaja.

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