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Electrical Slang

What do a "bug" and a "cherry" have in common?

They are both electrical slang terms!

Curious about what these and other slang terms mean?

Scroll through our collection of slang terminology used in the electrical industry!

Whether you are an electrician, contractor, or just someone trying to understand what your local electrician is jabbering about, use the glossary to learn trade slang and electrical jargon.

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3/18/2024

Holds gem box in sheetrock by offering counter pressure to the box ears.


Holdit Switch Box Support Image


  

3/18/2024

Split bolt connector used to mechanically join two or more wires together.


Stud Grounding Bolt Image


  

3/18/2024

A male dead front plug for 15A 120V.


  

3/18/2024

Connects two pieces of threaded rigid conduit when one piece can't be turned. Comes in aluminum, steel, malleable iron and zinc/die-cast construction in sizes from 1/2" to 5" If the same thing needs to be done for non-threaded pipe, you would use a threadless compression coupling.


Conduit Union Image


  

3/18/2024

When used with AC cable or Greenfield, Anti-Short ® bushings protect the wires from being chafed by the roughs end of the armor at the point of connection. NEC article 333-9 requires their use on AC (armored cable). They are placed between the outer metal armor and the conductors forming a protective shield at the point where the wire is bent during final connection. In the trade, they are referred to simply by their sizes 0 through 8 depending on the size of the cable or Greenfield.


0 Bushing Image


  

3/18/2024

An octagon shaped box that hangs from ceilings from lathers channels and often gets mistaken as a mud rings or other boxes that are buried by concrete.


  

3/18/2024

These splices fall into a category called Insulation Displacement Connectors are used exclusively for plain old telephone wires (POTS), alarm and other low voltage circuits. You insert the wires, compress with a linesman pliers (or special tool) and the metal teeth inside will pierce the insulation and make a permanent connection that is moisture resistant. While the Dolphin is re-distributed by a variety of manufacturers and refers to the round tubular unit, the 3M UR performs a similar job but has a gel to protect the wires.


Dolphin® B Image


  

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