Featured Terms
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.
Baffled by a term you just overheard?
Type it in the search box at the top and flip the switch!
8/18/2026
Sleeve type heavy-duty anchor that comes with a variety of head types. The installation base does not have to be solid like is necessary for the Wedge Type Anchor. Can be used in concrete, brick, block or stone.
8/18/2026
This is a spring metal device used to secure conduit, armored cable, portable cord, communication cables, etc to a flange, wire or rod. The term Bat Wings comes from its brand name in 1959. Although the KX part number is shown, it also refers to the K series. The KX series is used to secure wire where the K series is used for conduit.
8/18/2026
A bit that lets you cut multiple pre-set hole sizes in a single bit. Their self-starting tips means that you don’t need to center punch the hole prior to drilling. They are made from high grade steel and are ideal for cutting through thin metals like steel, copper, brass and aluminum. Because there is only one cutting edge, step-bits produce consistently round holes that are de-burred as they are drilled.
8/18/2026
Electro Mechanical Tubing (EMT) is used to protect wires within an electrical system. It is the most commonly used raceway because it can be concealed or surface mounted, it is low cost, light weight and doesn't require threading tools like rigid. The bending process, however, requires more skill than with rigid because EMT is prone to kink. It is also called "thin-wall" because the wall is much thinner than rigid conduit of the same nominal size. Available from Wheatland, Allied, LTV and others.
8/18/2026
There are two type of bonding jumpers: CONDUIT to CONDUIT or CONDUIT to CABINET/ENCLOSURE. The BJ series shown below is for bonding two rigid or EMT conduits together while the BJE is for bonding conduit to enclosure. The device consists of a "U" bolt, malleable clamp and a tinned copper braid. You see these used most often with expansion fittings which requires that telescoping portions of raceway or expansion couplings maintain their electrical continuity as if it was a continuous run of conduit. In service equipment, they are used to continue the ground from the bonding bushing to the enclosure wall. It comes in sizes from 11" to 15 3/8" long and works on 1/2" through 6" pipe.
