| |
| |
COMMON LINGO |
|
|
| |
Dimmers | Outlets | Breakers |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Switches |
|
|
| |
A single-pole switch is one switch that controls one light or a group of light fixtures. It has two screw terminals on the side plus one green screw for the ground wire.
A three-way switch has two switches that control the same fixture or fixtures. It has two like colored screws, one darker-colored screw, and one green screw for the ground wire. A four-way switch is used with three-way switches when more than two switches control the same fixture. It has two sets of like colored screws (for a sum of four), plus one green screw for the ground wire, making five screws total. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Dimmers |
|
|
| |
A single-pole dimmer replaces any single-pole switch to dim the light fixture controlled by that switch.
A three-way dimmer replaces only one of the three-way switches in a set to control the light fixture. In most cases, unless using high-end dimmers, neither will replace a four-way switch. Also, dimmers come in three different types which are as follows:
Incandesant is used for light fixtures, i.e. most surface mounted light fixtures, table lamps, and most recessed can lights.
Low voltage, including magnetic, which uses a magnet to lower the 120v house current to 12v for low voltage can lights and some track light fixtures, and electronic, which uses electronics to lower the 120v house current to 12v for some low voltage specialty lights--generally lighting systems where the transformer is mounted remotely from the light fixture. |
|
|
| |
| Outlets |
| A GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is most easily recognized by the two buttons in the middle of the outlet. It is used where ever water is near by, kitchen, bathroom, outside outlets, and in unfinished basements, due to its sensitive nature to power surges. |
| |
| A duplex outlet, your standard outlet, is called a duplex because it has two places to plug into. |
| |
| A switched outlet is a duplex outlet that is controlled by a switch or dimmer. In most cases only one-half of the outlet is switched. |
| |
| A single outlet, this outlet has only one spot to plug something into it. It is commonly used where a dedicated piece of equipment will be used near water. A clothes washer is the most common use in a residential home. |
| |
| Non-grounded outlets are duplex outlets without the third hole below the two vertical slots. This outlet doesn't have a ground wire running to it. If you have any equipment that requires a ground, it is best to get the outlet grounded than to use one of the adaptors. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Breakers |
|
|
| |
| A single-pole breaker is one single breaker. |
| |
| A double pole is two single breakers with a handle tying the two together. |
| |
| A GFCI breaker is a breaker that protects the entire circuit instead of just one, or a group of outlets, as the GFCI outlet does. The breaker will have a yellow or white button on it. |
| |
| An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt, or AFCI breaker, is a breaker that is now used to protect the bedroom outlets. It is designed to detect any arcing going on in the wiring and shut of the power to prevent a fire. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
