Making Electrical Terminology Simple and Clear
At Keece, we understand that electrical jargon can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created the Electrical Maintenance Glossary—to make it easier for our customers to understand the terms used in quotes, invoices, and conversations with our team.
In other words, our goal is to remove complexity from our communications and make everything as straightforward as possible. By using simple explanations and plain language, we help ensure you’re never left guessing.
After all, understanding an electrician’s invoice can be tricky—especially if you’re not familiar with the common abbreviations and terms. The electrical industry is packed with TLAs (three-letter acronyms), technical language, and trade-specific shorthand.
So, to make things easier, we’ve put together this handy glossary. Below, you’ll find many of the electrical maintenance terms and abbreviations commonly used by our maintenance team:
| Abbreviation | Abbreviate Full Name | Category | Plain English |
| Gang | The number of switches grouped together | Socket | Double GPO = Powerpoint with 2 switches included |
| GPO | General Power Outlet | Socket | PowerPoint |
| SO | Socket Outlet | Socket | The new industry standard term for PowerPoint |
| CB | Circuit Breaker | Protection | The fuse/safety switch used to protect the circuit from overheating |
| RCBO | Residual Current circuit breaker with over-current protection | Protection | Safety switch for short circuit protection |
| RCD | Residual Current Device | Protection | Safety switch |
| Relay | Relay Switch | Protection | A low-powered switch that controls a switch under a much higher power load |
| A / Amps | Amperage | Measure | The velocity of power drawn |
| lm | Lumens | Measure | The value assigned to how bright a lamp is (how bright – output) |
| lx | Lux | Measure | The value assigned to how bright an area is |
| W | Wattage / Watts | Measure | The measure used to derive power usage/consumption |
| Ballast |
Electrical Ballast | Lighting | The device or unit used to limit the power (amps) supplied to a circuit or light (ie. A fluoro starter) |
| Batten | Batten Fix | Lighting | Common light fitting type for affixing to ceiling or wall |
| LED | Light Emitting Diode | Lighting | Newer form of energy-efficient diode converting energy into light |
| PE Cell | Photoelectric cell | Lighting | Lighting sensor used to turn on/off and dim lights etc |
| Relamp | Re-Lamp fitting | Lighting | Globe change (lamp) within the existing fitting |
| Tbar | T-Bar Fitting | Lighting | Lights manufacture to fit T-Bar frame suspended ceilings |
| Ww | Wall Washer | Lighting | Lighting units are used for large, areas and surfaces. |
| Cat Wire | Catenary Wire | General | Steel wire for suspending cables lamps and equipment |
| Jbox | Junction Box | General | Box used to enclose cable when connected |
| RJ45 | Registered Jack | General | Data cable connection from the device to the data supply |
| IP65 | Ingress Protection code (international standard) | General | IP = Ingress Protection, the first number in code = solids protection (ie 6 indicates dust tight) the second number = liquid protection (ie 5 = protection from water jets) |
| Saddle | Saddle | General | The brackets that hold the cable to walls, truss, etc. |
| TPS | Thermo Plastic Sheath | General | Standard Power Cable |
| WP | Weather Proof | General | The fitting or enclosure supplied is sealed and weather protected |
| DB | Distribution Board | Boards | Downstream switchboard to isolate particular areas or zones |
| MSB | Main Switch Board | Boards | Main switchboard for site |
If there are any terms you would like to add to our electrical maintenance glossary, please let us know!