Page 723 - 2018_IRC

ELECTRICAL DEFINITIONS

OUTLET. A point on the wiring system at which current is RECEPTACLE OUTLET. An outlet where one or more
taken to supply utilization equipment. receptacles are installed.
OVERCURRENT. Any current in excess of the rated cur- SERVICE. The conductors and equipment for delivering
rent of equipment or the ampacity of a conductor. Such cur- energy from the serving utility to the wiring system of the
rent might result from overload, short circuit or ground fault. premises served.
OVERLOAD. Operation of equipment in excess of normal, SERVICE CABLE. Service conductors made up in the form
full-load rating, or of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity of a cable.
that, when it persists for a sufficient length of time, would SERVICE CONDUCTORS. The conductors from the ser-
cause damage or dangerous overheating. A fault, such as a vice point to the service disconnecting means.
short circuit or ground fault, is not an overload.
SERVICE CONDUCTORS, OVERHEAD. The overhead
PANELBOARD. A single panel or group of panel units conductors between the service point and the first point of
designed for assembly in the form of a single panel, including connection to the service-entrance conductors at the building
buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped with or other structure.
or without switches for the control of light, heat or power cir-
cuits, designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout box placed SERVICE CONDUCTORS, UNDERGROUND. The
in or against a wall, partition or other support and accessible underground conductors between the service point and the
only from the front. first point of connection to the service-entrance conductors in
a terminal box, meter, or other enclosure, inside or outside of
PLENUM. A compartment or chamber to which one or more the building wall.
air ducts are connected and that forms part of the air distribu-
tion system. SERVICE DROP. The overhead service conductors
between the utility electric supply system and the service
POWER OUTLET. An enclosed assembly that may include point.
receptacles, circuit breakers, fuseholders, fused switches,
buses and watt-hour meter mounting means, intended to sup- SERVICE-ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS, OVERHEAD
ply and control power to mobile homes, recreational vehicles SYSTEM. The service conductors between the terminals of
or boats, or to serve as a means for distributing power the service equipment and a point usually outside of the
required to operate mobile or temporarily installed equip- building, clear of building walls, where joined by tap or
ment. splice to the service drop or overhead service conductors.
PREMISES WIRING (SYSTEM). Interior and exterior SERVICE-ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS, UNDER-
wiring, including power, lighting, control and signal circuit GROUND SYSTEM. The service conductors between the
wiring together with all of their associated hardware, fittings terminals of the service equipment and the point of connec-
and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily tion to the service lateral or underground service conductors.
installed. This includes wiring from the service point or SERVICE EQUIPMENT. The necessary equipment, usu-
power source to the outlets and wiring from and including the ally consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and
power source to the outlets where there is no service point. fuse(s), and their accessories, connected to the load end of the
Such wiring does not include wiring internal to appliances, service conductors to a building or other structure, or an oth-
luminaires, motors, controllers, and similar equipment. erwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main
QUALIFIED PERSON. One who has the skills and knowl- control and cutoff of the supply.
edge related to the construction and operation of the electrical SERVICE LATERAL. The underground service conductors
equipment and installations and has received safety training between the electric utility supply system and the service
to recognize and avoid the hazards involved. point.
RACEWAY. An enclosed channel expressly for holding SERVICE POINT. The point of connection between the
wires, cables, or busbars, with additional functions as permit- facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring.
ted in this code.
STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed, other than
RAINPROOF. Constructed, protected or treated so as to pre- equipment.
vent rain from interfering with the successful operation of the SWITCHES.
apparatus under specified test conditions.
General-use switch. A switch intended for use in general
RAIN TIGHT. Constructed or protected so that exposure to distribution and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes and
a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water under is capable of interrupting its rated current at its rated volt-
specified test conditions.
age.
RECEPTACLE. A contact device installed at the outlet for General-use snap switch. A form of general-use switch
the connection of an attachment plug, or for the direct con- constructed so that it can be installed in device boxes or on
nection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate box covers or otherwise used in conjunction with wiring
with the corresponding contact device. A single receptacle is systems recognized by this code.
a single contact device with no other contact device on the
same yoke. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact Isolating switch. A switch intended for isolating an elec-
devices on the same yoke. tric circuit from the source of power. It has no interrupting

698 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ®
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