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!
4/26/2018
There are two types of hand operated benders: hickeys and hand benders (or one-shot benders). While both are usually iron, hand benders are also offered in aluminum. The real difference between them is the size of the head. Hickeys are 60% smaller then benders allowing the user to make very tight bends close together. As a rule of thumb, you would use a hand bender the majority of the time and save the hickey for when you have to make a number of very tight bends that a hand bender simply couldn’t do. Hand benders, however, have the advantage in that they have degree scales and bending indicators etched on the side to aid in the bending process. The One-Shot bender got its' name because you can make a 90 degree bend with a single motion.
4/26/2018
Metal box, usually 2" - 3-1/2" deep with various mounting from ears, nail-on, to masonry
4/26/2018
Used to support nonmetallic sheathed cable (RX) or MC/AC cable on wood or metal studs. Available in 4 styles for Wood, Metal Stud or Furring Strip/Hat Channel. Used to get compliance with NEC for Metal Stud Use.
Use a CJ to support that MC cable.
4/26/2018
A rope used by mechanical pulling machines to draw pipe through conduit. It comes in a variety of lengths, widths and tensile strengths depending upon the pull being performed.
4/26/2018
Metal box, usually 2" - 3-1/2" deep with various mounting from ears, nail-on, to masonry
4/26/2018
Split bolt connector (looks like someone taped over a bug) used to mechanically join two or more wires together.
Hey Jim-Bob I need three #6 bugs right quick.
