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!
10/15/2026
These plates are used to conceal mistakes made during the installation or sheet rocking of the wall boxes. If a cutout was made too large or the taping not done properly, there just won't be enough wall behind a normal plate to hide the gap between the wall and the box. A large plate is used for these cases and they come in large and extra-large depending upon how wide the gap is. The part number shown is just to guide you to the correct section of the catalog because these come in multiple gangs, colors and device configurations.
10/15/2026
A multi-bladed anchor set into a hole dug in the earth. It expands to form a cone shaped square in either 6” or 8” sizes. When covered by the earth, it supports the Anchor Rod through the compression of the earth above it. Reinforcing ribs provide strength to the blades which are capable of handling extremely heavy loads.
10/15/2026
You use this anchor when you want to attach a machine screw to concrete, block or brick. Sizes from 6/30 to 3/4".
10/15/2026
Service Entrance cable which picks up where the utility service drop leaves off. Typically, it connects at the top of the service mast with utility rated bug nuts and runs down to the meter base. From the meter, it is usually used to enter the building and connect to the distribution panel. Sometimes you may see it used on branch circuits as permitted by the National Electrical Code.
"They can rope an entire house in one day."
10/15/2026
This is an attachment for an existing bender set that allows the user to make offset bends from 0" to 3" in 1/2" and 3/4" conduit in one motion. It reams both the inside and the outside of the conduit at the same time which is necessary to comply with NEC 348-11. The term 'No-Dog' comes from the term 'Dog Leg' which is a kink in the conduit. So a No-Dog bend is a bend where the conduit doesn't get bent.
