Electrical Engineering Terminology

noun a flow of electric charge that regularly reverses direction

adjective describing the type of current that changes direction periodically

• Alternating current is commonly used in household electrical systems.
• AC power is what you get from your wall outlet.
• Juice from the plug is all about that AC flow.
• Just like alternating current, life has its ups and downs.

noun a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections for powering electrical devices

• The battery in my phone needs to be replaced.
• My phone's battery is dying, I need to charge it.
• I forgot to charge my battery last night, now it's dead.
• Her energy levels were like a drained battery after a long day at work.

noun a person or thing that breaks something, such as a wave breaker or circuit breaker

• The circuit breaker automatically trips to prevent electrical overloads.
• I need to reset the breaker in the basement because the power went out.
• Let's hit the breaker and get this party started!
• She was a real trend-breaker in the fashion industry.

noun a regular journey around a particular place

• The electrical circuit was designed to efficiently distribute power throughout the building.
• I think we need to check the circuit breaker because the lights keep flickering.
• I heard the band is going on a circuit tour around the country.
• She felt like she was stuck in a never-ending circuit of work, eat, sleep, repeat.

noun a length of something wound or arranged in a spiral or sequence

verb to wind or arrange something in a spiral or sequence

• The copper wire was wound into a tight coil for the electrical circuit.
• I found a coil of rope in the garage that we can use for the camping trip.
• He's got a cool tattoo of a snake coil on his arm.
• The tension in the room seemed to coil and twist like a snake ready to strike.

noun the process of commuting, especially the reduction of a penalty or punishment

• The judge granted the defendant's request for commutation of their sentence.
• The judge cut the defendant's sentence short.
• The judge let the defendant off the hook early.
• The commutation of the sentence was like a weight lifted off the defendant's shoulders.

noun a means of transmitting or distributing

• The conduit is essential for transmitting electricity from the power plant to homes and businesses.
• Make sure you don't block the conduit with any furniture or boxes.
• I heard he's the conduit for all the gossip in the office.
• Music has always been a conduit for expressing emotions that are hard to put into words.

noun a flow or stream of water, air, or electricity

adjective belonging to the present time; happening or existing now

• The current situation calls for immediate action.
• I'm not sure what the current plan is.
• What's the 411 on the current gossip?
• The current of change is sweeping through the organization.

noun a substance or medium that does not conduct electricity, but can sustain an electric field

adjective relating to or characteristic of a dielectric substance

• The dielectric material is used to insulate the conductive parts of the circuit.
• Make sure you don't touch the dielectric part of the device, it's important for safety.
• I accidentally broke the dielectric thing in the machine, hope it still works.
• His emotions acted as a dielectric barrier, preventing him from fully connecting with others.

noun a device or machine that is powered by electricity

adjective relating to or operated by electricity

• The electric car market is growing rapidly as more people seek eco-friendly transportation options.
• I love how my new electric guitar sounds, it's so much easier to play than my old one.
• That party was electric, everyone was dancing and having a great time.
• The tension in the room was electric as the two rivals faced off in the final match.

noun None

verb None

adjective relating to electricity or the use of electricity

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The electrical engineer was responsible for designing the circuitry of the new device.
• I need to call an electrician to fix the electrical issue in my house.
• I accidentally zapped myself on the electrical outlet.
• The tension in the room was so high, it felt like an electrical current running through the air.

verb to charge with electricity; to excite or thrill greatly

• The new technology has the potential to electrify the automotive industry.
• The concert last night really electrified the crowd.
• The DJ's set at the party was so lit, it really electrified the room.
• Her passionate speech electrified the audience and inspired them to take action.

noun a branch of physics and technology concerned with the design of circuits using transistors and microchips, and with the behavior and movement of electrons in a semiconductor, conductor, vacuum, or gas

• The company specializes in manufacturing high-quality electronics for various industries.
• I love browsing through the latest electronics at the store.
• I'm always on the lookout for cool new elec-tron-ics to play with.
• His mind is like a complex network of interconnected electronics, processing information at lightning speed.

verb to cause to cease to burn; to put out

• The firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the house fire before it spread to neighboring buildings.
• I grabbed the fire extinguisher and managed to extinguish the small kitchen fire before it got out of control.
• He tried to extinguish the rumors about him dating a celebrity, but they just kept spreading.
• Her kindness was like a flame that could never be extinguished, no matter what challenges she faced.

adjective describing something that is resistant to flames or fire

• The laboratory required all equipment to be flameproof to prevent any potential fires.
• Make sure to use a flameproof case for your phone so it doesn't get damaged.
• I heard that jacket is flameproof, so you don't have to worry about getting burned.
• His arguments were like a flameproof shield, deflecting any criticism or doubt.

noun a tube-shaped device that contains gunpowder and is lit to explode a bomb or firework

verb to join or blend together by melting or by force

• The electrician had to replace the blown fuse in the circuit breaker.
• I think we blew a fuse when we plugged in too many appliances at once.
• I need to find a way to fuse my love for music and my passion for photography.
• The artist was able to fuse traditional techniques with modern styles in his latest masterpiece.

noun a person or thing that generates or produces something

• The power plant uses a large generator to produce electricity.
• I borrowed my neighbor's generator for the camping trip.
• I need to hook up the gennie to get some power in here.
• His creativity is like a generator, always coming up with new ideas.

verb to explode or detonate

adverb in a manner that causes something to explode or detonate

• The alarm will go off at precisely 6:00 AM.
• I set my phone to go off in the morning so I don't oversleep.
• I heard that party last night really went off!
• The fireworks display will go off at 9:00 PM sharp.

noun a measure of the opposition to the flow of an alternating current in a circuit

adjective impedant

• The impedance of the circuit must be calculated to ensure proper functioning.
• If you don't understand impedance, just think of it as resistance to the flow of current.
• I have no idea what impedance is, but I know it's important in electronics.
• In relationships, communication barriers can act as impedance, hindering emotional connection.

noun a sudden, powerful inward flow

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The inrush of current caused a power surge in the electrical system.
• There was a sudden inrush of customers when the store announced a sale.
• The party was so boring until there was a huge inrush of people.
• The inrush of emotions overwhelmed her as she listened to the heartfelt speech.

verb to set up or place in position for use

• The technician will install the new software on your computer.
• I'm going to install the latest update on my phone.
• Let's install this cool app and see how it works.
• She decided to install a sense of calmness in her daily routine.

noun a unit of frequency equal to one thousand cycles per second, used in telecommunications

• The radio station broadcasts at a frequency of one kilocycle.
• My old radio can only pick up a few kilocycles.
• I can't find any good music on these kilocycles.
• His mind seemed to be stuck on the same kilocycle, unable to think outside the box.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun.

adverb A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence.

conjunction A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.

article A word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite.

• The letter 'L' is the twelfth letter of the alphabet.
• I always mix up 'L' and 'I' when I'm typing quickly.
• I aced that test, got an 'L' on it!
• Taking an 'L' in that game really humbled me and made me practice harder.

noun a player in football who specializes in line play

• The lineman was responsible for repairing the power lines during the storm.
• The lineman had to work overtime to fix the electrical wires after the storm.
• The lineman is a real pro at fixing up those power lines.
• The lineman is like a superhero, always coming to the rescue when there's an outage.

verb to be side by side with something or someone, moving in the same direction

• The growth of the economy is paralleling the increase in consumer spending.
• Her progress in the project is paralleling her dedication to it.
• The two friends' fashion sense is paralleling each other lately.
• His journey to success is paralleling a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs.

noun a twisted piece of rope or wire

• The young girl wore her hair in two neat pigtails for the school photo.
• She always looks cute with her hair in pigtails.
• I love how she rocks those pigtail braids!
• The cables were twisted together like a pigtail, causing a short circuit.

noun a piece of solid material fitting tightly into a hole and blocking it up

verb to fill or close up a hole or opening

• Please remember to plug in the power cord before using the device.
• Don't forget to plug in your phone before it dies.
• I need to find a way to plug this leak before it gets worse.
• She knew how to plug into the energy of the crowd and give a great performance.

noun a device used to control the operation of a machine or system from a distance

verb to pass on or transmit (information, a message, etc.) to someone else

• The relay race requires each team member to pass the baton to the next runner.
• Make sure you don't drop the relay baton during the race!
• I'll be the anchor leg in the relay, so don't worry, we got this.
• The teacher acted as a relay between the students and the principal, conveying their concerns.

noun a railway track switch

verb to move or turn aside or onto another course

• The doctor recommended a shunt to help with the patient's hydrocephalus.
• I heard they had to put in a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain.
• The mechanic said he needed to shunt the wires to fix the problem.
• The company decided to shunt the project to focus on more profitable ventures.

noun a quality or feeling that causes excitement or interest; a spark of enthusiasm

verb emit sparks of fire or electricity

• The collision of the two metals created sparks.
• The fireworks show was amazing with all the sparks flying.
• The chemistry between them really sparked something special.
• His speech sparked a revolution in the way people thought about politics.

noun a soft, sucking sound made when pressure or weight is applied to something wet or muddy

verb to crush or squash something with a splashing sound

• The scientist explained how the squelch of the mud could affect the experiment results.
• I hate the squelch of wet socks when walking in the rain.
• The squelch of the music at the party was so loud, I couldn't hear anything.
• The squelch of the gossip spreading through the office was deafening.

noun a cylindrical wire mesh or metal enclosure used to house small animals such as squirrels or hamsters

• The squirrel cage induction motor is widely used in industrial applications.
• I saw a squirrel running on a squirrel cage wheel at the park.
• I can't believe he's still stuck in that squirrel cage job.
• Her mind felt like a squirrel cage, constantly spinning with thoughts and worries.

noun a shift or change in position, direction, or focus

verb to shift or change in position or direction

• Please remember to switch off the lights before leaving the room.
• Hey, can you switch seats with me so I can sit next to my friend?
• I'm going to switch up my outfit for the party tonight.
• Sometimes it's necessary to switch gears and try a different approach.

noun A person or thing that transforms something

• The electrical engineer installed a new transformer to regulate the voltage in the power grid.
• Hey, did you see the new transformer they put in on the corner of 5th and Main?
• I heard that new movie is going to be a real transformer, with all the special effects and action sequences.
• The therapist helped me become a transformer of my own emotions, learning to channel them in a positive way.

adjective not based on fact or evidence; lacking a solid foundation or support

• The scientist presented evidence to support his claim and debunk the ungrounded theories.
• Don't listen to those ungrounded rumors, they're just gossip.
• I can't believe you fell for that ungrounded nonsense!
• Her mind was ungrounded, floating in a sea of uncertainty.

noun a slender rod or filament of drawn metal

verb to fasten, bind, or connect with wire

• The electrician carefully connected the wires to ensure a secure connection.
• I need to fix the wire that's hanging loose in the backyard.
• Let's ditch this place and hit the wire before anyone notices.
• His emotions were like a tangled wire, difficult to unravel and make sense of.

noun a device that breaks or interrupts the flow of something

• The circuit breaker automatically cuts off the flow of electricity in case of a power surge.
• I had to reset the circuit breaker in the basement because the lights weren't working.
• If you blow a fuse, just flip the circuit breaker back on.
• Taking a break from work can act as a circuit breaker for stress and burnout.

noun a chemical element with the symbol Fe

verb to carry or transport something from one place to another

• The ferrous metal was carefully analyzed in the laboratory.
• I heard that fer is the best material for building structures.
• Let's go grab some fer for the project.
• Her determination was as strong as fer, unwavering and solid.

noun a thin, flexible thread of metal

preposition to put or send a message through a communication system

• The electrician carefully wired into the circuit to ensure proper connection.
• I saw him trying to wire into the speaker system at the party.
• He's always trying to wire into the WiFi without asking for the password.
• She managed to wire into the conversation seamlessly, despite joining late.

noun a slang term for an electrician or someone who works with electrical systems

• The sparkie arrived to fix the electrical wiring in the building.
• Hey, have you seen the sparkie around? I need him to check the lights in my room.
• I heard that sparkie is really good at what he does.
• Her presence was like a sparkie in the room, lighting up everyone's mood.

noun a measure of this ability, expressed as the amount of electric charge that can be stored per unit voltage

• The capacitance of the circuit can be calculated using the formula C = Q/V.
• I'm not sure how to measure capacitance in this circuit.
• Dude, the capacitance of this thing is off the charts!
• Her capacitance for learning new skills is truly impressive.

noun a person who announces or signals something

• The annunciator panel displayed the status of all the alarms in the building.
• I always check the annunciator to see if anyone is at the door before opening it.
• Hey, can you keep an eye on the annunciator for me while I grab a snack?
• Her facial expressions were like an annunciator, giving away her true emotions.

noun a unit of electrical quantity, equal to one billion coulombs.

adjective relating to or denoting a unit of electrical quantity, equal to one billion coulombs.

• The electric potential difference is measured in abfarads.
• I have no idea what an abfarad is, do you?
• Abfarad sounds like a made-up unit of measurement.
• Her energy level was off the charts, like she had a million abfarads in her.

noun a unit of electrical resistance equal to one billionth of an ohm

• The abohm is a unit of electrical resistance in the electromagnetic cgs system.
• I have no idea what an abohm is, can you explain it to me?
• Don't worry about the abohm, it's just a fancy term for resistance.
• Her stubbornness was like an abohm, impossible to overcome.

noun a unit of electrical potential equal to one hundred millionth of a volt

• The voltage of the circuit was measured in abvolts.
• I have no idea what an abvolt is, do you?
• That gadget only needs a few abvolts to work properly.
• Her energy level was off the charts, like a thousand abvolts.

noun a type of electric current that flows in one direction only

adjective related to or characteristic of alternating current and direct current

• The electrical engineer explained the difference between AC and DC currents.
• I prefer listening to AC/DC when I'm working out at the gym.
• AC/DC is the best band to rock out to!
• His mood was like an AC/DC song - constantly switching between high energy and low energy.

noun permission to enter a place or access something

• Only those with a valid ticket will be granted admittance to the concert.
• You can't get in without admittance, so make sure you have your ticket.
• No ticket, no admittance - it's as simple as that.
• In order to truly understand the complex topic, one must gain admittance to the inner circle of experts.