| Word | Description |
| 3-Way Switch | Electrical 3-Way Switches allow you to control one electrical source, such as a light, from 2 switch locations. Two 3-way switches would need to be wired together in order to work in unison. |
| 4-Way Switch | They are used in combination with a pair of 3 way switches to control lights from three or more locations. |
| Ballast | An electrical device used in fluorescent and HID fixtures. It furnishes the necessary starting and operating characteristics to the lamp for proper performance. |
| BTU | BTU or British Thermal Unit, is a unit of measure for heat value. The higher the BTUs a device is capable of outputting the more powerful it is. |
| Carbon Monoxide Alarm | Detect a deadly odorless gas, available as standalone or in combination with smoke alarms. |
| CFM | CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is the standard of measure for devices such as ventilation fans. The higher number of CFM a fan has the more air it is able to move in a given period of time. |
| Derating | All dimmers rely on heat conduction and convection to keep the electronic components cool. Derating is the reduction of the maximum capacity (load) a unit can reliably handle when fins/side sections are removed. |
| Digital timer switch | Where physical obstructions deter the use of occupancy sensors, the digital timer provides an effective means of controlling light sources and conserving energy. Most timers have various preprogrammed time allowances ranging from 10 minutes to three hours. As a safety measure, most timers offer a flashing function that quickly turns the connected lights on and off several minutes before shutting them off completely. |
| Dimmer | An electronic or manual switch that increases or reduces the amount of voltage that reaches the lamp. |
| Electronic Low-Voltage | Electronic low-voltage lighting uses an electronic (solid-state technology) transformer to convert normal line voltage (120 VAC) to low voltage (typically 12 VAC). This lower voltage is then used to power an incandescent low-voltage lamp. Only use a dimmer-amplifier specifically designed for an electronic low-voltage transformer. |
| GFCI | (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) A type of device, e.g. circuit breaker or receptacle, which detects an abnormal current flow to ground and opens the circuit preventing a hazardous situation. |
| Ionization Smoke Alarm | The most common smoke alarms installed in home. They are highly reliable and simple to install. |
| Magnetic Low-Voltage | Magnetic low-voltage lighting uses a magnetic (core and coil) transformer to convert normal line voltage (120 VAC) to low voltage (typically 12 VAC). This lower voltage is then used to power an incandescent low-voltage lamp. Only use a dimmer specifically designed for a magnetic low-voltage transformer. |
| Multi-Location Dimmer | Allows full-range dimming from unlimited locations. |
| Occupancy sensor switch | Occupancy sensors provide on/off control of light sources where energy management is critical. They generally incorporate two types of technology to trigger lighting fixtures: infrared and ultrasonic. Infrared sensors create a field of energy in a pattern of beams to cover a specified area. The drawback is that they require an unobstructed line of site over the area being controlled to be most efficient. On the other hand, ultrasonic sensors fill a room or area with inaudible sound, “seeing” over partitions and obstructions. The drawback to this device is that it can be too sensitive to disturbances that may occur outside its field. Current occupancy sensing devices incorporate both technologies, balancing their strengths and weaknesses in a reliable product. |
| Photoelectric Smoke Alarm | Use light inside the alarm to sound the alarm. They are less sensitive than ionization models and you will have fewer false alarms. They are great to use in kitchens where false alarms are common. |
| RMA | Return Merchandise Authorization |
| Single Gang | One control mounted in a single wall box. |
| Single-Pole Dimmer | A Dimmer in which the electrical wires only affect one (1) light and do not continue on to other Dimmers. |
| Single-Pole Switch | A switch in which the electrical wires only affect one (1) light and do not continue on to other switches or receptacles. |
| Sone | A sone is an internationally recognized measurement of sound output. Sones translate decibel readings into numbers that correspond to the way people sense volume, and follow a "linear" scale, like inches. Sone readings offer quick sound comparisons for laymen and engineers. |
| Static Pressure | Static pressure is a measure of the resistance against airflow as the fan pushes air through a duct. It is measured in inches of water column or water gauge, such as 0.25" w.g. to show that resistance is equal to a column of water gauge. It is expressed as 0.1" w.g. or 0.25" w.g. to show that the resistance is equal to a column of water one-tenth or one-quarter of an inch tall. |
| Transformer | A transformer is used to change an incoming voltage to a reduced outgoing voltage. For example a low voltage transformer will change a standard 120V to 12V for use on low-voltage devices. |
| Watt | A measure of power or the rate of energy consumption by an electrical device when it is in operation. Watts are calculated by multiplying the voltage at which an appliance operates by the current it draws (Watts = Volts X Amperes). |