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Direct current (DC) – Current that only goes in one direction. Battery supplied power is DC.

Device* – A unit of an electrical system that carries or controls (but does not use) electric energy as its principal function. (Example:  receptacle or switch)

A circuit that has only one receptacle and is used for one load that has a high current rating.

Current flow direction – It is not known for sure what direction currents flows. The conventional theory of current flow is from positive (+) to negative (-).

Current – The flow of electrons through a conductor, the quantity is measured in amps (A) .

Continuity – A circuit has continuity when there is a continuous path for electricity to flow through the circuit (free from open circuit conditions). A multimeter, continuity tester, and certain solenoid testers can measure continuity.

Conductor – Materials that allow the flow of electrons easily, including silver, copper, gold, and aluminum. Electrical wires are mostly made of copper, some are made of aluminum.

A device designed to open and close a circuit by nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when properly applied within its rating. (Example: The circuit breaker will trip during a short circuit, ground fault, and overload condition.)

Circuit – Circuit breaker(s), conductors (wires), and electrical outlets. Conductors in a circuit contain line, neutral, and ground conductor(s). Older systems may not contain ground conductors.

Arc Fault – An abnormal condition where an arc occurs (corroded or loose connection).