Appendix C – Glossary

bonding
making a mechanically secure electrical connection between two or more objects to ensure they are at the same potential
capacitor
device that improves power quality
cascade lighting
method of switching street lights in the first circuit, which, upon being energized, activates a relay that, in turn, energizes the second; the second then energizes the third, and so on
communication lines
lines that transmit communication data; may be fibreoptic, coaxial or telephone lines
company standards
local or utility-based structural designs
conductor
that part of a cable, overhead line or apparatus intended to conduct the flow of electrical energy
counterpoise
method of bonding transmission towers, either to ground or to each other
cribbing
method of increasing pole stability in poor soil conditions
delta system
three-wire system with one possible voltage
de-energized
where any potential electrical energy has been discharged through a mechanically secure connection to an effective ground potential
distribution system
operating system which delivers energy from substation to customers and generally operates between 2400 volts and 34,500 volts
energized
capable of delivering energy by reason of being dynamically alive or charged
fault indicators
device which indicates a defect or abnormal condition in a conductor
fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tool
insulated live-line tools; also known as hot stick
footing
concrete or grillage support for a structure; the base
grillage
buried portion of a steel tower acting as a footing
grounding
placing interconnected parts at ground/earth potential
guys
devices used to offset conductor tension and equipment load
guy wires
high tensile steel wire attached to an anchor point which is installed to offset conductor tension and equipment load
hydro-vacuum excavation
excavating with high-pressure water and a vacuum system
isolated
separated from all sources of dynamic energy
laminate poles
poles made of laminated wood
lock-out and tag-out
procedure to prevent unauthorised operation of equipment
maintenance programs
preventative or pro-active programs to ensure reliability of system
meggering
to apply potential to test electrical equipment for continuity and insulation
metering equipment
equipment used to track consumption of electricity
network systems
connecting points of generation or supply sources
nomenclature
powerlines and electrical apparatus designated by alphabetic and numeric codes
peening
deformation of threads to prevent nuts from loosening due to vibration
potential
latent energy (potential presence of voltage)
powder-actuated tools
tools that requires an explosive charge to operate
primary
voltage above 750 volts
reactor
equipment that limits over-current and over-voltage conditions
recloser
equipment that is used to detect and interrupt momentary transient faults, allowing downstream devices to operate; they clear temporary faults and isolate permanent faults
secondary
voltage 750 volts and below
sectionalize
to isolate or separate sections of line
splicing
the joining of two conductors together end to end
structure
a device used to support conductors or cables and related equipment
switching
an operation that affects or modifies the status of an electrical system
transformer
equipment used to step down or step up voltage and current to desired level
transmission line
power line with an operating voltage over 34,500 volts
transmission system
system that transmits electricity from the generating station to substations that deliver power to customers
voltage regulator
equipment used to maintain a desired voltage
wye system
four-wire system with two possible voltages