Electricity Jargon Buster

Electricity Jargon and Industry Terminology Explained

At Crown Energy, we’re passionate about making utility connections simple. But within the energy industry, sometimes there’s no escaping the jargon! We’ve put together a handy “Electricity Jargon Buster” to help you sail through the minefield of complicated terms and energy acronyms, so you’re never left in the dark.

Amp (A)

A unit of electrical current. It measures how much electricity is flowing through a circuit.

BS7671

Also known as the IET Wiring Regulations. This sets the current national standard for electrical installations in the UK.

Building regulations (Part P)

Rules that cover electrical safety in homes and buildings. They ensure that electrical work is carried out safely and meets legal standards.

Consumer unit

Also called a fuse box, which is used to distribute electricity around a property. It has a main switch and individual fuses (or RCDs) for the various electricity circuits such as lighting, oven and sockets. The installation is the responsibility of an electrician.

Cut-out/service head

A piece of equipment owned by your electricity network operator. It contains the main fuse that protects your property’s electrical system from overloads.

Distribution board (DB)

A larger version of a consumer unit that contains protective devices (fuses or circuit breakers) for multiple circuits in commercial or industrial buildings.

Distributor ID

Great Britain is split into 14 distribution areas. Each area has a different distribution network operator that has a licence to distribute electricity. A two-digit code that identifies which DNO covers your area. Shown at the start of your MPAN number.

Distribution network (DN)

The part of the electricity network that carries lower-voltage power from substations to homes and businesses.

Distribution network operator (DNO)

A company that’s licensed to distribute electricity and owns and operates the cables and towers that bring electricity from the national transmission network to a property.

Ducting

A black plastic pipe that holds underground service cables. It acts as a protective barrier against the elements along with any interference, digging, etc.

Electrical contractor

A business that carries out specialised construction work related to the design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

Energy distributor

The company responsible for owning and maintaining the local electricity network, including power lines and cables that deliver electricity to your property. This is also commonly referred to as the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). (See who’s my electricity network operator to find your local DNO.)

Electrical installation

A term usually applied to the complete electrical system within a property.

Electrical installation certificate (EIC)

A safety certificate issued by an electrician (responsible person[s]) when they’ve completed any new electrical work or changes to existing electrics to confirm that the work has been completed to the UK national standard BS 7671.

Electrical installation condition report (EICR)

An official document produced following a periodic assessment of a property’s electrical installation.

Energy supplier

The company that sells electricity to you and manages your billing. They’re responsible for arranging meter installations or removals.

Fuse

A safety device that consists of a strip of wire that melts to break the electrical circuit if the current exceeds a safe level. Most of us will have experienced a blown fuse at some point!

Fuse box

Also called a consumer unit, which is used to distribute electricity around a property. It has a main switch and individual fuses (or RCDs) for the various electricity circuits such as lighting, oven and sockets. The installation is the responsibility of an electrician.

Isolator switch

A customer-side safety switch installed after the main fuse (cut-out). It allows the electricity supply to be safely disconnected when work is carried out on your meter or internal wiring.

kV (kilovolt)

A measure of volts in increments of 1,000. 1 kV = 1,000 V.

kW (kilowatt)

A measure of power. 1kW = 1,000 watts.

kWh (kilowatt-hour)

The standard unit of measurement for electricity. 1kWh is 1 kW (1,000 watts) used in one hour.

Live wire

The brown wire that carries the current to appliances at mains voltage (230V) in a mains electrical appliance.

Looped service

When two properties share the same electricity service cable. This can limit capacity and may need upgrading if you require more power.

Mains

An underground cable or overhead line that distributes electricity to more than 1 property.

Main fuse (cut-out fuse)

A fuse owned by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that connects your property to the electricity network. It protects the incoming supply and can only be removed by the DNO or your electricity supplier.

Meter tails

These are the cables that connect your meter to the main fuse. A qualified electrician can install or upgrade meter tails, but only your electricity supplier can connect it to your meter and the cut-out/service head.

Meter operator

A company appointed by your electricity supplier to install and maintain metering and related communication equipment.

Meter point administration system

Each DNO operates an MPAS (Meter Point Administration Service) which holds information for every MPAN in its region.

MPAN (meter point administration number)

A unique reference number for your electricity supply point. It’s shown on your electricity bill and helps identify your property on the network.

Multi-utility

A property that requires more than one utility, e.g. gas, water and electricity.

Ohm (Ω)

The unit of electrical resistance. It measures how much a material resists the flow of electricity.

One plot domestic new connection

Where there is a requirement for gas, electricity or water service to be brought into a domestic new build/existing property through the installation of the relevant pipe/cable.

One-off domestic service

The property has an existing connection(s) for other services, but now requires another.

PAT (portable appliance testing)

The inspection and testing of electrical equipment to make sure it’s safe to use.

Power service cable

The incoming power cable from the network that terminates at the cut-out and runs above or below the public highway.

Service cable

The cable which connects a property to the local mains. It will either go underground to the main or will be clipped to your house and go overhead to a pole.

Single-phase connection

This type of connection uses one live wire and is the standard supply for most homes and smaller properties. It’s suitable for everyday domestic appliances and general electricity use.

Smart meter

A modern electricity meter that sends automatic readings to your supplier. It also provides real-time information on your energy usage.

Three-phase connection (3-phase)

This type of connection comes with three live wires used to supply larger loads, common for industrial and commercial use. It provides the additional capacity needed for machinery, equipment and larger installations.

Transmission network

The high-voltage network that carries electricity from power stations to local distribution networks.

Volt (V)

The unit of electrical potential. It measures the force that pushes electricity through a circuit.

Watt (W)

The unit of power used to measure the energy consumed by an appliance or lightbulb per second.