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To help you understand the key issues facing our industry, please use the following glossary of terms:
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- Secondaries
- Output side of transformer. Low-voltage lines, 120/240 volt for residential, 120/240, 120/208, 244/480, and 277/408 volt for commercial, that carry power from the transformer to the poles nearby.
- Secondary Circuit
- The wiring connected to the secondary terminals of a transformer.
- Self-contained Metering
- Indicates that all the current that is used by the customer, will pass through the meter.
- Service Entrance
- The point where the service wires enter a building.
- Service Limiter
- Limits electricity use to 120 volts and 5 or 10 amps = approx. 600-1,200 volts.
- Service Lines
- Also known as DROPS. Lines that carry power from secondary lines at pole to each individual customer.
- Service Switch
- The main switch which connects all load in a building to the service wires.
- Service Wires
- Also known as DROPS. Lines that carry power from secondary lines at a pole to each individual customer.
- Shock
- The sensory impression caused by an electrical current flow through the body.
- Short
- An accidental connection of low resistance, such as in an electrical cord with wires exposed contacting each other.
- Single-Phase (10)
- A generator or circuit in which only one alternating current voltage is produced. A single-phase circuit will have two or three wires carrying the current.
- Single-Phase Motor
- An alternating current motor designed to operate from a single- phase circuit.
- Sleeves
- Also known as boots. Plastic devices which cover the meter prongs preventing the flow of electricity. Used to turn off socket-type meters.
- Solar Energy
- The term "solar energy" refers to the conversion of sunlight into heat or electricity. See renewable energy.
- Solid Waste Energy
- The term "solid waste energy" refers to organic material that can be burned directly or chemically converted to produce heat. In turn, this heat can be used to produce electricity.
- Span Guy
- A guy wire attached directly from a pole or structure to another pole or structure.
- Splice
- The joining of the ends of two wires or cables together.
- Squirrel Cage
- A steel bracket mounted on a pole to support line conductors.
- Stage 3 Emergency
- If power reserves ever fall below 1.5 percent, Cal-ISO will declare a Stage 3 emergency and the state's investor-owned utilities, including SCE, may be ordered to immediately reduce the demand for electricity. At that point, the utilities will implement a series of temporary, controlled rotating power outages.
- Star System
- A method of connecting three single transformers for three phase application.
- Starting Current
- The current taken by a motor when starting.
- Step Down
- To reduce the voltage of a circuit, from a higher to a lower value, by means of a transformer.
- Step Up
- To increase the voltage of a circuit, from a lower to a higher value, by means of a transformer.
- Stranded Costs
- (See "Competition Transition Charge")
- Sustained Outage
- An electrical outage that lasts longer than two minutes.
- Switch
- A device for closing, opening, or changing the connections of a circuit.
- Switchboard
- A panel or supports upon which are placed the switches, controls, and meters for the control of electrical machines and systems.
- Switching Center
- A staffed substation, where all switching operations are communicated and logged, and the status of all electrical circuits are monitored.
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