Electrical Wiring and Cable Installation Flashcards

What does the term 'volt-drop' refer to in an electrical installation?

Answer: The reduction in voltage along a cable due to its resistance

Volt-drop is the loss of voltage along a conductor caused by the resistance of the cable, and it must be kept within acceptable limits per installation standards.

Which conductor color represents the live (line) wire in a standard US electrical installation?

Answer: Black or red

In the US, hot (live) conductors are typically black or red, while white is neutral and green or bare copper is ground.

What is the primary purpose of installing cables inside conduit?

Answer: To protect cables from mechanical damage and allow future replacement

Conduit provides mechanical protection for cables and allows conductors to be pulled out and replaced without disturbing the installation.

When cables must pass through a fire-rated wall, what is required?

Answer: A fire-stopping compound or sleeve must be used to seal the penetration

Cable penetrations through fire-rated walls must be sealed with approved fire-stopping materials to maintain the wall's fire integrity.

What does AWG stand for in the context of electrical cable sizing?

Answer: American Wire Gauge

AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, the standard US system for specifying conductor diameter and current-carrying capacity.

What is the maximum ampacity of a 14 AWG copper conductor under standard residential wiring conditions?

Answer: 15 amps

A 14 AWG copper conductor is rated for 15 amps, which is why 14 AWG circuits are protected by 15-amp breakers in residential installations.