For a lot of people, electrical installation work is something understood only in vague terms. Most people are familiar with “voltage,” for example, as a measure of electricity, but the intricacies of the term, and its exact definition can be fairly elusive. When you work with A.S. Electrical, we’d like you to have the most comfortable experience possible, so we’ve gathered a few terms worth knowing throughout the process.

An electrical installation is a much more relaxed process when you understand what’s going on!

• Voltage - Voltage can be most easily thought of as the level of pressure that “pushes” the current from a power source into an appliance. Generally, household appliances only require low voltage levels for proper function.
• Alternating Current - This is a type of electrical current that periodically changes in flow or direction. Alternating current is most often used in residences and offices, as they are often supplied from sockets. More importantly, “AC” electricity is more flexible with changing to higher or lower voltages, which is more difficult with direct currents, which only ever move in one direction.
• Amperage - Also known as amps or amperes, this is the basic measure of electrical flow through a conduit. The strength of the current is its amperage.
• Conductor - A conductor is a material that allows electric currents to move through them in at least one direction. An insulator is the opposite of a conductor; electricity cannot flow through these materials. As an example, the reason you can carry a wire safely, even after it is plugged in, is because the conductor is the metal at the core of the wire, while the insulator is the jacket that surrounds it. Since the insulator cannot conduct the electrical charge, it can be held safely.

At A.S. Electrical, we want your electrical installation be a smooth process, and that is made much easier when you can understand the work we’re doing and how it affects your day-to-day living. If you need an electrical installation, or want to understand more about the process, please, give us a call today! We would be more than happy to help.