Glossary
Electrical installations and telecommunications
Domestic electrical installations, protective devices, earthing, installation certificates and telecommunications.
Electrical junction box (Caja de derivación, connection box)
An enclosure housing conductor connections or branches for distributing circuits. It must allow protected and accessible installation under the applicable rules. Checks cover lids and visible condition; a connection is not satisfactory merely because it works, since insulation, fixing and connector compatibility also matter.Related terms: Electrical circuit, Insulation resistance
Caja general de protección (main supply protection box) (Caja general de protección, CGP)
An enclosure containing the general protective devices for the line supplying the building from the incoming connection. It forms part of the connecting installation and is usually accessible. Its function differs from a home's internal distribution board, which protects and organises the user's circuits.Related terms: Individual supply line (derivación individual), Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (low-voltage rules)
Certificado de instalación eléctrica (electrical certificate) (Certificado de instalación eléctrica, boletín eléctrico, CIE)
A document issued by an authorised installation company recording the characteristics and checks of an electrical installation under the applicable procedure. Commonly called the boletín eléctrico, it matters when activating or modifying supplies and reviewing documentation, but does not replace assessment of subsequent alterations.Related terms: Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (low-voltage rules), Domestic distribution board (CGMP)Standard or law: Real Decreto 842/2002, ITC BT 04
Electrical circuit (Circuito eléctrico, circuit)
Conductors and components supplied and protected in coordination for a particular purpose. Homes contain circuits for different uses according to the installation. Identifying them helps interpret faults and alterations, since adding equipment may require review of loads, cable cross-sections and protective devices.Related terms: Miniature circuit breaker, Socket outlet
Line conductor (Conductor de fase, phase conductor)
An active conductor carrying energy from the supply to equipment in an electrical system. Its presence requires precautions and suitable testing equipment. In a home, correct identification of conductors and connections matters; absence of voltage cannot be inferred solely from a cable's colour or position.Related terms: Neutral conductor, Electrical circuit
Protective conductor (Conductor de protección, earth protective conductor)
A conductor connecting exposed conductive parts and other elements to the protective system to limit electrical risks. It is usually identified by prescribed colours. Continuity requires technical checking, because seeing a suitably coloured cable does not prove it is connected or that the earthing operates correctly.Related terms: Earth connection, Equipotential bonding
Neutral conductor (Conductor neutro, neutral)
A conductor connected to the system's neutral point and used in energy distribution according to the installation arrangement. It may carry current during normal operation. It must not be confused with the protective conductor; each has a different role, and identification or checking requires safe technical procedures.Related terms: Line conductor, Protective conductor
Equipotential bonding (Conexión equipotencial, protective bonding)
An electrical connection between conductive elements intended to reduce dangerous potential differences. It may form part of general protection or apply to particular areas, depending on the installation. Assessment considers connections and continuity, especially where conditions increase the risk of electrical contact for people.Related terms: Protective conductor, Earth connection
Domestic distribution board (CGMP) (Cuadro general de mando y protección, consumer unit, electrical protection board)
An assembly containing the main control and protective devices for a home's electrical installation. It should allow circuits to be identified and isolated. Inspection considers accessibility, labelling and condition, although checking the operation and sizing of protective devices may require measurements and specific technical review.Related terms: Residual current device, Main automatic circuit breaker (IGA)
Individual supply line (derivación individual) (Derivación individual, individual consumer supply connection)
The part of the connecting installation supplying an individual user from the designated point in the building's network to their main devices. Its route and sizing follow specific rules. It matters when changing power or investigating defects and must not be confused with internal circuits.Related terms: Caja general de protección (main supply protection box), Domestic distribution board (CGMP)
Ingress protection rating (Grado de protección, IP rating)
A classification describing an enclosure's protection against access to hazardous parts and entry of solids and water under the relevant tests. Usually expressed as an IP code, it helps assess suitability for the equipment's location but does not, by itself, establish its overall electrical safety.Related terms: Socket outlet, Domestic distribution board (CGMP)
Infraestructura común de telecomunicaciones (ICT) (Infraestructura común de telecomunicaciones, shared telecommunications infrastructure)
The networks, ducts and components enabling a building to access telecommunications services. It includes spaces and connections according to the applicable regulations. Checks in a home cover access boxes and sockets, recognising that available infrastructure does not mean every service is subscribed to or active.Related terms: Registro de terminación de red (network termination box), Television outletStandard or law: Real Decreto 346/2011
Supply power limiter (ICP) (Interruptor de control de potencia, contracted power control switch)
A device limiting the power drawn to that agreed for the supply, interrupting service when its operating conditions are exceeded. It may be incorporated into the meter. It differs from installation safety protections, whose functions and sizing do not depend solely on the contracted power.Related terms: Main automatic circuit breaker (IGA), Domestic distribution board (CGMP)
Residual current device (Interruptor diferencial, RCD)
A device disconnecting a circuit when it detects a difference between incoming and outgoing currents, indicating possible leakage. It forms part of protection against electrical contact. Checking it requires suitable methods, because operating the test button alone does not verify the entire installation.Related terms: Earth connection, Domestic distribution board (CGMP)
Main automatic circuit breaker (IGA) (Interruptor general automático, main circuit breaker)
A device providing general installation protection against particular overloads and short circuits, according to its characteristics. It is located in the distribution board. Selection must suit conductors and other equipment; it does not replace an RCD, since the two respond to different electrical risks.Related terms: Miniature circuit breaker, Residual current device
Miniature circuit breaker (Pequeño interruptor automático, MCB)
An automatic device protecting a circuit against overloads and short circuits within its rated conditions. It usually serves a particular part of the home, such as lighting or sockets. Checks cover identification and coordination with conductors without attributing the RCD's leakage-detection functions to it.Related terms: Electrical circuit, Conductor cross-section
Overvoltage protection device (Protector contra sobretensiones, surge protection device)
Equipment intended to limit voltage or disconnect when particular voltage rises occur, depending on the protection installed. Transient and sustained overvoltages require different solutions. Checks establish the device's function and coordination, avoiding the assumption that any protector covers all forms of electrical damage.Related terms: Domestic distribution board (CGMP), Electrical damage
Lighting point (Punto de luz, luminaire connection point)
A location in an electrical installation intended to supply a luminaire, with connections and control according to the design. It may be complete or awaiting the lighting fitting. At handover, checks cover position and operation, distinguishing visible finishing from the electrical testing required.Related terms: Electrical circuit, Line conductor
Registro de terminación de red (network termination box) (Registro de terminación de red, RTR)
A box in the home where telecommunications networks meet for distribution to internal sockets. Its equipment depends on the installed infrastructure. Checks cover accessibility and identification, because a present and apparently finished enclosure cannot, by itself, confirm continuity or availability of the different services.Related terms: Infraestructura común de telecomunicaciones (ICT), Television outlet
Insulation resistance (Resistencia de aislamiento, electrical insulation resistance)
A quantity obtained through testing to assess electrical insulation between parts of an installation. An unsatisfactory result may indicate deterioration, moisture or other problems. The test requires appropriate conditions and equipment to avoid damaging connected appliances and to relate the reading to the circuit actually checked.Related terms: Electrical circuit, Protective conductor
Earth electrode resistance (Resistencia de puesta a tierra, earthing resistance)
A quantity characterising opposition to current flow between the earthing system and the ground under particular measurement conditions. It is assessed using specific instruments and procedures. The result must be interpreted alongside the system arrangement and protective devices, rather than applying one limit to every installation.Related terms: Earth connection, Residual current device
Conductor cross-section (Sección del conductor, cable cross-sectional area)
The cross-sectional area of an electrical conductor, related to its ability to carry current and other design conditions. It must coordinate with length, installation and protection. During refurbishment, simply increasing a breaker's rating is insufficient, because cables could remain inadequately protected against overload.Related terms: Miniature circuit breaker, Electrical circuit
Socket outlet (Toma de corriente, power socket)
A device allowing equipment to connect to an electrical installation, usually through a plug. Its characteristics must suit the intended use and environment. Inspection checks fixing and visible damage, while polarity, protective continuity and other conditions require testing with appropriate equipment.Related terms: Electrical circuit, Protective conductor
Television outlet (Toma de televisión, TV socket)
A connection point intended to receive the television signal distributed through the building's installation. Operation depends on the network, connections and signal level. Inspection can check position and response, distinguishing internal faults from problems affecting shared equipment or reception outside the building.Related terms: Infraestructura común de telecomunicaciones (ICT), Registro de terminación de red (network termination box)
Earth connection (Toma de tierra, earthing arrangement)
The electrodes and connections establishing electrical contact with the ground and contributing to protection of the installation. They must operate in coordination with other devices. Their presence cannot be confirmed simply by looking at a socket; assessment requires continuity checks and measurements by competent personnel.Related terms: Protective conductor, Earth electrode resistance
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