This document defines key electrical terms from the NEC, including grounding, generators, and cable routing. Each term is referenced with its Code-Making Panel (CMP) for accuracy.
Garage
A building or portion of a building where one or more self-propelled vehicles are kept for use, sale, storage, rental, repair, exhibition, or demonstration purposes. (CMP—1)
Informational Note: Refer to 511.1 for commercial garages, repair, and storage.
Garage, Major Repair (Major Repair Garage)
A building or portion of a building where major repairs, such as engine overhauls, painting, body and fender work, welding, or grinding, are performed. This includes repairs requiring draining or emptying of the motor vehicle fuel tank. Associated floor space used for offices, parking, or showrooms is also included. [30A:3.3.12.1] (CMP—14)
Garage, Minor Repair (Minor Repair Garage)
A building or portion of a building used for lubrication, inspection, and minor automotive maintenance work, such as engine tune-ups, fluid changes (e.g., oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake fluid, air-conditioning refrigerants), brake system repairs, tire rotation, and similar routine maintenance work. Associated floor space used for offices, parking, or showrooms is included. [30A:3.3.12.2] (CMP—14)
General-Purpose Cables, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Raceways
Cables, cable routing assemblies, and raceways suitable for general-purpose applications and resistant to the spread of fire. (722) (CMP—3)
Generating Capacity, Inverter (Inverter Generating Capacity)
The sum of parallel-connected inverter maximum continuous output power at 40°C, measured in watts, kilowatts, volt-amperes, or kilovolt-amperes. (CMP—4)
Generating Station
A plant where electric energy is produced by converting other forms of energy (e.g., chemical, nuclear, solar, wind, mechanical, or hydraulic) using suitable apparatus. (CMP—4)
Generator (Generator Set)
A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy using a prime mover and alternator or inverter. (CMP—13)
Generator, On-Site Standby (On-Site Standby Generator)
A facility producing electric power on-site as an alternate supply. It differs from an on-site power production facility as it does not constantly produce power. (695) (CMP—13)
Grid Bus Rail
A combination of the busbar, busbar support, and the structural suspended ceiling grid system. (393) (CMP—18)
Ground
The earth. (CMP—5)
Ground Fault
An unintentional connection between an ungrounded conductor and normally non-current-carrying conductors, metal enclosures, raceways, equipment, or earth. (CMP—5)
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A device that protects personnel by de-energizing a circuit when a ground-fault current exceeds Class A values (6 mA or higher). (CMP—2)
Informational Note: See UL 943, Standard for Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters, for further information. Class A ground-fault circuit interrupters trip when the ground-fault current is 6 mA or higher and do not trip when the ground-fault current is less than 4 mA.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter, Special Purpose (SPGFCI)
A device for detecting ground-fault currents in circuits with voltage to ground greater than 150 volts. It de-energizes the circuit when the current exceeds Class C, D, or E values. (CMP—2)
Informational Note: Refer to UL 943C, Outline of Investigation for Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters, for details on Classes C, D, or E.
Ground-Fault Current Path
A conductive path from the point of a ground fault through non-current-carrying conductors, equipment, or earth to the electrical supply source. (CMP—5)
Informational Note: Examples include equipment grounding conductors, metallic raceways, metallic cable sheaths, electrical equipment, and other conductive materials like metal piping, steel framing members, stucco mesh, metal ducting, reinforcing steel, shields of communications cables, grounded conductors, and the earth itself.
Ground-Fault Current Path, Effective (Effective Ground-Fault Current Path)
A low-impedance path designed to carry current during ground-fault events, facilitating the operation of overcurrent protective devices or ground-fault detectors. (CMP—5)
Ground-Fault Detector-Interrupter, dc (GFDI)
A device that detects and interrupts ground faults in PV system dc circuits. (690) (CMP—4)
Informational Note: See UL 1741, Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources, and UL 62109, Standard for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems, for further information on GFDI equipment.
Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment (GFPE)
A system that protects equipment from damaging line-to-ground fault currents by disconnecting ungrounded conductors of the faulted circuit. This protection operates at current levels less than those required to protect conductors from damage through the operation of a supply circuit overcurrent device. (CMP—5)
Grounded (Grounding)
Connected to ground or a conductive body extending the ground connection. (CMP—5)
Grounded, Functionally (Functionally Grounded)
A system with an electrical ground reference for operational purposes, not solidly grounded. (CMP—4)
Informational Note: Often connected to ground through an inverter or charge controller for ground-fault protection. Examples include ground-fault detection and performance-related issues for some power sources.
Grounded, Solidly (Solidly Grounded)
Connected to ground without any resistor or impedance device. (CMP—5)
Grounded Conductor
A system or circuit conductor intentionally grounded. (CMP—5)
Informational Note: Equipment grounding conductors are not considered grounded conductors.
Grounded System, Impedance (Impedance Grounded System)
A system grounded by connecting the neutral point to ground through an impedance device. (CMP—5)
Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC)
A conductive path connecting non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment to the grounded conductor or grounding electrode conductor. (CMP—5)
Informational Note No. 1: It also performs bonding.
Informational Note No. 2: See 250.118 for a list of acceptable equipment grounding conductors.
Grounding Conductor, Impedance (Impedance Grounding Conductor)
A conductor connecting the system neutral point to the impedance device in an impedance grounded system. (CMP—5)
Grounding Electrode
A conducting object establishing a direct connection to earth. (CMP—5)
Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC)
A conductor connecting the grounded conductor or equipment to a grounding electrode or grounding electrode system. (CMP—5)
Grouped
Cables or conductors positioned adjacent to one another but not in continuous contact. (520) (CMP—15)
Guarded
Protected by covers, barriers, or enclosures to prevent contact with dangerous points. (CMP—1)
Guest Room
An accommodation combining living, sleeping, sanitary, and storage facilities within a compartment. (CMP—2)
Guest Suite
An accommodation with two or more contiguous rooms providing living, sleeping, sanitary, and storage facilities. (CMP—2)
Gutter, Metal Auxiliary (Metal Auxiliary Gutter)
A sheet metal enclosure used to supplement wiring spaces at meter centers, distribution centers, switchgear, switchboards, and similar points of wiring systems. The enclosure has hinged or removable covers for housing and protecting electrical wires, cable, and busbars. The enclosure is designed for conductors to be laid or set in place after the enclosures have been installed as a complete system. (CMP—8)
Gutter, Nonmetallic Auxiliary (Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutter)
A flame-retardant, nonmetallic enclosure used to supplement wiring spaces at meter centers, distribution centers, switchgear, switchboards, and similar points of wiring systems. The enclosure has hinged or removable covers for housing and protecting electrical wires, cable, and busbars. The enclosure is designed for conductors to be laid or set in place after the enclosures have been installed as a complete system. (CMP—8)
Summary Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Garage | Building for vehicle storage, repair, or sale. |
| Major Repair Garage | Facility for major vehicle repairs like engine overhauls and welding. |
| Minor Repair Garage | Facility for minor vehicle maintenance like oil changes and tire rotation. |
| General-Purpose Cables | Cables and raceways resistant to fire for general use. |
| Inverter Generating Capacity | Total output power of parallel-connected inverters at 40°C. |
| Generating Station | Plant converting energy (e.g., solar, wind) into electricity. |
| Generator | Machine converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. |
| On-Site Standby Generator | Facility providing alternate on-site power supply. |
| Grid Bus Rail | Combination of busbar, support, and ceiling grid system. |
| Ground | The earth. |
| Ground Fault | Unintentional connection between conductor and ground. |
| GFCI | Device protecting against ground faults exceeding 6 mA. |
| SPGFCI | Device for detecting ground faults in circuits >150V. |
| Ground-Fault Current Path | Conductive path from fault to supply source. |
| Effective Ground-Fault Current Path | Low-impedance path for fault current. |
| GFDI | Device detecting and interrupting dc ground faults. |
| GFPE | System protecting equipment from ground faults. |
| Grounded | Connected to ground. |
| Functionally Grounded | System with operational ground reference, not solidly grounded. |
| Solidly Grounded | Directly connected to ground without impedance. |
| Grounded Conductor | System conductor intentionally grounded. |
| Impedance Grounded System | System grounded through an impedance device. |
| Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) | Conductor connecting equipment to ground. |
| Impedance Grounding Conductor | Conductor connecting neutral to impedance device. |
| Grounding Electrode | Object establishing a direct earth connection. |
| Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC) | Conductor connecting system to grounding electrode. |
| Grouped | Cables or conductors positioned adjacent but not in contact. |
| Guarded | Protected by barriers to prevent contact with danger. |
| Guest Room | Accommodation with living, sleeping, and sanitary facilities. |
| Guest Suite | Accommodation with multiple rooms for living, sleeping, and storage. |
| Metal Auxiliary Gutter | Sheet metal enclosure for wiring spaces. |
| Nonmetallic Auxiliary Gutter | Flame-retardant, nonmetallic enclosure for wiring spaces. |
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