Glossary
Terms starting with E
Terms starting with E
Earth leakage (fuga a tierra)
Current that escapes from a circuit to earth through damaged insulation, a faulty appliance or damp, instead of returning along the neutral. It is what the RCD detects before cutting the power. In the US it is called a ground fault.
Earth rod (pica de tierra)
A metal electrode, usually a copper-coated steel bar, driven into the ground to connect the electrical installation to earth and disperse leakage currents. In the US it is called a ground rod.
Earth wire (conductor de protección)
The green and yellow cable that connects the metal parts of appliances and of the installation to the earthing system. If a fault makes a casing live, it carries that current to earth so the RCD can trip. In US English, the ground wire.
Earthing (toma de tierra)
Connection of the electrical installation to the ground, through earth rods or a buried conductor, so that leaking current is carried away and the RCD can act before anyone gets a shock. In the US it is called grounding.
Electrical overload (sobrecarga)
When a circuit carries more current than its cable can take, with no fault involved. The cable heats up and, if it lasts, the thermal part of the MCB trips.
Electrical project (proyecto eléctrico)
A technical document signed by a qualified engineer that defines a larger or higher-risk electrical installation before it is built. ITC-BT-04 of the REBT says when it is compulsory; otherwise a technical design report (MTD) is enough.
Electrification level (grado de electrificación)
The level of electrical provision of a Spanish home set by ITC-BT-25. Basic electrification has five circuits and a minimum of 5,750 W; high electrification adds more circuits and starts at 9,200 W.
Emergency lighting (alumbrado de emergencia)
Self-contained light fittings with their own battery that switch on automatically when the supply fails so people can evacuate safely. They are compulsory in public premises, garages and building escape routes in Spain.
Equipotential bonding (conexión equipotencial)
Connecting all the accessible metal parts of a room, such as pipes, bath or frames, with a conductor and linking them to earth, so that no dangerous voltage difference can appear between them.
EV charging modes (modos de carga)
The four ways of connecting an electric car to the grid under standard UNE-EN 61851-1: mode 1, socket with no control; mode 2, the car cable; mode 3, a wallbox on AC; mode 4, a DC rapid charger.
EV charging pre-installation (preinstalación de recarga)
The conduits, reserved space in the meter room and power allowance a developer leaves in a garage so chargers can be fitted later. It includes no charger or cable: it only prepares the route.
EV range (autonomía)
The distance an electric car can travel on a full battery. The official figure is measured with the WLTP approval cycle; real range depends on speed, temperature, use of heating or air conditioning and driving style.
Extension lead (regleta)
A multi-socket adaptor with cable and plug that turns one wall socket into several. It suits low-power appliances, never daisy-chaining or running heaters, ovens or water heaters that add up to more than its rating. In US English, a power strip.
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