Glossary
Terms starting with P
Terms starting with P
Peak, standard and off-peak periods (punta, llano y valle)
The three price bands of the 2.0TD tariff: off-peak (valle), 0 to 8 h plus all weekend and national holidays; peak (punta), 10 to 14 h and 18 to 22 h on weekdays; and standard (llano), the remaining hours.
Periodic inspection (inspección periódica)
A compulsory check carried out every 5 or 10 years by an authorised inspection body (OCA) on the installations listed in ITC-BT-05, such as garages, public premises, pools and the common areas of large buildings.
Permanent overvoltage (sobretensión permanente)
A rise in voltage above its normal value that lasts seconds, minutes or hours, almost always caused by a broken neutral. It burns out whatever is plugged in at the time.
PHEV (plug-in hybrid)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: a hybrid car with a combustion engine and a rechargeable battery, usually 10 to 25 kWh, that covers short trips in electric mode and charges from a socket or a wallbox.
PIA (pequeño interruptor automático, MCB)
The pequeño interruptor automático is the miniature circuit breaker (MCB) that protects each circuit of a Spanish home separately, such as lighting, sockets, kitchen or washing machine, against overloads and short circuits.
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Power over Ethernet: technology that sends electrical power and data down the same network cable. It lets you install IP cameras, wifi access points or video door entry panels with no socket nearby, powered by a PoE switch or injector.
Portable EV charger (cargador portátil)
A charging cable with an in-line control and protection box that connects an electric car to a household or industrial socket. This is mode 2 charging: fine now and then, but slow and less safe than a wallbox for daily use.
Power optimiser (optimizador)
A device fitted beside each solar panel that draws its maximum power and adjusts its voltage before sending it to the central inverter. It reduces losses from shade or dirt and lets you monitor each panel. In US English, a power optimizer.
Presence detector (detector de presencia)
A sensor that switches the light on when it detects a person and off after a set time with no movement. It is fitted on the ceiling or wall and saves most on stairs, garages, hallways, toilets and corridors.
Public charging point (punto de recarga público)
An electric vehicle charging point open to any driver, on the street, in car parks, shopping centres or charging hubs. It is run by an operator and paid for by app, RFID card or bank card. In US English, a public charging station.
Public premises (local de pública concurrencia)
Premises open to the public, such as a bar, shop, academy or customer office, whose electrical installation is governed by ITC-BT-28 of the REBT. They require emergency lighting, extra protection and periodic OCA inspections.
Push button (pulsador)
A wiring accessory that only closes the circuit while you hold it down and springs back when you let go. It is used for doorbells, stairwell light timers and to send orders to latching relays and smart home systems.
PVPC (regulated electricity tariff)
Spain's regulated electricity tariff for supplies up to 10 kW, in which the energy price changes every hour with the wholesale market. Only reference suppliers offer it and it is the only tariff that gives access to the bono social discount.
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