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Circuit - The path of electrical current leading from a power source through wire to a destination (a light or appliance) and then back to the source.

Current - The flow of electricity through a conductor.  Current is measured in amperes.

Footcandle - The unit used to measure brightness.  One footcandle is the amount of illumination falling on a one-square surface from a standard candle located one foot away.

Low Voltage Cable - A weather-resistant, self-sealing, insulated, stranded copper wire designed for low voltage lighting systems.  It is available in several sizes, including 18,16, 14, and 12-gauge.

Low Voltage Lighting System - Lighting that operates on 12-volt or 24-volt current, rather than the standard 120 volts.  Power is supplied by a transformer that converts the 120-volt current to 12 volts or 24 volts.  A system includes the fixtures, cable and power pack.

Nominal Lamp Life - A rated average bulb life that is obtained through closely controlled laboratory tests.  Actual bulb life may be higher or lower depending upon several factors, including shock, vibration, voltage fluctuations, temperature and other environmental effects.

Overload - A situation in which the demand for electrical current exceeds the capacity of the cable or transformer.  An overload usually activates the fuse or circuit breaker.

Photo Control - A photoelectric device that responds electrically to certain intensities of light.  Photo controls are used in various power packs to turn light on at dusk and off at dawn.

Power Pack - An electrical device that consists of a transformer and other safety and control devices.  Power packs plug into a standard AC outlet and reduce the regular household current (120 volts) to 12 or 24 volts, depending upon the system.

Short Circuit - An improper connection that interrupts an electrical circuit.

Transformer - (see power pack).

Total Nominal Wattage - The total wattage of lamps utilized in a low voltage lighting system.  This figure cannot exceed the total nominal wattage rating of the transformer.

Volt - A measure of electrical pressure.

Voltage Drop - A partial loss of electrical power due to the resistance of the cable to the flow of electricity.  Voltage drop usually is indicated by dim lights at the end of long wire runs.

Watt - A unit of measure that tells how much electricity is being used.  Watts are determined by multiplying volts times amperes.