Electric Arc Welding 
A form of metal welding done by using the heat created as an electric arc jumps from an electrode to metal. 

Electric Drill 
Electrically powered rotary tool, which is used for sanding, boring holes, etc. 

Electric Heating 
Electric heat is provided by use of a high-temperature wire, which is resistant to electrical flow with more heat being produced by more electric current being fed into the heating element, creating more resistance and more heat. 

Electric Screwdriver 
Most electrically operated screwdrivers are cordless and operate on rechargeable batteries and come in a variety of speeds and are either pistol shaped or appear like manual screwdrivers. Pricier models have greater torque and variable speeds. 

Electric Service 
Electric power supplied by a utility, which may be any of three capacities, and is either overhead on poles or buried in the ground. (1) Two-Wire 115-volt service, one of the conductors is connected to the assorted electrical devices. (2) Two-Wire 230 volt service, both wires are connected to the electrical item. (3) Three-Wire 115/230-volt service. 

Electric Service Panel 
Panel used to transfer power from the utility line going into a house for distribution through fuses or circuit breakers. 

Electric Shock
Electrical current flowing through the body of a living being. 

Electrical Charge 
Quantity of electrical energy, which may be contained in a battery, electrical conductor or semi-conductor. 

Electrical Construction Drawings 
Plans to show detail for installing wiring and electrical connections in a building. 

Electrical Distribution System 
Term used to chart electric from the point of generating the power through to its end use. Transmitted at a high voltage to the substations for distribution to local points after it is sent by busways from the power plant to distribution power lines. The voltage is dropped into local transformers prior to being sent into buildings, either commercial or residential. Transmission is at high voltage to overcome line losses, which occur due to electrical resistance from long distance travel. 

Electrical Drawings 
Plans that show the location of the wiring layout, the types and position of all electrical equipment and the location of the fixtures. 

Electrical Induction 
The passing of a conductor through a magnetic field existing between two poles of a magnet generates electrical current. 

Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) 
Tubing used to protect long pieces of electrical wiring from damage. This type of conduit is thin walled and made of metal and is used in residential as well as commercial and industrial buildings, wherever wiring may be exposed or accessible. This cannot be exposed to severe damage from impact or other hazards that would change its shape. 

Electrical Power
Flow of current at a voltage, which is measured in watts (watts = amps x volts). 

Electrical Raceway 
Conduit that houses electrical cables giving them support. 

Electrical Schematic Wiring Diagram 
Drawing which shows the sizes and quantities of wire needed. 

Electrical Single Line Diagram 
Outline of the electrical equipment arrangement and connection into a circuit. 

Electrical Specifications 
Outline, in writing, of the requirements for the electrical system of a building. 

Electrical Symbols 
Indicators used to indicate types of electrical components in wiring drawing. Abbreviations or icons may be used. 

Electrician 
Licensed professional who is trained to install electrical wiring. License requirements vary from place to place. 

Electrician's Pliers 
Also referred to as lineman's pliers, they have insulated handles and built-in side cutters. 

Electricity 
Energy made by moving charged particles. 

Electrode 
Welding rod or electrical terminal to be used in arc welding and cutting. 

Electrode Holder 
Insulated clamp, which holds a welding electrode and is used to supply power to the electrode from the attached wiring. 

Electrode Lead 
Power supply cable, which goes to an electrode holder. 

Electrogas Welding (EGW) 
Electric arc welding process, which uses a consumable solid or flux-cored electrode, either with or without an external shielding gas. 

Electrolysis 
A chemical reaction of a metal with another metal in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, causing one to erode. 

Electrolyte 
Electrically conductive fluid or substance. 

Electromagnet 
Mechanism, which is made of, a magnetic material wrapped with an electrically conductive coil through which the current is passed to bring about magnetism in the material. 

Electromechanical 
Device combining electrical and mechanical components, for example as in an electric motor. 

Electromotive Force 
Force that makes an electrical current flow. Voltage.

Electron 
Any of the negatively charged particles that form a part of all atoms, each carrying a negative charge. 

Electron Beam Gun 
Device that produces and accelerates electrons to use in welding and cutting operations. 

Electronic Stud Finder 
Ultrasonic or magnetic mechanism used to locate studs behind a wall by sensing the presence of a nail head or the increase in density at the site of the stud and beeps or lights at the discovery. 

Electronic Transfer 
Transfer of mortgage or other payment automatically by deduction from a checking or savings account. 

Electroslag Welding (ESW) 
Electric arc initially melts the slag and then the slag is kept molten by an electric current. This process provides heat for welding and an inert shield, which protects the weld from oxygen in the air. 

Electrostatic Filter 
Filter with the opposite electrical charge of the particles it needs to attract. Opposite electrical polarities attract in the same manner as a magnet. Particles are drawn to the filter and trapped by their electrostatic attraction to the filter. 

Electrostatic Painting 
Electrically charged powder is sprayed on a surface that is charged with the opposite electrical charge and then bakes on the coating in this type of painting. 

Eleemosynary 
Charitable gesture such as real estate donated to a charity, which value would then be tax deductible. 

Element 
1. Part of a whole. 
2. Any of the four substances (earth, air, fire, water) formerly believed to constitute all physical matter. 
3. Basic substance (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon), which cannot be made into a simpler substance through chemical reaction. 
4. Electronic device. 

Elevation 
Height of a structure above an established reference point. 

Elevation Map 
Representation on a flat surface of any region that depicts the elevation of that region. 

Elevations 
Exterior view of a home design, showing the position of the house relative to the grade of the land from the front, sides or back. 

Elevator 
Suspended car or cage, attached by cables to a machine to move it, which is used for hoisting or lowering people or things 

Elizabethan Style 
English architecture, which generally has two, levels with the second level typically overlaying the first story. With a high roof and a sculptured chimney, it usually has half-timber stucco walls. 

Ell 
1. Plumbing fitting, shaped like an elbow, which allows water to flow in a curve. Also referred to as an elbow, it is designed to use with pipe, tubing, conduit, or duct and is available in 90 to 45 degrees. 
2. Extension or wing of a house, at right angles to the main structure. 

Ellipse 
Closed curve produced when a cone is cut by a plane inclined obliquely to the axis and not touching the base. Closed curve plane figure where the sum of distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points remain the same. 

Ellipsoid 
Solid figure in which any section through it is a circle or an ellipse. 

Elongate 
Make longer. 

Eluvium 
Decomposed rock or soil. 

Embankment 
Mounded soil used as a support along a roadway or to retain water. 

Embed 
To become an integral part of something or to enclose closely. 

Embedment 
1. Placing of one material into another so that the two become one. 
2. Placing of felt, aggregate mats or panel into hot bitumen. 
3. Distance that a column or pier is sunk below grade. 

Emblements 
Annual crops raised by a land tenant. Even if the lease expires before the crop has matured, the tenant has the right to them. 

Emboss 
Decorate or cover with designs or patterns, which are raised above the surface. 

Embossed 
Design impressed into a surface. Alternately, a surface treatment of a plywood panel, which leaves a textured design in the face but leaves the panel paintable. 

Embrasure 
Opening for a door or window with the sides slanted so that it is wider on the inside than the outside. 

Emergency 
Sudden, unexpected occurrence demanding immediate action. 

Emergency Exit 
Exit, which is not used except in special situations to provide an alternate route. 

Emergency Light 
Continuously charging battery operated light that is used during the loss of normal electricity. 

Emery
Abrasive material composed of iron oxide and carborundum. 

Emery Paper
Paper with a hard abrasive coating. 

Eminent Domain 
Right of the government to condemn private land for public use, as long as fair compensation is paid. 

Emission 
A discharge of any type. 

Emulsion 
A non-separating product containing oil and water. 

Employer-assisted Housing 
Program to help employees purchase homes through special plans developed with lenders. 

Empty Nesters 
Couples who have raised their families and will possibly "downsize" their dwelling.