HAUSE / Edmonton / Glossary
Electrical terms, explained for property owners
Understand service capacity, circuit space, load management, permits and project records in a linked electrical glossary.
These plain-language definitions support project conversations. They are not substitutions for the applicable code definitions or a professional design.
- Electrical service
The incoming supply arrangement serving a building. Its suitability is not established by counting circuits.
Explore this term in context →- Panelboard
Equipment that distributes power to circuits. Its physical spaces and electrical ratings are separate considerations.
Explore this term in context →- Service capacity
The assessed and permitted capability of the service arrangement, not merely the largest printed rating on a new component.
Explore this term in context →- Circuit space
A physical position for compatible circuit-protection equipment. An empty position does not establish spare supply capacity.
Explore this term in context →- Demand assessment
Professional evaluation of electrical demand under the applicable requirements. Our calculators do not perform one.
Explore this term in context →- Branch circuit
A circuit supplying connected loads from its protective device. A branch-circuit change is not automatically a service upgrade.
Explore this term in context →- Feeder
Conductors supplying downstream distribution equipment. Feeder design belongs to the qualified electrical professional.
Explore this term in context →- Subpanel
Informal term for downstream distribution equipment. Adding one does not by itself increase incoming supply.
Explore this term in context →- kW
Kilowatts: a measure of power. Average charging power is not a circuit recommendation.
Explore this term in context →- kWh
Kilowatt-hours: a measure of energy. Multiplying power by time produces an energy amount under the stated assumptions.
Explore this term in context →- Energy-only rate
The charge entered for electricity consumption, excluding other bill components. It is not an all-in bill rate.
Explore this term in context →- Charging loss
The assumed share of supplied charging energy not retained as the driving energy modelled by the tool.
Explore this term in context →- EVEMS
Electric vehicle energy management system. Its exact control behaviour and suitability depend on the designed installation.
Explore this term in context →- Load management
Control of suitable loads within a designed electrical arrangement. It is not permission to bypass protection.
Explore this term in context →- Permit holder
The identified party responsible for the applicable permit process and associated obligations.
Explore this term in context →- Rough-in inspection
An inspection at an applicable construction stage before later work conceals what needs to be inspected.
Explore this term in context →- Final inspection
A required closing inspection for the relevant permitted work; not an unlimited assessment of the whole property.
Explore this term in context →- Utility coordination
Applications, design and work arrangements with the utility when its connection responsibilities are affected.
Explore this term in context →- Ownership boundary
The division of responsibility between utility and property equipment in the actual service arrangement.
Explore this term in context →- Allowance
A provisional budget amount rather than a confirmed completed cost. The quote should state how it will be reconciled.
Explore this term in context →- Exclusion
Work or cost expressly outside a quotation. It should not disappear from the owner's overall project budget.
Explore this term in context →- Change order
A documented proposed change to the agreed work and its cost or schedule implications.
Explore this term in context →- Restoration
Making good the surfaces or property affected by installation, such as walls, ceilings or landscaping.
Explore this term in context →- Commissioning
The project-specific process for confirming and documenting intended equipment operation. Its scope should be stated.
Explore this term in context →- Handover
Transfer of scope, equipment, operating and completion records to the responsible property party.
Explore this term in context →- Secondary suite
A distinct dwelling arrangement subject to the applicable City building and trade pathways, not just a finished basement.
Explore this term in context →- Common infrastructure
Building systems shared among occupants or units. Permission and ownership must be resolved before changes.
Explore this term in context →- Selected backup loads
The loads intended to operate during an interruption under the proposed backup design.
Explore this term in context →- Unknown condition
A matter not yet established by appropriate evidence. It is a useful project status, not a defect diagnosis.
Explore this term in context →- Permit application
A request submitted for an applicable approval. It is not the issued permit.
Explore this term in context →- Issued permit
An approval actually issued for a defined project scope. Follow the authority's conditions.
Explore this term in context →- Inspection booking
A requested or scheduled audit stage; a booking is not a passed result.
Explore this term in context →- Commissioning record
Equipment-specific evidence of setup and operation, separate from municipal permits.
Explore this term in context →- Construction revision
A change to an earlier work scope requiring review of affected design and approvals.
Explore this term in context →- Connected equipment schedule
A list of actual and planned appliances or machines with relevant specifications.
Explore this term in context →- Equipment placeholder
An unselected appliance or machine treated as an assumption, not a confirmed design input.
Explore this term in context →- Utility outage coordination
Specific work and confirmations controlled by utility and project professionals; not the City's permit alone.
Explore this term in context →- Resident notice plan
A documented process for informing affected occupants; legal notice rules require separate advice.
Explore this term in context →- Shutdown responsibility
A named person or contractor controlling coordination of an authorized service interruption.
Explore this term in context →- Standalone power station
A device used with appropriate compatible standalone equipment, not an improvised house-wiring connection.
Explore this term in context →- Project hold point
A stage that should not proceed until the required inspection, approval or technical decision is confirmed.
Explore this term in context →
Sources and decision boundaries
Primary-source starting points are linked below. The surrounding project comparisons and questions are HAUSE planning analysis, not a technical approval.
- Government of Alberta — Electrical codes and standards in Alberta ↗
- EPCOR — Understand the service connection process ↗
- EPCOR — Home charging and energy management ↗
Source verification dates, retrieval methods and jurisdiction limitations appear in the source register. No independent licensed-electrician review is claimed.