Département technique IESN

Technical English
Part 5
Electrical Wiring Diagrams

1 AUTO, English course Justine De Witte

2023-24 Stéphanie Hayen

Wiring diagrams 1 sur 7

1. Introduction

What is a Wiring Diagram?

How would you describe what a wiring diagram is, in your own words?

A wiring diagram is a simple visual representation of the physical connections and physical layout
of an electrical system or circuit. It shows how the electrical wires are interconnected and can also
show where xtures and components may be connected to the system.

2. Examples of wiring diagrams

Basing yourself on the following diagrams, how would translate the following terms?
Va et vient:
Interrupteur:
Navette:
Fil électrique phase:
Fil électrique Terre:
Fil électrique neutre:
=> the electric current ows through the building in
a cable. The cable contains 2 or 3 wires. These are
normally: Blue or Brown are Neutral, Red is Live
(phase), Yellow and Green are Earth (ground)

Raccordement:

Branchement:
Minuterie:
BP (bouton poussoir):
Liaison équipotentielle:

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3. Standard Wiring Diagram Symbols1

1 https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smartdraw.com%2Fwiring-
diagram%2F&psig=AOvVaw0yf04mBnkMh94QopRv7MSU&ust=1678896370972000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjhxqFwoTCIjW4sDm2_0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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 Standard Wiring Diagram Symbols. Match the words with their description :
Diode - Resistor - Transformer - Electrical grounding - Junction box - Surge protector - Inductor - Circuit
breaker - Toggle switch - Fuse - Wire - Line hop.
Word Description Translation

conducts current Fil électrique

disconnects when current Fusible

exceeds a certain amount

stops the ow of current when interrupteur

open

Capacitor used to store electric charge

Push button switch momentarily allows current ow Bouton poussoir

when button is pushed in, breaks
current when released

Battery stores electric charge and batterie

generates a constant voltage

restricts current ow

used to protect a circuit from an Disjoncteur

overload of current

a coil that generates a magnetic inducteur

eld

Antenna transmits and receives radio antenne

waves

changes AC voltage from high to Transformateur

low or vice versa

allows current to ow in one diode

direction indicated by an
arrowhead or triangle on the wire

used to protect a circuit from a Parasurtenseur

spike in voltage

When two lines must cross in an pontage

engineering diagram. Also called
« bridge ».

enclosure housing electrical Co ret électrique

connections

Thermostat a device that regulates the Thermostat

temperature of a molecular
system

Process of directing excess Mise à la terre

electricity to the ground via a wire

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4. Other useful vocabulary
a) To what do the following images correspond?
Image English term Translation

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 Image English term Translation

b) And a few more words that you might need…

French English

Power supply

Conductive

To plug in

Centrale nucléaire

Courant alternatif

Courant continu

stripped

Tension

Prise multiple

Four-socket adaptor

Dimmer

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 To switch on/o

Overload

Surtension

Disjoncteur di érentiel de fuite à la terre

Coil

c) From all the electrician memes present in this chapter, which one is your
favourite? :-)

Wiring diagrams 7 sur 7

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