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We want to delve into the world of electrical work, which is one of our primary focuses within the construction industry. In this new blog, we aim to explore terminology and vocabulary specific to electricians that can be applied in your daily tasks. We understand the significance of effective and precise communication with your clients, especially in the field of electrical work.

To aid you in achieving clear communication, we have put together a Spanish guide tailored for electrical specialists. This guide has been crafted with the assistance of Online Spanish tutors who specialize in electrical terminology and its practical application within construction.

1. Vocabulary

We have focused on 250+ words and terms in Spanish, including 26 common phrases/questions. We have categorized these terms in the following categories:

  • Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
  • Materials
  • Basic Personal Protection Equipment
  • Areas of The Building/Home/Job site
  • Common Terms and Phrases
  • Electrician Verbs
  • Electrician Terms

Check Out Our
Spanish Training for
Construction Workers

Hand Tools (In Spanish)

ENGLISHSPANISH
Cutting PlierPinza/Alicate de Corte
Flat PlierAlicate/Pinza Plana
Universal PlierAlicate/Pinza Universal
Linemans PlierAlicate/Pinza para Liniero
Slip joint PlierAlicate/Pinza Ajustable
End Cutting plierPinza/Alicate de Corte Final
Diagonal Cutting Plier (Dikes)Pinza/Alicate de Corte Diagonal
Nose PlierPinza/Alicate de Corte Punta de Nariz
Wire StripperPela Cables
Double End SpannerLlave Doble Extremos
Torpedo LevelNivel de Torpedo
Split LevelNivel Doble
HammerMartillo
Electrician’s ChiselCincel
Skinning KnifeNavaja pela cables
Nut DriverDestornillador para tuercas
Adjustable Wrench (Crescent)Llave Ajustable
Tool PouchFunda para Herramientas
Straight ScrewdriverDestornillador Plano
Phillips ScrewdriverDestornillador de estrías
Tongue & Groove Plier (Channellock)Pinza/Alicate de Ranura y Lengüeta
Handle HacksawSierra
PencilLápiz
Tin SnipsTijeras de Hojalateros
Roto Split (Armor Stripper)Pelador de Carcasa Metálica
Scratch AwlPunzón
Knock out punch SetAbre Huecos
Allen WrenchesLlaves Allen
Open End/Box End WrenchesLlave de Boca Abierta/Llave de Boca Cerrada
Socket Set
Llaves de Enchufe
Cross Line LaserLáser de Línea Cruzada
Conduit BenderDobla Tubos
Griding MachineEsmeril

Power Tools (in Spanish)

ENGLISHSPANISH
Voltage TesterProbador de Voltaje
TesterProbador
FlashlightLinterna
Earth TesterProbador de Aislamiento a Tierra
AmprobeProbadores Eléctricos sin Contacto
Voltage-Ohm MeterMultímetro
Polarity GFI TesterProbador de Polaridad
Clamp MeterPinza Amperimétrica
Fluorescent Light TesterProbador de Lámpara Fluorescente
ABCSupervisor (bajo voltaje/sobre corriente)

Materials (In Spanish)

EnglishSPANISH
Cooper Wires/CableConductores/Cable de Cobre
Aluminum WiresConductor de Aluminio
Surface SwitchInterruptor/Suiche superficial
Flush switchInterruptor/Suiche de Descarga
Ceiling switchInterruptor/Suiche de Techo
Ceiling switchInterruptor/Suiche de Techo
Pull switchInterruptor/Suiche de Tirar
Hangin Bed switchInterruptor Colgante de Cama
Bell SwitchInterruptor para Timbre
Push Button switchInterruptor Pulsador
One Way SwitchInterruptor/Suiche de Una Vía
Two Way SwitchInterruptor/Suiche Doble Vía
Intermediate SwitchInterruptor/Suiche Intermedio
Main switchInterruptor/Suiche Principal
Pendant HolderSujetador colgante
Ceiling RoseCubierta para sujetador Pendiente
Socket OutletToma de corriente
Casing Capping WiresCubre Cables
Miniature Circuit BreakerDisyuntor en Miniatura
PVC Conduit PipesTubería Conduit de PVC
PVC BendCodos de PVC
Coupling/SocketAnillos/acoples/uniones
Fan BoxCaja tipo Ventilador
Deep Box One WayCaja de una Vía
Deep Box Two WayCaja de Dos Vía
Deep Box Three WayCaja de Tres Vía
Deep Box Four WayCaja de Cuatro Vía
Insulation TapeCinta Aislante/Teipe
End cap/DummyTapa/Cubierta
PVC SolventPegamento PVC
Casing/CappingCubierta/Canaleta
Juntion BoxCaja de Unión
Metal Box (from 1-2 module to 18 Modules)Cajas Metálicas desde módulo 1-2 hasta 18 Módulos
Cover Plates (from 1-2 module to 18 modules)Tapas (desde 1-2 módulos hasta 10 módulos)
Star ScrewTornillos Tipo Estrella
Spring WireResorte Pasa Cables
Round Sheet DummyTapa Redonda
Fan Dummy SheetTapa Tipo Ventilador
Angle HolderSujetador Angular
Indicator SwitchInterruptor Indicador
DimmerVariador/Regulador de Intensidad
Kit Kat FuseFusible Kit Kat
TV OutletSalida para Tv
Two Pin SocketToma/Receptáculo de 2 pines
3 Pin SocketToma/Receptáculo de 3 pines
MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) (1 pole to 4 Pole)Interruptor de Circuito Miniatura (desde 1 polo hasta 4 polos)
Isolator Breaker (1 Pole to 4 Pole)Interruptor de seguridad (desde 1 a 4 polos)
DB BoxTablero/Caja de Distribución de Circuitos
DP SwitchInterruptor/Suiche Doble Pole
Two Pin PlugEnchufe doble Pin/Espiga
Surface BoxCaja Superficial
Change Over BoxCaja de Transferencia
Earthing Rod/PlateBarra/Placa de Puesta a tierra
Earthing ChemicalCompuesto para Puesta a Tierra
Calling BellTimbre
Foot LampLampara de Pie
Bed LampLampara de Cama
Ceiling LampLampara de Techo
Tube LightLámpara tubular
BulbBombillo
Ceiling FanVentilador de Techo
Auxiliary ContactContactos Auxiliares
RCBInterruptor Diferencial
DP MCBInterruptor Especial para corto circuitos
Magnetic ContactorContactor Magnético
Overload RelayRelé de Sobre Corriente
CoilBobina
TransformerTransformador
BatteryBatería
BlankTapa Ciega
CouplingAcoples/Conectores
ConnectorConector
MC ConnectorConector Multicontacto
Gangable BoxCaja Armable
Mud RingAnillo empotrable
1900 BoxCaja Cuadrada de 4” y 1 ½” de profundidad
1900 Deep BoxCaja Cuadrada 4” y 2 1/8” de profundidad
8BCaja Octogonal de 1 ½” de Profundidad
8B Deep Caja Octogonal de 2 1/8” de Profundidad
BushingBuje de paso
EMT (Electro Metallic Tubing (EMT)Tuberia metálica
Cable TrayBandeja para Conductores
UnistrutSoporte tipo “U”
Cutout BoxCaja de Protección Eléctrica
Fish TapePasador de cables

Check Out Our
English Training for
Construction Workers

Basic Personal Protection Equipment For Electricians

EnglishSPANISH
Dielectric Helmet (Hard hat)Casco Dieléctrico
Insulating GloveGuantes Aislantes
Face ShieldsProtector Facial
OverallOverol/Braga/Ropa de trabajo

Areas of the Building/Home/Job Site

ENGLISHSPANISH
AtticÁtico
BalconyBalcón
BedroomHabitación/Cuarto/Dormitorio
Living RoomSala de Estar
Dining RoomComedor
Bath RoomBaño
HallPasillo
GarageGaraje/Cochera
ToiletInodoro/Baño
StairsEscaleras
GardenJardin
PatioPatio
BasementSótano
CorridorCorredor
WindowsVentanas
ChimneyChimenea
RoofTecho
Plot AreaÁrea de la Parcela
Built-up area or Plitch AreaÁrea para la Construcción
Carpet AreaÁrea de Alfombras
Floor AreaSuperficie del Piso
Setback AreaÁrea de Urbanismo
Swimming PoolPiscinaq
ParkParque
Play GroundParque/Área de Juegos
ClubhouseCasa club
BuildingEdificio/Edificación/Construcción
HomeHogar/Casa

Common Terms & Phrases

ENGLISHSPANISH
AC (Alternating Current)Corriente Alterna
AFCI – Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Interruptor de Circuito por Falla de Arco
ALCI – Appliance Leakage Circuit InterrupterInterruptor de Circuito por Corriente de Fuga en Electrodomésticos
AmpacityAmpacidad
ANSI ( American National Standards Institute)Instituto Nacional de Normas Americanas
CSA – Canadian Standards AssociationAsociación de Normas Canadienses
Circuit Circuito
Circuit BreakerCortaCircuitos
ConductorConductor/Cable
CurrentCorriente
DC – Direct CurrentCurrent Direct
Dielectric Strength Rigidez Dieléctrica
ELCI – Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter.Interruptor de Circuito de fuga para equipos.
Flame Retardant –Retardante de Llama (ignífugo)
Gauge Calibrador de diámetros de cables
Ground Fault Falla a Tierra
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Interruptor de Circuito por Falla a Tierra
Grounded Neutral Neutral a Tierra
Ground WireConductor de Puesta a Tierra
Hot Wire Conductor/Cable Energizado
Insulator.Aislante
NEC – National Electric Code.Código Eléctrico Naciona
NFPA – La NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)Asociación Nacional de Protección Contra el Fuego
Neutral Wire Conductor Neutro
Nuisance Tripping Interrupciones molestas
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Association.Asociación de Salud y Seguridad Ocupacional.
Open Neutral Neutro Abierto
ResistanceResistencia Eléctrica
Reverse Phase Fase Inversa
Short Circuit -Corto Circuito
Voltage Voltaje
Weatherproof A prueba de intemperie (resistente al agua)
PowerEnergía
Normally Open (N.O.)Normalmente Abierto
Normal Close (N.C.)Normalmente Cerrado
LoadsCargas
Power SupplyFuente de Poder
High VoltageAlto Voltaje
Low VoltageBajo Voltaje
FrequencyFrecuencia
Difference of PotentialDiferencial de Potencial (Voltaje)
Home RunLínea Directa
AmperageAmperaje
Amper Amperio
ConductivityConductividad
DuctDucto
WattsVatios
Line DropCaída de Voltaje
Line VoltageLine Voltage
Ohm’s LawLey de Ohm
ResistivityResistividad
Serie CircuitCircuito en Serie
Parallel CircuitCircuito en Paralelo
Service DropAcometida
Service Entrance ConductorAlimentador principal
Shielded CableCable con Cubierta Metálica
Volt-Ampere (V.A)Voltio-Amperios
WattagePotencia
Open CircuitCircuito abierto
Closed CircuitCircuito Cerrado
Three PhaseTrifásico
MonophaseMonofásico
BiphasicBifásico
Ground NetworkRed a Tierra
BridgePuente
LoadedCargado
OvercurrentSobre intensidad
Control RoomCuarto de Control
FailureFalla
Ground FaultFalla a Tierra
Power lineTendido Eléctrico
TipsPuntas
PotentiometerPotenciómetro
BalanceEquilibrio
Current ConductorConductor de Corriente
ContractorsConstructor
ElectriciansElectricistas
LampLamparas
PipeTubería
Jet lineCinta de Nilón para pasar cables
ServiceServicio
CommercialComercial
ResidentialResidencial
IndustrialIndustrial
ConstructionConstruccción

Electrician Verbs

ENGLISHSPANISH
CloseCerrar
ConnectConectar
Turn onEncender
Turn offApagar
LosePerder
CompareComparar
InstallInstalar
StirRemover
CutCortar
SkinPelar
DisconnectDesconectar
ControlControlar
ProgramProgramar
PullHalar
StriperPelador
To BuildConstruir
SupplySuminstrar/Suministro
LoadCargar
Trip outDisparar/desconectar
To FindEncontrar/hallar

Electrician Terms

ENGLISHSPANISH
Hand me the measuring tape, pleasePásame la cinta de medir por favor
Let's call the electrician to install all the ceiling lampsllamemos al electricista para que instale todas las lámparas de techo
The electrician checked the grounding of all outletsEl electricista checó la puesta a tierra de los toma de corrientes.
Could you please hand me the drillPuede pasarme el taladro
How many bricks are there in that pile?¿Cuántos ladrillos hay en ese arrume?
The ladder should lean moreDebes inclinar más la escalera
Does anyone know where the flat head screws are?¿Alguien sabe dónde están los tornillos de cabeza plana?
Let’s do a job analysis before starting the workHagamos un análisis del trabajo antes de iniciar la obra.
Staff must abide by safety regulation within work areaEl personal debe acatar las normas de seguridad del área de trabajo.
Your gloves are broken, replace them pleaseTus guantes están rotos debes reemplazarlos
How long does it take to build the house?¿Cuánto tiempo nos lleva construir la casa?
We’ll continue the construction of the road in summerContinuaremos la construcción de la carretera in verano
That man works on the construction industryEse señor trabaja en la industria de la construcción
We’ll call a construction company to make repairs of the houseLlamaremos al constructor para realizar las refacciones de la casa
We must keep the workplace clean and tidyDebemos mantener ordenado y limpio el lugar de trabajo.
Could the electrician verify the circuits is turned off?Verificó el electricista que el circuito está desenergizado?
Electrical Field changes too fast we must keep updatedEl área Eléctrica cambia muy rápido debemos mantenernos a la vanguardia
Electrician must be very qualify to do that JobEl electricista deben estar bien calificados para realizar esa labor
According the program the equipment need Electrical maintenanceDe acuerdo al programa el equipo necesita mantenimiento Eléctrico
Pull the wire through the conduit, pleasePor favor pasa el cable a través del tubo conduit.
Clean the conduit edges pleasePor favor limpia los bordes del tubo conduit
Apparently the conductor get stuck in the middle of the conduitAl parecer el conductor se quedó atascado en el medio del tubo conduit
Consult NEC to Know how many you can pass through 1” pipe.Consulte el código Eléctrico Nacional para saber cuántos conductores pueden pasar por la tubería de 1”.
All the lights suddenly turned off, call the electrician to find out what the issue is, pleaseLas luces se apagaron repentinamente por favor llame al electricista para averiguar sobre la avería
Some Breakers are tripping out it’s necessary to redistribute the circuitsAlgunos interruptores se están disparando es necesario redistribuir esos circuitos,
We found a broken cable that’s the reason of the failureEncontramos un cable partido esa es la razón de la falla

2. COMMON SPANISH PHRASES FOR ELECTRICIANS

Typical Scenario on the Job site -We prepared some lists of typical scenarios an electrician would encounter on a job-site. You can read through the conversation and imagine yourself learning and speaking the same.

Supervisor (Supervisor): ¡Hola Juan! ¿Cómo va el trabajo hoy? (Hello Juan! How’s the work going today?)

Electrician (Electricista): ¡Hola! Todo va bien, estoy revisando los circuitos en la sala de control. (Hi! Everything’s going well, I’m checking the circuits in the control room.)

Supervisor (Supervisor): Muy bien, asegúrate de seguir todas las normas de seguridad. ¿Necesitas algún equipo adicional? (Very well, make sure to follow all safety regulations. Do you need any additional equipment?)

Electrician (Electricista): No, por ahora tengo todo lo que necesito. Gracias. (No, for now I have everything I need. Thanks.)

Supervisor (Supervisor): Perfecto. ¿Has encontrado algún problema en los cables o enchufes? (Perfect. Have you found any issues with the wires or sockets?)

Electrician (Electricista): Sí, encontré un cable suelto en la esquina. Lo estoy arreglando ahora mismo. (Yes, I found a loose wire in the corner. I’m fixing it right now.)

Supervisor (Supervisor): Excelente, gracias por estar atento. Avísame si necesitas ayuda con algo. (Excellent, thanks for being attentive. Let me know if you need help with anything.)

Electrician (Electricista): Lo haré, jefe. Continuaré con las inspecciones. (I will, boss. I’ll continue with the inspections.)

Supervisor (Supervisor): Estupendo, sigue así. Manténnos informados sobre cualquier novedad. (Great, keep it up. Keep us informed of any updates.)

Electrician (Electricista): Claro, estaré en contacto. (Sure, I’ll stay in touch.)

In this scenario, the supervisor and electrician discuss the progress of the work and safety precautions in a workspace. They also address any potential issues and emphasize communication.

Other Spanish Resources for Electrical Professionals

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There are so many tools in this technologically and advanced world we live in, and you should get a hold of them in order to improve your language day to day:

➔ Use online apps like Duolingo to improve your vocabulary, and practice a little every day, so your brain gets more and more familiar with the sounds.

➔ Join online groups on Facebook with people that are learning too, so you can exchange your knowledge.

➔ Create your phrasebook, including what you have learned and useful phrases for your daily basis.

➔ Connected with the previous point, you can also get an ONLINE SPANISH TUTOR in LINGUAL LINKUP to help you create your phrasebook, expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of spoken Spanish. Having someone who speaks the language fluently makes the difference, since you can also practice speaking and correct all pronunciation mistakes and work towards your goals. A tutor will always be your support when learning a new language.

➔ You can also check our Spanish for Construction Workers (Plumbing)

And Spanish for Carpenters blogs to learn more Spanish construction terms.

About the Author:

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Bio: 28-year-old graphic designer and writer with 7 years of experience, passionate about communication in all its aspects as the main tool to forge links. I consider myself a detailed, patient, and empathetic person, so even if you consider yourself a difficult student, I will know how to guide you to reach the level of Spanish you need for whatever activity you have in mind. As a student of Literature, I always had the same love for books and their stories, as well as for the Spanish language and its formation. I believe that the best way to learn is to be passionate about what you are learning and that is what I always want to achieve with my students. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults, so I have knowledge about the different learning stages that a person can go through and the different strategies to approach them.

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Other articles: Spanish For Law Enforcement, Spanish Phrases For Hotel Staff​, Spanish For Legal Professionals, English for Childcare Workers, Spanish & English Vocabulary for Painters

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