From Acronyms to Action
In structured cabling, electrical, and limited energy systems, precision starts with language. Whether you're reviewing submittals, coordinating trades, or troubleshooting in the field, abbreviations and acronyms are everywhere—and misreading one can derail the job. This guide consolidates the most relevant terms across cabling, electrical, security, access control, and A/V disciplines, ensuring clarity from spec to site.
To streamline your documentation and sharpen field communication, here’s a categorized glossary of abbreviations and acronyms—organized by domain for rapid reference and cross-disciplinary alignment.
Structured Cabling & Network Infrastructure
AWG: American Wire Gauge
BNC: Bayonet-Neill-Concelman
CDDI: Copper Distributed Data Interface
CL2 / CL3: Class 2 / Class 3 Power-Limited Circuits
CM / CMR / CMP: Communications Cable / Riser / Plenum
CP: Consolidation Point
ELFEXT: Equal Level Far End Crosstalk
EMI: Electromagnetic Interference
ENT: Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
FEXT: Far-End Crosstalk
FTP: Foil Twisted Pair
HC: Horizontal Cross-Connect
Horiz.: Horizontal
IC: Intermediate Cross-Connect
IDC: Insulation Displacement Connection
IDF / MDF: Intermediate Distribution Frame / Main Distribution Frame
ISP / OSP: Inside Plant / Outside Plant
LAN: Local Area Network
LC / SC / ST: Common Fiber Connector Types
LP: Limited Power (Cable Marking per NEC)
MAC (Moves, Adds, Changes): Cabling Changes in Existing Infrastructure
MC: Main Cross-Connect
MHz: Megahertz
MM / SM: Multimode / Singlemode
MUTOA: Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly
NEXT / PSNEXT: Near-End Crosstalk / Power Sum NEXT
OM1–OM5: Optical Multimode Fiber Classes
OS1 / OS2: Optical Singlemode Fiber Types
PoE / PoE+ / PoE++ / UPoE: Power over Ethernet Variants
RMS: Rack Mount Space
RNC: Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit
RTRC: Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Conduit
ScTP / STP / UTP: Screened / Shielded / Unshielded Twisted Pair
SFP / SFP+ / QSFP: Small Form-Factor Pluggable Transceivers
SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol
TC: Telecommunications Closet
TIA: Telecommunications Industry Association
TP / TP-PMD: Transition Point / Twisted Pair – Physical Medium Dependent
TSB: Telecommunications System Bulletin
Vert.: Vertical
WA: Work Area
Electrical Systems & Power Distribution
AC / DC: Alternating Current / Direct Current
AFCI: Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter
AIC: Ampere Interrupting Capacity
AMP: Ampere
CB: Circuit Breaker
CI / CII / CIII: Circuit Integrity Cable Ratings
CU / AL: Copper / Aluminum
EGC: Equipment Grounding Conductor
EMT / IMC / GRS: Electrical Metallic Tubing / Intermediate Metal Conduit / Galvanized Rigid Steel
FPL / FPLR / FPLP: Fire Alarm Cable (General / Riser / Plenum)
GEC: Grounding Electrode Conductor
GE: Grounding Electrode
GFCI: Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter
GND / EG / IG: Ground / Equipment Ground / Isolated Ground
HV / LV: High Voltage / Low Voltage
KV / KVA / KW / KWH: Kilovolt / Kilovolt-Ampere / Kilowatt / Kilowatt-Hour
MCA / MCB / MCC / MDP: Minimum Circuit Ampacity / Breaker / Control Center / Distribution Panel
MI Cable: Mineral-Insulated Cable
PF: Power Factor
PLTC: Power-Limited Tray Cable
SDT: Screw Down Termination
SPD: Surge Protective Device
THHN / THWN: Common Building Wire Insulation Types
UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply
VFD: Variable Frequency Drive
Security, Access Control & Authentication
ACU: Access Control Unit
AES: Advanced Encryption Standard
AES‑256: 256‑bit Encryption Standard
FIPS: Federal Information Processing Standards
HID: Human Interface Device
LPR: License Plate Recognition
MAC: Media Access Control
MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication
ONVIF: Open Network Video Interface Forum
OTP: One-Time Password
PACS: Physical Access Control System
PIN: Personal Identification Number
RFID: Radio Frequency Identification
SDK: Software Development Kit
SSL / TLS: Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security
Wiegand: Wiegand Interface Protocol
Audio/Visual & Surveillance
AV: Audio/Visual
CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television
DVR / NVR: Digital / Network Video Recorder
EDID: Extended Display Identification Data
HDR: High Dynamic Range
HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface
IPCAM: Internet Protocol Camera
IR / INFRA: Infrared
PTZ: Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera
RTSP: Real-Time Streaming Protocol
SDI / HD-SDI: Serial Digital Interface
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol
VMS: Video Management System
WDR: Wide Dynamic Range
Trade Associations & Standards Bodies
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
BICSI: Building Industry Consulting Service International
cULus: Canadian and U.S. Listing by Underwriters Laboratories
EIA / TIA: Electronic Industries Alliance / Telecommunications Industry Association
ETL: Electrical Testing Laboratories (Intertek)
FCC: Federal Communications Commission
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 25: Interconnection of Information Technology Equipment
NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association
UL: Underwriters Laboratories
Industry Abbreviations
AEC: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
AHJ: Authority Having Jurisdiction
AIA: American Institute of Architects
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
BIM: Building Information Modeling
BOMA: Building Owners and Managers Association
CSI: Construction Specifications Institute
CSA: Canadian Standards Association
FM: Factory Mutual (FM Approvals)
GC / EC / LV: General Contractor / Electrical Contractor / Low-Voltage Contractor
IBC: International Building Code
ICC: International Code Council
IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
MEP: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
NEC: National Electrical Code
NFPA: National Fire Protection Association
NRTL: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
QA / QC: Quality Assurance / Quality Control
RFI: Request for Information
RFP / RFQ: Request for Proposal / Request for Quote
Whether you're drafting specs, reviewing submittals, or troubleshooting in the field, this glossary keeps your language sharp, your documentation clean, and your installs built to last.
The information provided in this FAQ is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace official codes, standards, or project specifications. Winnie Industries products must always be installed and used in accordance with our product instruction sheets or designated training. Products should never be applied beyond their intended purpose or in a manner that exceeds specified load ratings. Proper fastening is critical to system integrity and functionality, requiring secure attachment to structurally sound components capable of supporting imposed loads. All installations must comply with governing codes, regulations, and job site requirements. Always consult your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific regulatory guidance.