From Acronyms to Action
In structured cabling, electrical, and low-voltage 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
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
AWG: American Wire Gauge
BNC: Bayonet-Neill-Concelman
CDDI: Copper Distributed Data Interface
CP: Consolidation Point
ELFEXT: Equal Level Far End Crosstalk
EMI: Electromagnetic Interference
FEXT: Far-End Crosstalk
FTP: Foil Twisted Pair
HC: Horizontal Cross-Connect
Horiz.: Horizontal
IC: Intermediate Cross-Connect
IDC: Insulation Displacement Connection
LAN: Local Area Network
MC: Main Cross-Connect
MHz: Megahertz
MM / SM: Multimode / Singlemode
MUTOA: Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Assembly
NEXT / PSNEXT: Near-End Crosstalk / Power Sum NEXT
RMS: Rack Mount Space
ScTP / STP / UTP: Screened / Shielded / Unshielded Twisted Pair
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
AIC: Ampere Interrupting Capacity
AMP: Ampere
CB: Circuit Breaker
CU / AL: Copper / Aluminum
EMT / IMC / GRS: Electrical Metallic Tubing / Intermediate Metal Conduit / Galvanized Rigid Steel
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
SDT: Screw Down Termination
UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply
Security, Access Control & Authentication
ACU: Access Control Unit
AES: Advanced Encryption Standard
HID: Human Interface Device
LPR: License Plate Recognition
MAC: Media Access Control
MFA: Multi-Factor Authentication
OTP: One-Time Password
PACS: Physical Access Control System
RFID: Radio Frequency Identification
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
HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface
IPCAM: Internet Protocol Camera
IR / INFRA: Infrared
RTSP: Real-Time Streaming Protocol
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
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)
IBC: International Building Code
ICC: International Code Council
IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
NEC: National Electrical Code
NFPA: National Fire Protection Association
NRTL: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration