Answers in plain English
FAQ & Glossary
Find answers about EV charging, solar and home security, definitions of terms in your quote, and guides for planning the work.
Start with a common question
Which EV charger should I choose?
Start with your vehicle's connector, how much you drive, cable reach and the home's assessed capacity. Tell us the make and model or send a product link if you have one. If you are undecided, we can help compare a hardwired installation and a suitable plug-in option before you buy.
Choosing your EV charger →Does a 100-amp home automatically need an upgrade for EV charging?
No. The service rating or an empty breaker slot cannot answer that alone. K-Jay reviews the home's demand, equipment and proposed charger. Compatible load management may help some homes use their existing capacity; the assessment determines whether it fits.
How load management works →What is the difference between solar kW and kWh?
kW describes power or rated system capacity. kWh describes energy produced or used over time. A solar proposal compares roof-specific estimated production with your usage history; the panel rating alone does not establish annual production or bill savings.
How a solar system gets designed →Are camera recording and alarm monitoring the same thing?
No. Recording saves footage, on site or through a cloud service. Professional alarm monitoring receives alarm events and responds under the agreed service plan. Remote access, recording without internet, storage duration and subscription requirements depend on your selected equipment and platform.
Recording, access and monitoring options →Find a term
Dotted-underlined terms across the site have a quick explanation. Hover or focus to preview; click to read more. On a phone, tap once to preview and again to open the explanation.
52 of 52 terms
EV
Battery-electric vehicles plug in to recharge and drive without a gasoline engine. Plug-in hybrids combine electric driving with a fuel-powered engine. For home charging, consider the vehicle's AC charging limit, connector, parking location and your daily driving. J1772 is an AC charging connector; compatible NACS equipment can support AC as well as DC charging.
EVSE
For Level 1 and Level 2 charging, the EVSE safely supplies AC electricity and communicates the available charging current to the vehicle. The vehicle's onboard charger converts that electricity for the battery. A home charging installation includes more than the wall unit: the circuit, connection, electrical capacity and equipment compatibility all need to be assessed.
PHEV
A PHEV has a battery you can charge by plugging in, as well as a fuel-powered engine. Electric range, charging speed and supported charging equipment vary by model. Its smaller battery may suit Level 1 charging for some routines; Level 2 can be useful for more frequent driving. Check the specific vehicle rather than assuming all hybrids plug in or charge alike.
Charging Current
The vehicle, EVSE settings and installed circuit all limit charging current. An electrician chooses suitable protection and wiring under the applicable requirements, rather than treating the charger rating as the breaker size. A lower charging setting can be a practical fit when it meets your overnight charging needs.
Main Breaker
Look for the breaker labelled Main only if safely visible. Do not identify it by the largest number or assume it is at the top. For your intake, open only the hinged panel door, never remove covers; send a wider photo if unsure. K-Jay reviews the service equipment and available capacity before recommending an EV charging circuit, load management, or an upgrade.
Tier 1 Parts
BloombergNEF's Tier 1 list is commonly used as a shorthand for manufacturer bankability. It does not independently grade an individual module, guarantee that a manufacturer will remain in business, or replace the written product and performance warranties. K-Jay's proposal names the actual panel, specifications, and warranty that apply to your system.
NVR
An NVR records feeds from compatible IP cameras over the local network. Storage duration, resolution, continuous recording, remote access, and offline behaviour depend on the recorder, drives, cameras, configuration, and selected platform. Your K-Jay quote identifies the equipment and capabilities included in your system.
Wired cameras (Cat5e/Cat6)
Wired network cameras use Ethernet cable such as Cat5e or Cat6 to carry data. Compatible PoE cameras also receive power over the cable. Cable ratings, length, installation and the selected equipment must suit the project. Wired does not automatically mean remote access works without internet or recording survives a power outage. A camera rough-in during construction can make later cable installation simpler.
PoE
A compatible PoE switch, injector or recorder supplies power through the network cable to a device such as a camera. The power standard and budget must match the equipment. PoE does not itself provide backup power: outage operation depends on an appropriately designed backup supply for the required system components.
Code (CEC)
The Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CSA C22.1), sets safety requirements for electrical installations. The edition adopted in Alberta and applicable provincial rules govern the work, along with relevant utility and permitting requirements. This glossary explains concepts; it is not installation instructions or approval for a particular setup.
Permit
An electrical permit authorizes the regulated work described in the application. Requirements and inspection timing depend on the municipality and authority having jurisdiction. Where a permit is part of K-Jay's quoted scope, K-Jay files it and coordinates the inspection process; the authority determines the inspection and acceptance requirements.
Level 1 (L1)
Level 1 uses compatible EV charging equipment on a suitable 120 V circuit. Charging speed depends on the vehicle, equipment, and circuit. An existing outlet is not automatically suitable for sustained charging; follow the vehicle and equipment instructions and have concerns assessed. K-Jay's advertised home installation service focuses on Level 2.
Level 2 (L2)
Level 2 supplies AC power through a circuit and EVSE designed for the installation. It is a common choice for everyday home charging. Actual speed is limited by the vehicle, charger settings and circuit, so a larger charger does not guarantee a faster result. K-Jay assesses the home and your routine before specifying the charging arrangement.
DC fast charging (L3)
Often called Level 3, DC fast charging uses equipment that converts electricity outside the vehicle and supplies DC to its battery. It is different from the Level 2 home installations described on this site. Charging speed and compatibility depend on the station, vehicle, battery temperature and state of charge; not every EV or PHEV supports it.
PV
PV (photovoltaic) technology converts sunlight into electricity using semiconductor cells, typically silicon. A PV module, or solar panel, is an assembly of these cells. A PV system uses modules, racking, wiring and an inverter to turn sunlight into usable AC power for your home.
Module
A module is what most people call a solar panel. Its datasheet gives a rated output in watts under standard test conditions. That rating is not a promise of constant output on your roof. Panel dimensions, electrical characteristics, mounting and the selected inverter matter when designing a complete system.
Inverter
An inverter takes the direct current (DC) produced by solar modules and converts it to alternating current (AC) that matches the home's wiring and utility grid. String inverters serve groups of modules; micro-inverters operate at individual modules. K-Jay's current APsystems design includes the extended coverage K-Jay purchases, and the proposal states the exact equipment and warranty terms that apply.
Micro-inverter
Micro-inverters convert solar DC output near the modules rather than through one central inverter. The APsystems DS3-L used in K-Jay's residential offer can serve two modules. Monitoring, performance, and warranty conditions depend on the selected equipment; your proposal identifies the model and included coverage.
Racking
Racking holds modules in place and transfers loads to the supporting structure. Its attachments, weatherproofing and design must suit the roof or ground conditions and applicable wind and snow requirements. Different roofs use different mounting methods; the selected system and any engineering are part of the project design.
Micro-generation
Alberta micro-generation is designed around meeting the customer's electricity needs. System sizing and connection requirements depend on current rules and utility approval as well as available roof area. Export credits and billing depend on applicable rules and the electricity retailer's terms. K-Jay explains the proposal's assumptions; savings and credit rollover are not guaranteed.
Micro-Generation Regulation (MGR)
The Micro-Generation Regulation operates under Alberta's Electric Utilities Act. The Alberta Utilities Commission's rules and the distribution utility's process also matter for connecting a system. K-Jay handles the application steps included in the quoted scope and explains any customer authorizations. Requirements and billing arrangements must be checked for the actual project.
Energy Usage
Your bill includes electricity consumption as well as other charges and taxes. Usage history helps compare household needs with estimated solar production. Twelve months of records, where available, captures seasonal changes. If you have less history, identify the period available rather than guessing at missing months.
Utility
The utility is the regulated company that owns and operates the distribution infrastructure delivering power to your home: overhead lines or buried cables, the transformer on your block and the meter on your house. In Edmonton, that's EPCOR Distribution. The utility is separate from your electricity retailer, which bills you for energy. For projects that touch the service entrance, including solar tie-ins, service upgrades and new connections, the utility must approve and energize the work.
Service
Service (or service ampacity) is the rated amperage your electrical service can deliver from the utility's transformer through the meter to your main panel. Common sizes are 100 A (typical older home), 200 A (most new builds), and 400 A (large custom homes or homes with heavy loads). K-Jay assesses the conductors, meter equipment, main disconnect, panel, and utility requirements together. The assessment identifies which components need changing; replacing one component does not automatically establish the scope of every other upgrade.
Installed cost per watt
Divide the installation price by the rated panel capacity in watts to calculate a cost per watt. Compare the same basis: taxes, equipment, electrical work, permits and exclusions can differ between proposals. This figure is not the price of each kWh produced or a guarantee of savings; the complete scope and estimated production also matter.
Solar panel efficiency
Efficiency is useful when comparing how much rated power can fit in a given panel area. It is not the percentage of your electricity bill the system will offset. Actual roof production also depends on sunlight, temperature, shading, snow, layout and equipment. Compare the full design, not only a panel's efficiency percentage.
Solar performance warranty
A performance warranty specifies a minimum retained power rating over time under its written conditions. A linear guarantee generally describes the allowed decline, called degradation, over the covered period. It is not a guarantee of your roof's annual energy production or bill savings. Product defects and installation workmanship have separate coverage and terms; the proposal and manufacturer's warranty govern.
N-type monocrystalline panels
Monocrystalline cells use single-crystal silicon. N-type refers to the electrical characteristics of the silicon used in the cell. These technology labels do not, by themselves, establish roof output, durability or warranty coverage. Compare the actual panel's rated power, dimensions, efficiency and written warranties in the proposal.
Choosing your EV charger
Start with the vehicle's connector and AC charging limit. Then consider cable reach, indoor or outdoor use, hardwired versus plug-in installation, and whether you want app or scheduling features. A higher advertised amperage does not automatically make charging faster: the vehicle and installed circuit also set limits. Tell K-Jay the make and model or send a product link if you have chosen one. If you are undecided, say so; we can help compare the installation options before you buy.
Load management
Load management helps keep EV charging within the electrical capacity available to an assessed home. Depending on the equipment, it can reduce charging current or pause charging while other loads are high. It does not create extra service capacity, and it is not a substitute for assessing the installation. It may avoid a service upgrade in some homes, but suitability and charging availability depend on the home, equipment and applicable requirements.
Load calculation
A load calculation considers the home and its electrical loads using the applicable code method. Depending on the project, approved demand records may also be relevant. It is not simply adding every breaker number together. Panel photos and equipment details help start the review, but empty breaker spaces alone do not prove that an EV charger or other new load will fit.
Electrical capacity
A panel needs a suitable physical place for the circuit, but the service, panel ratings, wiring and household demand also matter. A 100-amp marking is not, by itself, a yes or no answer for EV charging. K-Jay reviews the equipment and load assessment together before recommending a charging circuit, load management or an upgrade.
Dedicated circuit
A dedicated circuit supplies the specified appliance or charging equipment rather than sharing ordinary household outlets. Its wiring, breaker, connection and installation method must suit the load. Having a nearby outlet or spare breaker does not establish that a suitable EV charging circuit already exists.
Hardwired EV charger
In a hardwired installation, the EVSE is connected directly to the circuit using the equipment's approved installation method. This differs from a plug-in charger and receptacle. Which option fits depends on the charger, requested current, location and applicable requirements. Tell us the charger model before choosing the wiring arrangement.
Plug-in EV charger
A plug-in EVSE has a supply plug that must match the installed receptacle and suitable charging circuit. NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50 name different receptacle configurations; they are not the connector that plugs into the vehicle. A dryer or range outlet is not automatically suitable for charging. Have the equipment and circuit assessed instead of adapting an existing outlet by guesswork.
J1772
J1772 identifies a vehicle-side AC charging connector, not the wall receptacle that supplies a plug-in charger. Check the vehicle and charger manuals for compatibility. Some vehicles use an approved adapter for a different connector; do not assume that any adapter works with every vehicle or charging method.
NACS
NACS, standardized as SAE J3400, describes a vehicle charging connector used by Tesla and other manufacturers. It can be used for compatible AC home charging as well as compatible DC fast charging. Connector shape alone does not establish compatibility or speed. Check the vehicle, charger and any manufacturer-approved adapter before buying equipment.
Kilowatt (kW)
Power describes the rate of producing or using electricity. A solar system's kW rating describes capacity under stated conditions, not how much electricity it will produce over a day or year. For example, a device drawing a steady 5 kW for two hours uses 10 kWh of energy. Real solar output changes through the day, so annual production is estimated separately.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Your electricity bill records energy use in kWh. A solar proposal also estimates production in kWh over a month or year. This differs from the system's kW capacity. Use consumption history and a roof-specific production estimate to compare the two; a system rating alone does not establish the bill savings.
Solar DC capacity
Solar DC capacity adds the panel wattage ratings under standard test conditions. Ten 500 W panels would have 5,000 W, or 5 kW, of rated DC capacity. That example is not a recommended system size or a production guarantee. Inverter AC capacity and expected annual kWh are separate figures in the design.
Standard test conditions (STC)
Panel power and efficiency are measured under standardized light and temperature conditions. Real output depends on weather, temperature, shade, snow, orientation and other site conditions. A datasheet rating lets you compare equipment; it does not promise that the panel will deliver that power all day.
Interconnection
A grid-connected solar project requires the distribution utility's applicable application, equipment and connection requirements to be met. Electrical permits and utility approval are related but separate parts of the process. A completed installation is not, on its own, permission to begin exporting electricity; the project must follow the applicable approval sequence.
Export credits
Solar electricity can be used in the building as it is generated. Surplus may flow through the meter to the grid and be credited by the retailer under the applicable micro-generation rules and account terms. Exported kWh are not the same as total solar production. Credits are not a guarantee of a zero bill, a fixed return or free electricity delivery.
Ground-mounted solar
A ground-mounted array needs a suitable site, mounting design and cable route. Land use, access, shading, ground conditions, electrical connection and any engineering or approval requirements shape the project. K-Jay considers rural ground-mount opportunities through its commercial solar design and sales process, not as a standard residential roof package.
Continuous recording
Continuous recording can provide footage before and after an event, but it requires a compatible camera package, recorder and adequate storage. Retention depends on resolution, camera count, recording settings and available space. It is not included with every wireless device or platform, and it is different from professional alarm monitoring.
Cloud storage
Cloud recording depends on the platform, internet connection, subscription and retention plan. On-site recording stores footage locally instead. Some packages combine these features, but capabilities and recurring costs need to be confirmed for the chosen equipment. An app or live camera view does not automatically include saved recording.
Professional alarm monitoring
Professional monitoring is distinct from viewing cameras or storing footage. Supported devices, event handling, response scope, fees and contract terms depend on the provider and platform. Municipal registration may also apply. The quote should identify the selected service; no package should be assumed to guarantee a particular emergency response.
Rough-in
A rough-in prepares for a later installation, often while walls are open during construction. Its actual scope may include cable, conduit or reserved routes and connection points; it is not automatically a complete working charger, solar array or camera system. Check what is included and what still needs assessment, equipment, permits or installation before the finished service can be used.
Conduit
Conduit provides a route and protection for electrical conductors. Its type, size and installation depend on the location and wiring design. An empty conduit may simplify future work, but it does not establish that the route, wiring capacity or electrical supply is suitable for the planned charger or solar system.
Service upgrade
A panel replacement changes the distribution equipment. A service-capacity upgrade may also involve the main disconnect, meter equipment, conductors and utility coordination. K-Jay assesses these together and specifies the work needed. A new panel alone does not automatically give the property a larger electrical supply.
Commissioning
Commissioning includes the testing, configuration and handoff relevant to the installed equipment. Depending on the project, that can include operational checks, monitoring setup and instructions. It does not replace an electrical permit or utility authorization; those approval steps remain separate where required.
Whole-home surge protection
A surge protective device helps limit certain transient overvoltages within its ratings. The equipment and installation need to suit the electrical system. It is not a substitute for proper grounding, bonding or other required protection and cannot guarantee that every connected device will survive every surge or lightning event.