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What do Portuguese electrical terms mean in English?
Portuguese homes use their own words for the board, the breakers and the bill. These are the terms our English-speaking clients ask about most, what each one means and when it matters. If a word on your board or paperwork is not here, ask us.
- quadro elétrico
- The board where every circuit in the house starts. When it is old, undersized or unlabelled, this is where most tripping problems begin.
- disjuntor
- One for each circuit. It switches off when that circuit is overloaded or shorted, and each one should be labelled with what it feeds.
- diferencial
- Trips when current leaks to earth, which is what protects people from electric shock. Press its test button now and then to check it still works.
- terra
- The green and yellow conductor. It gives a fault a safe path so the RCD can do its job. Some older villas were built without one.
- potência contratada
- The limit on your electricity contract. Run the oven, air conditioning and water heater together above it and the power cuts out, even though nothing is faulty.
- E-Redes
- The company that runs the local electricity network in mainland Portugal and looks after the meters. If the whole street has no power, it is a matter for them, not for your electrician.
- comercializador
- The company that sells you electricity and sends the bill. It is separate from the network operator, so changing supplier does not change your cables or meter.
- contador
- Measures what you use. It usually sits in a box at the boundary or at the entrance of the building, and it belongs to the network, not to you.
- CPE
- Código de Ponto de Entrega: the code on your bill that identifies your supply. You need it to change supplier or ask for more contracted power.
- tarifa bi-horária
- A tariff with cheaper off-peak hours (vazio) and dearer peak hours (fora de vazio). It suits homes that can run the water heater, laundry or EV charging at night.
- monofásico / trifásico
- Most homes have a single-phase supply. Three-phase supply is used for larger loads such as big heat pumps, workshops and some fast EV chargers.
- fase / neutro
- The live conductors are brown, black or grey; the neutral is blue; earth is green and yellow. Older installations may use other colours, which is one reason to test before working.
- UPAC
- Unidade de Produção para Autoconsumo: a solar system that produces power for your own use. It has to be registered or communicated, depending on its size.
Which words will I see on my electrical board?
The board (quadro elétrico) holds the main switch, one or more RCDs (diferenciais) and one circuit breaker (disjuntor) for each circuit. Each breaker should be labelled with what it feeds. An unlabelled board makes every fault slower and more expensive to find.
Which words will I see on my electricity bill?
The bill comes from your supplier (comercializador). The network and the meter (contador) belong to the network operator, E-Redes. The bill shows your contracted power (potência contratada) in kVA, your tariff, for example a two-rate tariff (tarifa bi-horária), and the CPE code that identifies your supply.
Which words matter for paperwork and solar?
Solar systems that produce power for your own use are registered as a UPAC. Keep these documents: insurers, buyers and licensing checks may ask for them.
Should I call the network operator or an electrician?
If the whole street is without power, contact the network operator. If only your property is affected, check the board for a tripped breaker or RCD. If it will not reset, or trips again straight away, call an electrician and do not keep resetting it.
Common questions
What is the difference between a disjuntor and a diferencial?
A disjuntor (circuit breaker) protects one circuit against overload and short circuits. A diferencial (RCD) switches off when current leaks to earth, which protects people from electric shock. A modern board uses both.
Why does my power cut out when several appliances are on?
You are probably going over your contracted power (potência contratada). Nothing is faulty: the supply limits the total load. Spread heavy appliances over time, add load management, or ask your supplier for more power after checking the installation can take it.
Where do I find my CPE code?
On your electricity bill, usually near your contract details. It identifies your supply point and is needed to change supplier or to request more contracted power.
Other services
- Fuse Box & Consumer Unit UpgradesModern, safe consumer units sized for today’s electrical load.
- General Electrical RepairsDead sockets, tripping fuse boards, faulty switches and lights, diagnosed and fixed fast.
- Inspections & CertificatesPre-purchase reports and Alojamento Local compliance, clear and certified.