Page 338 - Electromechanical Devices and Components Illustrated Sourcebook

300 Glossary

current limiter A device that is intended to limit the flash tube A gas discharge tube for producing short-
amount of current that is intended to pass through a circuit duration, high-intensity light
Cps Abbreviation for cycle per Seconds, frequency FM Abbreviation for frequency modulation
fuse A sacrificial device that is intended to protect a circuit
D form over-current situations
damping The action of reducing voltage transients fuse holder A reusable mount for standard fuses
dashpot A pneumatic or hydraulic shock absorber generally
used on instrumentation G
db Abbreviation for decibels (sound level) galvanometer An instrument for measuring low-level
DC Abbreviation of direct current electrical signals
decade box A test device that allows the internal value to generator A device for producing electrical energy from
be adjusted in tens rotation motion
Delta Greek letter, a three phase circuit that is arranged in a giga A prefix meaning of billion
loop glow discharge Light emitted through the electrical
detector An electronic device that is intended to detect a excitation of a gas
physical condition grid A biased plate that is used to control the flow of
dielectric The insulating barrier between two conductors electrons in a vacuum tube
digital A circuit that operated at two states, off/on, 5 ground An electrical connection to the earth
volts/0 volts ground buss A grounded bar providing a series of
diode A semiconductor device that acts as one way valve connections
for electricity ground lug A solder lug attached to a grounded chassis
DIP Abbreviation for Duel In-line Package guy wire A wire or cable used to steady a tower
distribution system A system intended to distribute power
from a central location H
DPDT Abbreveation for double-pole, double throw half-wave One-half of a full AC cycle
DPST Abbreviation for double-pole, single throw handset The speaker/microphone assembly of a telephone
drum switch A switch activated from a rotating drum headphones Two small speakers mounted onto a loop
dry cell A single cell battery with a past-type electrolyte intended to be worn on the head
dry battery A multicell battery with a past-type headset Headphones
electrolyte henery Unit of measure of inductance
duty cycle The amount of on time a device can operate hermetic Permanent sealing
during a predetermined period, i.e. 2 minutes of run time hertz Frequency, abbreviated Hz
within a 10-minute period is a 20% duty cycle high frequency AC signal with a frequency above 3 MHz
dynamic In motion and below 30 MHz, abbreviated hf
high tension High voltage
E high voltage A relative term, generally a voltage that is
E-core An iron core shaped in the form of an E higher then normal
eddy currents Currents that develop within a conductor due Horseshoe magnet A permanent magnet in the shape of a U
to changing magnetic fields hydrophone A microphone designed to operate under water
electrode The termination of a circuit
electrolyte A chemical that relies on electrochemical action I
for conductivity ignition coil A transformer designed specifically to fire
electromagnetic Magnetism that is generated by electricity spark plugs
electron The negatively charged particle ignitron A type of mercury pool rectifier
electron beam A beam comprised of electrons impedance References the internal resistance of a circuit
electron field An area with elevated electron activity incandescent lamp A lamp with a hot wire filament
electron emission The act of emitting electrons induced voltage A voltage that is generated from a
element A single component of an assembly dynamic magnetic field
emitter A conductor which emits electrons inductor A coil of wire intended to provide short-term
envelope The vacuum or atmosphere container surrounding storage of delay of current
a device interface A circuit that is used to connect two incompatible
circuits
F interference An induced voltage that is picked up from
ferrite A powered metal used for high-frequency stray signals
transformers and inductors ionization The act of introducing a charge state on particles
FET Abbreviation for field effect transistor isolation Operating a circuit with no connections to the
filament The active element in a light bulb ground or external power sources