Glossary of electrical and electronics engineering: Difference between revisions

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{{shortShort description|List of definitions of terms and concepts commonly used in the study of electrical engineering and electronics}}

''Most of the terms listed in Wikipedia glossaries are already defined and explained within Wikipedia itself. However, glossaries like this one are useful for looking up, comparing and reviewing large numbers of terms together. You can help enhance this page by adding new terms or writing definitions for existing ones.''

This '''glossary of electrical and electronics engineering''' is a list of definitions of terms and concepts related specifically to [[electrical engineering]] and [[electronics engineering]]. For terms related to engineering in general, see [[Glossary of engineering]].

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{{term|[[AC adapter]]}}

{{defn|An external power supply for portable devices that allows them to operate from wall-socket electricity.}}

{{term|[[AC capacitor]]}}

{{defn|A {{gli|capacitor}} essentially designed for operation with {{gli|alternating current|alternating voltage}}.<ref name=":0" /></br>NOTE — AC capacitors may be used with dc voltage up to the rated voltage only by permission of the capacitor manufacturer.}}

{{term|[[AC power plugs and sockets]]}}

{{defn|Electrical connectors used with {{gli|alternating current}}.}}

{{term|[[AC power]]}}

{{defn|Electric power where the current reverses direction periodically.}}

{{term|[[Rectifier|AC/AC-to-DC conversion converter(rectifier)]]}}

{{defn|Rectification of AC current, so that current flows in only one direction.}}

{{term|[[AC-to-AC capacitorconverter]]}}

{{defn|A power converter where the input and output are both {{gli|alternating current}}, but may differ in frequency or other characteristics.}}

{{term|[[AC/DC receiver design]]}}

{{defn|A radio receiver that can operate from either {{gli|alternating current}} or {{gli|direct current}} wall socket power.}}

{{term|[[AC/DC conversion]]}}

{{defn|Rectification of AC current, so that current flows in only one direction.}}

{{term|[[active rectification]]}}

{{defn|A circuit where rectifier devices are externally controlled to change AC to current flowing in one direction.}}

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{{term|[[adjustable-speed drive]]}}

{{defn|Control for a motor that allows more than one speed to be selected.}}

{{term|[[advanced Zz-transform]]}}

{{defn|A mathematical technique used to model and analyze digital systems.}}

{{term|[[affinity laws]]}}

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{{defn|A power transformer where the metallic core is made of metals cooled so quickly that they do not form a crystal structure; such transformers can reduce some kinds of energy loss.}}

{{term|[[ampacity]]}}

{{defn|The {{gli|current}} carrying capacity of a conductor, in the context of electric power wiring. }}

{{term|[[ampere]]}}

{{defn|The [[International System of Units|SI]] unit of electrical current.}}

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{{term|[[apparent power]]}}

{{defn|In an {{gli|alternating current}} power circuit, the product of the magnitude of RMS {{gli|voltage}} and {{gli|current}}.}}

{{term|[[Apple ComputerInc.]] (formerly known as Apple Computer)}}

{{defn|A company that makes mobile telephones and computers.}}

{{term|[[arbitrary waveform generator]]}}

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{{term|[[artificial intelligence]]}}

{{defn|A computer system that replicates some feature of human intelligence.}}

{{term|[[artificial neural networksnetwork]]}}

{{defn|An electricalA network of individual logic elements in multiple layers that mimics the function of a biological nervous system; a technique in artificial intelligence.}}

{{term|[[asymptotic stability]]}}

{{defn|A condition of a control system where the output eventually reaches a steady-state value in response to any input.}}

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{{defn|The fraction of time that a power plant is available to produce power.}}

{{term|[[avalanche diode]]}}

{{defn|A diode intended for regular operation in the reverse, avalanche breakdown, mode. Used as a {{gli|voltage}} reference, noise source, and in certain classes of microwave oscillator device. }}

{{term|[[average rectified value]]}}

{{defn|The average value of an {{gli|alternating current}} waveform, taking the absolute value of the waveform. The average value is generally different from the root-mean-square value. }}

{{glossary end}}

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{{glossary}}

{{term|[[backward wave oscillator]]}}

{{defn|A type of microwavemicowave oscillator vacuum tube.}}

{{term|[[balanced line]]}}

{{defn|A transmission line with two conductors, with equal impedances to earth ground.}}

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{{term|[[capacitor]]}}

{{defn|An electrical component that stores energy in an electric field.}}

{{term|[[capacitor bank]]}}

{{defn|An assembly of one or more {{gli|capacitor unit|capacitor units}}, electrically connected to each other.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://archive.org/embed/gov.in.is.13648.1993|title=IS 13648: Power electronics capacitors|publisher=[[Bureau of Indian Standards]]|year=1993|isbn=|___location=|page=1|pages=}}</ref>}}

{{term|[[capacitor element]]}}

{{defn|An indivisible part of the {{gli|capacitor}} consisting of two electrodes separated by a {{gli|dielectric}}.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[capacitor equipment]]}}

{{defn|An assembly of {{gli|capacitor unit|capacitor units}} and their accessories intended for connection to a {{gli|network}}.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[capacitor-input filter]]}}

{{defn|A power supply network where a capacitor is the first element following the rectifier.}}

{{term|[[capacitor unit]]}}

{{defn|An assembly of one or more {{gli|capacitor element|capacitor elements}} in the same container with {{gli|terminal|terminals}} brought out.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[capacitor voltage transformer]]}}

{{defn|In electrical power systems, an instrument transformer for measuring {{gli|voltage}} that uses a capacitive voltage divider.}}

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{{term|[[cavity magnetron]]}}

{{defn|A vacuum tube that is a high power microwave oscillator, using a resonant cavity and electrons traveling through a magnetic field.}}

{{term|[[CCFL inverter]]}}

{{defn|A power supply to generate the voltages required to operate a cold cathode fluorescent lamp.}}

{{term|[[CD]]}}

{{defn|A "Compact Disc" used to store digital data or digitally recorded sound using an infrared laser.}}

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{{term|[[choke (electronics)|choke]]}}

{{defn|An induction coil used to block {{gli|alternating current}} and pass {{gli|direct current}}, or to block high frequencies and pass lower frequencies.}}

{{term|[[chopper (electronicelectronics)|chopper]]}}

{{defn|A circuit that switches on and off at a high rate, used either for power conversion or to convert a DC signal to a more easily processed AC signal. }}

{{term|[[circle diagram]]}}

{{defn|A representation of the {{gli|voltage}} and {{gli|current}} characteristics of an electrical machine; the plot traces out a circle or part of a circle.}}

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{{defn|A type of microwave amplifier vacuum tube.}}

{{term|[[crosstalk]]}}

{{defn|Objectionable presence of a signal from one circuit in another circuit sharing the same transmission path, such as a cable. }}

{{term|[[crystal oscillator]]}}

{{defn|An electronic oscillator whose frequency is stabilized by a piezoelectric crystal resonator element.}}

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{{compact ToC|side=yes|center=yes|nobreak=yes|top=yes|seealso=yes|refs=yes|num=yes|extlinks=yes|}}

==D==

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{{term|[[data networks]]}}

{{defn|A network for interconnection of computers and peripherals.}}

{{term|[[DC capacitor]]}}

{{defn|A {{gli|capacitor}} essentially designed for operation with direct voltage.<ref name=":0" /></br>NOTE — DC capacitors may be used with ac voltage only by permission of the capacitor manufacturer.}}

{{term|[[DC injection braking]]}}

{{defn|A method of slowing an AC electric motor by passing {{gli|direct current}} through its windings.}}

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{{term|[[dipole antenna]]}}

{{defn|A simple form of antenna that consists of two conductors oriented end-to-end with a feed in between them.}}

{{anchor|direct current}}{{term|[[direct current]] (DC)}}

{{defn|Electric current that flows in one direction only.}}

{{term|[[direct on line starter]]}}

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{{defn|The production of current in a circuit by the change of magnetic field intersecting the circuit.}}

{{term|[[electromagnetic radiation]]}}

{{defn|Radio waves, light and other radiation that travels through space at the speed of light. }}

{{term|[[electromagnetic spectrum]]}}

{{defn|The range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.}}

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{{term|[[ferroelectricity]]}}

{{defn|The property of materials that spontaneously maintain an electrical polarization, as a ferromagnetic material maintains magnetic polarization.}}

{{term|[[fiber -optic cable]]}}

{{defn|A transmission medium that uses infrared energy or light to transmit information down a long thin transparent filament such as glass.}}

{{term|[[field effect transistor]]}}

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{{term|[[induction coil]]}}{{defn|An early name for a transformer; a type of transformer for high-voltage uses.}}

{{term|[[induction cooker]]}}{{defn|A cooking appliance that heats pots with magnetic fields.}}

{{term|[[induction generator]]}}{{defn|A type of generator where the rotating field winding is excited by induction from the stationary armature winding. }}

{{term|[[induction motor]]}}{{defn|A type of motor where the rotating field winding is excited by induction from the stationary armature winding.}}

{{term|[[induction regulator]]}}{{defn|A kind of variable transformer that provides stepless control of the output by changing the coupling between two coils.}}

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{{term|[[inrush current]]}}

{{defn|The transient current that flows when first connecting a device to a power source.}}

{{term|[[internal fuse]]}}

{{defn|A device incorporated in the {{gli|capacitor}} which disconnects an element or a group of elements in the event of breakdown.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE)}}{{defn|The American-based society for electrotechnology.}}

{{term|[[Institution of Engineering and Technology]]}}

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{{defn|Heating in a conductor due to passage of current.}}

{{term|[[joule]]}}

{{defn|Symbol: J, is a [[SI derived unit|derived unit]] of [[energy]] in the [[International System of Units]].<ref>{{SIbrochure8th|page=120}}</ref> It is equal to the energy transferred to (or [[work (physics)|work]] done on) an object when a [[force]] of one [[Newton (unit)|newton]] acts on that object in the direction of the force's motion through a distance of one [[metre]] (1 newton metre or N⋅m). It is also the energy dissipated as heat when an [[electric current]] of one [[ampere]] passes through a [[Electrical resistance and conductance|resistance]] of one [[ohm]] for one second. It is named after the English physicist [[James Prescott Joule]] (1818–1889).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060413141420/http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/joule American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language], Online Edition (2009). Houghton Mifflin Co., hosted by [https://web.archive.org/web/20010502171832/http://education.yahoo.com/ Yahoo! Education].</ref><ref>''The American Heritage Dictionary'', Second College Edition (1985). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., p. 691.</ref><ref>''McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Physics'', Fifth Edition (1997). McGraw-Hill, Inc., p. 224.</ref>}}

{{defn|The [[International System of Units|SI]] unit of work; one joule is of the order of the energy dissipated when an apple falls off a table top.}}

{{glossary end}}

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==L==

{{glossary}}

{{term|[[AC/DCLadder conversionnetwork]]}}

{{defn|A string of many, often equally dimensioned, impedances connected between two reference voltages.}}

{{term|[[LAN]]}}

{{defn|Local Area Network, an interconnection of computers over a building or small campus.}}

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{{defn|An electric filter network that passes lower frequencies and blocks higher ones.}}

{{term|[[LTI system theory]]}}

{{defn|The theory of systems that, over a useful range, respond proportionally to inputs and don't change characteristics while responding. }}

{{term|[[lumen (unit)|lumen]]}}

{{defn|The [[International System of Units|SI]] unit of luminous flux, the energy of visible light.}}

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{{defn|The proportionality constant that relates the twisting torque produced on an object to the magnetic field.}}

{{term|[[magnetism]]}}

{{defn|The class of natural phenomena related to magnets and magnetic fields. }}

{{term|[[magnetization]]}}

{{defn|A property of a material that measures its response to a magnetic field.}}

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{{term|[[Metadyne]]}}

{{defn|A DC electric machine with crossed fields and two sets of brushes, used as an amplifier or rotary DC transformer.}}

{{term|[[metal-foil capacitor]]}}

{{defn|A {{gli|capacitor}} in which the {{gli|electrode|electrodes}} usually consist of metal foils separated by a {{gli|dielectric}},in the event of breakdown of the dielectric, the capacitor does not restore itself.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[metal rectifier]]}}

{{defn|A {{gli|rectifier}} made from copper oxide or selenium; formerly widely used before development of silicon rectifiers.}}

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{{term|[[Modbus]]}}

{{defn|A brand name for a serial protocol for industrial control equipment communication.}}

{{term|[[model capacitor]]}}

{{defn|A smaller unit which simulates a complete unit or element in an electrical test, without reducing the severity of the electrical, thermal or mechanical conditions.<ref name=":0" /></br>NOTE — The sum of stresses should always be considered, for instance the sum of temperature, mechanical conditions and electrical stresses.}}

{{term|[[model predictive control]]}}

{{defn|A control strategy for process systems based on a mathematical model of the process and its disturbances.}}

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{{term|[[nanoinverter]]}}{{defn|Grid tied inverters rated less than 100 watts, useful for connection of single solar PV panels to a building AC power system.}}

{{term|[[nanotechnology]]}}{{defn|Technology that uses devices whose principal dimensions are of the order of a few nanometres.}}

{{term|[[National ElectricElectrical Code]]}}{{defn|The United States national technical standard for building wiring installation.}}

{{term|[[National Electrical Manufacturers Association|National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)]]}}{{defn|A US trade association for electrical manufacturers that also develops technical standards.}}

{{term|[[negative feedback]]}}{{defn|Feedback from a control system output that tends to oppose the input.}}

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{{term|[[network cable]]}}{{defn|Cables intended for use in data interconnections, with defined performance parameters.}}

{{term|[[network protector]]}}{{defn|A type of circuit breaker used to isolate a fault from a multi-transformer supply network.}}

{{term|neural network}}{{defn|An {{gli|artificial neural network}}, or one of the [[biological neural network]]s that the artificial networks are inspired by.}}

{{term|[[neural networks]]}}{{defn|A network of individual logic elements in multiple layers that emulates some of the behavior of a biological nervous system; a technique in artificial intelligence.}}

{{term|[[nodal analysis]]}}{{defn|A technique for analysis of currents in an electrical network.}}

{{term|[[node (circuits)|node]]}}{{defn|A defined point in an electrical network, with some potential relative to a reference node and where currents can be summed.}}

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{{term|[[overhead line]]}}

{{defn|Outside plant run on poles or other structures; power transmission or telecommunication wires.}}

{{term|[[overpressure disconnector]]}}

{{defn|A disconnecting device designed to interrupt the current path in the case of abnormal increase of the internal pressure.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[oversampling]]}}

{{defn|Sampling a signal at a rate higher than required by the Nyquist criterion.}}

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{{term|[[power distribution]]}}{{defn|That portion of an electrical grid between the substation or bulk supply and the end consumer.}}

{{term|[[power electronics]]}}{{defn|The class of electronic devices handling power greater than a watt.}}

{{term|[[power electronics capacitor]]}}{{defn|A power capacitor intended to be used in {{gli|power electronic}} equipment and capable of operating continuously under non-sinusoidal {{gli|current}} or {{gli|voltage}}.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[power engineering]]}}{{defn|That part of electrical engineering that deals with the generation, distribution and consumption of electrical power.}}

{{term|[[power-factor correction]]}}{{defn|Apparatus intended to bring the power factor of some load closer to 1.}}

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{{term|[[segmentation (image processing)|segmentation]]}}{{defn|A step in digital image processing that groups picture elements of an image that notionally represent some physically significant property of the imaged objects.}}

{{term|[[selenium rectifiers]]}}{{defn|One type of metal rectifier, though selenium is considered a "metalloid"{{Snd}} formerly much used but now replaced by silicon semiconductors.}}

{{term|[[self-healing metallized dielectric capacitor]]}}{{defn|A {{gli|capacitor}}, the {{gli|electrode|electrodes}} of which are deposited on the dielectric (usually by evaporation); in the event of breakdown of the dielectric, the capacitor restores itself.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term|[[semiconductor]]}}{{defn|A substance with electrical conductivity between that of insulators and conductors; displays a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, and is also sensitive to light. The conductivity of semiconductors can readily be altered by trace amounts of other substances, leading to devices that are the foundation of nearly all modern electronics.}}

{{term|[[semiconductor device]]}}{{defn|A device that relies on substances with electrical conductivity between that of insulators and conductors; the controllable conductivity of these materials makes most of modern electronics possible.}}

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{{term|[[Split phase|split phase distribution]]}}{{defn|A type of distribution system that uses a center tapped transformer to provide two voltages to a building wiring system.}}

{{term|[[Induction motor#Starting|split phase motor]]}}{{defn|A type of single phase motor that uses a resistor, inductor, or capacitor and two windings to obtain a rotating magnetic field.}}

{{term|[[Square wave (waveform)|square wave]]}}{{defn|A waveform that spends equal times at the positive and negative peak values with rapid transitions between them.}}

{{term|[[stability theory]]}}{{defn|The systematic study of control systems that deals with their response to disturbances.}}

{{term|[[stable polynomial]]}}{{defn|That class of polynomials representing the transfer functions of stable control systems.}}

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{{term|[[transmission tower]]}}{{defn|A structure for support of overhead transmission wires.}}

{{term|[[transmitter]]}}{{defn|Apparatus that prepares a signal for emission into some medium, such as a radio transmitter or a sonar transmitter.}}

{{term|[[traveling-wave tube]]}}{{defn|A type of microwave amplifier vacuum tube. }}

{{term|[[trembler coil]]}}{{defn|A kind of high-voltage coil that includes an interrupting mechanism, formerly used in automobile ignition systems.}}

{{term|[[TRIAC]]}}{{defn|A variation of the {{gli|thyristor}} that can pass bidirectional (ac) current.}}

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{{glossary}}

{{term|[[Yagi antenna]]}}

{{defn|A type of radio antenna using a feeder element, one or more parasitic reflector elements, and one or more director parasitic elements to provide a directional characteristic; the classic home TV rooftop antenna was usually a Yagi antenna .}}

{{term|[[Y-Δ transform|Y-delta transform]]}}

{{defn|A mathematical technique in circuit analysis to simplify a circuit.}}

{{glossary end}}

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{{term|[[Zener diode]]}}

{{defn|Nickname for "voltage regulator diodes" which may rely either on the Zener effect or avalanche breakdown to maintain a roughly constant voltage; the two effects have opposite temperature coefficients of voltage.}}

{{term|[[Ziegler-Nichols tuning method]]}}

{{defn|It is a heuristic method of tuning a PID controller.}}

{{term|[[zigzag transformer]]}}

{{defn|A multiwinding three phase transformer, sometimes used for grounding.}}

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*[[Glossary of structural engineering]]

== References ==

{{reflistReflist}}

{{Engineering fields}}

{{Glossaries of science and engineering}}

[[Category:Electrical -engineering-related lists]]

[[Category:Electronic engineering]]

[[Category:Glossaries of science|electrical and electronics engineering]]

[[Category:WikipediaGlossaries glossariesof technology|Electrical and electronics engineering]]

[[Category:Wikipedia glossaries using description lists]]