SECTION 55 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
55-7
DEFINITION OF TERMS
ALTERNATING CURRENT (A.C.) - A flow of
electrons which reverses its direction of flow at
regular intervals in a conductor.
AMMETER - Measures the flow of electrical current
in amperes. Ammeters are connected in series with
the circuit to be tested.
AMPERE - A unit of measure for the flow of current
in a circuit. The ampere is used to measure electricity
such as “gallons per minute” is used to measure
liquid flow.
CIRCUIT - A continuous, unbroken path along a
conductor through which electrical current can flow
from a source, through various components, and
back to the source.
CIRCUIT BREAKER - A device to protect an
electrical circuit from overloads and can be reset, or
will automatically reset.
COLD CRANK RATING (CCA) - The cranking load
capacity of a battery at low temperatures (cold
cranking amperes at 0 F).
CONTINUITY - Unbroken path along a conductor
through which electrical current can flow.
CURRENT - Movement of electricity along a
conductor. Current is measured in amperes.
DIODE - An electrical device that will allow current to
pass through itself in one direction only.
DIODE (RESISTOR TYPE) - An electrical device that
will allow current to pass through itself in one
direction only and will cause resistance as the
electricity passes through. The electricity coming
from this type diode will be less than what is going in.
DIRECT CURRENT (D.C.) - A flow of electrons
moving in the same direction along a conductor from
a point of high potential to one of lower potential.
FUSE - A device to protect an electrical circuit from
overloads that needs to be replaced when blown.
OHM - The standard unit for measuring resistance to
flow of an electrical current.
OHMMETER - An instrument for measuring the
resistance in ohms of an electrical circuit.
OPEN CIRCUIT - An open circuit occurs when a
circuit is broken which interrupts the flow of current
through the circuit.
RELAY - An electrical switch which opens and closes
a circuit automatically when activated.
RESISTANCE - The opposing force offered by a
circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms.
SHORT CIRCUIT - A part of a circuit that comes in
contact with part of the same circuit or unintentionally
touches a metallic object.
SOLENOID - A circular coil used for producing a
magnetic field.
SWITCHES - A device used to control and direct
current to circuits and will remain in this position until
changed.
SWITCHES (MOMENTARY) - Momentary switches
are used to direct current to circuits and these
switches will return to the neutral position when
released.
VOLT - A unit of electrical pressure which caused
current to flow in a circuit.
VOLTAGE - The force which is generated to cause
current to flow in an electrical circuit. Voltage is
measured in volts.
VOLTMETER - An instrument for measuring the
force in volts of electrical current. Voltmeters are
connected in parallel to the points where voltage is to
be measured.
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