Acronyms & Terms

Accidental - occurring unexpectedly, unintentionally, or by chance.
AC Voltage - a voltage in which the polarity alternates.
Alternating current - an electric current that is continually varying in value and reversing its direction of flow at regular interval.
Ampere - basic unit of current
Anode - a positive electrode of semiconductor device.

Bridge Rectifier - a circuit using four diodes to provide full-wave rectification. Converts AC voltage to a pulsating DC voltage.

Calibration - used to adjust the correct value of a reading with comparison to a standard value.
Capacitance - a property that exists whenever two conductors are separated by insulating material, permitting the storage of electricity.
Capacitor - a component designed intentionally to have a definite amount of capacitance.
Circuit - an arrangement of one or more complete paths of electron flow.
Color Code - set of colors used to indicate value of a component
Conductor - a wire, cable, or other body or medium that is suitable for carrying electric current.
Current - the rate of transfer of electricity from one point to another.

De Soldering - a process of unsoldering unwanted parts or components in the circuit with the support of soldering tool.
Diode - a two terminal device that conducts in only one direction
Dielectric Material - a material that serves as insulator because it has poor electric conductivity.
Direct Current - an electric current that flows in one direction.
Discrete Components- separated or individual components.

Electronics - a branch of science and technology that deals with the controlled flow of electrons.
Electronic measuring instrument - portable instruments used to measure electrical quantities such as current, voltage, and resistance

Flammable - tending to burn quickly.
Full Wave Rectifier - the rectifier that makes use of the full ac wave in both positive and negative half cycles
Fuse - a device in the current path that melts or breaks when current protective exceeds a predetermined maximum value

Half Wave Rectifier - a diode rectifier that converts AC to pulsating DC by eliminating either the negative or positive alternation of each input AC cycle
Hazards - risks; dangers.

Leakage - small undesirable flow of current through an insulator or dielectric
Light Emitting Diode - - a semiconductor diode that converts electric energy into electromagnetic radiation at a visible and near infrared frequencies when its PN junction is forward bias

Ohmmeter - an instrument that measures the amount of resistance in certain component or circuits.
Ohmmeter scale - section of the ohmmeter where the value of the resistance is being indicated
Output - terminal at which a component, circuit or piece of equipment delivers current, voltage or power

Power Supply - electrical equipment used to deliver either AC or DC voltage
Primary - first winding of a transformer winding that is connected to the source as opposed to secondary which is a winding connected to a load

Range multiplier - a portion in the ohmmeter where the actual reading is multiplied by the range value
Rectification - process that converts alternating current to direct current
Rectifier - - diode circuit that converts AC to pulsating DC
Regulated Power Supply - power supply that maintains a constant output voltage under changing load condition
Resistance - the opposition that a component or material offers to the flow current.
Resistor – a component designed intentionally to have a definite amount of resistance.
Resistor color coding - a scheme to determine the value of resistors by color bands printed on their bodies as code
Rotary Switch - electromechanical device that has a rotating shaft connected to one terminal capable of making, breaking a connection to one or more other terminals

Schematic Diagram - - illustration of an electrical or electronic circuit with the components represented by their symbol
Secondary - output winding of a transformer winding that is connected to a load
Short Circuit - also called a short. Low resistance connection between two points in a circuit typically causing excessive current
Solder - metallic alloy used to join two metal surfaces
Soldering - a process of joining two metals caused by heat.
Soldering Iron - tool with an internal heating element used to heat surfaces being soldered to the point where the solder becomes molten
Soldering technique - a right process in which the solder (lead) is being applied in a connection or in the printed circuit board.
Splicing – connecting two lengths of conductor.
Substrate - mechanical insulating support upon which a device is fabricated
Switch - electrical device having two states, ON (closed) or OFF (open)

Technician - a person skilled in mechanical or industrial techniques or in a particular technical field.
Test - sequence of operations intended to verify the correct operation or malfunctioning of a piece of equipment or system
Test Probes - connectors connected to terminals of the VOM and component’s terminals or test points in a circuit to be tested. They are oftentimes red and black in color
Tolerance - the fourth color in the 3-band color coding that indicates the percentage of deviation from its color coded value
Tool kit - a small bag or box equipped with hand tools.
Transformer - inductor with two or more windings
Troubleshooting - systematic approach to locate the cause of a fault in an electronic circuit or system

Volt - basic unit of voltage
Voltage - the electrical pressure that existed between two points and capable of producing a flow of current when a close circuit is connected between the points.
Voltmeter - an instrument that measures the amount of electromotive force in a component or circuit.

Zero-ohm adjuster - part of the ohmmeter that is used in adjusting the pointer of the ohmmeter to zero before resistance measurements or continuity tests are made.

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