- Electronic
Hardware
- Common
Electro-Technical Hardware Terminology
- ampere (amp): The unit of
measurement for the rate of electrical current flow characterized
by the symbols I (in Ohm's law formula) or A . One ampere is the
current flowing through one ohm of resistance at one volt
potential.
- ampere/hour (AH): A
measurement of a battery's capacity. One ampere of current flowing
for one hour equals one ampere/hour.
- annuciator: An audible and
visual signaling device.
- battery standby: A means
of automatically switching over to stored battery power during
local primary power failure.
- cam: A rotating eccentric
piece attached to the end of a cylinder plug to actuate a lock or
latch mechanism.
- circuit closed: (1) An
electrical circuit in which current normally flows until
interrupted by the opening of a switch or a switch-type electronic
component. (2) A circuit or switch in which the contacts are
closed during normal operation.
- circuit open: (1) An
electrical circuit in which current does not flow until permitted
by the closing of a switch or a switch-type electronic component.
(2) A circuit or switch in which the contacts are open during
normal operation.
- closure: The point at
which two contacts meet to complete a circuit.
- conductor: Material with
the ability to carry electric current. The term is also used for
an electric wire.
- conduit: A tube or trough
for protecting wires or cables. It may be a solid or flexible tube
in which insulated electrical wires are run.
- connector: generally, any
device used to provide rapid connect/disconnet service for
electrical cable and wire terminations.
- contacts: Electrically
conductive points used to make or break an electrical circuit
mechanically.
- current: The flow of
electrons through an electrical conductor. Current is measured in
amperes.
- decibel(db): An increment
of measurement used to compare measured levels of sounds energy
(intensity) to the apparent level detected by the human ear,
expressed as a logarithmetic ratio.
- delay: A period of time
before or during an event.
- delay on break: A term
used to describe a mode of operation relative to timing devices.
The delay begins when the initiate switch is opened (delay break
of initiate switch).
- delay: A period of time
before or during an event.
- delay on energization: A
term used to describe operation relative to timing devices. The
delay begins when the initiate switch is closed or application of
power to the input.
- double pole, double
throw(dpdt): A term used describe a switch or relay
output contact form (2 from C) in which two separate switches
operating simultaneously, each with a normally open and normally
closed contact and a common connection. This form is used to make
and brake two separate circuits.
- dry contact: metallic
points making (shorting) or breaking (opening) a circuit. The
switched circuit must have its own source of power and is merely
routed through the dry contacts.
- form C contact: A switch
mechanism that contains three terminals (normally open, common,
and normally closed).
- fuse: A protective device,
placed in a circuit as a safeguard, that contains a metal. When
the current flow becomes too great, the metal melts, thus breaking
the circuit.
- ground: A conducting
connection between an electrical circuit and the earth or other
large conducting body to serve as an electrical ground, thus
making a complete electrical circuit.
- ground, earth: The portion
of a circuit that is connected to a buried metallic object such as
a grounding rod or water pipe.
- input voltage: The
designated power source requirement needed by equipment in order
to operate properly.
- latch: The locking of a
circuit by means of a holding contact; used in relay logic when a
momentary initiation is required.
- light emitting diode: A
diode, a solid-state device, that gives off virtually heatless
colored light when electric current is passed through it. LED are
very efficient and long-lasting and are often used for digital
readouts and annunciators. Common colors include red, green, and
amber.
- local alarm: A visual or
audible signaling device located at a monitored door, window, or
other openings.
- maintained contact switch:
A switch designed for applications requiring sustained contacts
but with provision for resting.
- made of operation: The
specified operation condition of a switch, lock, door system, and
so forth.
- momentary switch: A
spring-loaded contact that when pressed, closes two contacts. When
pressure is removed. The contacts open.
- normally closed(NC): The
condition or position of contact prior to initiation or
energization in this case, a closed condition.
- normally open(NO): The
condition or position of contact prior to initiation or
energization in this case, an open condition.
- operating voltage: The
voltage by which a system operates; a nominal voltage with a
specified tolerance applied; the design voltage range necessary to
remain within the operating tolerance. For example, for a system
specified 120 volts +/- 10 percent of nominal, 120 volts is the
nominal voltage and the design voltage range is 108 to 132 volts
AC.
- output voltage: The
designated power produced by a power from a supply to operate
equipment.
- primary: The transformer
winding that receives energy from a supply circuit.
- rectifier: A solid state
electrical device that will allow current to flow in one
direction only. It is designed to convert alternating current to
direct current.
- recycle time: The time
needed to reset and rein the timing function and remain within
the specified timing tolerances. Recycle time is generally
specified "during timing" or "after timing".
- regulated power supply: A
power supply that provides a constant output regardless of voltage
variations.
- relay: An electrically
controlled device that opens and closes electrical contacts to
effect the operation of other devices in the same or another
electrical circuit.
- remote alarm: A visual or
audible signaling device used to signal violations at locations
removed from the central control station. For example, a remote
alarm may be placed on a roof, in a stair tower, or at guard
stations outside a building.
- remote reset: A switch
located at a monitored opening. If a violation occurs, the alarm
at the control console cannot be turned off until the area is
secured and the remote reset is activated. its purpose is to
ensure the inspection of an opening that has been violated or
left open.
- reset time: The time
required to return the output to its original condition.
- resistance: The opposition
to the flow of an electric current (measured in ohms); the
reciprocal of conductance.
- resistor: A circuit
element whose chief purpose is to oppose the flow of current.
- secondary: The transformer
winding that receives energy by electromagnetic induction from
primary.
- short: An improper
connection between current-carryiny wire and neutral or ground.
- single pole, double throw
(SPDT): A term used describe a switch or relay contact
form (1 form C) that has a normally open and a normally closed
contact with a common connection.
- single pole, single throw
(SPST): A switch with one moving and one stationary
contact, available either normally open(NO) or normally closed.
- switches: Devices that
make or break connections in an electrical or electronic circuit.
In computing systems, they are also used to make selections (the
toggle switch, for example, completes a condition jump).
Switches are usually manually operated but can also work by
mechanical, thermal, electro-mechanical, barometric, hydraulic, or
gravitation means.
- switch, momentary: A
switch that, when activated, automatically returns to its original
position afterwards.
- switch, maintained: A
switch that , when activated, maintained its activated position
until it is unactivated.
- switch, normally open: A
switch that, when not energized, is open and does not permit
current flow.
- switch, normally closed:
A switch that, when not energized, is closed to form a path for
current.
- transformer: An electric
device that changes voltage in direct proportion to currents and
in inverse proportion to the ratio of the number of turns of
primary and secondary windings. The input side of transformer is
the primary side. The output low-voltage side is called the
transformer secondary.
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2V5
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Ontario: 1-888-871-Door
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