Tech Terminology
Prime Systems Academy Glossary
Here, we break down complex terms and concepts into simple, easy-to-understand definitions.Our glossary is designed to help you speak the language of tech with confidence. Dive in and start expanding your tech fluency today!
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- Alternating Current A type of electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals, commonly used in power distribution.
- AC A type of electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals, commonly used in power distribution.
- Alternating Voltage Voltage that periodically reverses polarity, corresponding to alternating current.
- Alternation Half of a complete cycle of an alternating current or voltage waveform, representing a single directional change.
- Alternator A device (alternating current generator) that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
- Alternator A generator that produces alternating current, commonly used in vehicles and power plants.
- Ampere The fundamental unit of electric current, defined as one coulomb of charge passing through a conductor in one second.
- Ampere-Hour Rating A measure of a battery's capacity, indicating the amount of current it can supply over a specified duration (e.g., 100 Ah battery supplies 1 ampere for 100 hours).
- Ampere-Turn A unit of magnetomotive force equal to one ampere of current flowing through a coil of one turn.
- Ampere-Turn A unit measuring magnetomotive force, representing one ampere of current flowing through one turn of a coil.
- Analog Multimeter A device that measures voltage, current, and resistance using a moving pointer to display readings.
- Analog-to-Digital Converter A device that transforms continuous analog signals into digital data, enabling digital systems to process real-world inputs.
- Anchorage and Alignment Ensuring that busways and cables are properly mounted and aligned to prevent mechanical stress.
- Apparent Power The product of voltage and current in an AC circuit, representing the total power supplied without considering phase differences.
- Approach Boundaries Defined safe distances workers must maintain from energized electrical equipment to prevent electric shock hazards, as outlined in NFPA 70E.