Glossary

AC Generator (Alternator): A device in which the movement of magnetic lines through a stationary conductor generates voltage. A magnet called a rotor is turned inside a stationary looped conductor called a stator. Air Core Gauge: A gauge design in which there is no magnetic core. A field created by the sending unit resistance moves a pivoting permanent magnet. Amber: A translucent, yellowish resin, derived from fossilized trees. When you rub it against other materials, it became charged with an unseen force that had the ability to attract other lightweight objects such as feathers, somewhat like a magnet picks up metal objects. Ampere: This unit expresses how many electrons move through a circuit in one second. A current flow of 6.25 pico (billion/billion) or 6.25 1018 electrons per second is equal to one ampere. Asymmetrical: Different on both sides of center. In an asymmetrical low-beam headlamp, the light beam is spread farther to one side of center than to the other. Batteries: A chemical device that produces direct current (DC) from a chemical reaction. It converts electrical energy into chemical energy, which is stored until the battery is connected to an external circuit. Bipolar: A transistor that uses both holes and electrons as current carriers. CCA Rating: CCA or Cold Cranking Amps is an important measurement of battery capacity because it measures the discharge load, in amps, that a battery can supply for 30 seconds at 0F while maintaining a voltage of 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts per battery) or higher. The CCA rating generally falls between 300 and 970 for most passenger cars. Capacitive-Discharge Ignition: A method of igniting the air-fuel mixture in an engine cylinder through the storage of a voltage potential within a capacitor. Capacitor: A device that opposes a change in voltage.

Cell: A case enclosing one element in an electrolyte. Each cell produces approximately 2.1 to 2.2 volts. Cells are connected in series. Circuit Number: The number, or number and letter that manufacturers use to identify a specific electrical circuit in a diagram. Clutch Start Switch: A starting safety switch that is operated by the clutch pedal. Color Coding: The use of colored insulation on wire to identify an electrical circuit. Combustible Materials: Materials such as gasoline, paint, and oily rags that will burn when set on fire. Component Symbols: Symbols on a wiring diagram that identify automotive components. Compound Motor: A motor that has both series and shunt field windings. Often used as a starter motor. Connectors: Devices used to provide a strong permanent connection of two or more wires and to protect terminals from the elements and wear. Corrosive: If a material burns the skin, or dissolves metals and other materials, a technician should consider it hazardous. Cranking Performance Rating: A battery rating based on the amperes of current that a battery can supply for 30 seconds at 0F, with no battery cell falling below 1.2 volts. Current: This is the flow of electrons. Current Flow Diagram: Developed SPX Valley Forge Technical Information Systems. Electrical circuit diagrams are printed in color so the lines match the color of the wires. The name of the color is printed beside the wire. The metric wire gauge may also be printed immediately before the color name. The circuit flow from positive to negative or top to bottom. Current Limiting Hump: The portion of the waveform that indicates the exact point in the dwell when

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the current limiting device switches on. The device decreases current, so voltage level increases. Cycling: Battery electrochemical action and operation from charged to discharged and back. One complete cycle is operation from fully charged to discharged and back to fully charged. DArsonval Movement: A small, current-carrying coil mounted within the field of a permanent horseshoe magnet. Interaction of the magnetic fields causes the coil to rotate. Used as a measuring device within electrical gauges and test meters. Data Link: A digital signal path for communications between two or more components of an electronic system. Delta-Type Stator: An AC Generator (alternator) stator design in which the three windings of a three-phase AC Generator (alternator) are connected end-to-end. The beginning of one winding is attached to the end of another winding. Delta-type stators are used in AC Generators (alternator) that must provide high-current output. Detented: Positions in a switch that allow the switch to stay in that position. In an ignition switch, the On, Off, Lock, and Accessory positions are detented. Distributor Ignition System (DI): An ignition system, either mechanical or electronic, that incorporates a distributor in the design. Drain: The field-effect transistor (PET) layer, which collects current carriers (similar to the collector of a bipolar transistor). Dwell: Period of time when the ignition switching device is closed. During dwell, the primary circuit is complete so there is current in the primary winding of the coil. Dwell Time: The duration or actual time that the dwell period, in distributor degrees, cycles. Electricity: When an atom is not balanced, it becomes an ion. Ions try to regain their balance of equal protons and electrons by exchanging electrons with nearby atoms. This is known as the flow of electric current or electricity. Electrolyte: The chemical solution in a battery that conducts electricity and reacts with the plate materials. A reactive solution that when in the presence of two dissimilar metals causes a chemical action that creates electricity in an automotive wet-cell battery. Electromagnetism: Any magnetic field created by electrical current flow.

Electronic Ignition (EI): Any type of ignition that uses electronic components to switch the primary current on and off. Electrostatic Discharge or ESD: An electrostatic charge can build up on the surface of your body. ESD occurs when you touch something with your charge that can be discharged to the other surface. Element: A complete assembly of positive plates, negative plates, and separators making up one cell of a battery. Eyewash Fountain: An eyewash fountain is similar to a drinking water fountain, but the eyewash fountain has water jets placed throughout the fountain top to wash out your eyes after they have contaminated with a dangerous liquid. Field Circuit: The charging system circuit that delivers current to the AC Generator (alternator) field. Fire Extinguishers: Device used to extinguish a fire. Firing Line: The section of the ignition waveform trace reflecting the collapsing magnetic field. The primary firing line is usually between 250 to 400 volts. Fixed Dwell: The ignition dwell begins when the switching device turns on and remains constant, specified in distributor degrees, through all speeds. Full-Wave Rectification: A process by which all of an ac sine wave voltage is rectified and allowed to flow as dc. Ground: The ground path is that side of the circuit that carries one half of the current in the circuit; i.e., automobile engine, frame, and body. Ground Cable: The battery cable that provides a round connection from the vehicle chassis to the battery. Group Number: A battery identification number that indicates battery dimensions, terminal design, holddown location, and other physical features. Half-Wave Rectification: A process by which only one-half of an ac sine wave voltage is rectified to dc. Hall Effect Switch: A signal-generating switch that develops a tranverse voltage across a current-carrying semiconductor when subjected to a magnetic field. A Hall device tranmists a digital DC signal that varies in frequency. Hazard Communication Standard: Published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1983. Originally, this document provides information on how to handle hazardous materials in a work situation.

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Hazardous Waste Materials: Chemicals, or components, that the shop no longer needs, and these materials pose a danger to the environment and people if they are disposed of in ordinary garbage cans or sewers. Head-Up Display (HUD) System: A secondary display system that projects video images onto the windshield. Hold-In Winding: The coil of small-diameter wire in a solenoid that is used to create a magnetic field to hold the solenoid plunger in position inside the coil solenoid, allowing full battery current to flow to the starter motor. This type of solenoid can be designed to provide an alternate path to the ignition coil during starting. This bypasses the resistance wire normally used to lower coil voltage during engine operation and provides a hotter spark during starting. Ignitable: A liquid is hazardous if it has a flash point below 1400F (600C), and a solid is hazardous if it ignites spontaneously. Inductive-Discharge Ignition: A method of igniting the air-fuel mixture in an engine cylinder through the induction of high voltage in the secondary winding of the coil. Installation Diagram: A drawing that shows where the wires, switches, loads, attachment hardware, and other parts of an electrical circuit are located. Insulated, or Hot Cable: The battery cable that conducts battery current to the automotive electrical system. Kirchhoffs Law of Current (Kirchhoffs 1st Law): Kirchhoffs Law of Current: States that the current flowing into a junction or point in an electrical circuit must equal the current flowing out. Kirchhoffs Law of Voltage Drops (Kirchhoffs 2nd Law): Kirchhoffs Law of Voltage Drops states that voltage will drop in exact proportion to the resistance and that the sum of the voltage drops must equal the voltage applied to the circuit. Lap Winding: A method of wiring a motor armature. The two ends of a conductor are attached to two commutator bars that are next to each other. Lift Pads (Points): Areas on the vehicle that you place the lift arms against, to lift the vehicle. Light-Emitting Diode (LED): A gallium-arsenide diode that emits energy as light. Often used in automotive indicators.

Lines of Force (Lines of Flux): A magnetic field is made up of many invisible lines of force. These lines of force can be compared to current used in electricity. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): An indicator consisting of a sandwich of glass containing electrodes and polarized fluid. Voltage applied to the fluid allows light to pass through it. Lockout/tagout: This OSHA procedure is designed to prevent electrical equipment from being started while being repaired or maintained. Logic Symbol: A symbol identifying the type of electronic gate in a digital or logic circuit. Magnetic Field Intensity: Refers to the magnetic filed strength (force) exerted by the magnetic filed in magnetism and can be compared to voltage in electricity. Magnetic Pulse Generator: A signal generating switch that creates a voltage pulse as magnetic flux changes around a pickup coil. The device transmits an analog AC signal voltage that varies in frequency and amplitude. Magnetic Saturation: The condition when a magnetic field reaches full strength and maximum flux density. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): The MSDS sheets provide the following information about the hazardous material: chemical name, physical characteristics, protective handling equipment, explosion/fire hazards, incompatible materials, health hazards, medical conditions aggravated by exposure, emergency and first-aid procedures, safe handling, and spill/leak procedures. Mechanical Ignition System: Any type of ignition system that uses a mechanical set of points to switch the primary current on and off. Menu-Driven: A computer program that allows the user to select choices from a list or menu. As each choice is made, another menu allows the user to make another choice to achieve the desired end result. Metric Wire Sizes: The wire sizes listed as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 4.0, or 6.0 are actual sizes in millimeters. These numbers are the cross section area of the conductor in square millimeters (mm2). Multiplex Wiring System: An electrical circuit in which several devices share signals on a common conductor. Signals may be transmitted in parallel form by a solid-state switching device or in serial form over a peripheral data bus or fiber-optic cable. Multiplexing: is defined as a means of sending two or more messages simultaneously over the same channel.

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Nonvolatile RAM: Random access memory (RAM) that retains its information when current to the chip is removed. Neutral Junction: The center connection of the three windings in a Y-type stator. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): The purposes of this legislation is to assist and encourage the citizens of United States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions by providing research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health. Ohms Law: States that voltage equals current times resistance and is expressed as E IR. Ohms Law is based on the fact that it takes 1 volt of electrical potential to push 1 ampere of current through 1 ohm of resistance. Output Circuit: The charging system circuit that sends voltage and current to the battery and other electrical systems and devices. Plates: Built on grids of conductive materials, which act as a framework for the dissimilar metals. Primary Battery: A battery in which chemical processes destroy one of the metals necessary to create electrical energy. Primary batteries cannot be recharged. Primary Wiring: The low-voltage wiring in an automobile electrical system. Pull-In Winding: The coil of large-diameter wire in a solenoid that is used to create a magnetic field to pull the solenoid plunger into the coil. Radio Choke: A coil of extremely fine wire used to absorb oscillations created by the making and breaking of an electrical circuit. Radioactive: Any substance that emits measurable levels of radiation. When individuals bring containers of highly radioactive substance into the shop environment, qualified personnel with the appropriate equipment must test them. Reactive: Any material, which reacts violently with water or other chemical, is considered hazardous. When exposed to low pH acid solutions, if a material releases cyanide gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, or similar gases, it is considered hazardous. Reserve Capacity Rating: A battery rating based on the number of minutes a battery at 80F can supply 25 amperes, with no battery cell falling below 1.75 volts. Rheostat: A variable resistor used to control current.

Right-to-Know Laws: These laws state that employees have a right to know when the materials they use at work are hazardous. Safety Glasses: Eye glasses that protect the eyes. Safety Stands: Metal stands that you place under a vehicle to support it once you have lifted it with a hydraulic jack or lift. Schematic Diagram: A drawing that shows all of the different circuits in a complete electrical system. Secondary Battery: A battery in which chemical processes can be reversed. A secondary battery can be recharged so that it will continue to supply voltage. Self-Induction: A self-induced voltage potential formed by the building or induction of current through a conductor, such as the primary winding in the coil. Series Contacts: The normally closed set of contacts in a double-contact regulator. When they open, field current must flow through a resistor. Series Motor: A motor that has only one path for current flow through the field and armature windings. Commonly used for starter motors. Servomotor: An electric motor that is part of a feedback system used for automatic control of a mechanical device, such as in a temperature-control system. Shorting Contacts: The normally open set of contacts in a double-contact regulator. When closed, they shortcircuit the field to ground. Shunt Motor: A motor that has its field windings wired in parallel with its armature. Not used as a starter motor, but often used to power vehicle accessories. Sine Wave Voltage: The constant change, from zero volt to a positive peak, and then to a negative peak, and back to zero, of an induced alternating voltage in a conductor. Single-Phase Current: Alternating current created by a single-phase voltage. Single-Phase Voltage: The sine wave voltage induced within one conductor by one revolution of an AC Generator (alternator) rotor. SLA: Sealed Lead Acid Battery. These new batteries do not require -and do not have the small gas vent used on previous maintenance-free batteries. Solenoid: Similar to a relay in the way it operates. The major difference is that the solenoid core moves instead of the armature, as in a relay. This allows the solenoid to change current flow into mechanical movement.

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Solenoid-Actuated Starter: A starter that uses a solenoid both to control current flow in the starter circuit and to engage the starter motor with the engine flywheel. Solvents: Chemicals that are used to clean parts, tools, and other items essential in vehicle maintenance and collision repair operations. Source: The field-effect transistor (PET) layer that supplies current-carrying holes or electrons (similar to the emitter of a bipolar transistor). Specific Gravity: The weight of a volume of liquid divided by the weight of the same volume of water at a given temperature and pressure. Water has a specific gravity of 1.000. Produces the brief high-current flow required of a starting battery. Starting Safety Switch: A neutral start switch. It keeps the starting system from operating when a cars transmission is in gear. State-of-Charge Indicator or Built-in Hydrometer: Installed in the battery top. The indicator shows whether the electrolyte has fallen below a minimum level, and it also functions as a go/no-go gauge. Sulfation: The crystallization of lead sulfate on the plates of a constantly discharged battery. Symmetrical: The same on both sides of center. In a symmetrical high-beam headlamp, the light beam is spread the same distance to both sides of center. Thermistor: A resistor specially constructed so that its resistance changes as its temperature changes. Also called a thermal resistor. Thermocouple: A small device that gives off a low voltage when two dissimilar metals are heated. Three-Coil Movement: A gauge design that depends upon the field interaction of three electromagnets and the total field effect on a movable permanent magnet. Three-Phase Current: Three overlapping, evenly spaced, single-phase currents that make up the total ac output of an AC Generator (alternator). Torque: Twisting or rotating force; usually expressed in foot-pounds, inch-pounds, or Newton-meters. Toxic: Materials are hazardous if they leak one or more of eight different heavy metals in concentrations greater than 100 times the primary drinking water standard.

Transformers: Electrical devices that work on the principle of mutual induction. Transformers are typically constructed of a primary winding (coil), secondary winding (coil) and a common core. The principle of a transformer is essentially that of flowing current through a primary coil and inducing current flow in a secondary or output coil. Used Oil: This is engine oil that has been used. Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD): An indicator in which electrons from a heated filament strike a phosphor material that emits light. Valence: This means the ability to combine. Valley Forge Diagram: A type of current flow system diagram in which current travels from top to bottom and only relevant information is given. Variable Dwell: The ignition dwell period varies in distributor degrees at different engine speeds, but remains relatively constant in duration. Voltage Creep: Excessive voltage at high speeds due to excessive field current flows through a single-contact regulator. Also called voltage drift. Weatherproof Connectors: Used in the engine compartment and body harnesses of late-model GM cars. This type of connector has a rubber seal on the wire ends of the terminals, with secondary sealing covers on the rear of each connector half. Such connectors are particularly useful in electronic systems where moisture or corrosion in the connector can cause a voltage drop. Wire Gauge: Wire size numbers based on the crosssection area of the conductor. Larger wires have lower gauge numbers. Wire Gauge Number: An expression of the cross section area of the conductor. Wiring Harness: A bundle of wires enclosed in a plastic cover and routed to various areas of the vehicle. Most harnesses end in plug-in connectors. Harnesses are also called looms. Y-Type Stator: An AC Generator (alternator) stator design in which one end of each of the three windings in a three-phase AC Generator (alternator) is connected at a neutral junction. This design is used in AC Generators (alternator) that require high voltage at low speed.