Glossary of Technical Terms Steps

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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL
TERMS
AIR-COOLED CONDENSER: Heat of compression

is transferred from condensing coils to surrounding
air. This may be done either by convection or by a
fan or blower.
ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY: Amount of moisture in

the air, indicated in grains per cubic foot.
AIR COOLER: Mechanism designed to lower

temperature of air passing through it.
ABSOLUTE
PRESSURE: Gauge pressure plus
atmospheric pressure (14.7 Ibs. per sq. in.).
AIR CYCLE, AIR CONDITIONING: System which

removes heat from air and transfers this heat to air.
ABSOLUTE
TEMPERATURE: Temperature
measured from absolute zero.
AIR DIFFUSER: Air distribution outlet designed to

direct airflow into desired patterns.
ABSOLUTE ZERO TEMPERATURE: Temperature

at which all molecular motion ceases. (-460 F. and 275 C.)
AIR SENSING THERMOSTAT: Thermostat unit in

which sensing element is located in refrigerated
space.
ABSORBENT: Substance which has the ability to

take up or absorb another substance,
AIR SPILL-OVER: Refrigerating effect formed by

cold air from freezing compartment in refrigerator
spilling over, or flowing into normal storage- area of
refrigerator.
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATOR: Refrigerator

which creates low temperatures by using the
cooling effect formed when a refrigerant is
absorbed by chemical substance.
AIR WASHER: Device used to clean air, which

may increase or decrease humidity.
ACCELERATE: To add to speed; hasten progress

of development.
ALCOHOL BRINE: Water and alcohol solution

which remains a liquid at below 32 F.
ACCUMULATOR: Storage tank which receives

liquid refrigerant from evaporator and prevents it
from flowing into suction line.
ALLEN-TVPE SCREW: Screw with recessed head

designed to be turned with hex shaped wrench.
ACID
CONDITION IN SYSTEM: Condition in
which refrigerant or oil in system is mixed with
fluids which are acid in nature.
ACR TUBING: Tubing used in refrigeration which
has ends sealed to keep tubing clean and dry.
ACTIVATED ALUMINA: Chemical used as a drier
or desiccant.
ACTIVATED CARBON: Specially processed carbon
used as a filter-drier; commonly used to clean air.
AD1ABATIC
COMPRESSION:
Compressing
refrigerant gas without removing or adding heat.
ADSORBENT: Substance which has property to
hold molecules of fluids without causing a chemical
or physical change.
AGITATOR:
confined fluid.
Device used to cause motion in
AIR CLEANER: Device used for removal of

airborne impurities.
AIR COIL: Coil used with some types of heat
pumps which may be used either as an evaporator
or as a condenser.
AIR CONDITIONER: Device used to control
temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and movement
of air in conditioned space.
HVAC STEPS
ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC): Electric current

in which direction of flow alternates or changes. In
60 cycles current direction of flow reverses every
120th second.
ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Adjusting refrigerator
controls so unit will operate efficiently at altitude in
which it is to be used.
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: Temperature of fluid
(usually air) which surrounds object on all sides.
AMMETER:
An electric meter used to measure
current, calibrated in amperes.
AMMONIA:
Chemical combination of nitrogen
and hydrogen (NH^). Ammonia refrigerant is
identified by R-117.
AMPERAGE:
Electron or current flow of one
coulomb per second past given point in circuit.
Unit of electric current equivalent to
AMPERE:
flow of one coulomb per second.
AMPERE TURNS: Term used to measure magnetic
force. Represents product of amperes times number
of turns in coil of electromagnet,
AMPLIFIER:
Electrical device which increases
electron flow in a circuit.
ANEMOMETER: Instrument for measuring the rate
of flow of air.
SAFE
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ANHYDROUS
CALCIUM
SULPHATE:
Dry
chemical made of calcium, sulpher and oxygen
(CaSO4).
low side pressure.

BAFFLE:
Plate or vane used to director-control
movement of fluid or air within confined area.
ANNEALING: Process of heat treating metal to

obtain desired properties of softness and ductility
(easy to form into new shape).
BALL CHECK VALVE: Valve assembly (ball) which

permits flow of fluid in one direction only.
ANODE: Positive terminal of electrolytic cell.
BALLOON
TYPE GASKET: Flexible refrigerator
door gasket having a large cross section.
ARMATURE:
generator.
Revolving part in electric motor or
A.S.A.:
Formerly, abbreviation for American
Standards Association. Now known as United States
of America Standards Institute.
ASPECT RATIO: Ratio of length to width of
rectangular air grille or duct.
ASPIRATING PSYCHOMETER: A device which
draws sample of air through it for humidity
measurement purposes.
ASPIRATION: Movement produced in a fluid by
suction.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE: Pressure that gases
in air exert upon the earth; measured in pounds per
sq. inch,
ATOM: Smallest particle of element that can exist
alone or in combination.
ATOMIZE:
Process of changing a liquid to
minute particles, or a fine spray.
ATTENUATE:
Decrease or lessen in intensity.
AUTOMATIC DEFROST: System of removing ice

and frost from evaporators automatically.
AUTOMATIC EXPANSION VALVE (AEV):
Pressure controlled valve which reduces high
pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid
refrigerant.
AUTOMATIC ICE CUBE MAKER: Refrigerating
mechanism designed to produce ice cubes in
quantity automatically.
AUTO TRANSFORMER:
A transformer in which
both primary and secondary coils have turns in
common. Step-up or step-down of voltage is
accomplished by taps on common winding.
AZEOTROPIC MIXTURE: Example of aze-otropic
mixture--refrigerant R-502 is mixture consisting of
48.8% refrigerant R-22, and 51.2% R-115. The
refrigerants do not combine chemically, yet
azeotropic mixture provides refrigerant characteristics desired.
BACK
PRESSURE: Pressure in low side of
refrigerating system; also called suction pressure or
HVAC STEPS
BAROMETER:
Instrument for measuring
atmospheric pressure. It may be calibrated in
pounds per square inch or in inches of mercury in
column.
BATH: A liquid solution used for cleaning, plating,
or maintaining a specified temperature.
BATTERY;
Electricity producing cells which use
interaction of metals and chemicals to create
electrical current flow.
BAUDELOT COOLER: Heat exchanger in which
water flows by gravity over the outside of the tubes
or plates.
BEARING: Low friction device for supporting and
aligning a moving part,
BELLOWS:
Corrugated cylindrical container
which moves as pressures change, or provides a
seal during movement of parts.
BENDING SPRING: Coil spring which is mounted
on inside or outside to keep tube from collapsing
while bending it.
BERNOULLI'S THEOREM: In stream of liquid,
sum of elevation head, pressure head and velocity
remains constant along any line of flow provided no
work is done by or upon liquid in course of its flow,
and decreases in proportion to energy lost in flow.
BIMETAL STRIP: Temperature regulating or
indicating device which works on principle that two
dissimilar metals with unequal expansion rates,
welded together, will bend as temperatures change.
BLEED-VALVE:
Vaive with small opening-inside
which permits a minimum fluid flow when valve is
closed.
BOILER: Closed container in which a liquid may
be heated and vaporized.
BOILING
TEMPERATURE: Temperature at
which a fluid changes from a liquid to a gas.
BORE:
Inside diameter of a cylindrical hole.
BOURDON
TUBE: As used in pressure gauges.
Thin walled tube of elastic metal flattened and bent
into circular shape, which tends to straighten as
pressure inside is increased.
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BOWDEN CABLE: Tube containing a wire used to

regulate a valve or control from a remote point.
BOYLE'S LAW: Law of physicsvolume of a gas
varies as pressure varies, if temperature remains
the same. Examples: If pressure is doubled on
quantity of gas, volume becomes one half. If volume becomes doubled, gas has its pressure
reduced by one half.
BRAZING:
Method of joining metals with
nonferrous filler (without iron) using heat between
800 deg. F. and melting point of base metals.
BREAKER STRIP: Strip of wood or plastic used to
cover joint between outside case and inside liner of
refrigerator.
BRINE:
salt.
Water saturated with chemical such as
BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU): Quantity of

heat required to raise temperature of one pound of
water one degree F.
BULB,
SENSITIVE: Part of sealed fluid device
which reacts to temperature to be measured, or
which will control a mechanism.
BUNKER:
In commercial installations/ space in
which ice or cooling element is installed.
BURNER:
takes place.
Device in which combustion of fuel
capacitor in the starting circuit.

CAPILLARY TUBE: A type of refrigerant control.
Usually consists of several feet of tubing having
small inside diameter. Friction of liquid refrigerant
and bubbles of vaporized refrigerant within tube
serve to restrict flow so that correct high side and
low side pressures are maintained while the
compressor is operating. A capillary tube refrigerant
control allows high side and low side pressures to
balance during off cycle. Also; small diameter
tubing used to connect temperature control bulbs to
control mechanisms.
CARBON DIOXIDE (C02): Compound of carbon
and oxygen which is sometimes used as a
refrigerant. Refrigerant number is R-744.
CARBON
FILTER: Air filters using activated
carbon as air cleansing agent.
CARBON
TETRACHLORIDE: A colorless
nonflammable liquid used as solvent and in fire
extinguishers. Very toxic. Should never be allowed
to touch skin/ or fumes inhaled.
CARRENE: A refrigerant in group 1 (R-ll). Chemical
combination of carbon, chlorine and fluorine.
CASCADE SYSTEMS: Arrangement inwhich two or
more refrigerating systems are used in series; uses
cooling coil of one machine to cool condenser of
other machine. Produces ultra-low temperatures.
BUTANE: Liquid hydrocarbon (C4H20) commonly

used as fuel for heating purposes.
CASEHARDENED: Heat treating ferrous metals

(iron) so surface layer is harder than interior.
BYPASS:
Passage at one side of, or around
regular passage.
CATHODE: Negative terminal of an electrical

device. Electrons leave the device at this terminal.
CADMIUM
PLATED: Parts coated with thin
corrosion-resistant covering of cadmium metal.
CELSIUS: German language word for centigrade,

the metric system temperature scale
CALCIUM
SULFATE: Chemical compound
(CaSO.4) which is used as a drying agent or
desiccant in liquid line driers.
CENTIGRADE SCALE: Temperature scale used in

metric system. Freezing point of water is 0; boiling
point 100.
CALIBRATE:
To determine; position indicators
as required to obtain accurate measurements.
CENTIMETER: Metric unit of linear measurement

which equals .3937 inches.
CALORIE: Heat required to raise temperature of

one gram of water one degree centigrade.
CENTRIFUGAL
COMPRESSOR:
Compressor
which compresses gaseous refrigerants by
centrifugal force.
CALORIMETER:
Device used to measure
quantities of heat or determine specific heats.
CAPACITANCE
(C): Property of nonconductor
(condenser or capacitor) that permits storage of
electrical energy in an electrostatic field.
CAPACITOR:
Type of electrical storage device
used in starting and/or running circuits on many
electric motors.
CAPACITOR-START MOTOR: Motorwhich has a
HVAC STEPS
CHARGING BOARD: Specially designed panel or

cabinet fitted with gauges, valves and refrigerant
cylinders used for charging refrigerant and oil into
refrigerating mechanisms.
CHARLES' LAW: The volume of a given mass of
gas at a constant pressure varies according to fts
temperature.
CHECK
VALVE: A device which permits fluid flow
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only in one direction.

CHEMICAL
REFRIGERATION: A system of
cooling using a disposable refrigerant.
CHIMNEY EFFECT: Tendency of air or gas to rise
when heated.
CHOKE TUBE: Throttling device used to maintain
correct pressure difference between high side and
low side in refrigerating mechanism. Capillary tubes
are sometimes called choke tubes.
CIRCUIT:
A tubing, piping or electrical wire
installation which permits flow from the energy
source back to energy source.
conduct heat. Copper is a good conductor of heat

and therefore, has a high coefficient of conductivity.
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE (COP): The
ratio of work or energy applied as compared to the
energy used.
INDICATOR:
An
instrument used to
C02
indicate, the percent of carbon dioxide in stack
gases.
COLD: Cold is the absence of heat; a temperature
considerably below normal.
COLD JUNCTION: That part of a thermoelectric
system which absorbs heat as the system operates,
CIRCUIT
BREAKERS: Safety device which
automatically opens an electrical circuit if
overloaded.
COLD
WALL: Refrigerator construction which
has the inner lining of refrigerator serving as the
cooling surface.
CIRCUIT,
PARALLEL:
Arrangement
of
electrical devices in which all positive terminals are
joined to one conductor and all negative terminals
to other conductor.
COLLOIDS:
poultry.
CIRCUIT, SERIES: Electrical wiring: electrical path

(circuit) in which electricity to operate second lamp
or device must pass through first, and so on;
current flow travels through all devices connected
together.
CLEARANCE POCKET COMPRESSOR: A small
space in cylinder from which compressed gas is not
completely expelled. This space is called the
compressor clearance space or pocket. For effective
operation, compressors are designed to have as
small clearance space as possible.
CLOSED CIRCUIT: An electrical circuit in which
electrons are flowing.
CLUTCH,
ARMATURE: The part of the
automotive compressor magnetic clutch which is
attracted by the magnetic field and causes the
compressor to be turned by a belt drive when the
magnetic field is energized.
CLUTCH, FIELD: The coils of wire through which
the current flows to create the magnetic force
which engages the magnetic clutch.
CLUTCH, MAGNETIC: Clutch built into automobile
compressor flywheel, operated magnetically, which
allows pulley to revolve without driving compressor
when refrigerating effect is not required.
CODE
INSTALLATION: A refrigeration or air
conditioning installation which conforms to the local
code and/or the national code for safe and efficient
installations.
COEFFICIENT OF CONDUCTIVITY: The measure
of the relative rate at which different materials
HVAC STEPS
Miniature cells in meat, fish and
COMFORT CHART: Chart used in air conditioning

to show the dry bulb temperature and humidity for
human comfort conditions.
COMFORT COOLER: A system used tore-duce the
temperature in the living space in homes. These
systems are not complete air conditioners as they
do not provide complete control of heating, humidifying, dehumidification, and air circulation.
COMFORT ZONE: Area on psychrometric chart
which shows conditions of temperature, humidity,
and sometimes air movement, in which most people
are comfortable.
COMMUTATOR:
Part of electric motor rotor
which conveys electric current to rotor 'windings.
COMPOUND GAUGE: Instrument for measuring
pressures both above and below atmospheric
pressure,
COMPOUND
REFRIGERATING
SYSTEMS:
System which has several compressors or
compressor cylinders in series. The system is used
to pump low pressure vapors to condensing
pressures.
COMPRESSION:
Term used to denote increase
of pressure on a fluid by using mechanical energy.
COMPRESSION
GAUGE: Instrument used to
measure positive pressures (pressures above
atmospheric pressures) only. These gauges are
usually calibrated from 0 to 300 pounds per square
inch of pressure, Gauge, (psig).
COMPRESSOR:
The pump of a refrigerating
mechanism which draws a vacuum or low pressure
on cooling side of refrigerant cycle and squeezes or
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compresses the gas into the high pressure or

condensing side of the cycle.
hand valves mounted on condensing unit to enable

serviceman to install anqVor service unit.
COMPRESSOR,
HERMETIC: Compressor in
which driving motor is sealed in the same dome or
housing that contains the compressor,
CONDUCTIVITY:
Ability of a metal or a
substance to conduct or transmit heat ana/or
electricity.
COMPRESSOR, OPEN-TYPE: Compressor in

which the crankshaft extends through the crankcase
and is driven by an outside motor.
CONDUCTOR:
Substance or body capable of
transmitting electricity, heat, etc.
COMPRESSOR, RECIPROCATING: Compressor

which uses a piston and cylinder mechanism to
provide pumping action.
COMPRESSOR, ROTARY: A compressor which
uses vanes, eccentric mechanisms, or other rotating
devices to provide pumping action.
COMPRESSOR SEAL: Leak proof seat between
crankshaft and compressor body.
CONDENSATE:
evaporator.
Fluid which forms on an
CONDENSATE PUMP: Device used to remove

fluid condensate that collects beneath an
evaporator.
CONDENSATION: Liquid or droplets which form
when a gas or vapor is cooled below its dew point.
CONDENSE:
to a liquid.
Action of changing a gas or vapor
CONDENSER: The part of refrigeration mechanism

which receives hot, high pressure refrigerant gas
from compressor and cools gaseous refrigerant until
it returns to liquid state.
CONDENSER, AIR-COOLED: A heat exchanger
which transfers heat to surrounding air.
CONDENSER COMB: Comb-like device, metal or
plastic, which is used to straighten the metal fins on
condensers or evaporators.
CONDENSER FAN: Forced air device used to
move air through air-cooled condenser.
CONDENSER, WATER-COOLED:
Heat exchanger which is designed to transfer heat from hot
gaseous refrigerant to water.
CONDENSER WATER PUMP: Forced water
moving device used to move water through
condenser.
CONDENSING UNIT: That part of refrigerating
mechanism which pumps vaporized refrigerant from
evaporator, compresses it, liquefies it in the
condenser and returns the liquid refrigerant to refrigerant control.
CONDENSING UNIT SERVICE VALVES: Shutoff
HVAC STEPS
CONNECTING ROD: That part of compressor

mechanism which connects piston to crankshaft.
CONSTRICTOR:
Tube or orifice used to restrict
flow of a gas or a liquid.
CONTAMINANT: A substance (dirt, moisture, or
other substance) foreign to refrigerant or
refrigerant oil in system.
CONTINUOUS CYCLE ABSORPTION SYSTEM:
System which has a continuous flow of energy
input.
CONTROL:
Automatic or manual device used to
.stop, start and/or regulate flow of gas, liquid,
ana/or electricity.
CONTROL, COMPRESSOR: See Motor Control.
CONTROL, DEFROSTING: Device to automatically
defrost evaporator. It may operate by means of a
clock, door cycling mechanism, or during "off"
portion of refrigerating cycle,
CONTROL, LOW PRESSURE: Cycling
connected to low pressure side of system,
device
CONTROL, MOTOR: A temperature or pressure

operated device used to control running of motor.
CONTROL, PRESSURE MOTOR: A high or low
pressure control which is connected into the
electrical circuit and used to start and stop motor
when there is need for refrigeration or for safety
purposes.
CONTROL, REFRIGERANT: Device used to
regulate flow of liquid refrigerant into evaporator;
such as capillary tube, expansion valves, high and
low side float valves, etc.
CONTROL, TEMPERATURE: A thermo-static
device which automatically stops and starts motor,
operation of which is based on temperature
changes.
CONTROLLED
EVAPORATOR
PRESSURE:
Controlled system which maintains definite pressure
or range of pressures in evaporator,
CONVECTION:
Transfer of heat by means of
movement or flow of a fluid or gas.
CONVECTION,
FORCED:
Transfer
of
SAFE
heat
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resulting from forced movement of liquid or gas by

means of fan or pump.
producing temperatures of 250 F. below zero and

lower.
CONVECTION, NATURAL: Circulation of a gas or

liquid due to difference in density resulting from
temperature differences.
CURRENT (1): Transfer of electrical energy in

conductor by means of electrons changing position.
CONVERSION FACTORS: Force and power may

be expressed in more than one way. A horsepower
is equivalent to 33,000 foot pounds of work per
minute, 746 watts, or 2,546 Btu per hour. These
values can be used for changing horsepower into
foot pounds, Btu or watts.
COOLING TOWER: Device which cools water by
water evaporation in air. Water is cooled to wet
bulb temperature of air.
COPPER PLATING: Condition developing in some
units in which copper is electrolytic ally deposited
on compressor part surfaces.
CURRENT RELAY: Device which opens or closes a

circuit based on change of current flow.
CUT-IN:
Temperature or pressure valve which
closes control circuit.
CUT-OUT: Temperature or pressure valve which
opens control circuit.
CYCLE: Series of events which have tendency to
repeat same events in same order.
CYLINDER
HEAD: Part which encloses
compression end of compressor cylinder,
CORE, MAGNETIC: Magnetic center of a magnetic

field.
CYLINDER, REFRIGERANT: Cylinder in which

refrigerant is purchased and dispensed. Color code
pointed on cylinder indicates kind of refrigerant
cylinder contains.
COULOMB: Quantity of electricity transferred by

electric current of one ampere in one second.
CYLINDRICAL COMMUTATOR: Commutator with

contact surfaces parallel to the rotor shaft.
COUNTER
EMF: Tendency for reverse electrical
flow as magnetic field changes in an induction coil.
DALTON'S LAW: Vapor pressure exerted on

container by a mixture of gases is equal to sum of
individual vapor pressures of gases contained in
mixture.
COUNTERFLOW: Flow in opposite direction.

"CRACKING" A VALVE: Opening valve a small
amount.
CRANKSHAFT SEAL: Leak proof joint between
crankshaft and compressor body.
CRANK THROW: Distance between center line of
main bearing journal and center line of the crankpin
or eccentric,
CRISPER: Drawer or compartment in refrigerator
designed to provide high humidity along with low
temperature to keep vegetables, especially leafy
vegetables, cold and crisp,
DAMPER:
Valve for controlling airflow.
DECIBEL:
Unit used for measuring relative
loudness of sounds. One decibel is equal to
approximate difference of loud-ness ordinarily
detectable by human ear, the range of which is
about 130decibals on scale beginning with one for
faintest audible sound.
DEFROST CYCLE: Refrigerating cycle in which
evaporator frost and ice accumulation is melted.
CRITICAL PRESSURE: Condition of refrigerant

at which liquid and gas have same properties.
DEFROST
TIMER: Device connected into
electrical circuit which shuts unit off long enough to
permit ice and frost accumulation on evaporator to
melt.
CRITICAL
TEMPERATURE: Temperature at
which vapor and liquid have same properties.
DEFROSTING:
Process of removing frost
accumulation from evaporators.
CRITICAL
VIBRATION: Vibration which is
noticeable and harmful to structure.
DEFROSTING
TYPE EVAPORATOR: An
evaporator operating at such temperatures that ice
and frost on surface melts during off part of
operating cycle.
CROSS CHARGED: Sealed container containing

two fluids which together create a desired pressuretemperature curve.
CRYOGENIC FLUID: Substance which exists as a
liquid or gas at ultra-low temperatures (-250 F. or
lower).
CRYOGENICS:
HVAC STEPS
Refrigeration which deals with
DECREASING:
Solution or' solvent used to
remove oil or grease from refrigerator parts.
DEGREE-DAY: Unit that represents one degree
of difference from given point in average outdoor
temperature of one day and is often used in
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estimating fuel requirements for a building. Degreedays are based on average temperature over a 24
hour period. As an example; if an average
temperature for a day is 50 F., the number of
degree-days for that day would be equal to 65 F.
minus 50 F. or 15 degree-days (65-50= 15).
Degree-days are useful when calculating requirements for heating purposes.
DEHUMIDIFIER:
Device used to remove
moisture from air in enclosed space.
DEHYDRATED
OIL: Lubricant which has had
most of water content removed dry oil).
DEHYDRATOR: (See Drier.)
DEHYDRATOR-RECEIVER: A small tank which
serves as liquid refrigerant reservoir and which also
contains a desiccant to remove moisture. Used on
most automobile air conditioning installations.
DEICE CONTROL: Device used to operate
refrigerating system in such a way as to provide
meltina of the accumulated ice and frost.
DELTA TRANSFORMER: A three-phase electrical
transformer which has ends of each of three
windings electrically connected.
kilowatt-hour consumption of a particular circuit or

group of circuits,
DENSITY:
Closeness of texture or consistency.
DEODORIZER:
Device which absorbs various
odors, usually by principle of absorption. Activated
charcoal is a common substance used.
DESICCANT:
Substance used to collect and
hold moisture in refrigerating system. A drying
agent. Common desiccants are activated alumina,
silica gel.
DETECTOR, LEAK: Device used to detect and
locate refrigerant leaks.
DEW POINT: Temperature at which vapor (at 100
percent humidity) begins to condense and deposit
as liquid.
DIALECTRIC FLUID: Fluid with high electrical
resistance.
DIAPHRAGM: Flexible membrane usually made
of thin metal, rubber, or plastic.
DICHLORODIFLUROMETHANE:
Refrigerant
commonly known as R-12. Chemical formula is
CCI2F2- Cylinder color code is white. Boiling point
at
atmospheric
pressure
is
-21.62
F.
DEMAND METER: An instrument used to measure

DIE
CAST: A process of moulding low melting
DOUBLE
DUTY CASE: Commercial refrigerator
temperature metals in accurately shaped metal moulds.
which has part of it for refrigerated storage and part
equipped with glass windows for display purposes.
DIE
STOCK: Tool used to hold dies with external
threads.
DOUBLE THICKNESSFLARE: Copper, aluminum or
steel tubing end which has been formed into two-wall
DIES (THREAD): Tool used to cut external threads.
thickness, 37 to 45 deg. bell mouth or flare.
DIFFERENTIAL:
As applied to refrigeration and
DOWEL
PIN: Accurately dimensioned pin pressed
heating: difference between "cut-in" and "cut-out"
into one assembly part and slipped into another
temperature and pressure of a control.
assembly part to insure accurate alignment.
DIODE: A two-element electron tube which will allow
DRAFT
GAUGE: Instrument used to measure air
more electron flow in one direction in a circuit than in
movement.
the other direction; tube which serves a rectifier.
DRAFT INDICATOR: An instrument used to indicate
DIRECT
CURRENT: Electron flow which moves
or measure chimney draft or combustion gas
continuously in one direction in circuit.
movement. Draft is measured in units of .1 inch of
water column.
DIRECT
EXPANSION EVAPORATOR: An
evaporator coil using either an automatic expansion
DRIER:
A substance or device used to remove
valve (AEV) or a thermostatic expansion valve (TEV)
moisture from a refrigeration system.
refrigerant control.
DRIP
PAN: Pan-shaped panel or trough used to
DISPLACEMENT,
PISTON: Volume obtained by
collect condensate from evaporator coil.
multiplying area of cylinder bore by length of piston
DRY BULB: An instrument with sensitive element
stroke.
which measures ambient (moving) air temperature.
DISTILLING APPARATUS: Fluid reclaiming device
DRY BULB TEMPERATURE: Air temperature as
used to reclaim used refrigerants. Reclaiming is usually
indicated by ordinary thermometer.
done by vaporizing and then recondensing refrigerant.
DOME-HAT.; Sealed metal container for the motorcompressor of a refrigerating unit.
HVAC STEPS
DRY CAPACITOR CONDENSER: An electrical device

made of dry metal and dry insulation, used to store
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electrons.
channel through which air is conveyed or moved.
DRY CELL BATTERY: Electrical device used to provide

DC electricity, having no liquids in the cells.
DYNAMOMETER:
Device for measuring power
output or power input of a mechanism.
DRY ICE: A refrigerating substance made of solid

carbon dioxide which changes directly from a solid to a
gas (sublimates). Its subliming temperature is 109 F.
below zero.
EBULATOR:
A pointed or sharp edged solid
substance inserted in flooded type evaporators to
improve evaporation (boiling) of refrigerant in coil.
DRY SYSTEM: A refrigeration system which has the

evaporator liquid refrigerant mainly in the atomized or
droplet condition.
DUCT:
Heating and air conditioning. A tube or
EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE: Overall effect on a

human of air temperature, humidity and air movement.
EJECTOR: Device which uses high fluid velocity such
as a venturi, to create low pressure or vacuum at its
throat to draw in fluid from another source.
ELECTRIC DEFROSTING: Use of electric resistance
heating coils to melt ice and frost off evaporators
during defrosting.
ELECTRIC HEATING: House heating system in which
heat from electrical resistance units is used to heat
rooms.
ELECTRIC WATER VALVE:
Solenoid type
(electrically operated) valve used to turn water flow on
and off.
ELECTROLUX SYSTEM:
Trade name for a
continuously operating absorption type of refrigerating
system.
ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSER-CAPACITOR: Plate
or surface capable of storing small electrical charges.
Common electrolytic condensers are formed by rolling
thin sheets of foil between insulating materials.
Condenser capacity is expressed in microfarads.
ECCENTRIC:
A circle or disk mounted off center.
Eccentrics are used to adjust controls and connect
compressor drive-shafts to pistons.
EFFECTIVE AREA: Actual flow area of an atr inlet or
outlet. Gross area minus area of vanes or grille bars.
frequency sound caused by leak.
ELECTROSTATIC FILTER: Type of filter which gives
particles of dust electric charge. This causes particles
to be attracted to plate so they can be removed from
air strearn or atmosphere.
END BELL: End structure of electric motor which
usually holds motor bearings.
END
line.
PLAY: Slight movement of shaft along center
ENTHALPY: Total amount of heat in one pound of a

substance calculated from accepted temperature base.
Temperature of 32 deg. F. is accepted base for water
vapor calculation. For refrigerator calculations,
accepted base is -40 deg, F.
ENTROPY: Mathematical factor used in engineering
calculations. Energy in a system,
ENZYME:
A complex organic substance originating
from living cells that speeds up chemical changes in
foods. Enzyme action is slowed by cooling.
EPOXY (RESINS): A synthetic plastic adhesive.
EQUALIZER TUBE: Device used to maintain equal
pressure or equal liquid levels between two containers.
ELECTROMAGNET:
Made by winding coil of wire
around soft iron core. When electric current is run
through wire, coil becomes a magnet.
EVAPORATION:
A term applied to the changing of
a liquid to a gas. Heat is absorbed in this process.
ELECTROMOTIVE
FORCE
(EMF)
VOLTAGE:
Electrical force which causes current (free electrons) to
flow or move in an electrical circuit. Unit of measurement is the volt.
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER: A device which uses

open spray or spill water to cool a condenser.
Evaporation of some of the water cools the condenser
water and reduces water consumption.
ELECTRON:
Elementary particle or portion of an
atom which carries a negative charge.
EVAPORATOR: Part of a refrigerating mechanism in

which the refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat,
ELECTRONICS:
Field of science dealing with
electron devices and their uses.
EVAPORATOR
COIL: Device made of a coil of
tubing which functions as a refrigerant evaporator.
ELECTRONIC
LEAK DETECTOR: Electronic
instrument which measures electronic flow across gas
gap. Electronic flow changes indicate presence of refrigerant gas molecules.
EVAPORATOR, DRY TYPE: An evaporator into which

refrigerant is fed from a pressure reducing device. Little
or no liquid refrigerant collects in the evaporator
ELECTRONIC
SOUND TRACER:
Instrument
used to detect leaks by locating source of high
HVAC STEPS
SAFE
9
EVAPORATOR FAN: Fan which cools ex-tended heat

exchange surface of evaporator.
EVAPORATOR, FLOODED: An evaporator containing
liquid refrigerant at all times.
EXPANSION VALVE': A device in refrigerating system
which maintains a pressure difference between the
high side and low side and is operated by pressure.
EXPENDABLE
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM: System
which discards the refrigerant after it has evaporated.
EXTERNAL EQUALIZER: Tube connected to low
pressure side of an expansion valve diaphragm and to
exit of evaporator.
FAHRENHEIT
SCALE: On a Fahrenheit
thermometer, under standard atmospheric pressure,
boiling point of water is 212 deg. and freezing point is
32 deg. above zero on its scale.
FAIL SAFE CONTROL: Device which opens circuit
when sensing element fails to operate.
FAN: A radial or axial flow device used for moving or
producing artificial currents of air.
FARAD:
Unit of electrical capacity; capacity of a
condenser which, when charged with one coulomb of
electricity, gives difference of potential of one volt.
mouth or flare.
FLASH
GAS: This is the instantaneous evaporation
of some liquid refrigerant in evaporator which cools
remaining liquid refrigerant to desired evaporation temperature.
FLASH POINT: Temperature at which oil will give off
sufficient vapor to support a flash flame but will not
support continuous combustion.
FLASH WELD: A resistance type weld in which mating
parts are brought together under considerable pressure
and a heavy electrical current is passed through the
joint to be welded.
FLOAT VALVE: Type of valve operated by sphere or
pan which floats on liquid surface and controls level of
liquid.
FLOODED SYSTEM: Type of refrigerating system in
which liquid refrigerant fills evaporator.
FLOODED
SYSTEM, LOW SIDE FLOAT:
Refrigerating system which has a low side float
refrigerant control.
FLOODING: Act of filling a space with a liquid.
FLOW METER: Instrument used to measure velocity
or volume of fluid movement.
FARADAY EXPERIMENT: Silver chloride absorbs

ammonia when cool and releases ammonia when
heated. This is basis on which some absorption
refrigerators operate.
FLUE: Gas or air passage which usually depends on

natural convection to cause the combustion gases to
flow through it. Forced convection may sometimes be
used.
FIELD
POLE: Part of stator of motor which
concentrates magnetic field of field winding,
FLUID:
Substance in a liquid or gaseous state;
substance containing particles which move and change
position without separation of the mass.
FILE CARD: Tool used to clean metal files.

FILTER:
fluid.
Device for removing small particles from a
FLA: Full load amperes.

FLAME TEST FOR LEAKS: Tool which is principally a
torch and when an air-refrigerant mixture is fed to
flame, this flame will change color in presence of
heated copper.
FLAPPER VALVE: The type of valve used in
refrigeration compressors which allows gaseous
refrigerants to flow in only one direction.
FLARE: Copper tubing is often connected to parts of
refrigerating system by use of flared fittings. These
fittings require that the end of tube be expanded at
about 45 deg. angle. This flare is firmly gripped by
fittings to make a strong leakproof seal.
FLARE NUT: Fitting used to clamp tubing flare against
another fitting.
FLARED
SINGLE THICKNESS CONNECTION:
Tube ending formed into 37 1/2 deg. or 45 deg. bell
HVAC STEPS
FLUID COUPLING: Device which transmits drive

energy to energy absorber through a fluid.
FLUSH: An operation to remove any material or fluids
from refrigeration system parts by purging them to the
atmosphere using refrigerant or other fluids.
FLUX- BRAZING, SOLDERING: Substance applied to
surfaces to be joined by brazing or soldering to free
them from oxides and facilitate good joint.
FLUX, MAGNETIC: Lines of force of a magnet.
FOAM LEAK DETECTOR: A system of soap bubbles or
special foaming liquids brushed over joints and
connections to locate leaks.
FOAMING: Formation of a foam in an oil-refrigerant
mixture due to rapid evaporation of refrigerant
dissolved in the oil. This is most likely to occur when
the compressor starts and the pressure is suddenly
reduced.
FOOT
POUND: A unit of work. A foot pound is the
amount of work done in lifting one pound one foot.
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10
FORCE:
Force is accumulated pressure and is
expressed in pounds. If the pressure is 10 psi on a
plate of 10 sq. in. area, the force is 100 pounds.
FORCED CONVECTION: Movement of fluid by
mechanical force such as fans or pumps.
FORCE-FEED OILING: A lubrication system which
uses a pump to force oil to surfaces of moving parts.
FREEZER ALARM: Device used in many freezers
which sounds an alarm (bell or buzzer) when freezer
temperature rises above safe limit.
FREEZER BURN: A condition applied to food which
has not been properly wrapped and that has become
hard, dry, and discolored.
FREEZE-UP:
1-The formation of ice in the
refrigerant control device which may stop the flow of
refrigerant into the evaporator. 2-Frost formation on a
coil may stop the airflow through the coil.
FREEZING: Change of state from liquid to solid.
FREEZING
POINT: The temperature at which a
liquid will solidify upon removal of heat. The freezing
temperature for water is 32 F. at atmospheric pressure.
safety device to release pressures in case of fire.

GALVANIC ACTION: Corrosion action between two
metals of different electronic activity. The action is
increased in the presence of moisture.
GAS: Vapor phase or state of a substance.
GASKET: A resilient or flexible material used between
mating surfaces of refrigerating unit parts or of
refrigerator doors to provide a leakproof seal.
GASKET,
FOAM: A joint sealing device made of
rubber or plastic foam strips.
GAS
- NONCONDENSIBLE: A gas which will not
form into a liquid under pressure-temperature
conditions.
GAS VALVE: Device for controlling flow of gas.
GAUGE, COMPOUND: Instrument for measuring
pressures both below and above atmospheric pressure.
GAUGE, HIGH PRESSURE: Instrument for measuring
pressures in range of 0 psig to 500 psig.
GAUGE, LOW PRESSURE: Instrument for measuring
pressures in range of 0 psig and 50 psig.
FREON:
Trade name for a family of synthetic
chemical refrigerants manufactured by DuPont De
Nemours Inc.
GAUGE MANIFOLD: A device constructed to hold

compound and high pressure gauges and valved to
control flow of fluids through it.
FROST BACK: Condition in which liquid refrigerant

flows from evaporator into suction line; indicated by
frost formation on suction line.
GAUGE,
VACUUM: Instrument used to measure
pressures below atmospheric pressure.
FROST CONTROL, AUTOMATIC: A control which

automatically cycles refrigerating system based on frost
formation on evaporator.
FROST CONTROL, MANUAL: A manual control used
to change refrigerating system to produce defrosting
conditions.
FROST
CONTROL, SEMIAUTOMATIC: A control
which starts defrost part of a cycle manually and then
returns system to normal operation automatically.
FROST FREE REFRIGERATOR: A refrigerated
cabinet which operates with an automatic defrost
during each cycle.
FROSTING
TYPE EVAPORATOR: A refrigerating
system which maintains the evaporator at frosting
temperatures during all phases of cycle.
FULL FLOATING: A mechanism construction in which
a shaft is free to turn in all the parts in which it is
inserted.
FUSE: Electrical safety device consisting of strip of
fusible metal in circuit which melts when current is
overloaded.
FUSIBLE PLUG: A plug or fitting made with a metal
of a known low melting temperature,
used
as
HVAC STEPS
GRAIN: A unit of weight and equal to one 7000th of

a pound. It is used to indicate the amount of moisture
in the air.
GRILLE: An ornamental or louvered opening placed at
the end of an air passageway.
GROMMET:
A plastic metal or rubber doughnutshaped protector for wires or tubing as they pass
through hole in object,
GROUND
COIL: A heat exchanger buried in the
ground which may be used either as an evaporator or
as a condenser.
GROUND, SHORT CIRCUIT: A fault in an electrical
circuit allowing electricity to flow into the metal parts of
the structure.
GROUND WIRE: An electrical wire which will safely
conduct electricity from a structure into the ground.
HALIDE
REFRIGERANTS: Family of refrigerants
containing halogen chemicals.
HALIDE
TORCH: Type of torch used to detect
halogen refrigerant leaks.
HASTELLOY:
metal alloy.
HEAD
Trade name for a hard-on-corroding
PRESSURE:
Pressure
which
SAFE
exists
in
11
condensing side of refrigerating system.

HEAD
PRESSURE CONTROL: Pressure operated
control which opens electrical circuit if high side
pressure becomes excessive.
HEAD, STATIC: Pressure of fluid expressed in terms
of height of column of the fluid, such as water or
mercury.
HEAD, VELOCITY: In flowing fluid, height of fluid
equivalent to its velocity pressure.
HEAT:
Form of energy the addition of which causes
substances to rise in temperature; energy associated
with random motion of molecules.
HEAT EXCHANGER: Device used to transfer heat
from a warm or hot surface to a cold or cooler surface.
Evaporators and condensers are heat exchangers.
HEAT
LAG: When "a substance is heated on one
side, it takes time for the heat to travel through the
substance. This time is called heat lag.
HEAT LEAKAGE: Flow of heat through a substance is
called heat leakage.
HEAT
LOAD: Amount of heat; measured in Btu,
which is removed during a period of 24 hours.
HEAT
OF COMPRESSION: Mechanical energy of
pressure transformed into energy of heat.
HEAT OF FUSION: The heat released in changing
a substance from a liquid state to a solid state. The
heat of fusion of ice is 144 Btu per pound.
HEAT OF RESPIRATION:
The process by which
oxygen and carbohydrates are assimilated by a
substance; also when carbon dioxide and water are
given off by a substance.
HEAT PUMP: A compression cycle system used to
supply heat to a temperature controlled space, which
can also remove heat from the same space.
HEAT TRANSFER: Movement of heat from one body
or substance to another. Heat may be transferred by
radiation, conduction, convection or a combination of
these three methods.
HERMETIC
SYSTEM: Refrigeration system which
has a compressor driven by a motor contained in
compressor dome or housing.
HG
- (MERCURY): Heavy silver-white metallic
element; only metal that is liquid at ordinary room
temperature. Symbol, Hg.
HIGH
PRESSURE CUT-OUT: Electrical control
switch operated by the high side pressure which
automatically opens electrical circuit if too high head
pressure or condensing pressure is reached.
HIGH SIDE: Parts of a refrigerating system which
are under condensing or high side pressure.
HIGH SIDE FLOAT; Refrigerant control mechanism
which controls the level of the liquid refrigerant in the
high pressure side of mechanism.
HIGH VACUUM PUMP: Mechanism which can create
vacuum in 1000 to 1 micron range.
HI-RE-LI
SYSTEM: A patented heat pump cycle
developed by Westinghouse Corp,
HOLLOW TUBE GASKET: Sealing device made of
rubber or plastic with tubular cross section.
HONE: Fine-grit stone used for precision sharpening.
HORSEPOWER:
A unit of power equal to 33,000
foot pounds of work per minute. One electrical
horsepower equals 746 watts.
HOT GAS BYPASS: Piping system in refrigerating unit,
which moves hot refrigerant gas from condenser into
low pressure side.
HOT GAS DEFROST: A defrosting system in which
hot refrigerant gas from the high side is directed
through evaporator for short period of time and at
predetermined intervals in order to remove frost from
evaporator.
HOT JUNCTION: That part of thermoelectric circuit
which releases heat.
HOT WIRE: A resistance wire in an electrical relay
which expands when heated and contracts when
cooled.
HEATING
COIL: A heat transfer device which
releases heat.
HUMIDIFIERS:-Device used to add to and control the

humidity in a confined space.
HEATING
CONTROL: Device which controls
temperature of heat transfer unit which releases heat.
HUMIDISTAT:
An electrical control which is
operated by changing humidity.
HEATING
VALUE: Amount of heat which may be
obtained by burning a fuel. It is usually expressed in
Btu per pound or Btu per gallon.
HUMIDITY: Moisture; dampness. Relative humidity

is ratio of quantity of vapor present in air to greatest,
amount possible at given temperature.
HEAVY ENDS, HYDROCARBON OILS: The heavy

molecules or larger molecules of hydrocarbon oils.
HYDROLEN - TAR: A hydrocarbon byproduct of oil

industry. Used as a low melting temperature,
waterproof sealing compound.
HERMETIC MOTOR: Compressor drive motor sealed

within same casing which contains compressor.
HVAC STEPS
HYDROMETER:
Floating instrument used to
SAFE
12
measure specific gravity of a liquid. Specific gravity is

ratio of weight of any volume of a substance to weight
of equal volume of substance used as a standard.
JOULE-THOMSON EFFECT: Change in temperature

of a gas on expansion through a porous plug from a
high pressure to a lower pressure.
HYDRONIC:
Type of heating system which
circulates a heated fluid, usually water, through
baseboard coils. Circulating pump is usually controlled
by a thermostat.
JOURNAL,
CRANKSHAFT: Part of shaft which
contacts the bearing.
HYGROMETER:
An instrument used to measure
degree of moisture in the atmosphere.
HYGROSCOPIC: Ability of a substance to absorb and
retain moisture and change physical dimensions as its
moisture content changes.
ICC - INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION: A
government body which controls the design and
construction of pressure containers.
ICE
CREAM CABINET: Commercial refrigerator
which operates at approximately 0 F. and is used for
storage of ice cream.
ICE MELTING EQUIVALENT (I.M.E.) (ICE
MELTING EFFECT): Amount of heat absorbed by
melting ice at 32 F. is 144 Btu per pound of ice or
288,000 Btu per ton.
JUNCTION
BOX: Group of electrical terminals
housed in protective box or container.
KATA
THERMOMETER: Large bulb alcohol
thermometer used to measure air velocities or
atmospheric conditions by means of cooling effect.
KELVIN SCALE (K): Thermometer scale on which
unit of measurement equals the centigrade degree and
according to which absolute zero is 0 deg., the
equivalent of -273.16 deg. C. Water freezes at 273.16
deg. and boils at 373.16 deg.
KILOMETER:
1000 meters.
A metric unit of linear measurement =
KILOWATT:
watts.
Unit of electrical power, equal to 1000
LACQUER: A protective coating or finish which dries

to form a film by evaporation of a volatile constituent.
IDLER: A pulley used on some belt drives to provide

the proper belt tension and to eliminate belt vibration.
LAMPS, STERI: A lamp which gives forth a high

intensity ultraviolet ray and is used to kill bacteria. It is
often used in food storage cabinets.
IGNITION TRANSFORMER: A transformer designed

to provide a high voltage current. Used in many
heating systems to ignite fuel.
LAPPING:
Smoothing a metal surface to high
degree of refinement or accuracy using a fine abrasive.
IMPELLER: Rotating part of a centrifugal pump.

INDUCED MAGNETISM: Ability of a magnetic field to
produce magnetism in a metal.
INDUCTION MOTOR: An AC motor which operates
on principle of rotating magnetic field. Rotor has no
electrical connection, but receives electrical energy by
transformer action from field windings.
INFRARED LAMP: An electrical device which emits
infrared rays; invisible rays just beyond red in the
visible spectrum.
INSULATION, THERMAL: Substance used to retard
or slow flow of heat through wall or partition.
LATENT HEAT: Heat energy absorbed in process of

changing form of substance (melting, vaporization,
fusion) without change in temperature or pressure.
LEAK DETECTOR: Device or instrument such as a
halide torch, an electronic sniffer; or soap solution used
to detect leaks.
LIMIT CONTROL: Control used to open or close
electrical circuits as temperature or pressure limits are
reached.
LIQUID ABSORBENT; A chemical in liquid form
which has the property to "take on" or absorb
moisture.
INTERMITTENT CYCLE: A cycle which repeats itself

at different intervals.
LIQUID
INDICATOR: Device located in liquid line
which provides a glass window through which liquid
flow may be observed.
IR DROP: An electrical term indicating the loss in a

circuit expressed in amperes x resistance (I x R) or
voltage drop.
LIQUID
LINE: The tube which carries liquid
refrigerant from the condenser or liquid receiver to the
refrigerant control mechanism.
ISOTHERMAL: Changes of volume or pressure under

conditions of constant temperature.
LIQUID
NITROGEN: Nitrogen in liquid form which
is used as a low temperature refrigerant in chemical (or
expendable) refrigerating systems.
ISOTHERMAL
EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION: An action which takes place without a
temperature change.
HVAC STEPS
LIQUID
RECEIVER: Cylinder connected to
condenser outlet for storage of liquid refrigerant in a
system.
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13
LIQUID-VAPOR
VALVE
REFRIGERANT
CYLINDER: A dual hand valve on a cylinder which is
used to release either gas or liquid refrigerant from the
cylinder.
LITHARGE: Lead powder mixed with glycerine to seal
pipe thread joints.
LIQUOR:
Solution used in absorption refrigeration,
LITER: Metric unit of volume which equals 61, 03

cubic inches.
LOW SIDE: That portion of a refrigerating system
which is under the lowest evaporating pressure.
LOW SIDE FLOAT VALVE: Refrigerant control valve
operated by level of liquid refrigerant in low pressure
side of system.
LOW SIDE PRESSURE: Pressure in cooling side of
refrigerating cycle.
LOW SIDE PRESSURE CONTROL: Device used to
keep low side evaporating pressure from dropping
below certain pressure.
LP FUEL: Liquefied petroleum which is used as a fuel
gas.
LRA: Locked rotor amperes.
MAGNETIC CLUTCH: A device operated by
magnetism to connect or disconnect a power drive.
MAGNETIC FIELD: Space in which magnetic lines of
force exist.
MAGNETIC GASKET: A sealing material which
adheres due to small magnets inserted in gasket.
MAGNETISM:
An electronic force which causes a
magnet to attract items made of steel.
MANIFOLD, SERVICE: A device equipped with
gauges and manual valves, used by serviceman to
service refrigerating systems.
MANOMETER:
Instrument for measuring pressure
of gases 'and vapors. Gas pressure is balanced against
column of liquid such as mercury, in U-shaped tube.
MASS:
A quantity of matter cohering together to
make one body which is usually of indefinite shape.
MEAN EFFECTIVE PRESSURE (M.E.P.): Average
pressure on a surface when a changing pressure
condition exists.
MECHANICAL
CYCLE: Cycle which is a repetitive
series of mechanical events.
MEGOHM: One megohm is equal to a million ohms.
MEGOHMMETER: An instrument for measuring
extremely high resistances (In the millions of ohms
ranges).
MELTING
POINT:
HVAC STEPS
Temperature
at
atmospheric
pressure, at which a substance will melt.

MERCOID
BULB: An electrical circuit switch which
uses a small quantity of mercury in a sealed glass tube
to make or break electrical contact with terminals
within the tube.
METER: Metric unit of linear measurement equal to
39.37 inches.
METHANOL DRIER: Alcohol type chemical used to
change water in refrigerating system into a nonfreezing
solution.
METHYL CHLORIDE (R-40): A chemical once
commonly used as a refrigerant. The chemical formula
is CH3CI. Cylinder color code is orange. The boiling
point at atmospheric pressure is -10, 4 F.
METRIC SYSTEM: A decimal system of measures
and weights, based on the meter and gram. Length of
one meter, 39.37 in.
MICRO: One millionth part of unit specified.
MICROFARAD; Unit of condenser electrical capacity
equal to one millionth of a farad.
MICROMETER: A precision measuring instrument
used for making measurements accurate to .001 to
.0001 in.
MICRON:
Unit of length in metric system; a
thousandth part of one millimeter.
MICRON
GAUGE: Instrument for measuring
vacuums very close to a perfect vacuum.
MILL me; a combining form denoting one thousandth;
example, milli volt, one thousandth of a volt.
MODULATING: A type of device or control which
tends to adjust by increments (minute changes) rather
than by either full on or full off operation.
MODULATING
REFRIGERATION
Refrigerating system of variable capacity,
CYCLE:
MOISTURE
DETERMINATION: An action using
instruments and calculations to measure the relative or
absolute moisture in an air conditioned space.
MOISTURE
INDICATOR: Instrument used to
measure moisture content of a refrigerant.
MOLECULE:
Smallest portion of an element or
compound that retains chemical identity with the
substance m mass.
MOLLIERS DIAGRAM: Graph of refrigerant pressure,
heat and temperature properties.
MONEL: A trademark name for metal alloy consisting
chiefly of copper and nickel.
MONITOR TOP: Unit built by General Electric which
had a cylindrical condenser surrounding the motorcompressor, mounted on top of the cabinet,
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14
MONOCHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE: A refrigerant
better known as Freon 22 or R-22. Chemical formula is
CHCIF2. Cylinder color code is green.
MOTOR - 2-POLE: A 3600 rpm electric motor
(synchronous speed).
MOTOR - 4-POLE: An 1800 rpm electric motor
(synchronous speed).
MOTOR, CAPACITOR: A single-phase induction
motor with an auxiliary starting winding connected in
series with a condenser (capacitor) for better starting
characteristics.
MOTOR BURNOUT: Condition in which the insulation
of electric motor has deteriorated by overheating.
MOTOR CONTROL: Device to start ana/or stop a
motor at certain temperature or pressure conditions.
MOTOR STARTER: High capacity electric switches
usually operated by electromagnets.
MUFFLER, COMPRESSOR: Sound absorber chamber
in refrigeration system used to reduce sound of gas
pulsations.
MULLION:
two doors.
Stationary part of a structure between
MULLION HEATER: An electrical heating element

mounted in the mullion and used to keep mullion from
sweating or frosting.
MULTIPLE EVAPORATOR SYSTEM: Refrigerating
system with two or more evaporators connected in
parallel.
MULTIPLE SYSTEM: Refrigerating mechanism in
which several evaporators are connected to one
condensing unit,
NATURAL CONVECTION: Movement of a fluid
caused by temperature differences (density changes).
NEOPRENE: A synthetic rubber which is resistant to
hydrocarbon oil and gas.
NEUTRALIZER: Substance used to counteract acids,
in refrigeration system.
NEUTRON:
That part of an atom core which has no
electrical potential; electrically neutral.
NO-FROST FREEZER: A low temperature refrigeratorcabinet in which no frost or ice collects on produce
stored in cabinet.
NOMINAL SIZE TUBING: Tubing measurement
which has an inside diameter the same as iron pipe of
the same stated size.
NON-CODE
INSTALLATION:
A
functional
refrigerating system installed where there are no local,
state/ or national refrigeration codes in force.
NONCONDENSABLE GAS: Gas which does not
HVAC STEPS
change into a liquid at operating temperatures and

pressures.
NONFERROUS:
Group of metals and metal alloys
which contain no iron.
NONFROSTING EVAPORATOR: An evaporator which
never collects frost or ice on its surface.
NORMAL CHARGE:
The thermal element charge
which is part liquid and part gas under all operating
conditions.
NORTH POLE, MAGNETIC: End of magnet from
which magnetic lines of force flow.
OFF CYCLE: That part of a refrigeration cycle when
the system is not operating.
OHM (R): Unit of measurement of electrical
resistance. One ohm exists when one volt causes a
flow of one ampere.
OHM METER:
resistance in ohms.
An instrument for measuring
OHMS LAW: Mathematical relationship between

voltage/ current and resistance in an electric circuit,
discovered by George Simon Ohm. It is stated as
follows: voltage (E = Amperes (I) x Ohms (R); or E = I
x R,
OIL BINDING: Physical condition when an oil layer on
top of refrigerant liquid hinders it from evaporating at
its normal pressure-temperature condition.
OIL, REFRIGERATION: Specially prepared oil used in
refrigerator mechanism circulates to some extent with
refrigerant. The oil must be dry (entirely free of
moisture), otherwise, moisture will condense out and
freeze in the refrigerant control and may cause
refrigerant mechanism to fail. An oil classified as refrigerant oil must be free of moisture and other
contaminants.
OIL
RINGS: Expanding rings mounted in grooves
and piston; designed to prevent oil from moving into
compression chamber.
OIL SEPARATOR: Device used to remove oil from
gaseous refrigerant.
OPEN CIRCUIT: An interrupted electrical circuit which
stops flow of electricity,
OPEN
DISPLAY CASE: Commercial refrigerator
designed to maintain its contents at refrigerating
temperatures even though the contents are in an open
case.
OPEN TYPE SYSTEM: A refrigerating system which
uses a belt-driven compressor or a coupling-driven
compressor.
ORIFICE:
flow.
Accurate size opening for controlling fluid
SAFE
15
OSCILLOSCOPE: A flourescent coated tube which

visually shows an electrical wave.
POUR POINT (OIL): Lowest temperature at which

oil will pour or flow.
OVERLOAD:
Load greater than load for which
system or mechanism was intended.
POWER: Time rate at which work is done or energy

emitted; source or means of supplying energy.
OVERLOAD PROTECTOR: A device, temperature,

pressure, or current operated/ which will stop
operation of unit if dangerous conditions arise.
POWER
ELEMENT: Sensitive
temperature operated control.
OZONE: A gaseous form of oxygen usually obtained

by silent discharge of electricity in oxygen or air.
PARTIAL
PRESSURES: Condition where two or
more gases occupy a space and each one creates part
of the total pressure.
PASCAL'S LAW: A pressure imposed upon a fluid is
transmitted equally in all directions.
PELETIER EFFECT: When direct current is passed
through two adjacent metals one junction will become
cooler and the other will become warmer. This principle
is the basis of thermoelectric refrigeration.
element
of
POWER
FACTOR: Correction coefficient for AC
power necessary because of changing current and
voltage values.
PRESSURE: An energy impact on a unit area; force
or thrust exerted on a surface.
PRESSURE DROP: The pressure difference at two
ends of a circuit/ or part of a circuit, the two sides of a
filter, or the pressure difference between the high side
and low side in a refrigerator mechanism.
PRESSURE LIMITER: Device which remains closed
until a certain pressure is reached and then opens and
releases fluid to another part of system.
PERMANENT MAGNET: A material which has its

molecules aligned and has its own magnetic field; bar
of metal which has been permanently magnetized.
PRESSURE-HEAT DIAGRAM: Graph of refrigerant

pressure, heat and temperature properties. (Mollier's
diagram.)
PHOTOELECTRICITY: A physical action wherein an

electrical flow is generated by light waves.
PRESSURE
MOTOR CONTROL: A device which
opens and closes an electrical circuit as pressures
change to desired pressures.
PINCH-OFF^.TOOL: Device used to press walls of

tubing together until fluid flow ceases.
PISTON: Close fitting part which moves up and down
in a cylinder.
PISTON
DISPLACEMENT: Volume displaced by
piston as it travels length of stroke.
PITOT TUBE: Tube used to measure air velocities.
PLENUM CHAMBER: Chamber or container for
moving air or other gas under a slight positive
pressure.
POLYPHASE
MOTOR: Electrical motor designed to
be used with three-phase electrical circuit.
POLYSTYRENE: Plastic used as insulation in some
refrigerator cabinet structures.
PONDED ROOF: Flat roof designed to hold quantity of
water which acts as a cooling device.
PORCELAIN:
steel surfaces.
Ceramic china-like coating applied to
POTENTIAL, ELECTRICAL: The electrical force which

moves, or attempts to move, electrons along a
conductor or resistance.
POTENTIAL RELAY VOLTAGE: Electrical switch
which is operated by voltage changes in electromagnet.
POTENTIOMETER:
Instrument for measuring or
controlling electrical potential.
HVAC STEPS
PRESSURE OPERATED ALTITUDE (POA) VALVE:

Device which maintains a constant low side pressure
independent of altitude of operation.
PRESSURE REGULATOR, EVAPORATOR: An
automatic pressure regulating valve. Mounted in
suction line between evaporator outlet and compressor
inlet. Its purpose is to maintain a predetermined
pressure and temperature in the evaporator,
PRESSURE
SUCTION: Pressure in low pressure
side of a refrigerating system.
PRESSURE WATER VALVE: Device used to control
water flow which is responsive to head pressure of
refrigerating system.
PRIMARY CONTROL: Device which directly controls
operation of heating system.
PROCESS TUBE: Length of tubing fastened to
hermetic unit dome, used for servicing unit.
PROPANE: Volatile hydrocarbon used as a fuel, also
as a refrigerant.
PROTECTOR, CIRCUIT: An electrical device which
will open an electrical circuit if excessive electrical
conditions occur.
PROTON: Positive charged particle of an atom.
PSI: A symbol or initials used to indicate pressure
measured in pounds per square inch.
SAFE
16
PSIA: A symbol or initials used to indicate pressure

measured in pounds per square inch absolute. Absolute
pressure equals gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure,
P51G: A symbol or initials used to indicate pressure in
pounds per square inch gauge. The "g" indicates that it
is gauge pressure and not absolute pressure.
PSYCHROMETER OR WET BULB HYGROMETER:
An instrument for measuring the relative humidity of
atmospheric air.
PSYCHROMETRIC
CHART: A chart that shows
relationship between the temperature, pressure and
moisture content of the air.
PSYCHROMETRIC MEASUREMENT: Measurement
of temperature pressure, and humidity using a
psychrometric chart.
PULL
DOWN: An expression indicating action of
removing refrigerant from all or a part of refrigerating
system,
PUMP DOWN: The act of using a compressor or a
pump to reduce the pressure in a container or a
system.
PURGING:
Releasing compressed gas to
atmosphere through some part or parts for the purpose
of removing contaminants from that part or parts.
PYROMETER:
temperatures.
Instrument for measuring high
QUENCHING: Submerging hot solid object in cooling

fluid.
QUICK
CONNECT COUPLING: A device which
permits easy, fast, connecting of two fluid lines.
R-11, TRICHLOROMONOFLUOROMETH-ANE: Low
pressure, synthetic chemical refrigerant which is also
used as a cleaning fluid.
12 and R-152a.
R-502: Refrigerant which is azeotropic mixture of R22 and R-H5.
R-503: Refrigerant which is azeotropic mixture of R23 and R-13.
R-504: Refrigerant which is azeotropic mixture of R32 and R-115.
R-600, BUTANE: Low temperature
refrigerant; also used as a fuel.
application
R-611, METHYL FORMATE: Low pressure refrigerant.

R-717, AMMONIA: Popular refrigerant for industrial
refrigerating systems; also a popular absorption system
refrigerant.
R-764, SULPHUR DIOXIDE: Low
pressure
refrigerant used extensively in 1920's and 1930*5. Not
in use at present; chemical is often used as an
industrial bleaching agent.
RADIAL COMMUTATOR: Electrical contact surface
on a rotor which is perpendicular or at right angles to
the shaft center line.
RADIANT
HEATING: Heating system in which
warm or hot surfaces are used to radiate heat into the
space to be conditioned.
RADIATION: Transfer of heat by heat rays.
RANGE:
Pressure or temperature settings of a
control; change within limits.
RANKIN SCALE: Name given the absolute
(Fahrenheit) scale. Zero on this scale is -460 F.
RECEIVER-DRIER: A cylinder in a refrigerating
system for storing liquid refrigerant and which also
holds a quantity of desiccant.
R-12, DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE: A popular

refrigerant known as Freon 12.
RECEIVER HEATING ELEMENT: Electrical resistance

mounted in or around liquid receiver, used to maintain
head pressures when ambient temperature is at
freezing or below freezing.
R-22,
MONOCHLORODIFLUOROMETH-ANE:
Synthetic chemical refrigerant.
RECIPROCATING:
Action in which the motion is
back and forth in a straight line.
R-40, Methyl Chloride: Refrigerant which was used

extensively in the 1920's and 1930's,
RECORDING
AMMETER: Electrical instrument
which uses a pen to record amount of current flow on
a moving paper chart.
R-U3,
TRICHLOROTRIFLUOROETHANE: Synthetic
chemical refrigerant.
R-160,
ETHYL CHLORIDE: Refrigerant which is
seldom used at present time.
R-170, ETHANE:
refrigerant.
R-290, PROPANE:
refrigerant.
R-500:
Low
Low
temperature
application
RECTIFIER, ELECTRIC: An electrical device for

converting AC into DC.
temperature
application
REED VALVE: Thin flat tempered steel plate fastened

at one end.
Refrigerant which is azeotropic mixture of R-
HVAC STEPS
RECORDING
THERMOMETER:
Temperature
measuring instrument which has a pen marking a
moving chart.
REFRIGERANT:
Substance used in refrigerating
SAFE
17
mechanism to absorb heat in evaporator coil by change

of state from a liquid to a gas, and to release its heat
in a condenser as the substance returns from the
gaseous state back to a liquid state,
REFRIGERANT CHARGE: Quantity of refrigerant in a
system.
REFRIGERANT
CONTROL: Device which meters
refrigerant and maintains pressure difference between
high pressure and low pressure side of mechanical refrigerating system while unit is running.
REGISTER:
Combination gri He and damper
assembly covering on an air opening or end of an air
duct.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: Ratio of amount of water
vapor present in air to greatest amount possible at
same temperature.
RELAY:
Electrical mechanism which uses small
current in control circuit to operate a valve switch in
operating circuit.
RELIEF
VALVE: Safety device designed to open
before dangerous pressure is reached,
REMOTE
POWER ELEMENT CONTROL: Device
with sensing element located apart from operating
mechanism.
RUNNING WINDING: Electrical winding of motor

which has current flowing through it during normal
operation of motor.
SADDLE VALVE (TAP-A-LINE): Valve body shaped
so it may be silver brazed to refrigerant tubing surface.
SAFETY CONTROL: Device which will stop the
refrigerating unit if unsafe pressures ana/or
temperatures are reached.
SAFETY MOTOR CONTROL: Electrical device used
to open circuit if the temperature, pressure, ana/or '
the current flow exceed safe conditions.
SAFETY PLUG: Device which will release the contents
of a container above normal pressure conditions and
before rupture pressures are reached.
SATURATION: Condition existing when substance
contains maximum of another substance for that
temperature and pressure.
SCAVENGER
PUMP: Mechanism used to remove
fluid from sump or container.
SCHRADER
VALVE: Spring loaded device which
permits fluid flow in one direction when a center pin is
depressed; in other direction when a pressure
difference exists.
REMOTE SYSTEM: Refrigerating system which has

condensing unit located outside and separate from
refrigerator cabinet.
SCOTCH YOKE: Mechanism used to change

reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice-versa.
Used to connect crankshaft to piston in refrigeration
compressor.
REPULSION-START INDUCTION MOTOR: Type

of motor which has an electrical winding on the
rotor for starting purposes.
SEALED UNIT: (See Hermetic System.) A motorcompressor assembly inwhich motor and compressor
operate inside sealed dome or housing.
RESISTANCE, (R) ELECTRICAL: The difficulty

electrons encounter moving through a conductor or
substance.
SEAL LEAK: Escape of oil ano/or refrigerant at the

junction where shaft enters housing.
REVERSE
CYCLE DEFROST: Method of heating
evaporator for defrosting purposes by using valves to
move hot gas from compressor into evaporator.
REVERSING
VALVE: Device used to reverse
direction of the refrigerant flow depending upon
whether heating or cooling is desired,
RINGELMANN
SCALE: Measuring device for
determing smoke density.
RISER VALVE: Device used to manually control flow
of refrigerant in vertical piping.
ROTARY
BLADE COMPRESSOR: Mechanism for
pumping fluid by revolving blades inside cylindrical
housing.
ROTARY COMPRESSOR: Mechanism which pumps
fluid by using rotating motion.
ROTOR: Rotating part of a mechanism.
HVAC STEPS
SEAL,
SHAFT: A device used to prevent leakage
between shaft and housing.
SECONDARY
REFRIGERATING SYSTEM:
Refrigerating system in which condenser is cooled by
evaporator of another or primary refrigerating system.
SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS: Heat will
flow only from material at certain temperature to
material at lower temperature,
SEEBECK
EFFECT: When two different adjacent
metals are heated, an electric current is generated.
SELF-INDUCTANCE:
Magnetic field induced in
conductor carrying the current.
SEMICONDUCTOR:
A material that has electrical
properties of current Low, between a conductor and an
insulator.
SENSIBLE HEAT: Heat which causes a change in
temperature of a substance.
SAFE
18
SENSOR: A material or device which goes through a

physical change or an electronic characteristic change
as the conditions change.
SEPARATOR, OIL: A device used to separate
refrigerant oil from refrigerant gas and return the oil to
crankcase of compressor.
SEQUENCE CONTROLS: Group of devices which act
in series or in time order.
SERVEL SYSTEM: One type of continuous operation
absorption refrigerating system,
SERVICEABLE HERMETIC: Hermetic unit housing
containing motor and compressor assembled by use of
bolts or threads.
SERVICE VALVE: A device to be attached to system
which provides opening for gauges ana/or charging
lines. Also provides means of shutting off or opening
gauge and charging ports, and controlling refrigerant
flow in system.
SHADED POLE MOTOR: A small AC motor used for
light start loads. Has no brushes or commutator.
SHARP
FREEZING: Refrigeration at temperature
slightly below freezing, with moderate air circulation.
SHELL-AND-TUBE
FLOODED
EVAPORATOR:
Device/which flows water through tubes built into
cylindrical evaporator or vice-versa.
SHELL
TYPE CONDENSER: Cylinder or receiver
which contains condensing water coils or tubes.
SHORT CIRCUIT: An electrical condition where part
of circuit touches another part of circuit and causes all
or part of current to take wrong path.
SHORT CYCLING: Refrigerating system that starts
and stops more frequently than it should.
SHROUD: Housing over condenser or evaporator.
SIGHT GLASS: Glass tube or glass window in
refrigerating mechanism which shows amount of
refrigerant, or oil in system; or, pressure of gas
bubbles in liquid tine.
SILICA GEL: Chemical compound used as a drier,
which has ability to absorb moisture when heated,
moisture is released and compound may be reused.
SILICON
CONTROLLED
RECTIFIER
(SCR):
Electronic semiconductor which contains silicon.
SILVER
BRAZING: Brazing .process in which
brazing alloy contains some silver as part of joining
alloy.
SINE WAVE, AC CURRENT: Wave form of single
frequency
alternating
current;
wave
whose
displacement is sine of angle proportional to time or
distance.
HVAC STEPS
SINGLE-PHASE MOTOR: Electric motor

operates on single-phase alternating current.
which
SINGLE-POLE, DOUBLE-THROW SWITCH, SPOT:

Electric switch with one blade and two contact points.
SINGLE-POLE, SINGLE-THROW SWITCH, SPST:
Electric switch with one blade and one contact point.
SINTERED OIL BEARING: Porous bearing metal,
usually bronze, and which has oil in pores of bearing
metal.
SLING
PSYCHROMETER: Humidity measuring
device with wet and dry bulb thermometers/which is
moved rapidly through air when measuring humidity.
SLUG: A unit of mass equal to the weight (English
units) of object divided by 32.2 (acceleration due to the
force of gravity).
SMOKE TEST: Test made to determine completeness
of combustion.
SOLAR HEAT: Heat from visible and invisible energy
waves from the sun.
SOLDERING: Joining two metals by adhesion of a
low melting temperature metal (less than 800 F.).
SOLENOID VALVE: Electromagnet with a moving
core which serves as a valve, or operates a valve.
SOLID
ABSORBENT
REFRIGERATION
refrigerating system which uses solid substance as
absorber of the refrigerant during cooling part of cycle
and releases refrigerant when heated during
generating part of cycle.
SOUTH POLE, MAGNETIC: That part of magnet into
which magnetic flux lines flow.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Weight of a liquid compared to
water which is assigned value of 1.0.
SPECIFIC HEAT: Ratio of quantity of heat required to
raise temperature of a body one-degree to that
required to raise temperature of equal mass of water
one degree,
SPECIFIC VOLUME: Volume per unit mass of a
substance.
SPLASH SYSTEM, OILING: Method of lubricating
moving parts by agitating or splashing oil.
SPLIT-PHASE MOTOR: Motor with two stator
windings. Winding in use while starting is disconnected
by centrifugal switch after motor attains speed, and
then motor operates on other winding.
SPLIT
SYSTEM: Refrigeration or air conditioning
installation which places condensing unit outside or
remote from evaporator. Also applicable to heat pump
installations.
SPRAY
COOLING:
Method
of
refrigerating
SAFE
by
19
spraying refrigerant inside of evaporator or by spraying

refrigerated water.
SQUIRREL CAGE: Fan which has blades parallel to
fan axis and moves air at right angles or perpendicular
to fan axis.
STANDARD ATMOSPHERE: Condition when air is at
14.7 psia pressure, at 59 F. temperature.
STANDARD CONDITIONS: Used as a basis for air
conditioning calculations. Temperature of 68 degrees
F., pressure of 29.92 inches of Hg and relative humidity
of 30 percent.
pressure in evaporator during running portion of cycle.

SUCTION
SERVICE VALVE: A two-way manualoperated valve located at the inlet to compressor,
which controls suction gas flow and is used to service
unit.
SULFUR
DIOXIDE: Gas once commonly used as a
refrigerant. Refrigerant number is R-764; chemical
formula is S02. Cylinder color code/ black; boiling point
at atmospheric pressure 14 F.
SUPERHEAT:
Temperature of vapor above boiling
temperature of its liquid at that pressure.
STARTING
RELAY: An electrical device which
connects and/or disconnects starting winding of electric
motor.
SUPERHEATER:
Heat exchanger arranged to cool
liquid going to evaporator using this heat to superheat
vapor leaving evaporator.
STARTING WINDING: Winding in electric motor

used only during brief period when motor is starting.
SURFACE
PLATE: Tool with a very accurate flat
surface, used for measuring purposes, and for lapping
flat surfaces.
STATIONARY
BLADE COMPRESSOR: A rotary
pump which uses blade inside pump to separate intake
chamber from exhaust chamber.
STATOR, MOTOR: Stationary part of electric motor.
STEAM: Water in vapor state.
STEAM HEATING: Heating system inwhich steam
from a boiler is conducted to radiators in space to be
heated.
STEAM JET REFRIGERATION: Refrigerating system
which uses a steam venturi to create high vacuum (low
pressure) on a water container causing water to evaporate at low temperature.
SURGE:
Modulating action of temperature or
pressure before it reaches its final value or setting.
SURGE TANK: Container connected to a refrigerating
system which increases gas volume and reduces rate of
pressure change.
SWAGING: Enlarging one tube end so end of other
tube of same size will fit within.
SWASH PLATE-WOBBLE PLATE: Device used to
change rotary motion to reciprocating motion, used in
some refrigeration compressors.
STETHOSCOPE: Instrument used to detect sounds.
SWEATING: This term is^ used two different ways

in refrigeration work: l-Condensation of moisture from
air on cold surface. 2-Method of soldering in which the
parts to be joined are first coated with a thin layer of
solder.
STOKER:
coal.
Machine used to supply a furnace with
SWEET WATER: Term sometimes used to describe

tap water.
STRAINER: Device such as a screen or filter used to

retain solid particles while liquid passes through.
SYLPHON SEAL: Corrugated metal tubing used to

hold seal ring and provide leak-proof connection
between seal ring and compressor body or shaft,
5TELLITE:
very hard.
Trade
name
for metal alloy which is
STRATIFICATION OF AIR: Condition in which there

is little or no air movement in room; air lies in
temperature layers.
STRIKE: Door part of a door latch.
SUBCOOLING: Cooling of liquid refrigerant below its
condensing temperature.
SUBLIMATION:
Condition where a substance
changes from a solid to a gas without becoming a
liquid.
SUCTION LINE: Tube or pipe used to
refrigerant gas from evaporator to compressor.
carry
SUCTION
PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE: Device
located in the suction line which maintains constant
HVAC STEPS
SYNTHETIC
RUBBER, NEOPRENE: Soft resilient
material made of a synthetic chemical compound.
TAP-A-LINE: Device used to puncture or tap a line
where there are no service valves available; sometimes
called a saddle valve.
TAP DRILL: Drill used to form hole prior to placing
threads in hole. The drill is the size of the root
diameter of tap threads.
TAP (SCREW THREAD): Tool used to cut internal
threads.
TEFLON:
rings.
Synthetic rubber material often used for 0
SAFE
20
TEMPERATURE: Degree of hotness or coldness as

measured by a thermometer; measurement of speed of
motion of molecules.
TEMPERATURE
HUMIDITY
INDEX:
Actual
temperature and humidity of sample of air, compared
to air at standard conditions.
TEST LIGHT: Light provided with test leads, used to
test or probe electrical circuits to determine if they are
alive.THERM: Quantity of heat equivalent to 100,000
Btu.
THERMAL RELAY (HOT WIRE RELAY): Electrical
control used to actuate a refrigeration system. This
system uses a wire to convert electrical energy into
heat energy.
THERMISTOR:
Material called a semiconductor,
which is between a conductor and an insulator, which
has electrical resistance that varies with temperature.
THERMOCOUPLE: Device which generates electricity,
using principle that if two dissimilar metals are welded
together and junction is heated, a voltage will develop
across open ends.
THERMOCOUPLE
THERMOMETER:
Electrical
instrument using thermocouple as source of electrical
flow, connected to Liam meter calibrated in
temperature degrees.
THERMODISK DEFROST CONTROL: Electrical
switch with bimetal disk which is controlled by electrical
energy.
THERMOSTATIC VALVE:
thermostatic elements.
Valve
controlled
by
THERMOSTATIC WATER VALVE: Valve used to

control flow of water through system, actuated by
temperature difference. Used in units such as watercooled compressor or condenser.
THREE-PHASE: Operating by means of combination
of three alternating current circuits which differ in
phase by one third of a cycle.
THROTTLING: Expansion of gas through orifice or
controlled opening without gas performing any work m
expansion process.
TIMERS:
Mechanism used to control on and off
times of an electrical circuit.
TIMER-THERMOSTAT: Thermostat control which
includes a clock mechanism. Unit automatically controls
room temperature and changes it according to time of
day.
TON OF REFRIGERATION: Refrigerating effect equal
to the melting of one ton of ice in 24 hours. This may
be expressed as follows:
288,000 Btu/24
Btu/minute
hours
12,000
Btu/1
hour
200
TON REFRIGERATION UNIT: Unit which removes

same amount of heat in 24 hours as melting of one ton
of ice.
TORQUE: Turning or twisting force.
THERMODYNAMICS:
Science which deals with
mechanical action or relations of heat.
TORQUE WRENCHES: Wrench which may be used to

measure torque or pressure applied to a nut or bolt.
THERMOELECTRIC
REFRIGERATION:
A
refrigerator mechanism which depends on Peletier
effect. Direct current flowing through electrical junction
between dissimilar metals provides heating or cooling
effect depending on direction of flow of current.
TRANSDUCER: Device actuated by power from one

system and supplies power in another form to second
system.
measuring
TRANSFORMER:
Device which transfers electrical
energy from primary circuit, into variations of voltage
in secondary circuit, by electromagnetic induction.
THERMOMODULE:
Number of thermocouples used
in parallel to achieve low temperatures.
TRANSFORMER-RECTIFIER:
Combination
transformer and rectifier in which input in AC may be
varied and then rectified into DC.
THERMOMETER:
temperatures.
Device
for
THERMOSTAT:
Device responsive to ambient
temperature' conditions.
THERMOSTATIC CONTROL: Device which operatessystem or part of system based on temperature
changes.
THERMOSTATIC
EXPANSION VALVE: A control
valve operated by temperature and pressure within
evaporator coil, which controls flow of refrigerant.
Control bulb is attached to outlet of coil.
THERMOSTATIC MOTOR CONTROL: Device used to
control cycling of unit through use of control bulb
attached to evaporator.
HVAC STEPS
TRANSISTOR: Electronic device commonly used for

amplification, similar in use to electron tube. Depends
on conducting properties of semiconductors in which
electrons moving in one direction are considered as
leaving holes that serve as carriers of positive
electricity inapposite direction.
TRICHLOROTRIFLUOROETHANE: Complete name
of refrigerant R-113. Group I refrigerant in rather
common use. Chemical compounds which make up this
refrigerant are chlorine, fluorine, and ethane.
TUBE, CONSTRICTED: Tubing that is reduced in
diameter.
SAFE
21
TUBE-WITHIN-A-TUBE:
A water-cooled
condensing unit in which a small tube is placed inside
large unit. Refrigerant passes -through one tube; water
through the other.
TUBING: Fluid carrying pipe which has a thin wall,
TRIPLE
POINT: Pressure temperature condition in
which a substance is in equilibrium in solid, liquid and
vapor states.
TRUCK, REFRIGERATED: Commercial
vehicle
equipped to maintain below atmospheric temperatures,
TWO-TEMPERATURE VALVE: Pressure opened valve
used in suction line. On multiple refrigerator
installations which maintains evaporators in system at
different temperatures.
VALVE: Device used for controlling fluid flow.

VALVE, EXPANSION: Type of refrigerant control
which maintains pressure difference between high side
and low side pressure in refrigerating mechanism.
Valve is caused to operate by pressure in low or
suction side. Often referred to as an automatic
expansion valve or AEV.
VALVE PLATE: Part of compressor located between
top of compressor body and head which contains
compressor valves.
VALVE, SERVICE: Device used by service technicians
to check pressures and charge refrigerating units.
VALVE,
SOLENOID: Valve actuated by magnetic
action by means of an electrically energized coil.
ULTRAVIOLET:
Invisible radiation waves with
frequencies shorter than wave lengths of visible liqht
and longer than X-Ray.
VALVE, SUCTION: Valve in refrigeration compressor

which allows vaporized refrigerant to enter cylinder
from suction line and prevents its return.
UNIVERSAL MOTOR: Electric motor which will

operate on both AC and DC.
VALVES, WATER: Most water cooling units are

supplied with water valves. These valves provide a flow
of water to cool the system while it is running. Most
water valves are controlled by solenoids.
URETHANE
FOAM: Type of insulation which is
foamed in between inner and outer walls of display
case.
VACUUM:
pressure.
Reduction in pressure below atmospheric
VACUUM
CONTROL SYSTEMS: In many
automobile air conditioning systems, intake manifold
vacuum is used to operate dampers and controls in
system.
VAPOR:
Word usually used to denote vaporized
refrigerant rather, than the word gas.
VAPOR BARRIER: Thin plastic or metal foil sheet
used in air conditioned structures to prevent water
vapor from penetrating insulating material.
VAPOR CHARGED: Lines and component parts of
system which are charged at the factory.
VACUUM PUMP: Special high efficiency compressor

used for creating high vacuums for testing or drying
purposes,
VAPOR LOCK- Condition where liquid is trapped in

line because of bend or improper installation which
prevents the vapor from flowing.
VAPOR PRESSURE: Pressure impassed by either a

vapor or gas.
VISCOSITY:
flow of fluids.
VAPOR PRESSURE CURVE: Graphic presentation of

various pressures produced by refrigerant under
various temperatures.
VOLATILE LIQUID: Liquid which evaporates at low

temperature and pressure.
VAPOR, SATURATED: A vapor condition which will

result in condensation into droplets of liquid as vapor
temperature is reduced.
VARIABLE PITCH PULLEY: Pulley which can be
adjusted to provide different pulley ratios.
V-BELT:
Type of belt that is commonly used in
refrigeration work. It has a contact surface which is in
the shape of letter V.
V-BLOCK: V-shaped groove in metal block used to
hold shaft.
VELOCIMETER:
Instrument used to measure air
velocities using a direct reading air speed indicating
dial.
HVAC STEPS
Term used to describe resistance of
VOLTAGE:
Term used to indicate the electrical
potential or electromotive force in an electrical circuit.
It is voltage or electrical pressure which causes current
to flow.
VOLTAGE
CONTROL: It is necessary to provide
some electrical circuits with uniform or constant
voltage. Electronic devices used for this purpose are
called voltage controls.
VOLTMETER:
Instrument for measuring voltage
action in electrical circuit.
VOLUMETRIC
the relationship
compressor or
performance of
versus its actual
EFFICIENCY: Term used to express

between the actual performance of a
of a vacuum pump and calculated
the pump based on its displacement
pumping ability.
SAFE
22
VORTEX
TUBE: Mechanism for cooling or
refrigerating which accomplishes cooling effect by
releasing compressed air through specially designed
opening. Air expands in rapidly spiraling column of air
which separates slow moving molecules (cool) from
fast moving molecules (hot).
VORTEX TUBE REFRIGERATION: Refrigerating or
cooling devices using principle of vortex tube, as in
mining suits.
WALK-IN
COOLER: Large commercial refrigerated
space kept below room temperature. Often found in
large supermarkets or wholesale meat distribution
centers.
WATER-COOLED CONDENSER: Condensing unit
which is cooled through use of water.
WATER DEFROSTING: Use of water to melt ice and
frost from evaporator during off-cycle.
separate out if cooled sufficiently.

WET BULB: Device used in measurement of relative
humidity. Evaporation of moisture lowers temperature
of wet bulb compared to dry bulb temperature in same
area.
WET CELL BATTERY: Cell or connected group of cells
that-converts chemical energy into electrical energy by
reversible chemical reactions.
WINDOW UNIT: Commonly used when referring to
air conditioners which are placed in a window. Normally
a domestic application.
WOBBLE
PLATE-SWASH PLATE: Type of
compressor designed by General Motors to compress
gas, having pistons with piston motion parallel to
crankshaft.
WATT: Unit of electrical power.
WOODRUFF KEY: Device used to align and hold a

flywheel, pulley or other rotating mechanism on a
shaft, often half-moon in shape.
WAX;
ZERO SIZE: Trade name for dry ice. See Dry Ice.
Ingredient in many lubricating oils which may
HVAC STEPS
SAFE

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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

AIR-COOLED CONDENSER: Heat of compression

ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY: Amount of moisture in

AIR COOLER: Mechanism designed to lower

AIR CYCLE, AIR CONDITIONING: System which

AIR DIFFUSER: Air distribution outlet designed to

ABSOLUTE ZERO TEMPERATURE: Temperature

AIR SENSING THERMOSTAT: Thermostat unit in

ABSORBENT: Substance which has the ability to

AIR SPILL-OVER: Refrigerating effect formed by

ABSORPTION REFRIGERATOR: Refrigerator

AIR WASHER: Device used to clean air, which

ACCELERATE: To add to speed; hasten progress

ALCOHOL BRINE: Water and alcohol solution

ACCUMULATOR: Storage tank which receives

ALLEN-TVPE SCREW: Screw with recessed head

Device used to cause motion in

AIR CLEANER: Device used for removal of

ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC): Electric current

low side pressure.

ANNEALING: Process of heat treating metal to

BALL CHECK VALVE: Valve assembly (ball) which

ANODE: Positive terminal of electrolytic cell.

Revolving part in electric motor or

Decrease or lessen in intensity.

AUTOMATIC DEFROST: System of removing ice

Inside diameter of a cylindrical hole.

BOWDEN CABLE: Tube containing a wire used to

Water saturated with chemical such as

BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU): Quantity of

Device in which combustion of fuel

capacitor in the starting circuit.

BUTANE: Liquid hydrocarbon (C4H20) commonly

CASEHARDENED: Heat treating ferrous metals

CATHODE: Negative terminal of an electrical

CELSIUS: German language word for centigrade,

CENTIGRADE SCALE: Temperature scale used in

CENTIMETER: Metric unit of linear measurement

CALORIE: Heat required to raise temperature of

CHARGING BOARD: Specially designed panel or

VALVE: A device which permits fluid flow

only in one direction.

conduct heat. Copper is a good conductor of heat

CIRCUIT, SERIES: Electrical wiring: electrical path

Miniature cells in meat, fish and

COMFORT CHART: Chart used in air conditioning

compresses the gas into the high pressure or

hand valves mounted on condensing unit to enable

COMPRESSOR, OPEN-TYPE: Compressor in

COMPRESSOR, RECIPROCATING: Compressor

Fluid which forms on an

CONDENSATE PUMP: Device used to remove

Action of changing a gas or vapor

CONDENSER: The part of refrigeration mechanism

CONNECTING ROD: That part of compressor

CONTROL, MOTOR: A temperature or pressure

resulting from forced movement of liquid or gas by

producing temperatures of 250 F. below zero and

CONVECTION, NATURAL: Circulation of a gas or

CURRENT (1): Transfer of electrical energy in

CONVERSION FACTORS: Force and power may

CURRENT RELAY: Device which opens or closes a