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Electronics

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Absorber device which takes in energy
Absorption process of absorbing
AC alternative current
Alternating Current current which regularly changes direction backwards and forwards
Aluminium light metal (Al) used to make heatsinks
Ammeter electronic instrument for measuring current
Amplitude size of a wave at any given time
Analog see analogue
Analogue able to take on any value between an upper and lower limit
AND gate digital logic gate which only has a high output when all its inputs are high
Anode positive electrode which attracts electrons
Aquadang carbon compound used to prevent a voltage build-up on an oscilloscope screen
Arithmetic and Logic Operation mathematical processes carried out by the CPU in a computer

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Bargraph electronic meter which is used to control the power level of a signal using columns of light (usually LEDs)
Battery combination of cells for providing electrical energy
Baud bits per second: measure of the rate of transmission of digital signals
Binary counting system using only tow digits, 0 and 1
Binary Digit one character in a binary system, either 0 or 1
Bipolar Transistor Transistor containing tow PN junctions forming either an NPN or a PNP type of transistor
Bistable electronic circuit which can be switched between tow stable states
Bit binary digit
Bridge (circuit) balance circuit made from four components
Bridge rectifier circuit made um of four diodes for convert in both the positive and negative parts of an AC voltage to DC
Buffer electronic circuit for isolating tow circuits from each other and matching the signals going between them
Burglar alarm system for detecting when someone tries to break into a building and steal something
Burst sudden explosive pulse
Bus set of parallel conductors for carrying signals between the various internal pars of a computer system
Button small push switch
Buzzer device which uses an electrical signal to produce a buzzing sound

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Cable insulated wire or set of wires used for carrying electrical current or signals
Cabling insulated electrical wiring
Cadmium chemical element (Cd) used in some batteries
Capacitance ability to store charge
Capacitor electronic component which store charge
Cathode negative electrode which emits electrons
Cathode Ray Oscilloscope electronic instrument for measuring and display changing signals on a screen using cathode ray tube
Cathode Ray Tube large thermionic valve used to produce a display by firing a beam of electrons at a phosphor-coated screen. Used in oscilloscopes and television sets
Cell component which changes a form of energy (usually chemical energy) into electrical energy
Central Processing Unit chip at the centre of a computer of controlling the system and processing the data
Ceramic material commonly used as an insulator
Charge put an electrical charge into a component such as battery of a capacitor
Charge basic property of electricity, either positive (+) or negative (-)
Chip see microchip
Chip Count number of IC chips used in a circuit
Circuit close path around which a current can flow
Circuit Diagram drawing using standard symbols to show how electronic components are connected together
Circuitry collection of electronic circuits
Coax coaxial cable
Coaxial made from tow conductors with the same central axis
Coaxial Cable solid copper wire surrounded by copper braid which has very losses when used for transmitting high frequency signals
Coil spiral of wire used as an inductor
Collector electrode of a transistor which collects charge carries travelling from the emitter
Combinational Logic system which obeys mathematical rules of logic in with the output is dependent on the combination of the inputs
Component basic part of a circuit
Conduct material which allows current to flow
Conduction process of conducting
Conductive allows current to flow
Conductivity property of a material which indicate the ease with which a current can flow
Conductor material which allows current to flow
Contact connection point
Copper Core central solid conductor
Current flow of electrons
Current Collector the carbon rod in a zinc-carbon cell

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DAC digital-to-analogue converter
DC direct current
Device piece of equipment which performs a particular function
Diagnostic Test test to find out what is wrong with a piece of equipment
Dielectric insulating material used to separate the plates of a capacitor
Digit one character in a number system
Digital Logic electronic system in which the inputs and outputs can switch between tow states (high and low) and always obey fixed mathematical rules of logic
Digital To Analogue Converter electronic circuit for changing digital signals into analogue signals
Diode semiconductor component which only allows current to flow in one direction
Direct Current current which flows in one direction only
Distortion unwanted change of shape of a signal
Duct hollow rectangular tube

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Earth common zero voltage point in a circuit
Earth connect to a zero voltage point
Electricity supply of electric current and voltage
Electrode positive or negative connector which collects or emits a charge
Electrolyte chemical which aids the flow of current between electrodes
Electrolytic Capacitor capacitor which uses an electrolyte to give large values of capacitance. It must be connected with the correct polarity
Electromagnetic Field area around a conductor in which electromagnetic force has effect
Electromagnetic Induction the production of a voltage caused by a changing electromagnetic field
Electromagnetism magnetism caused by an electric current
Electron negatively charged particle
Electronic to do with electrons
Electronics the science and technology of electrons and electronic devices
Electronic Engineer person who is professionally qualified in the study of electronics
Electrotechnology the technology of electrical system
Emit give out
Emitter electrode of a transistor which gives out charge carries

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Ferromagnetic exhibiting the same magnetic behavior as iron
FET field effect transistor
Field Effect Transistor transistor in which N-type and P-type semiconductors are used to form a channel through which the current must flow. The current is controlled by voltage which change the width of the channel
Filament very thin wire which gives of heat or light when a current is passed through it. Used in lamps and as a heather element in thermionic valves
Flip-Flop digital electronic logic circuit in which the output change from one stable state to another when a pulse is applied to its input
Fluctuation small change above or below a fixed level
Fuse electrical component used as a safety device which heats up and melts, breaking the circuit when the current become too large
Fuse Holder device for holding an electrical fuse

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Gain amplification, measured by comparing the magnitude of the output of a amplifier with the magnitude of its input
Generator device which produces electrical energy
Germanium chemical element (Ge) used to make semiconductor components
Germanium Diode electronic component make of germanium (Ge) which only allows current to flow in one direction
Graphite carbon material used in some resistors
Ground see earth

up H
Heatsink ice of material used to allow the hear to escape from a component such a transistor
High Logic Level highest operating voltage of a digital logical circuit

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IC integrated circuit
Impedance combined resistance to AC and DC
Impulse a sudden rise of fall of voltage of current
In Cascade connected so that the output of on circuit acts as the input to the next circuit
In Parallel connected across each other
In Series connected end to end
Induce produce an electric or magnetic effect at a distance
Inductance resistance to AC
Induction production of an electric or magnetic effect at a distance
Inductor coil which resists changes in voltage and current
Input signal going into a circuit
Insulated covered by a material which does not conduct electricity
Insulator material which does not allow current to flow
Integrate Circuit electronic circuit containing many components on a single silicon chip
Interference unwanted signals
Internal resistance the resistance inside a cell
Inverter see NOT gate
Ionized divided into charged particles

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up K
Key push switch
kHz Kilohertz (thousand of cycles per second)

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LAN local area network
LCD liquid crystal display
LDR light dependent resistor
Lead insulated wire for making a connection to an electrical device
Leakage Current unwanted current in a transistor
LED light-emitting diode
Light-dependent Resistor electronic component which varies its resistance depending on the amount of light falling on it surface
Light-Emitting Diode semiconductor which converts electrical energy into light
Linear varying in equal steps producing a straight line graph
Liquid Crystal Display thin film of liquid which display different characters when a charge is applied to different parts of it
Lithium chemical element (Li) used in some batteries
Live connected to the positive supply voltage
Load component or device which is connected across the output of a circuit and dissipates power
Local Area Network interconnection of computers and terminals in a small area
Logarithmic Scale scale of measurement which indicates the mathematical power to which a basic unit is raised
Logic Family set of logic gates made from a particular type of semiconductor component
Logic Gate electronic switching circuit that operates according to mathematical rules of logic
Logic Level see logic state
Logic Level 0 see logic state
Logic Level 1 see logic state
Logic prove electronic instrument used for detecting pulses and determinate the logic level on the pins of logic chips
Logic State one of tow stable voltage levels of a digital circuit (1-high level, 0-low level)
Low Logic Level lowest operating voltage of a digital logic circuit

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mA milliamps
Magnetic Field area around a magnet in which the magnetic force has an effect
Magnetism magnetic effects
Magnetize make a material magnetic
Magnitude size given as a positive value
Microchip small electronic component which contains an integrated circuit on one piece of silicon
MHz megahertz (million of cycles per second)
Microchip small electronic component which contains an integrated circuit on one piece of silicon
Microprocessor chip at the canter of a computer for controlling the system and processing the data
Micro System microprocessor system: system which uses a microprocessor
Milliammeter electronic instrument for measuring small current
Multimeter electronic instrument for measuring various electrical quantities including voltage, current and resistance
mW milliwatt (thousandths of a watt): measure of power

up N
NAND Gate digital logic gate which has a high output unless all its inputs are high
NiCad nickel cadmium (NiCd): chemical used in some batteries
NOT Gate digital logic gate which has a high output when its input is low and vice versa
NPN Transistor type of transistor made from a thin layer of P-type semiconductor material between tow thicker layer of N-type semiconductor material

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Ohm units of resistance
Ohmmeter electronic instrument for measuring resistance
Open unconnected
OR Gate digital logic gate which has a high output when any of its inputs are high
Oscillate move backwards and forwards between tow different states
Oscillator electronic circuit which produces a repeating signal
Oscilloscope see cathode ray oscilloscope
Output signal coming out of a circuit

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PD potential difference see voltage drop
Photodiode semiconductor which is sensitive to light causing a reverse current to flow when light shines on it
Photoresist chemical lacquer which is sensitive to light and is used in making compact discs and printed circuit boards
Picofarad measure of capacitance (pF)
Piezoelectric Crystal see quartz crystal
Pin input or output connector of an UIC chip
Pin-Out Diagram diagram showing the function as signal level of each pin of an IC chip
Plate American term for anode
PN surface where a layer of N-type and a layer of P-type semiconductor meet
PNP Transistor type of transistors made from a thin layer of N-type semiconductor material between tow thicker layers of P-type semiconductor material
Pole positive or negative terminal
Polyethylene translucent plastic insulating material used as a dielectric in coaxial cable
Pot see potentiometer
Potential Difference see voltage drop
Potential Divider part of an electronic circuit which divides a voltage into tow or more smaller parts
Potentiometer variable electronic component for dividing a voltage into tow smaller parts
Power Amp see power amplifier
Power Amplifier electronic circuit used to increase the power of audio signals to enable them to drive loudspeaker system
Power Cut sudden failure of the main power supply
Power Dissipation gradual release of energy over a period of time
Power Rating manufacturer's recommended maximum operating power for a component
Power Transistor large transistor used in a power amplifier for increasing the power of a signal
Primary transformer input coil
Primary Cell energy source which cannot be recharged
Puff see picofarad (pF)
Pulse a sudden increase then decrease in voltage or current
Pulsed in the form of a rectangular wave with short duration
PVC polyvinyl chloride: plastic insulating material used to protect some cables

up Q
Quartz Crystal naturally occurring silicon oxide crystal which vibrates at fixed frequency when an AC voltage is applied to it. It is used in oscillators to produce a very stable resonant frequency

up R
Radiate give out rays in all directions
Radiation electromagnetic wave sent out in all directions
Radio (set) device for receiving radio frequency signals
Radio Frequency frequency between 100kHz and 300GHz
RAM random-access memory
Random Access access to any area of a recording without having to go through other recorded areas
Random-Access Memory IC chips used in computers for the temporary storage of programs and data. Data can be both written to and read from them
Range selection between an upper and lower limit; the maximum distance a wave can travel
Ranging process of calculating how far away an object is
Raster Pattern scan path of an electron beam going across and down the screen of a television receiver
Ray narrow beam of light
Read-Only Memory IC chips used in computers for storing fixed programs and data. the user's data can be read from them but not written to them
Receiver electronic circuit for receiving signals
Reception receiving of transmitted signals
Recharge restore the charge or energy to a battery
Rectifier electronic circuit for changing AC into DC
Rectify change AC into DC
Redial memory function on modern telephones which can be used to automatically dial a telephone number again
Reed Switch small electrical switch enclosed in a glass tube which operates when a magnet is brought close to it
Reflective causing reflection
Reflector device that reflects energy
Relay electromagnetic switch operated by an electromagnet
Reset restore to starting condition
Resistance opposition to the flow of charge
Resistivity resistance property of a material which depends only on the type of material and not on its size
Resistor electronic component for opposing the flow of charge
Resonant Frequency frequency at which a tuned circuit will naturally oscillate
Reverb see reverberation
Reverberation artificial echo effect produced by electronically delaying the sound signal
Reverse Bias DC control voltage which causes a component to pass less current
RF radio frequency
Robot machine controlled by a computer
Robotics study and application of computer-controlled machines
ROM read-only memory

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Sample the part of a signal which is measured at a particular instant of time and used to convert analogue sound signals into their digital equivalent
Sample measure a signal at particular moments of time
Sampling method of measuring the magnitude of an analogue signal at different points of time to enable it to be converted to an equivalent digital signal
Satellite telecommunication device which circles the earth to receive, amplify, and retransmit signals around the world
Saturation state of a component in which it can produce no further change in response when the controlling signal continues to change
Sawtooth Waveform waveform with each cycle having the shape of a triangle
Scale Of Integration measurement of the number of active components contained on one IC chip
Scan move a signal across an area
Schematic American term for circuit diagram
Scope see cathode ray oscilloscope
Screen surface on which an image is display
Search coil coil of wire for detecting a change in an electromagnetic field due to the presence of a metal object
Secondary Cell energy source which can be recharged
Self-Contained complete in itself with out the deed for outside help
Semiconductor component made form a material which change from being in insulator to being a conductor when certain impurities are added to it
Sensor device which produces an electrical signal when it detects a particular form of energy
Serial Access access to one recorded area after another in order starting with the first recorded area
Service carry out routine maintenance
Sheath close-fitting protective covering
SHF super high frequency: frequency above 3GHz
Short Wave range of radio signal wavelength between approximately 10m and 100m
Signal pattern of electricity used to send information
Signal Generator electronic device used in the test and measurement
Signal-To-Noise Ratio comparison of the level of the wanted part of a signal with the unwanted part
Silica silicon dioxide (SiO2): used to make optical fiber cable
Silicon chemical element (Si) used to make semiconductor components
Silicon Diode electronic component made from silicon (Si) which only allows current to flow in one direction
Sine Wave wave in the shape of a smooth curve which shows the relationship between an angle and its mathematical sine ratio
Sky Wave radio wave which travels upward to the ionosphere where it is reflected back down toward Earth
Smoothing Circuit electronic circuit removing fluctuation in DC
Snow interference to a video signal which causes small marks to appear across the displayed image
Software programs and data used in computing
Sound Baffle wall within a loudspeaker unit for absorbing the sound coming from the front of the cone
Space Wave unguided wave which travels in a straight line through free space
Spot small circle of light which is moved across a cathode ray tube screen to build up a video image
Squawker medium-size loudspeaker used from medium frequency audio signals
SSI small scale integration: up to 10 active components contained on an IC chip
Stabilizing Circuit electronic circuit which prevents the voltage level from varying
Stable in balanced state
Stage circuit block: section of an electronic circuit with a specific function
Standby mode in which a device is waiting to receive a signal
Static fixed, not moving
Step Down reduce in magnitude
Step up increase in magnitude
Stereo having signals for the left-and right-hand speakers recorded as tow separate channels
Supply Rail conductor for feeding the support voltage to components in a circuit
Surge sudden increase in amplitude of current or voltage
Surge Suppressor electronic circuit for smoothing out sudden large changes in current of voltage
Switch electronic component for opening and closing a circuit
Switchboard telephone switching center where a person controls the stitching of lines
Sync synchronization: adjustment of the timing of signals so that they are in step with each other
Systems Approach way of considering a circuit by focusing on the function of each stage

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Temper Sensor device which detects when someone is interfering with a piece of equipment
Telecommunication Transmission and reception of signals over long distances
Telegraphy transmission of code electrical signals over long distances
Telemetry electronic measurement at a distance
Telephone communication device which enables one person to speaker to another over long distance
Television communication system for the transmission and reception of video images over long distances
Television (set) electronic device for receiving video images over long distances
THD total harmonic distortion
Thermal to do with heat
Termonic Valve electronic component which was commonly used before the invention of semiconductor devices such as transistors. A small heather drives electrons from the surface of an electrode inside a vacuum glass tube
Termistor resistor made from a semiconductor material which is very sensitive to heat, decreasing its resistance as it gets warmer
Tilt move to a sloping position by lifting on end
Timebas Generator electronic circuit which produces a sawtooth wave to control the speed of the spot across the screen of a cathode ray tube
Tolerance amount of acceptable variation
Total Harmonic Distortion overall effect of the generation of unwanted harmonic waves in an amplifier by such effect as clipping
Transceiver device which is a combined transmitter and receiver
Transducer component which converts energy from one from to another
Transformer component consisting of tow or more coils of wire for increasing, decreasing of isolating an AC supply voltage
Transistor semiconductor component with three electrodes (emitter, base and collector) used for switching or amplifying an electronic signal
Transistor-Transistor Logic family of integrated circuits containing various combination of bipolar transistors
Transmission signal send from one point to another
Transmitter electronic circuit for sending out signals
Triangular Wave waveform each cycle having the shape of an equilateral triangle
Tiger short signal switch causes a process to be started
Trimmer small preset, variable capacitor or resistor for making fine adjustment in a circuit
Truth Table table showing the output of a logic gate for all the possible combinations of its inputs
TTL transistor-transistor logic
Tunnel Diode PN junction semiconductor which oscillates when suitably biased. Used as a low power microwave oscillator for radar

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UHF ultra-high frequency: frequency between 300MHz and 3GHZz
Ultrasonic having a frequency which is just above the audible range (i.e. between 20kHz and 5MHz
Unenergized with no energy having been provided

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Vacuum Tube American term for thermionic valve
Variable Capacitor capacitor with a capacitance that can be changed mechanically
Variable Resistor resistor with a resistance that can be changed mechanically
VHF very high frequency: frequency between 20MHz and 300MHz
VLF very low frequency: frequency between 3kHz and 30kHz
Volt unit of voltage (V)
Voltage measure of electronic force (measure in volts, V)
Voltage Drop difference in voltage between tow points in a circuit
Voltage Gain voltage amplification: comparison of the magnitude of the output voltage of an amplifier with the magnitude of its inputs voltage
Voltmeter electronic instrument for measuring electrical voltage

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Waveguide metal duct for guiding microwave signals
Wavemeter electronic instrument for measuring the frequency of a transmitted signal
Woofer large loudspeaker used for low frequency audio signals
Workshop building where things are repaired

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X-amplifier electronic circuit for increasing the signal controlling the horizontal movement of the electron beam in a cathode ray tube
X-plates pair of metal plates in a cathode ray tube which use voltage to deflect the electron beam horizontally

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Y-amplifier electronic circuit for increasing the signal controlling the vertical movement of the electron beam in a cathode ray tube
Y-plates pair of metal plates in a cathode ray tube which use voltage to deflect the electron beam vertically

up Z
Zener Diode semiconductor diode which works in reverse bias and is normally used to stabilize voltage
Zener Effect, The sudden increase in the reverse current of a diode at the zener breakdown voltage
Zener Voltage reverse current of a diode at which the zener effect begins

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