Brought to you by BirfMark E GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND SYMBOLS 16 Brought to you by BirfMark BATTERY Stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy. Provides DC current for the auto’s various electrical circuits. GROUND The point at which wiring attaches to the Body, thereby providing a return path for an electrical circuit; without a ground, current cannot flow. CAPACITOR (Condenser) A small holding unit for temporary storage of electrical voltage. HEADLIGHTS Current flow causes a headlight 1. SINGLE filament to heat up and emit light. FILAMENT A headlight may have either a single (1) filament or a double (2) filament. 2.
DOUBLE FILAMENT CIGARETTE LIGHTER An electric resistance heating element. CIRCUIT BREAKER Basically a reusable fuse, a circuit breaker will heat and open if too much current flows through it. Some units automatically reset when cool, others must be manually reset. HORN An electric device which sounds a loud audible signal. DIODE A semiconductor which allows current flow in only one direction. IGNITION COIL Convert low-voltage DC current into high-voltage ingition current for firing the spark plugs. DIODE, ZENER A diode which allows current flow in one direction but blocks reverse flow only up to a specific voltage. Above that potential, it passes the excess voltage.
This acts as a simple voltage regulator. LIGHT Current flow through a filament causes the filament to heat up and emit light. PHOTODIODE The photodiode is a semiconductor which controls the current flow according to the amount of light. LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE) Upon current flow, these diodes emit light without producing the heat of a comparable light. DISTRIBUTOR, IIA Channels high-voltage current from the ignition coil to the individual spark plugs. METER, ANALOG Current flow activates a magnetic coil which causes a needle to move, thereby providing a relative display against a background calibration.
FUSE A thin metal strip which burns through when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping current flow and protecting a circuit from damage. FUSIBLE LINK (for Medium Current Fuse) A heavy-gauge wire placed in high amperage circuits which burns through on overloads, thereby protecting the circuit. (for High Current Fuse or Fusible Link.) The numbers indicate the cross- section surface area of the wires. METER, DIGITAL Current flow activates one or many LED’s, LCD’s, or fluorescent FUEL displays, which provide a relative or digital display. MOTOR A power unit which converts electrical energy into mechanical M energy, especially rotary motion.