PCE
Initialism of power conversion efficiency.
Energy and utilities
200 entries in this trade.
permittance
The power of a dielectric to permit or enhance induction.
permutator
A special form of rotary converter with stationary commutator and rotating brushes, in which the exciting field is induced by the alternating current in a short-circuited magnetic core instead of being produced by an external magnet.
PES
Initialism of IEEE Power Engineering Society.
photodiode
A semiconductor two-terminal component whose electrical characteristics are light-sensitive.
photoresistor
An electronic component whose resistance is inversely proportional to the intensity of incident light.
photothyristor
A light-activated silicon controlled rectifier.
phototransistor
Any semiconductor device whose electrical characteristics are light-sensitive.
pigtail
A short length of twisted electrical wire.
PLED
Initialism of polymer light-emitting diode.
pMOSFET
A type of metal, oxide, semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) that utilizes an p-type channel, conducting when a voltage voltage below a threshold is applied to the gate relative to the source. It is commonly used in complementary metal, oxide, semiconductor (CMOS) technology alongside nMOSFETs.
polyphase circuit
A group of alternating current circuits having two or more interrelated voltages, usually of equal amplitudes, phase differences, and periods, etc; if a neutral conductor exists, the voltages referenced to the neutral are equal in amplitude and phase; the most common version is that of 3-phase, equal in amplitude with phases 120 degrees apart.
primary
A directly driven inductive coil, as in a transformer or induction motor that is magnetically coupled to a secondary.
PROM
Acronym of programmable read-only memory, a chip that can be programmed one or more times (depending on the type) and generally cannot be re-programmed without special equipment (if at all); once programmed and installed in a device, it functions as a read-only chip (as if it had been hard-wired to function that way).
PTDF
Initialism of Power Transfer Distribution Factor.
pullability
The amount of change in frequency of a crystal oscillator in response to a change in load capacitance.
pulse
A brief increase in the strength of an electrical signal; an impulse.
PUT
Initialism of programmable unijunction transistor.
PWA
Initialism of printed wire assembly.
QFET
Acronym of quantum field effect transistor.
quadripole
An electrical circuit that has two pairs of external terminals.
reballing
The process of reapplying the balls (protruding contacts) on a ball grid array.
receptacle
A contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of an attachment plug (typically by receiving the plug's prongs) to supply portable appliances or equipment.
reception
The act or ability to receive radio or similar signals.
red hydrogen
hydrogen produced by using the waste heat from nuclear reactors to power high-temperature catalytic splitting
Rent's rule
A rule describing the relationship between the number of external signal connections to a logic block (i.e. the number of "pins") with the number of logic gates in the logic block.
resistor
An electric component that transmits current in direct proportion to the voltage across it.
RFFE
Initialism of radio frequency front end.
RFID
Initialism of radio-frequency identification.
rheostat
An electrical resistor with two terminals, the resistance of which can be varied continuously by moving a knob or slider to regulate the flow of an electric current.
RICE
Acronym of reciprocating internal combustion engine.
roll off
To show reduced response at the upper or lower limits of a frequency range.
SAPVS
Initialism of standalone photovoltaic system/supply.
SBH
Abbreviation of Schottky barrier height.
SED
Initialism of surface-conduction electron-emitter display.
sensitivity
The degree of response of an instrument to a change in an input signal.
series-wound
adjectiveEnergy and utilities
Of an electric motor, having the windings connected in series.
sheath
The insulating outer cover of an electrical cable.
SLD
Initialism of semiconductor laser diode.
sleeve
A double tube of copper into which the ends of bare wires are pushed so that when the tube is twisted an electrical connection is made. The joint thus made is called a McIntire joint.
slip
The difference between the actual and synchronous speeds of an induction motor.
slot
A channel opening in the stator or rotor of a rotating machine for ventilation and insertion of windings.
SMR
Initialism of shingled magnetic recording.
SODIMM
Acronym of small-outline dual-inline memory module.
solid-state
adjectiveEnergy and utilities
Of an electronic component, based upon semiconductors, as distinct from older technologies such as vacuum tubes.
solion
An electrochemical device of the 1950s, intended to replace the transistor in certain situations, and using ions rather than electrons to carry electrical charge.
spade
A device for terminating an electrical conductor resembling a small spade.
SPI
Initialism of Serial Peripheral Interface.
SPVS
Initialism of standalone photovoltaic system/supply.
SSB
Initialism of single sideband, a type of radio emission.
stage
The number of an electronic circuit’s block, such as a filter, an amplifier, etc.
superheterodyne
adjectiveEnergy and utilities
Pertaining to a technique used in radio and television receivers to tune to a particular frequency, or to receivers using such a technique.
SWER
single-wire earth-return electrical system
syntonize
To adjust two electronic circuits or devices to operate on the same frequency.
tape out
To complete the design of an integrated circuit so that the photomask can be sent out for fabrication.
TCO
Initialism of transparent conducting oxide.
TCON
display timing controller circuit (ASIC or FPGA)
TDC
Initialism of time-to-digital converter.
terminator
An electrical device that absorbs reflection at the end of a transmission line.
time-switch
To activate a switch automatically at a preset time.