load factor
The mean load over a given time period divided by the peak load occurring during the same time period, providing a measure of how efficiently an electric system's capacity is being used.
Entries starting with L
181 entries.
load voltage
The voltage that is able to be supplied by a power source to be consumed by the electrical load.
loading bank
A platform, often with a ramp at one or both ends, provided in a railway goods yard for the purpose of loading and unloading goods wagons.
loading gauge
A physical structure, often a metal frame above a railroad track, to check the maximum height and width of a vehicle.
loam
nounMetalworking
A mixture of sand, clay, and other materials, used in making moulds for large castings, often without a pattern.
local loop
The physical link or circuit that connects from the demarcation point of the customer premises to the edge of the common carrier or telecommunications service provider's network.
lock off
To turn in the warp thread or strands of a piece of cloth when finished to stop strands unravelling.
lock up
To stop moving; to seize.
locker loop
A small band on the back of a shirt, by which it can be hung up.
locking differential
nounAutomotive
A kind of automotive differential that provides increased traction by restricting each of the two wheels on an axle to the same rotational speed without regard to available traction or differences in resistance seen at each wheel.
locking frame
nounRail equipment
A frame for interlocking in a signal box, normally located in the locking room, which is operated by a lever frame in the operating room above it.
locking room
nounRail equipment
A room in a signal box, usually at ground level beneath the operating room, containing the interlocking mechanism for signals and points (track switches) below the lever frame in the operating room.
locking shift
A state-dependent encoding mechanism used in data communication (such as GSM SMS) and character encoding standards to switch between different character sets or windows.
lockshield
nounPlumbing
A kind of radiator valve used to balance the system by restricting the flow of water on the return side.
lockstitch
A stitch made by a sewing machine in which two threads are interlocked.
lockup
A condition in which one or more of a vehicle's wheels suddenly cease to rotate due to the application of excessive brake torque, causing the affected wheel(s) to skid.
lode
A vein of metallic ore that lies within definite boundaries, or within a fissure.
lodestuff
The material found in a lode, including gangue and ore.
lodge
The space at the mouth of a level next to the shaft, widened to permit wagons to pass, or ore to be deposited for hoisting; called also platt.
LOF
nounAutomotive
Initialism of lube, oil and filter (change).
LOFR
nounAutomotive
Initialism of lube, oil and filter (change) and (tyre) rotation.
loft
The thickness of a soft object when not under pressure.
logging railroad
nounRail equipment
A railroad built for the purpose of transporting logs out of a forest.
logic high
In binary logic, one of the two levels that a signal can have.
logic level
One of a finite number of states (usually two) that a digital signal can have.
logic low
In binary logic, one of the two levels that a signal can have.
London bus
An informal approximate unit of measure used in England.
long and short stitch
A pattern of alternating long and short stitches.
long block
An engine subassembly that consists of the assembled short block, plus the crankshaft, cylinder head, camshaft (usually), and valve train.
long Tom
A device formerly used in California for washing gold from the earth or mineral spoil with which it is excavated. It is a sloping wooden trough which widens at the lower end.
long-grain
adjectiveWoodworking
Of woodgrain, where the grain runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piece of wood.
long-welded
adjectiveRail equipment
Of rails for railway track, welded into longer lengths, usually before they are laid, to help eliminate jointed track.
longarm
A free-motion sewing machine with an extended arm and frame for holding large quilts.
longline
A long cable used to raise or lower loads from a helicopter when landing is not possible.
longtail cast-on
A type of cast-on technique involving a long tail of yarn.
longwall
A long wall of coal that is mined in a single slice.
lookout
nounConstruction
A joist that extends in cantilever out from the exterior wall (or wall plate) of a building, supporting the roof sheathing and providing a nailing surface for the fascia boards.
loppers
Pruning shears with long handles, used for lopping.
Lorentz force
The force exerted on a charged particle in an electromagnetic field.
Lorenz gauge
A partial gauge fixing of the electromagnetic vector potential, used to eliminate the redundant spin-0 component in the (1/2,1/2) representation of the Lorentz group.
lossless junction
An interconnection point between components or transmission lines where the total power or energy entering the junction is exactly equal to the total power or energy leaving it.
lost neutral
A dangerous situation where the neutral wire in a split-phase power system becomes broken or disconnected, forcing all electrical current to flow directly between the two line wires and exposing loads connected between line and neutral to unstable and potentially-excessive voltages, posing a risk of equipment damage, electrical fire, or electric shock.
loup
A mass or ball of iron in a pasty condition, beaten by the trip hammer or rolls.
low wire
A cable carrying electrical power at fifty volts or less.
low-powered
adjectiveMechanical engineering
Possessing little power or capacity.
low-slope roof
nounConstruction
According to ASTM standard E 1918-97, a roof whose uppermost part is installed at a slope of 2/12 or 1:6 (9.5 degrees) or less.
lpf
nounPlumbing
Abbreviation of liters per flush.
LS-swap
A car where the engine has been replaced by a General Motors LS-series internal combustion gasoline engine.
LSD
Initialism of limited-slip differential.
LT
nounManufacturing
Initialism of left twist.
LUCAS
nounRobotics
Acronym of low-cost uncrewed combat attack system
LUDs
local usage details; a list of locally called numbers, often provided by telecom companies to the police as part of an investigation.
luff
To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.
lug
A device for terminating an electrical conductor to facilitate the mechanical connection; to the conductor it may be crimped to form a cold weld, soldered or have pressure from a screw.
lugnut
nounAutomotive
A specially shaped nut used to hold the wheels on an automobile.
lum
A chimney; also, the top part of a chimney.
lunar distance
A unit of length, based on the average distance between the Earth and the Moon.
LVDS
Initialism of low voltage differential signaling.
LVW
nounAutomotive
Abbreviation of landing vehicle, wheeled (amphibious truck).
LYS
Initialism of local yarn store