USEFUL FORMULAS Electric power

Ohm's law
where P = power, W
1 hp = 550 ft.lb/s = 746 W
1 J = 1 w/s
where 1 = current (intensity of current flow) Frequency and wavelength
E = voltage (emf )
R = resistance

Resistances in series

Resistances in parallel where J' = frequency, Hz

h = wavelength, m

Capacitive reactance

where X , = capacitance reactance, S1

f = frequency, Hz
Two resistances in parallel C= capacitance, F

Inductive reactance

Capacitances in series
where X L = inductive reactance, S1
f = frequency, Hz
L = inductance, H
Resonant frequency

Capacitances in parallel Impedance: series circuit

Z - d(xL -Kc)' + R z
where Z = impedance, 0 ABBREVIATIONS
XL = inductive reactance, fl ampere A
Xc = capacitance reactance, 52 ampere- hour Ah or A h
R = resistance, .R.
billion electronvolts GeV
circular mil cmil
Impedace: parallel (tank)circuit coulomb C
decibel dB
dyne dyn
electronvolt eV
erg
farad
Inductance of a coil gauss
gilbert
hen y
hertz
horsepower
where L = inductance, H joule
N = number of turns of wire on the coil kilowatthour
p = permeability of core material mho (see siemens)
A = cross-sectional area of the coil oersted Oe
l = length of the coil, cm ohm n
siemens S
var var
inductances in series, no magnetic coupling volt v
voltampere VAorVmA
L*=L1+ L z + L , . . .
watt W
watthour Wh0rW.h
Inductances in parallel, no coupling weber Wb

Figure of merit for a coil Greek Alphabet

-- -

Name Capital Lowercase Use in Electronics

Alpha Angles, area, coefficients
Beta Angles, flux density,
coefficients
Amplification factor: vacuum tube Gamma Conductivity
Delta Variation, density
Epsilon
hE, (I, constant) Zeta Impedance, coefficients,
CL = AEg coordinates
Eta Hysteresis coefficient,
efficiency
where AE, = change in plate voltage, V Theta Temperature, phase angle
AE, = change in control-grid voltage, V Iota Current
Kappa Dielectric constant
Lambda Wavelength
Plate resistance Mu Micro, amplification factor,
permeability
Nu Reluctivity
R, = -
hEp (E. constant) Xi
MP Omicron
Pi Ratio of circumference to
where R p = plate resistance, S1 diameter t3.1416)
AEp = change in plate voltage, V Rho Resistivity, density
Alp = change in plate current, A Sigma Sign of summation
Tau Time constant, time phase
displacement
Transconductance Upsilon
Phi Magnetic flux, angles
Chi
G, = 4-(E, constant) Psi Dielectric flux, phase
difference
AE,
Omega Capital, ohms; lowercase
angular velocity
where G, = transconductance, mhos
 Copper Wire QUALIFYING SYMBOLS
Single Strand, American Wire Gage
Resistance, Qualifying symbols are applied to standard symbols to /
Diameter Cross section. fl/1000 ft Weight, provide an indication of the special characteristics of the I
Gage mils cir mils (25") lb/1000 ft symbols as they are employed in specific circuits.

ADJUSTABILITY OR
VARIABILITY

CONTINUOUSLY PRESET, LINEAR NONLINEAR;

ADJUSTABLE OR GENERAL
VARIABLE CONDITION

SPECIAL PROPERTY INDICATORS

to X 7

TEMPERATURE MAGNETIC FIELD (GREEK LETTERTAU[

DEPENDENCE DEPENDENCE STORAGE

SATURABLE PROPERTIES

w
DELAY

RADIATION INDICATORS

RADIO WAVES RADIATION.

OR VISIBLE LIGHT IONIZING

Type of radiation Alpha particle Neutron 1

a 'I

Beta particle Pion

P 7T

Gamma ray K-meson

Y K

Deutron Muon 1
6 P
ELECTRICAL AND Proton X-ray
P X
ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
PHYSICAL-STATE
The symbols shown here are those that are likely to be RECOGNITION SYMBOLS
encountered by the aviation maintenance technician.
Only the p i m i r y symbols are provided in this section. w // &?-I,
For the additional symbols representing variations of the GAS, A l R, OR LIQUID SOLID ELECT RE^
PNEUMATIC MATERIA!
primary symbols, the technician should consult the docu-
ment "Graphic Symbols for Electrical and Electronics
Diagrams" published by the Institute of Electrical and TEST-POINT
Electronic Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Std 315-1975, or RECOGNITION SYMBOL
ANSI Y32.2-1975 furnished by the American National
Standards Institute. Symbols shown usually comply with
International Electronicaf Commission (IEC) Publication
117. TERMINAL
 DIRECTION OF FLOW OF POWER, CAPACITOR
SIGNAL, OR INFORMATION
-
OR
-
OR
- OR
L--2

GENERAL SHIELDED FEEDTHROUGH

- - -
ONE WAY EITHER WAY, BUT NOT BOTH WAYS,
SIMULTANEOUSLY SIMULTANEOUSLY
POLARIZED -
KIND OF CURRENT (GENERAL)

OR TL
7+F-
VARIABLE T-T
VARIABLE WITH
MECHANICAL LINKAGE

ALTERNATING
---+------

DIRECT CURRENT CURRENT

ANTENNA

! CONNECTION SYMBOLS
yo" 1lr
GENERAL DIPOLE

L TWO-PHASE,
THREE-WIRE,
UNGROUNDED
TWO-PHASE,
THREE-WIRE,
GROUNDED

LOOPS
_L
TWO-PHASE. FOUR-WI RE TWO-PHASE, FIVE-WI RE,
GROUNDED

ONE-CELL MULTICELL
THREE-PHASE, THREE-WIRE, THREE PHASE, THREE-WIRE
DELTA OR MESH DELTA, GROUNDED ALTERNATING-CURRENT SOURCE

@ AC GENERATOR
OR ALTERNATOR

THREE-PHASE, FOUR-WIRE, THREE-PHASE, FOUR-WI RE,

DELTA, UNGROUNDED DELTA, GROUNDED PERMANENT MAGNET

THREE-PHASE, WYE OR STAR, THREE-PHASE, WYE OR STAR,

UNGROUNDED GROUNDED PICKUP HEAD

FUNDAMENTAL ITEMS ---4->

GENERAL STEREO

RESISTOR
PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL UNIT

GENERAL TAPPED RESISTOR

THERMOCOUPLES

BUILDUP EXAMPLE BU1LDUP EXAMPLE

I (ADJUSTABLE CONTACT) (VARIABLE RESISTOR)

--vA- TEMPERATURE-MEASURING THERMOCOUPLE WlTH

THERMAL RESISTOR PHOTOCONDUCTlVE THERMOCOUPLE WlTH INTEGRAL INSULATED
(THERMISTOR) TRANSDUCER INTEGRAL HEATER HEATER
 ACTUATING THERMAL CIRCULAR RECTANGULAR RIDGED
DEVICE CUTOUT
CONTACTS, SWITCHES,
CONTACTORS AND RELAYS
IGNITOR PLUG

SWITCHING FUNCTION

CONDUCT1 NG, NONCONDUCTING,

TRANSMISSION PATH CLOSED CONTACT (BREAK) OPEN CONTACT (MAKE)

CONDUCTOR, CABLE, WIRING SWITCH

OR
OR
GUIDED PATH,
GENERAL BUS BAR
d o d o
+
0
61 SINGLE-THROW GENERAL DOUBLE-THROW GENERAL
OR I
THREE-CONDUCTOR PATH SIX-CONDUCTOR PATH

BUILDUP EXAMPLE:
CROSSING NOT JUNCTION CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TWO-PO LE
CONNECTED DOUBLE-THROW SWITCH 0 d o
BUILDUP EXAMPLE:
THREE-POLE DOUBLE-THROW
2- KNIFE WITH TERMINALS
AND AUX. CONTACTS
OR

/ o
1
0 0

& L
KNIFE SWITCH,GENERAL

MULTIWAY TRANSFER SWITCH

Cl RCUIT CLOSING (MAKE)

-
TWISTED PAIR QUAD

FIVE-CONDUCTOR CABLE SHIELDED FIVE-CONDUCTOR TWO-POSITION THREE-POSITION FOUR-POSITION

CAB LE SWITCH (90"STEP) SWITCH (120° STEP) SWITCH (45" STEP)

PUSHBUTTON

SHIELDED TWO-CONDUCTOR CAB t E COAXIAL

WlTH SHIELD GROUNDED CIRCUIT CLOSING Cl RCUlT OPENING 0 0
(MAKE) (BREAK) TWO CIRCUIT

LOCKING SWITCH

GROUPING OF LEADS

CHASSIS OR FRAME
CONNECTION
Cl RCUIT CLOSING (MAKE)

-r
+
OR <
TRANSFER SWITCH,
TWO-POSITION
+OFF
0

0
TRANSFER,
THREE-POSITION
-
Cl RCUIT OPENING (BREAK)

MAKE-BEFORE-
BREAK
NONLOCKING SWITCH, PRESSURE OR
MOMENTARY OR SPRING RETURN VACUUM-ACTUATED SWITCH
o----
t - "0
CLOSES ON RISING PRESSURE OPENS ON RISING PRESSURE

--
Cl RCUiT CLOSING (MAKE) Cl RCUIT OPENING (BREAK)
TEMPERATURE-ACTUATED
SWITCH (THERMOSTAT)

- - - r TWO-CIRCUIT
CLOSES ON RlSlNG TEMPERATURE

TRANSFER MAKE-BEFORE-BREAK
OPENS ON RISING TRANSFERS ON RISING
SELECTOR OR TEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE
MULTlPOSlTlON SWITCH FLASHER
SELF-
INTERRUPTING
SWITCH
0 0
BREAK-BEFORE-MAKE.
NONSHORTING DURING
MAKE-BEFORE-BREAK,
SHORTING (BRIDGING)
CONTACTOR
CONTACT TRANSFER DURING CONTACT TRANSFER

I I I
ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED
d b 0
MANUALLY-OPERATED, ONE-POLE CONTACTOR WITH
OR
THREE-POLE CONTACTOR SERIES BLOWOUT COIL
p - 4 o o o O ~ n q TWELVE-POINT
SELECTOR SWITCH
SEGMENTAL CONTACT WITH FIXED SEGMENT
RELAYS

-+
4
- WAFER. TYPICAL THREE-POLE
THREE-CIRCUIT WITH TWO
NONSHORTING AND ONE
SHORTING MOVABLE CONTACTS
GENERAL SYMBOLS FOR RELAY COILS

RELAY WITH TRANSFER CONTACTS

LIMIT SWITCH LElTER COMBINATlONS THAT
MAY BE USED WITH
RELAY SYMBOLS
TRACK-TYPE, TRACK-TYPE,
CI RCUlT CLOSING CONTACT CIRCUIT OPENING CONTACT
AC Alternating current or ringing relay
D Differential
v'--
D l RECTLY-ACTUATED,
NORMALLY OPEN, DB Double-biased
HELD CLOSED
SPRING RETURN EP Electrically polarized
NORMALLY OPEN
FO Fast-operate
e NORMALLY CLOSED, FR Fast release
NORMALLY CLOSED HELD OPEN L Latching
MG Marginal
FLOW-ACTUATED SWITCH
ML Magnetic-latching
NB No bias
T NR Nonreactive
CLOSES ON INCREASE I N FLOW OPENS ON INCREASE I N FLOW P Magnetically polarized EEI
LIQUID-LEVEL-ACTUATED SWITCH SA Slow-operate and slow-release
SO Slow-operate n
SR Slow-release n
6 0 SW Sandwich-wound to improve balance to longitudi-
CLOSES ON RISING LEVEL OPENS ON RISING LEVEL nal currents
TERMINALS AND GUNNtC;I U K S L U A A I W L L U l U l Y t L lV K

TERMINALS
0 TERMINAL STRIP
COAXIAL WITH OUTSIDE COAXIAL WITH OUTSIDE
Cl RCUiT WlTH FOUR
CONDUCTOR CARRIED CONDUCTOR TERMINATED
TERMINAL TERMINALS
THROUGH ON CHASSIS

TERMINALS FOR ELECTRON TUBES TRANSFORMERS, INDUC-

TORS AND WINDINGS

0
SMALL- RIG1D

CORE SYMBOLS
FLEXIBLE
'IN
LARGE-
PIN No symbol is used for an air core
BASE PIN TERMINALS ENVELOPE TERMINALS
MAGNETIC CORE
OF INDUCTOR OR COREOF
MAGNET
DEVICE WITH BASE- DEVICE WITH TRANSFORMER
ORIENTATION KEY REFERENCE POINT

CABLE TERMINATION
-
INDUCTOR

OR
GENERAL
SYMBOLS
m m
MAGNETIC CORE
INDUCTOR
T
TAPPED
INDUCTOR

L
CABLE AT LEFT OF SYMBOL
ADJUSTABLE CONTINUOUSLY COI L-OPERATED
CONNECTORS INDUCTOR ADJUSTABLE INDICATOR

< FEMALE
CONTACT > MALE
CONTACT
TRANSDUCTOR
-
CONTROL WINDING-DC =
YL_ POWER WINDING-AC
SATURABLE-CORE INDUCTOR OR REACTOR
RECEPTACLE PLUG CONNECTORS ENGAGED
TRANSFORMER
(Type of contacts in connectors are indicated as male
or female.) GENERAL
WINDING
SYMBOLS

MALE PLUG,
FEMALE RECEPTACLE,
ENGAGED

IF IT IS DESIRED TO
DlSTlNGUlSH A MAGNETIC SHIELDED TRANSFORMER

0"
TWO-CONDUCTOR JACK
I
%
TWO-CONDUCTOR PLUG
CORE TRANSFORMER WITH MAGNETIC CORE

POWER SUPPLY CONNECTORS

ONE WINDING WlTH ADJUSTABLE INDUCTANCE

NONPOLARIZED NONPOLARIZED SEPARATELY ADJUSTABLE ADJUSTABLE MUTUAL

MALE CONNECTOR FEMALE CONNECTOR l NDUCTANCES INDUCTOR, CONSTANT
CURRENT TRANSFORMER

I I POLARIZED
POLARIZED THREE-CONDUCTOR
FEMALE CONNECTOR CONNECTOR, MALE AUTOTRANSFORMER, ONE-PHASE
 CATHODE-RAY TUBE

CRT WlTH ELECTRIC

FIELD DEFLECTION

THREE-PHASE BANK OF ONE-PHASE, TWO-WINDING

TRANSFORMERS WI T H WYE-DELTA CONNECTIONS SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
ELECTRON TUBES AND TRANSISTORS AND DIODES
RELATED DEVICES
ELEMENT SYMBOLS
ELECTRON TUBE
EMITTING ELECTRODE
A n
I
SEMICONDUCTOR
REGION WITH ONE
+ OR f OR
SEMICONDUCTOR
REGION WITH TWO
7-T

OHMIC CONNECTION OHMIC CONNECTIONS

DIRECTLY HEATED l N D l RECTLY HEATED
CATHODE (EMITTER) CATHODE
OR HEATER
4
COLD CATHODE
+
PHOTOCATHODE
P REGION ON N REGION N REGION ON P REGION

(Arrow points opposite electron flow)

CONTROLLING ELECTRODE
---- 4
GRID DEFLECTING ELECTRODES
(USED I N PA1RS) PLURALITY OF P N EMITTER Oh
P EMITTER ON
N REGION EMITTERS ON N REGION P REGION
IGNITOR EXCITOR
(FOR POOL TUBES) (CONTACTOR TYPE)
COLLECTOR ON REGION
COLLECTING ELECTRODE O f DISSIMILAR CONDUCTIVITY
TYPE PLURALITY OF COLLECTORS

TWO-TERMINAL DEVICES
ANODE OR TARGET OR FLUORESCENT COLLECTOR
PLATE X-RAY ANODE TARGET
ANODE
TUBE SYMBOLS STYLE 1 STYLE 2
DIODE RECTIFIER CAPACITIVE DIODE (VARACTOR)

PHOTOSENSITIVE PHOTOEMISSIVE (LIGHT

DlODE EMITTING) DlODE (LED)
TRIODE WITH DIRECTLY EQUIPOTENTIAL-PENTODE
HEATED CATHODE INDIRECTLY HEATED CATHODE

@ PNP

BID1 RECTIONAL PHOTODIODE

EQUIPOTENTIAL-CATHODE COLD-CATHODE, GAS-FILLED

TWIN TRIODE RECTIFIER

X-RAY TUBE STYLE 1 STYLE 2 (ZENER)

UNIDIRECTIONAL DIODE: VOLTAGE REGULATOR

WlTH FILAMENTARY
CATHODE AND
FOCUSING GRID (CUP)
STYLE 1
8 8
BIDIRECTIONAL DIODE
STYLE 2
 CATHODE ( K ) ANODE ( A ) n
- -

w
NPN TYPE PNP TYPE
w GENERAL NETWORK PROTECTOR

UNIDiRECTIONAL NEGATIVE-RESISTANCE BREAKDOWN DIODE;

TRIGGER DlAC CIRCUIT BREAKER WlTH THERMAL OVERLOAD DEVICE

NPN TYPE PNP TYPE CIRCUIT BREAKER WlTH MAGNETIC OVERLOAD DEVICE

BID lRECTIONAL NEGATIVE-RESISTANCE BREAKDOWN DIODE;

TRIGGER DlAC ACOUSTIC DEVICES
AUDIBLE SIGNALING DEVICE

w CURRENT
PHOTOTRANSISTOR REGULATOR
BELLS, ELECTRICAL-SIGNALLING; TELEPHONE RINGER

THREE-OR-MORE-TERMINAL DEVtCES
SINGLE-STROKE BELL BUZZER

PNP E@NPN TRANSISTOR

TRANSISTOR
B

HN -HORN EM -ELECTROMAGNETIC
DRAIN (D) WlTH MOVING COIL
GATE (G) HW-HOWLER
SOURCE (S) G EMN-E LECTROMAGNETIC
WlTH MOVING COIL AND
FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FET) FET WlTH NEUTRALIZING WINDING
WlTH N-CHANNEL JUNCTION GATE INSULATED GATE MG -MAGNETIC ARMATURE PM -PERMANENT MAGNET

MICROPHONE, TELEPHONE
G
TRANSMllTER
THYRISTOR, THYRISTOR, GATE TURN-
STYLE 1 STYLE 2 OFF TYPE

MICROPHONE, GENERAL

HANDSET
THYRISTOR, BIDIRECTIONAL B
TRIODE-TYPE; TRlAC PHOTOTRANSISTOR
WlTH PUSH-
GENERAL TO-TALK
CIRCUIT PROTECTORS SWITCH

-
FUSES TELEPHONE RECEIVER

e OR --(I_IE- OR -L--
GENERAL FUSE SYMBOLS

*+ ,
s r L HEADSET, DOUBLE HEADSET, SINGLE
FUSE WITH SUPPLY I I
SIDE INDICATED B Y FUSE WITH ISOLATING FUSE
A WIDE LINE ALARM CONTACT SWITCH LAMPS AND VISUAL-
CURRENT LIMITER
SIGNALING DEVICES
LAMP

--
LIGHTNING ARRESTOR

GENERAL
--+I+
CARBON BLOCK
--HORN GAP
++
PROTECTIVE GAP LAMP, GENERAL; LIGHT SOURCE
 AMBER OPALES- PH Phase meter
CENT PI Position indicator
B BLUE PURPLE RD Recording demand meter
C CLEAR RED REC Recording
G GREEN WHITE RF Reactive-factor meter
0 ORANGE YELLOW S Synchroscope
ARC ARC INFRA- To Temperature meter
RED THC Thermal convertor
ELECTROLUMINESCENT SODIUM TLM Telemeter
VAPOR TT Total-time meter
FLUORESCENT NEON Elapsed-time meter
MERCURY VAPOR ULTRA- v Voltmeter
VIOLET VA Volt-ammeter
INCANDESCENT XE XENON VAR Varmeter
LED LIGHT- VARH Varhour meter
EMIT- VI Volume indicator
TING Audio-level meter
DIODE Standard volume indicator
Audio-level meter
Wattmeter
Watthour meter
u
TWO-TERMINAL FOUR-TERMINAL

FLUORESCENT LAMPS GALVANOMETER

ROTATING MACHINERY
1
ROTATING MACHINE

-
GLOW LAMP, AC TYPE GLOW LAMP, DC TYPE

1/
COMMUNICATION-SWITCHBOARD LAMP
0
BASIC
@OR @
GENERATOR, GENERAL
0
GENERATOR, DC
1 READOUT DEVICES
@OR@
' METER
INSTRUMENT
0 GENERAL GENERATOR,
AC
GENERATOR,
SYNCHRONOUS
MOTOR,
GENERAL

A Ammeter
MOTO R, MOTOR, MOTO R,
AH Ampere-hour meter DC AC SYNCHRONOUS
C Coulombmeter
CMA Contact-making (or breaking) ammeter
CMC Contact-making (or breaking) clock FIELD, GENERATOR OR MOTOR
CMV Contact-making (or breaking) voltmeter
CRO Cathode-ray oscilloscope
A - -
DB DB (Decibel) meter COMPENSATING SERIES SHUNT OR
DBM DBM (Decibels referred to 1 mW) meter OR COMMUTATING SEPARATELY EXCITED
DM Demand meter
DTR Demand-totalizing relay
F Frequency meter WINDING CONNECTION SYMBOLS
GD Ground detector
I Indicating meter
INT Integrating meter
uA or UA Microammeter ONE-PHASE TWO-PHASE THREE-PHASE THREE-PHASE
MA Milliammeter WYE WYE
NM Noise meter UNGROUNDED GROUNDED

OHM Ohmmeter

' OP
OSCG
i PF
Oil pressure
Oscillograph, string
Power-factor meter
T H REE-PHASE,
DELTA
SI X-PHASE,
DIAMETR ICAL
SIX-PHASE,
DOUBLE DELTA
UIHtCI I-CURRENT MACHINES SYMBOLS USED IN LOGIC
CIRCUITS AND DIAGRAMS

- -SEPARATELY EXCITED DC GENERATOR OR

MOTOR WlTH COMMUTATlNG FIELD WINDING
(Not included in ANSI Y32.2)

AMPLIFIERS

GENERAL SYMBOLS MAGNETIC AMPLIFIER

SERIES MOTOR OR TWO-WIRE DC GENERATOR WlTH
COMMUTATING FlELD WINDING OR BOTH
LOGIC GATES

DC COMPOUND MOTOR OR STAB1 LlZED SHUNT

MOTOR WlTH COMMUTATING F l E L D WINDING A N D GATE WITH THREE INPUTS NAND (NOT AND) GATE

3l+
OR GATE
s
NOR (NOT OR) GATE

DC, PERMANENT-MAGNET FlELD GENERATOR OR MOTOR

. . , .
DYNAMOTOR

ALTERNATING-CURRENT
MACHINES

-
SQUIRREL-CAGE INDUCTION MOTOR OR GENERATOR.
SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR OR GENE RATOR, SPLIT-PHASE INDUCTION
MOTOR OR GENERATOR, ROTARY-PHASE CONVERTOR,
OR REPULSION MOTOR

WOUND-ROTOR INDUCTION MOTOR, SYNCHRONOUS

INDUCTION MOTOR, INDUCTION GENERATOR, OR INDUCTION
FREQUENCY CONVERTOR

*
AC SERIES MOTOR

AC SERIES MOTOR WITH COMMUTATING OR

COMPENSATING F l E L D WINDING OR BOTH

- -
0--
SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR OR GENERATOR
WlTH DC FIELD EXCITATION
accelerate: To change velocity, that is, increase or decrease antenna: A device designed to radiate or intercept electro-
speed. magnetic waves.
accelerometer: A device for sensing or measuring accelera- armature: In a dc generator or motor, the rotating member. In
tion and converting it to an electric signal. an ac generator the armature is stationary and is acted upon by
acceptor: An impurity atom in a semiconductor material the rotating field produced by the rotor. The moving element
which will receive or accept electrons. Germanium with an ac- acted upon by the magnetic field in a relay is also called the ar-
ceptor impurity is called p-type germanium because it has a pos- mature.
itive nature. armature reaction: The interaction of the armature field upon
actuator: A hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic device used to the main field of a generator or motor, resulting in distortion of
operate a mechanism by remote control on a-plane or missile. the main field.
alignment, electric: The tuning of electronic components in a atom: The smallest possible particle of an element.
particular circuit so that ail portions of the circuit will respond to attenuation: A reduction in the strength of a signal, the flow of
the correct frequency. current, flux, or other energy in an electronic system.
alternating current (ac as adjective): An electric current audio frequency (AF as adjective): A frequency in the audi-
which periodically changes in direction and constantly changes ble range, generally considered to be from about 35 to 20 000
in magnitude. Hz.
alternation: The part of an ac cycle during which current is automatic direction finder (ADF): A radio receiver utilizing a
flowing in one direction; one-half a cycle. directional loop antenna which enables the receiver to indicate
alternator: An electric generator designed to produce alter- the direction from which a radio signal is being received; also
nating current. called radio compass.
ammeter: An instrument used to measure current flow. automatic flight-control system (AFCS): A flight-control
system incorporating an automatic pilot with additional systems
ampere (A): The basic unit of current flow. One ampere is the such as a VOR coupler, an ILS approach coupler, and an inter-
amount of current which flows when an emf of 1 V is applied to nal navigation system which is fully automatic, so the aircraft can
a circuit with a resistance of 1 R. One coulomb per second. be flown in a completely automatic mode.
ampere-hour (Ah): The quantity of electricity which has automatic frequency control (AFC): A circuit arrangement
passed through a circuit when a current of 1 A has flowed for which maintains the frequency of the system within specified
1 h. Current (in amperes) x time (in hours) = ampere-hours. limits.
One Ah is equal to 3600 C.
automatic pilot: A system installed in a n airplane or missile
ampere-turn: The magnetizing force produced by a current of
which senses deviations in the flight path and moves the control
1 A flowing through one turn of a coil. Ampere-turns = am- surfaces to maintain the selected flight path.
peres x number of turns of wire in the coil.
automatic volume control (AVC): A circuit arrangement in
amplication: The increase of power, current, or voltage in an
which the dc component of the detector output in a radio re-
electronic circuit.
ceiver controls the bias of the rf tubes, thus regulating their out-
amplication factor: The ratio of a small change in plate volt- put to maintain a reasonably constant volume.
age to a small change in grid voltage when the plate circuit is
Autosyn: A trade name of the Bendix Corporation used to
operating through a load. It is denoted by the Greek letter mu designate certain types of synchro devices.
( p ) .Amplification factor for a transistor is the ratio of change in
emitter current to a change in base current. azimuth: Angular distance measured on a horizontal circle in
a clockwise direction from either north or south.
amplifier: An electronic circuit designed to produce amplifica-
tion. ballast: A circuit element designed to stabilize current flow.
amplitude modulation (AM): Modulation of a carrier wave in band: A range of frequencies.
which the modulating signal changes the amplitude of the car- bandpass filter: A filter circuit designed to pass frequencies
rier in proportion to the strength of the modulating signal. within a specific band and attenuate frequencies outside the
angular velocity: Time rate of change of an angle rotated band.
around an axis in degrees per second or degrees per minute. bandwidth: The difference between the maximum and mini-
anode: Positive electrode of a battery; the electrode of an elec- mum frequencies in a band.
tron tube, diode, or electroplating cell to which a positive volt- base: The terminal of a transistor to which the controlling cur-
age is applied. rent is applied.
battery: A group of voltaic cells connected together to pro- choke coil: An inductance coil designed to provide a high
duce a desired voltage and current capacity. Typical batteries reactance to certain frequencies and generally used to block or
utilize primary cells, secondary cells, and photovoltaic cells. reduce currents at these frequencies.
beam power tube: An electron tube which utilizes directed circuit: Conductors connected together to provide one or
electron beams to add to its power-handling capability. more complete electrical paths.
beat frequency oscillator (BFO): An oscillator designed to circuit breaker: A device which automatically opens a circuit
produce a signal frequency which is mixed with another fre- if the current flow increases beyond an established limit.
quency in order to develop an intermediate frequency or an circuit protection: The provision of devices in an electric cir-
audio frequency. cuit to prevent excessive current flow. These devices may be
bel: A unit used to express the ratio of two values of power. fuses, circuit breakers, current limiters, or sensing relays.
The number of bels is the logarithm to the base 10 of the power circular mil (crnil): The cross-sectional area of a circle having
ratio. a diameter of 1 mil (0.001in). The circular mil is used to indicate
bias: A voltage applied to the control grid of an electron tube the size of electric wire.
or the control element of a transistor to establish the correct clutch: A mechanical device used to connect or disconnect a
operating point. motor or other driving unit from the driven device.
binary system: A numbering system using only two symbols 0 coaxial cables: A pair of concentric conductors. The inner
and I and having 2 as a base. In the decimal system, 10 symbols conductor is supported by insulation which holds it in the center
are used and the base is 10. of the outer conductor. A coaxial cable is normally used to con-
bit: One unit of a binary number. duct HF currents.
bleeder resistance: A permanently connected resistor con- coil: One or more turns of a conductor designed for use in a
nected across the output of a power supply and designed to circuit to produce inductance or an electromagnetic field.
"bleed-off' a small portion of the current. collector: The section of a transistor corresponding to the
bonding: The connecting together of metal structures with plate in an electron tube.
electric conductors, thus establishing a uniform electric potential collector ring: A rotating electrical contact used with a brush
among all the parts bonded together. to transfer electric current from a rotating unit to a stationary unit
breakdown voltage: Breadkdown voltage in a capacitor is or vice versa.
that voltage at which the dielectric is ruptured, or the voltage color code: A system of colors used to indicate component
level in a gas tube at which the gas becomes ionized and starts to values, or identify wires and terminals.
conduct. commutator: A rotating contact device in the armature of a dc
brush: A device designed to provide a n electrical contact be- generator or motor, which in effect changes the ac current flow-
tween a stationary conductor and a rotating element. ing in the armature windings to a dc current in the external cir-
buffer amplifier: An amplifier in a transmitter circuit designed cuit.
to isolate the oscillator section from the power section, thus pre- compass: A device used to determine direction on the earth's
venting a frequency shift. surface. A magnetic compass utilizes the earth's magnetic field to
bus bar: A power distribution point to which a number of cir- establish direction.
cuits may be connected. It oftens consists of a solid metal strip in compound winding: A combination of series and parallel or
which a number of terminals are installed. shunt windings to provide the magnetic field for a generator or
cable: A group of insulated electric conductors, usually cov- motor.
ered with rubber or plastic to form a flexible transmission line. conductance: The reciprocal of resistance.
capacitance: The property enabling two adjacent conductors conductor: A material through which an electric current can
separated by an insulating medium to store an electric charge. pass easily.
The unit of capacitance is the farad. conduit: A metallic tubular sheath through which insulated
capacitive reactance: The reactive effect of capacitance in an conductors are run. The conduit provides mechanical protection
ac circuit. The formula is X, = $7~fC,where X, is capacitive and electric or magnetic shielding for the conductors.
reactance in ohms, f is frequency in hertz, and C is the capaci- continuity tester: A device designed to test the electrical conti-
tance in farads. nuity of a conductor or circuit. A battery and light, or other indi-
capacitor: A device consisting of conducting plates separated cating unit, connected in series, or an ohm-meter may serve as
by a dielectric and used to introduce capacitance into a circuit. continuity testers.
carrier wave: A radio-frequency electromagnetic wave used continuous wave (CW): An RF carrier wave whose successive
to convey intelligence impressed upon it by modulation. oscillations are identical in magnitude and frequency.
cathode: (1)The negative electrode of a battery; (2) the ele- control circuit: Any one of a variety of circuits designed to ex-
ment in an electron tube which emits electrons into the intere- ercise control of an operating device, to perform counting, tim-
lectrode space; (3) the negative terminal of a diode or ing, switching, and other operations.
electroplating cell.
control grid: The grid nearest the cathode in an electron tube.
cathode-ray tube (CRT): A special type of electron tube in
The charge on the control grid governs the flow of electrons
which a stream of electrons from an electron gun impinges upon
from cathode to plate.
a fluorescent screen, thus producing a bright spot on the screen.
The electron beam is deflected electrically or magnetically to corona loss: Power loss due to the ionization of gas adjacent
produce patterns on the screen. - to a high-potential conductor.
characteristic curve: A graph which shows the performance cosine: The ratio of the side adjacent to an acute angle of a
of an electron tube or a transistor under various operating con- right triangle to the hypotenuse.
ditions. coulomb (C): The international coulomb is a unit of electric
charge: A quantity of electricity. A charge is negative when it charge consisting of approximately 6.28 x 10IHelectrons. The
consists of a number of electrons greater than the number nor- absolute coulomb is slightly greater than the international cou-
mally held by the charged material in a neutral condition. The lomb; that is, I absolute coulomb = 1.000165 international
charge is positive when there is a deficiency of electrons. coulomb.

346
counter electromotive force (cemf): A voltage developed in diode: A semiconductor device or an electron tube with only a
the armature of a motor which opposes the applied emf. The cathode and anode, usually used as rectifiers and detectors.
same principle applied to any inductance through which an al- dipole antenna: An antenna consisting of two equal lengths of
ternating current is flowing. wire or other conductor extending in opposite directions from
counterpoise: One or more conductors used under certain the input point. Each section of the dipole is approximately one-
types of antennas to take the place of the usual ground circuit. quarter wavelength.
coupling: Energy transfer between elements or circuits of an direct current (dc a s adjective): An electric current which
electronic system. flows continuously in one direction.
cross modulation: The modulation of a desired signal by an directional gyro: A direction-indicating instrument which uti-
unwanted signal resulting in two signals in the output. lizes a gyroscope to hold the moving element in a fixed position
crystal: A solid body with symmetrically arranged plane sur- relative to a directional reference.
faces. In electronic systems, crystals are used as rectifiers, semi- discriminator: A circuit whose output polarity and magnitude
conductors, transistors, and frequency controllers and to are determined by the variations of the input phase or fre-
produce oscillatory voltages. quency.
crystal diode: A diode constructed from a crystal semiconduc- distance-measuring equipment (DME): An electronic sys-
tor material such as silicon or germanium. tem used with radio navigation equipment to provide an indica-
current: The movement of electricity through a conductor, tion of the distance to a specific point.
i.e., the flow of electrons through a conductor. distortion: Undesirable change in the waveform of the output
current limiter: A device installed in a circuit to prevent cur- of a circuit compared with the input.
rent from increasing above a specified limit. donor: An impurity used in a semiconductor to provide free
cutoff: The point at which an operation stops because a cutoff electrons as current carriers. A semiconductor with a donor im-
condition has been reached. In electron tubes, the point at purity is of the n type.
which grid bias voltage stops the flow of electrons from cathode doppler effect: The effect noted as one moves toward or away
to plate. from a source of a sound-wave or electromagnetic-wave propa-
cycle: A complete sequence of events in a recurrent selies of gation. Moving toward the source results in receiving a higher-
similar periods. frequency sound or signal than the source is emitting, and mov-
ing away from the source results in receiving a lower-frequency
damping: The decay in amplitude or strength of an oscillatory
sound or signal.
current when energy is not introduced to replace that lost
through circuit resistance. duplexer: A circuit which makes it possible to use the same an-
tenna for both transmitting and receiving without allowing ex-
d'Arsonva1 meter movement: A meter movement consisting
cessive power to flow to the receiver.
of a movable coil suspended on pivots between the poles of a
permanent magnet. dynamotor: An electric rotating machine with a double arma-
ture, usually designed to produce a high dc voltage for plate cir-
decades: A series of quantities in multiples of 10, for example,
cuits in radio transmitters and receivers. One end of the
10, 100, 1000, 10 000.
armature serves a low-voltage dc motor, and the other end is
decibel (db): One-tenth of a bel. wound for a high-voltage dc generator.
decoupling: The process of eliminating electrical or magnetic dynatron effect: The area of operation in a tetrode electron
coupling between units in an electronic system. tube where plate current decreases as plate voltage increases.
deflection: The movement of an electron beam up and down This effect is caused by secondary emission from the plate and
or sideways in response to an electric or magnetic field in a cath- by the attraction of the seconday electrons to the screen grid.
ode-ray tube. dynode: The elements in a multiplier tube which emit second-
degeneration: Feedback of a portion of the output of a circuit ary electrons.
to the input in such a direction that it reduces the magnitude of eddy currents: Currents induced in the cores of coils, trans-
the input; also called negative feedback. Degeneration reduces formers, and armatures by the changing magnetic fields asso-
distortion, increases stability, and improves frequency response. ciated with their operation. These currents cause great losses of
delta connection: A method of connecting three components energy. For this reason such cores are composed of insulated
to form a three-sided circuit, usually drawn as a triangle, hence laminations which limit the currents paths.
the term delta. Delta (A) is the Greek letter corresponding to the Edison effect: The discovery of Thomas A. Edison in 1883
English D. that a heated filament placed in an evacuated tube with another
demodulation: The recovey of the AF signal from an RF car- electrode will emit electrons.
rier wave. Also called detection. effective value: A term used to indicate the actual working
dectector: That portion of an electronic circuit which demod- value of an alternating current based upon its heating effect.
ulates or detects the signal. Also called the root-mean-square (rms) value and is equal to
deviation, compass: The error in a magnetic compass due to 1/a times the maximum value in a sinusoidal current.
construction, installation, and nearby magnetic materials. electret: A dielectric body in which a permanent state of elec-
diac: A negative-resistance breakdown diode, constructed in tric polarization has been set up. Also, the material of which an
both unidirectional and bidirectional forms. electret is composed.
dielectric: An insulating material used to separate the plates of electricity: In general terms electricity may be said to consist
a capacitor. of positive or negative charges at rest or in motion.
dielectric constant: A measure of the effectiveness of a di- electrode: A terminal element in an electric device or circuit.
electric for holding a charge in a capacitor. Air is given a dielec- Some typical electrodes include the plates in a storage battery,
tric constant of 1; mica has a dielectric constant of 5.5;hence, a the elements in an electron tube, and the carbon rods in an
capacitor having mica as a dielectric will have a capacitance 5.5 arc light.
times as great as the same capacitor with a dielectric of air. electrolysis: The process of decomposing a chemical com-
differentiating circuit: A circuit which produces an output pound by means of an electric current.
voltage proportional to the rate of change of the input. electrolyte: Any solution which conducts an electric current.
electromagnet: A magnet formed when an iron core is placed flux: klectrostatic or magnetic lines of force.
in a current-carrying coil. flux gate: An electromagnetic sensing device designed to de-
electromagnetic induction: The transfer of electric energy termine the direction of the earth's magnetic field and thus pro-
from one conductor to another by means of a moving electro- duce magnetic-direction information for navigation systems.
magnetic field. A voltage is produced in a conductor as the mag- flywheel effect: The characteristic of a parallel LC circuit
netic lines of force cut or link with the conductor. The value of which permits a continuing flow of current even though only
the voltage produced by electromagnetic induction is propor- small pulses of energy are applied to the circuit.
tional to the number of lines of force cut per second. When 100 free electrons: Those electrons so loosely bound in the outer
000 000 lines of force are cut per second, an emf of 1 V will be shells of some atoms that they are able to move from atom to
induced. atom when an emf is applied to the material.
electromagnetism: The magnetism produced by the flow of frequency: The number of complete cycles of a periodic pro-
electric current. cess per second. In electricity the unit of frequency is the hertz
electromotive force (emf): The force which causes current to frequency modulation (FM): Modulation of a carrier by caus-
move through a conductor. The unit of measurement for emf is ing changes in carrier frequency proportional to the amplitude
the volt; hence, emf is often called voltage. of the modulating signal.
electron: A negatively charged nonnuclear particle which frequency multiplier: A circuit designed to double, triple, or
orbits around the nucleus of an atom. Generally speaking, the quadruple the frequency of a signal by harmonic conversion.
electron may be considered the carrier of electric current
fuse: A metal link which melts when overheated by excess cur-
through a conductor. An electron at rest has a mass of 9.107 x
rent, used to break an electric circuit whenever the load be-
g and a charge of 1.6 x 10-l9 C.
comes excessive.
electron gun: The combination of an electron-emitting cath-
gain: The increase in signal power through a circuit.
ode together with accelerating anodes and beam-forming elec-
trodes to produce the electron beam in a CRT. galvanometer: A device for measuring electric currents. It
usually consists of a current-carrying coil which produces a field
electron tube: A device consisting of an evacuated or gasfilled
envelope containing electrodes for the purpose of controlling to react with the field of a permanent magnet.
electron flow. The electrodes are usually a cathode (electron ganged tuning: A mechanical arrangement to permit the
emitter), a plate (anode), and one or more grids. simultaneous tuning of two or more circuits.
electrostatic field: The field of electric force existing in the gas-filled tube: An electron tube with gas introduced into the
area around and between any two oppositely charged bodies. envelope to produce certain desired operating characteristics
(see thyraton tube).
elements: Any substance which cannot be changed to an-
other substance except by nuclear disintegration. There are gate: An electronic switching circuit commonly employed in
more than 100 known elements. digital electronics to produce required outputs in response to
emission, electronic: The freeing of electrons from the sur-
particuiar inputs. The outputs are either "on" or "off" to pro-
duce the binary digits 1 or 0. Also, the control circuit built into
face of a material, usually produced by heat.
various semiconductor devices.
emitter: The electrode in an electron tube which emits elec-
gauss ( G ) : The unit of magnetic flux density equal to 1 Mx
trons, that is, the cathode; also the electrode in a transistor from
(line of force) per square centimeter.
which current carriers enter the interelectrode region.
generator: A rotating machine designed to produce a certain
equalizer circuit: A circuit in a multiple-generator voltage-reg-
type and quantity of voltage and current.
ulator system which tends to equalize the current output of the
generators by controlling the field currents of the several genera- gilbert (Gb): The unit of magnetomotive force; it is equal to
tors. approximately 0.768 ampere-turns.
excitation: The application of electric current to the field gimbal: A mechanism consisting of a pair of rings, one ring pi-
windings of a generator to produce a magnetic field; also the voted within the other and the outer ring supported on pivots 90
input signal to an electron tube. from the inner-ring pivots. A gyroscope pivoted in the inner ring
at right angles to the inner-ring pivots will be free to precess in
fading: A decrease in strength of a received radio signal.
response to applied external forces.
farad: The unit of capacitance; the capacitance of a capacitor
glideslope: A directed radio beam emanating from a glide-
which will store 1 C of electricity when an emf of 1 V is applied.
slope transmitter located near the runway of an instrumented
feedback: A portion of the output signal of a circuit returned airport to provide a reference for guiding an airplane vertically to
to the input. Positive feedback occurs when the feedback signal the runway.
is in phase with the input signal. Negative feedback occurs when
grid: An element in an electron tube used to regulate or con-
the feedback signal is 180"out of phase with the input signal.
trol the flow of electrons from the cathode to the plate.
ferromagnetic materials: Magnetic materials composed
largely of iron. ground: (1)An electrical connection to the earth; (2) a com-
mon connecting device for the zero-potential side of the circuits
fidelity: The degree of similarity between the input and output in an elecrical or electronic system; (3)the accidental connection
waveforms of an electronic circuit. of a hot conductor to the ground (a hot conductor is one whose
field: A space in which magnetic or electric lines of force exist. potential differs from ground potential).
field coil: A winding or coil used to produce a magnetic field. ground wave: That portion of a radio wave which travels to
field frame: The main structure of a generator or motor within the receiver along the surface of the earth.
which are mounted the field poles and windings. growler: An electromagnetic device which develops a strong
filament: A resistive element in an electron tube which sup- alternating field by which armatures may be tested.
plies the heat necessary for themionic emission of electrons; guidance: The control of missiles or aircraft in flight.
also the heated element in an electric light bulb. gyroscope: A comparatively heavy wheel mounted on a spin-
filter: A circuit arranged to pass certain frequencies while at- ning axis which is free to rotate about one or both of two axes
tenuating all others. A high-pass filter passes high frequencies perpendicular to each other and to the spinning axis. The gyro-
and attenuates low frequencies; a low-pass filter passes low fre- scope is used to sense directional changes and to develop sig-
quencies and attenuates high frequencies. nals for operating automatic pilots and inertial guidance systems.
harmonics: Multiples of a base frequency. insulator: A material which will not conduct current to an ap-
henry (H): The unit of inductance. It is the amount of induc- preciable degree.
tance in a coil which will induce an emf of 1 V in the coil when integrated circuit: A microminiature circuit incorporated on a
the current flow is changing at the rate of 1 A/s. very small chip of semiconductor material through solid-state
hertz (Hz): The unit of frequency. One Hertz is equal to 1 c/s. technology. A number of circuit elements such as transistors,
heterodyne: The process of mixing two frequencies to pro- diodes, resistors, and capacitors are built into the semiconductor
duce both sum and difference frequencies. The principle is used chip by means of photography, etching, and diffusion.
in superheterodyne receivers. integrating circuit: A network circuit whose output is propor-
hexode: An electron tube having six active elements. tional to the sum of its instantaneous inputs.
HIG: Hermetically sealed integrating gyro. A gyro mounted in interelectrode capacitance: The capacitance existing be-
a sealed case with a viscous damping medium. The output is tween the electrodes of an electron tube.
therefore an indication of the total amount of angular displace- interpoles: Small magnetic poles inserted between the main
ment of the vehicle in which the gyro is installed, rather than the field poles of a generator or motor in series with the load circuit
rate of angular displacement. to compensate for the effect of armature reaction.
horizontal situation indicator (HSI): A flight instrument that inverter: A mechanical or electronic device which converts di-
provides the pilot with information regarding heading, course, rect current to alternating current. Also, a binary digital circuit
glideslope deviation, course deviation, and other data regarding element or circuit with one input and one output. The output
aircraft position. state is always the inverse (opposite) the input state.
horsepower (hp): A common unit of mechanical power. The ion: An atom or molecule which has lost one or more elec-
time rate of work which will raise 550 lb through a vertical dis- trons (positive ion) or one which has one or more extra elec-
tance of 1 ft in 1 s; also 33 000 ft-lb/min. One horsepower is trons (negative ion).
equal to 746 W of electric power. ionization: The process of creating ions by either chemical or
hot-wire meter: An electric instrument for measuring alternat- electrical means.
ing currents. A wire is heated by the current flow, and the ex- iron-vane movement: An ac electric measuring instrument
pansion of the wire is used to provide movement for the which depends upon a soft-iron vane or movable core operating
indicating needle. with a coil to produce an indication of ac current flow.
hydrometer: A calibrated float used to determine the specific joule (J): A unit of electric energy or work equivalent to the
gravity of a liquid. work done in maintaining a current of 1 A against a resistance of
hypotenuse: The side of a right triangle opposite the right I L?for 1 s; 1 J = 0.73732 ft. Ib.
angle. jumper: A short conductor usually used to make a temporary
hysteresis: The ability of a magnetic material to withstand connection between two terminals.
changes in its magnetic state. When a magnetomotive force junction box: An enclosure used to house and protect termi-
(mmf) is applied to such a material, the magnetization lags the nal strips and other circuit components.
mmf because of a resistance to change in orientation of the par- junction transistor: A transistor consisting of a single crystal of
ticles involved. p- or n-type germanium between two electrodes of the opposite
ignition: Pertaining to engines, the introduction of an electric type. The center layer is the base and forms junctions with the
spark into a combustion chamber to fire the fuel-air mixture. emitter and collector.
image frequency: The heterodyne action of an oscillator in a Kennelly-Heaviside layer: An ionized layer in the upper at-
superheterodyne receiver. An image frequency is produced mosphere which reflects radio waves to earth; also called E layer
when an unwanted signal is of such a frequency that when or ionosphere.
mixed with the oscillator frequency, it produces a differenece keying: The process of modulating a CW carrier wave with a
frequency equal to the intermediate frequency of the receiver. key circuit to provide interruptions in the carrier in the form of
impedance (Z): The combined effect of resistance, capacitive dots and dashes for code transmission.
reactance, and inductive reactance in an ac circuit. 2 is mea- kilo: A prefix meaning 1000; e.g., kilocycle, kilovolt, kilowatt,
sured in ohms. etc.
inductance: The ability of a coil or conductor to oppose a kinetic energy: The energy which a body possesses as a result
change in current flow (see henry). of its motion. It is equal to 3MV2where M is mass, and V is veloc-
inductance coil: A coil designed to introduce inductance into ity.
a circuit. klystron tube: A special electron tube for UHF circuits in
induction motor: An ac motor in which the rotating field pro- which modulation is accomplished by varying the velocity of the
duced by the stator induces currents and opposing fields in the electrons flowing through the tube.
rotor. The reaction of the fields creates the rotation force. LC circuit: A circuit network containing inductance and ca-
inductive reactance (XL): The effect of inductance in an ac pacitance.
circuit. The formula for inductive reactance is XL = 2 f i . XL is Lenz's law: A law stated by H. F. E. Lenz in 1833 to the effect
measured in ohms. that an induced current in a conductor is always in such a direc-
inductor: An inductance coil. tion that its field opposes the change in the field causing the in-
duced current.
inertia: The tendency of a mass to remain at rest or to con-
tinue in motion in the same direction. light-emitting diode (LED): A semiconductor that utilizes a
light-producing material such as gallium phosphide. The ma-
inertial guidance: The guidance of a missile or airplane
terial produces light when an electric current is passed through it
by means of a device which senses changes of direction or ac- in a certain direction. LEDs are often used for digital displays.
celeration, and automatically corrects deviations in planned
course. limit switch: A switch designed to stop an actuator at the limit
of its movement.
instrument landing system (ILS): A radio guidance and
communications system designed to guide aircraft through ap- load factor: The ratio of average load to greatest load.
proaches, letdowns, and landings under instrument flying condi- local oscillator: The internal-oscillator section of a superhe-
tions. terodyne circuit.
localizer: That section of an ILS which produces the direc- microwave: An electromagnetic wave with a length ot less
tional reference beam. than 10 m; i.e., it has a frequency of 30 MHz or more.
logic circuit: A circuit designed to operate according to the microwave landing system (MLS): A radio landing system
fundamental laws of logic. for aircraft that utilizes microwave frequencies for the transmis-
loop: A control circuit consisting of a sensor, a controller, a n sion of guidance and control signals.
actuator, a controlled unit, and a follow-up or feedback to the mil: One-thousandth of an inch.
sensor; also, any closed electronic circuit including a feedback milli: A prefix meaning one-thousandth; e.g., milliammeter,
signal which is compared with the reference signal to maintain a milliampere, millihenry, etc.
desired condition. mixer: A circuit in which two frequencies are combined to
loop antenna: A bidirectional antenna consisting of one or produce sum and difference frequencies (see heterodyne and
more complete turns of wire in a coil. beat frequency oscillator).
loopstick: A loop antenna consisting of a large number of modulation: The impressing of an information signal on a car-
turns of wire wound on a powdered iron (ferrite) rod. Loopsticks rier wave.
are particularly useful in small portable radio receivers. modulator: That portion of a transmitter circuit which modu-
LORAN (Long-RAnge Navigation): A radio navigation sys- lates the carrier wave.
tem utilizing master and slave stations transmitting timed pulses. molecule: The smallest particle of a substance which can exist
The time difference in reception of pulses from several stations in a free state and maintain its chemical properties.
establishes a hyperbolic line of position which may be identified
motor, electric: A rotating device for converting electric en-
on a LORAN chart. By utilizing signals from two pairs of stations,
a fix in position is obtained. ergy to mechanical energy.
low-pass filter: A filter circuit designed to pass LF signals and multimeter: A combination instrument designed to measure a
attenuate HF signals. variety of electrical quantities.
multiplier tube: An electron tube designed to amplify or mul-
Mach number: The ratio of actual speed to the speed of
sound. An object moving at the speed of sound has a Mach tiply very weak electron currents by means of secondary emis-
number of 1. sion.
Machmeter: An instrument for indicating the speed of a vehi- multivibrator: A special type of relaxation oscillator circuit de-
cle in terms of Mach number. signed to produce nonlinear signals such as square waves and
sawtooth waves.
magamp: A contraction of magnetic amplifier. An amplifier
system using saturable reactors to control an output to obtain mutual inductance: The inductance of a voltage in one coil
amplification. due to the field produced by an adjacent coil. Inductive coupling
is accomplished through the mutual inductance of two adjacent
magnet: A solid material which has the property of attracting coils.
magnetic substances.
neutralization: The use of circuits external to electron tubes to
magnetic field: A space where magnetic lines of force exist. cancel the effects of interelectrode capacitance.
magneto: A special type of electric generator having a perma- neutron: A neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
nent magnet or magnets to provide the field.
north pole: The north-seeking pole of a magnet.
magnetomotive force (mmf): Magnetizing force, measured in
nucleus: The core or center particle of an atom.
gilberts or ampere-turns.
magnetron tube: A special electron tube for use in microwave null: An indicated low or zero point in a radio signal.
systems. It uses strong magnetic and electric fields and tuned oersted: An mmf of 1 Gb/cm2.
cavities to produce microwave amplification. ohm (a): The unit of resistance which limits the current to 1 A
marker beacon: A radio navigation aid used in the approach when an emf of 1 V is applied.
zone of an instrumented airport. As the airplane crosses over the ohmmeter: An electric measuring instrument designed to
marker-beacon transmitter, the pilot receives an accurate indica- measure resistance in ohms.
tion of his distance from the runway through the medium of a Ohm's law: A law of current flow stated by George S. Ohm as
flashing light and a n aural signal. follows: One volt of electrical pressure is required to force 1 A of
master switch: A switch designed to control all electric power current through 1 cR of resistance; also, the current in a circuit is
to all circuits in a system. directly proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to
matter: That which has substance and occupies space; ma- the resistance. The formula for Ohm's law may be expressed
terial. I = E/R, R = Ell, or E = IR.
maxwell (Mx): A unit of magnetic flux; one magnetic line of optoelectronics: Electronic systems that utilize light-emitting
force. and light-sensitive devices such as light-emitting diodes (LED)
mega: A prefix denoting one million, e.g., megahertz, meg- and phototransistors for control and operation.
ohm, etc. $oscillator: An electronic circuit which produces alternating
mercury-vapor rectifier: A rectifier tube containing mercury currents with frequencies determined by the inductance and ca-
which vaporizes during operation and increases the current-car- pacitance in the circuit.
rying capacity of the tube. oscillograph: A device for producing a graphical representa-
mho: A unit of conductance, the reciprocal of ohm. tion of an electric signal mechanically or photographically.
microfarad (pF): One-millionth of a farad. oscilloscope: An electronic device utilizing a CRT for observ-
microphone: A device for converting sound waves to electric
ing electric signals.
impulses. parallel circuits: Two or more complete circuits connected to
rniscrosecond ( ~ s ) One-millionth
: of a second. the same two power terminals.
microprocessor: An integrated circuit (IC) that can be pro- peak inverse voltage (PIV): The maximum voltage which
grammed to perform a variety of desired functions. The circuit may be applied safely to a n electron tube or semiconductor
contains an arithmetic and logic unit, a controlrer, some regis- device in the direction inverse to normal current flow.
ters, and possibly other elements. peak voltage: The maximum level of a variable voltage.

350
pentagrid converter: A five-grid electron tube which serves as radar mile: The time required for a radar pulse to travel a dis-
a mixer, local oscillator, and first detector in a superheterodyne tance of 1 nmi and return to the radar receiver; approximately
radio receiver. 12.4 ps.
pentode: An electron tube containing five electrodes-cath- radio frequency (RF as adjective): All frequencies above the
ode, plate, control grid, suppressor grid, and screen grid. audible range, usually above 20 000 Hz.
permeability ( p ) : The property of a magnetic substance de- rate gyro: A gyro unit whose output is proportional to the rate
termining the flux density produced in the substance by a mag- of changing direction.
netic field of a given intensity. The formula is p = B /H, where B rate signal: Any signal proportional to a rate of change.
is flux density in gauss, and H is the field intensity in oersteds. ratiometer: A measuring instrument in which the movement
The permeability of air is 1. of the indicator is proportional to the ratio of two currents.
phase angle: The angular difference between two sinusoidal RC circuit: A circuit containing both resistance and capaci-
waveforms. When the voltage of an ac signal leads the current tance.
by loo,there is a phase angle of 10" between the voltage and
current. RC time constant: The time required to charge a capacitor to
63.2 percent of its full-charge state through a given resistance.
phase inverter: An electronic circuit whose output is 180"out
of phase with the input. rectification: The conversation of alternating current to direct
current by means of a rectifier.
photo cell: An electronic device which becomes conductive or
produces a voltage when struck by light. rectifier: A device which permits current to flow in one direc-
tion only.
phototransistor: A transistor in which light is used to control
the collector-emitter current. regeneration: Positive feedback of an output signal to the
input of an electronic-tube to increase the power of a signal.
picofarad (pF): One-millionth of a microfarad.
relaxation oscillator: An oscillator circuit in which an RC cir-
piezoelectric effect: The property of certain crystals enabling cuit determines frequency of oscillation. The output is a saw-
them to generate an electrostatic voltage between opposite faces tooth or rectangular wave.
when subjected to mechanical pressure. Conversely, the crystal
will expand or contract if subjected to a strong electrical poten- relay: An electric switch operated by an electromagnet or sole-
tial. noid.
pitch: The rotation of an airplane or missile about its lateral reluctance: The property of a material which opposes the pas-
axis. sage of magnetic flux lines through it.
plan position indicator (PPI): A radar system component for resistor: A circuit element possessing a finite amount of resist-
presenting a maplike display of the search area on the screen of ance.
a CRT. resonance: A condition in an LC circuit in which capacitive
plate, electron tube: The anode of an electron tube. reactance and inductive reactance are equal.
plate resistance: In an electron tube, the ratio of a change in reverse-current relay: A relay incorporated into a generator
plate voltage to a change in plate current with grid voltage con- circuit to disconnect the generator from the battery when battery
stant; expressed R, = AE,/Ai,. voltage is greater than generator voltage.
plate saturation: The condition in an electron tube when the rheostat: A variable resistor.
plate will no longer attract electrons as fast as they are emitted ripple: A small periodic variation in the voltage level of a dc
by the cathode. power supply.
polarity: (1)The nature of the electric charge on each of two roll: The rotation of an airplane or missile about its longitudinal
terminals between which there is a potential difference; (2) the axis.
difference in the nature of the magnetic effect exhibited by the rotor: A rotating part of an electric machine.
two poles of a magnet. sawtooth wave: The output of a relaxation oscillator, rising
potential difference (PD): The voltage existing between two slowly and then dropping sharply to zero to form waveshapes
terminals or two points of differing potential. resembling sawteeth.
potentiometer: A variable resistor often used as a voltage di- scope: A contraction of oscilloscope. Also used to designate
vider. the CRT used in radar.
power: The rate of doing work (see horsepower). screen grid: A grid constructed of fine wire mesh placed be-
power factor: In ac circuits, a multiplier equal to the cosine of tween the control grid and plate in an electron tube to reduce
the phase angle (8) between the current and voltage. The power the effects of grid-plate capacitance.
of an ac circuit in watts is equal to El cos 8. secondary cell: An electrolytic voltaic cell capable of being re-
power supply: The part of an electronic circuit which supplies peatedly charged and discharged.
the filament and plate voltages for the operation of the circuit. secondary coil: The output winding of a transformer.
primary cell: A voltaic cell whose chemical action destroys secondary emission: The emission of electrons from a surface
some of the active elements in the cell, thus making it impossible when struck by high-velocity electrons from the cathode.
or impractical to recharge.
Selcal: A contraction of selective calling referring to an auto-
primary winding: The input winding of a transformer. matic signaling system used in aircraft to notify the pilot that the
proton: A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of aircraft is receiving a call.
an atom. selectivity: The ability of a radio receiver to tune in desired
pulse generator: An electronic circuit designed to produce signals and tune out undesired signals.
sharp pulses of voltage. selenium rectifier: A rectifier using a thin coating of selenium
Q factor: The "figure of merit" or "quality" of an inductance on an iron disk to develop a unidirectional current-carrying
coil. The formula for the Q of a coil is Q = XL/R = 271$./R. characteristic. Electrons flow easily from the iron to the selenium
radar (radio detecting and ranging): Radio equipment which but encounter high resistance in the opposite direction. A metal
utilizes reflected pulse signals to locate and determine the dis- alloy is used in order to form the electrical. connection with the
tance to any reflecting object within its range. selenium.
self-inductance: The property of a single conductor or a coil susceptance: The ratio of the effective current to the effective
causing it to induce a voltage in itself whenever there is a change voltage in an ac circuit multiplied by the sine of the phase differ-
of current flow. ence between the current and voltage.
Selsyn: A trade name of the General Electric Company ap- sweep: The horizontal deflection of the electron beam in a
plied to self-synchronizing units or synchros. CRT.
semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR): A semiconductor switch: A device for opening and closing electric circuits.
rectifier that is controlled by means of a gate signal. synchro: A device for transmitting indications of angular posi-
sensitivity: A measure of the ability of a radio receiver to re- tion from one point to another.
ceive very weak signals. synchronous motor: An ac motor whose rotor is synchro-
sensor: A sensing unit used to actuate signal-producing de- nized with the rotating field produced by the stator. The speed of
vices in response to changes in physical conditions. rotation is always in time with the frequency of the applied alter-
series circuit: A circuit in which the current flows through all nating current.
the circuit elements via a single path. synchroscope: An instrument designed to show whether two
servo: An actuating device which feeds back a n indication of rotating elements are in synchronization.
its output or movement to the controlling unit, where it is com- tachometer: An instrument designed to indicate the rpm of a
pared with a reference at the input. Any difference between the rotating device.
input and output is used to produce the required control. tank circuit: A parallel resonant circuit including an induc-
shielding: Metal covers placed around electric and electronic tance and a capacitance.
devices to prevent the intrusion of external electrostatic and telemetering: A system of sending measurements over great
electromagnetic fields. distances by radio.
shunt: A calibrated resistor connected across an electric de- terminal: A connecting fitting attached to the end of a circuit
vice to bypass a portion of the current. element.
side bands: The bands of frequencies on each side of carrier terminal strip: An insulated strip with terminal posts to pro-
frequency produced by modulation. vide a convenient junction point for a group of separate circuits.
signal: The electric current, voltage, or waves constituting the tetrode: An electron tube or semiconductor device containing
inputs and outputs of electric or electronic circuits or devices. A four active electrodes.
signal may be the electric energy carrying information or may be
thermionic: A term describing electron emission caused by
the information itself.
heat.
signal generator: A test unit designed to produce reference thermocouple: A junction of two dissimilar metals which gen-
electric signals which may be applied to electronic circuits for erates a small current when exposed to heat.
testing purposes.
three-phase system: An ac electric system consisting of three
sine curve or wave: A graphical representation of a wave pro-
conductors, each cartying a current 120" out of phase with each
portional in magnitude to the sine of its angular displacement;
other. Three-phase systems are used extensively in modem
hence, the sine wave is most useful in representing ac values.
electric and electronic actuating systems.
skin effect: The tendency of HF alternating currents to flow in thyratron tube: A triode tube into which a gas has been intro-
the outer portion of a conductor.
duced to change its operating characteristics. The control grid in
skip distance: The distance from a transmitter to the point a thyratron tube is used to start conduction when the correct po-
where the reflected sky wave first reaches the earth. tential difference exists between the cathode and plate. After the
sky wave: That portion of a radio wave which is reflected from tube starts to conduct, the control grid is n o longer effective, and
the ionosphere. the tube will continue to conduct even though the cathode-plate
slip rings: Conducting rings used with brushes to conduct voltage drops very low.
electric current to or from a rotating unit. thyristor: A four-layer (pnpn) semiconductor device with two,
solenoid: An electromagnetic device having a movable core. three, or four external terminals. Current flow through a thyris-
space charge: The electric charge carried by the cloud of tor may be controlled by one or more gates, by light, or by volt-
electrons in the space between electrodes of an electron tube. age applied between the two main terminals.
split-phase motor: An ac motor which utilizes an inductor or transconductance (GY): The ratio of a small change in plate
capacitor to shift the phase of the current in one of two field current to a small change in grid voltage. The formula is
windings. This causes the resultant field to have a rotational ef- G M= I,/E, (plate voltage constant).
fect. transformer: A device used to couple electric energy between
square mil (mil2): An area equivalent to a square having sides circuits by means of mutual inductance.
1 mil (0.001 in) in length. transistor: A semiconductor device, usually made of a ger-
square wave: An electric wave having a square shape. manium or silicon crystal, used to rectify or amplify an electric
signal.
standing waves: Stationary waves occurring on an antenna or
transmission line: A conductor for radio waves, usually used
transmission line as a result of two waves, identical in amplitude
to conduct RF energy from the output of a transmitter to the an-
and frequency, traveling in opposite directions along the con-
tenna.
ductor.
transmitter: An electronic system designed to produce modu-
stator: The stationary winding of a rotating ac machine. lated RF camer waves to be radiated by the antenna; also, elec-
substrate: The semiconductor material upon which diffused tric devices used to collect quantitative information at one point
and epitaxially deposited regions are formed to construct and send it to a remote indicator electrically.
diodes, transistors and similar devices. triac: A thyristor that provides bilateral operation. It is equiva-
superheterodyne: A radio receiver using the heterodyne prin- lent to two silicon-controlled rectifiers in inverse parallel connec-
ciple to produce an intermediate frequency (IF). tion. It is described as a bidirectional triode thyristor and is
suppressor grid: A grid placed between the screen grid and controlled by a gate circuit.
the plate in an electron tube to cause secondary electrons to re- trigger pulse: An electric pulse applied to certain electronic
turn to the plate. circuit elements to start an operation.

352
 trimmer capacitor: A low-capacity, adjustable capacitor con- video: A term describing electronic circuit components con-
nected in parallel with a large capacitor to provide fine tuning trolling or producing the visual signals displayed on a CRT.
adjustments. volt: The unit of emf or voltage.
triode: An electron tube or semiconductor device with three volt-amperes: The product of the voltage and current in a cir-
active electrodes. cuit.
tuned radio frequency (TRF)receiver: A radio receiver in voltage divider: A resistance arranged with connections (taps)
which tuning and amplification are accomplished in the RF sec- to provide for the removal of voltages of any desired level. A po-
tion before the signal reaches the detector. After the detector tentiometer is often used as a variable voltage divider.
one or more stages of AF amplification are employed to increase
voltage regulator: A circuit which maintains a constant level
the output sufficiently to operate a loudspeaker.
voltage supply despite changes in input voltage or load.
tungar rectifier: A high-capacity diode rectifier tube having a voltmeter: A voltage-measuring instrument.
heated cathode and a graphite plate in an envelope filled with
argon gas. volume control: The circuit in a receiver or amplifier which
varies loudness.
tuning: The process of adjusting circuits to resonance at a par-
ticular fiequency. watt (W): The unit of electric power. In a dc circuit, power (in
watts) = volts x amperes, or P ( W ) = El.
turn-and-bank indicator: A gyro-operated instrument de-
signed to show the pilot of an airplane the rate of turn. It also has watthour (Wh): The commercial unit of electric energy; watt-
a curved tube containing a ball to show whether the airplane is hours = watts x hours.
correctly banked. wattmeter: An instrument designed to measure electric
ultrahigh frequency (UHF): Radio frequencies between 300 power.
and 3000 MHz. waveguide: A hollow metal tube designed to carry electro-
vacuum tube: An electron tube with an evacuated envelope. magnetic energy at extremely high frequencies.
vacuum-tube voltmeter (VTVM): An electronic voltage-mea- waveIength (A): The distance between points of identical
suring instrument used for electronic circuit testing. Its ve y high phase in a radio wave. The formula for wavelength is A
input impedance prevents it from drawing appreciable power (lambda) = 300 000 000/f where h is wavelength in meters,
from the circuit being tested. and f is frequency in hertz.
variable-mu ( p ) tube: An electron tube having a control grid Weston meter movement: A moving-coil instrument move-
in which the grid wires are spaced less closely at the center than ment.
at the ends. This causes the amplification factor to change as Wheatstone bridge: A bridge circuit consisting of three
gnd bias is changed. Also called a remote-cutoff tube. known resistances, one unknown resistance, and a galvanome-
vector: A quantity having both magnitude and direction. ter. The indication shown by the galvanometer is used to deter-
mine the value of the unknown resistance.
velocity: A measure of speed with direction.
yaw: Rotation of an airplane or missile about its vertical axis;
very high frequency (VHF): The frequency range between 30
turning to the right or left.
and 300 MHz.
zener diode: A diode rectifier designed to prevent the flow of
very low frequency (VLF): The frequency range between 3
current in a reverse direction until the voltage in that direction
and 30 kHz.
reaches a predetermined value. At this time the diode permits a
VHF omnirange (VOR): An electronic air navigation system reverse current to flow.
which provides accurate direction information in relation to a
certain ground station.