Electronics For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Glossary

Here are many of the terms you’ll run into throughout your electronics life. Knowing these terms will help you become fluent in electronics-speak.

alkaline battery:

A type of nonrechargeable battery. See also battery.

alternating current (AC):

Current characterized by a change in direction of the flow of electrons. See also direct current (DC).

ampere:

The standard unit of electric current, commonly referred to as amps. One ampere is the strength of an electric current when 6.241 x 10¹⁸ electrically charged particles move past the same point within a second. See also current, I.

amplitude:

The magnitude of an electrical signal, such as voltage or current.

analog circuit:

A circuit that processes analog signals. See also digital circuit.

analog signal:

A varying voltage or current that constitutes a one-to-one mapping of a physical quantity, such as sound or displacement.

anode:

The terminal of a device into which conventional current (hypothetical positive charge) flows. In power-consuming devices, such as diodes, the anode is the positive terminal; in power-releasing devices, such as batteries, the anode is the negative terminal. See also cathode.

antistatic wrist strap:

A device used to prevent the buildup of static electricity on individuals working on sensitive electronic equipment.

autoranging:

A feature of some multimeters that automatically sets the test range.

AWG (American Wire Gauge):

See wire gauge.

battery:

A power source that uses an electrochemical reaction ...