Saturation: Saturation occurs when the magnetic core of a transformer or inductor becomes “full” of magnetic flux, either from the direct current or alternating current (AC) it is conducting. As the magnetic flux increases, the inductance of the component decreases, and the transformer or inductor can no longer efficiently convert electrical energy into magnetic flux.
Shielded Channel: Shielded channels are specific paths used to conduct electrical current from the source to the load. These paths have physical shielding from outside influences, reducing the amount of interference that can travel along the wire.
Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR): An SCR is an electronic device which acts as a switch. It is composed of four layers of silicon and can be used to switch large currents (many amperes) up to 800 volts.
Snubber: A snubber is a resistive-capacitive (RC) network placed across the terminals of a switch. It is used to reduce noise and ringing in the switch’s control circuit. The snubber also helps to protect the switch from damage due to surge voltages.
Soft Starter: A soft starter is a variable speed motor control that is used to reduce mechanical stress on the motor and load. Soft starters limit the amount of current and voltage that is supplied to the motor when it is initially energized.
Square Wave Oscillator: A square wave oscillator is an electronic circuit which produces regular square waves with an adjustable frequency and amplitude. These signals can then be used in a variety of applications such as digital clocks, logic circuits, power supplies, or sound reproduction.
Supercapacitor: A supercapacitor is an electrical component which is used to store enormous amounts of energy. These components are ideal for applications which require both high power and high energy, such as in electric vehicles.
Surge Suppressor: A surge suppressor is a device used to protect electrical and electronic components from hard transients. These transients are sudden, substantial increases in voltage that travel through the power lines and can cause damage to sensitive components.
Surface-mount Technology (SMT): SMT is a method of electronic assembly in which components, such as resistors or capacitors, are mounted directly onto the printed circuit board (PCB) without the use of leads or pins. This technology allows for the creation of densely packed circuits with a minimal number of components.
Terminals: Terminals are the points at which electrical connections are made. Common terminal types include screw terminals, terminal blocks, and binding posts.
Transformer: A transformer is an electrical component which converts AC voltage from one level to another. The most common type of transformer is the step-down transformer, which reduces high AC voltages to lower AC voltages.
Transmission Line: A transmission line is a physical cable or other medium which is used to transmit electrical energy from one point to another. Typical transmission lines include wires, cables, and fiber optics.
Thyristor: A thyristor is an electronic component which acts like a switch. It is composed of four layers of silicon and is used to control large amounts of current up to 10,000 volts.
Vector Analysis: Vector analysis is a mathematical technique which is used to determine the electrical and magnetic effects of electric or electromagnetic fields. This technique is used to model and analyze the behavior of electrical circuits and systems.
Voltage Regulator: A voltage regulator is an electrical component which is used to regulate the voltage of an electrical system. It is often used to ensure that downstream components have a consistent power source.
Voltage Divider: A voltage divider is an electrical component which is used to divide the input voltage into two or more components. These components can then be used to power other components in a circuit, such as transistors.
Wire Stripper: A wire stripper is a tool which is used to remove the insulation from the ends of wires. The most common type of wire stripper is a pliers-like device which has an adjustable blade which can cut through the insulation.
Zener Diode: A Zener diode is an electronic component which is used to regulate voltage in a circuit. It works by using a reverse biased diode to control the current flow, which in turn regulates the voltage. The Zener diode is the most common type of voltage regulator used in electronic circuits.
