Capacitance:The ratio of the electric charge
transferred from one to the other of a pair of
conductors to the resulting potential differ-
ence between them.
Capacitor:An electronic component used for
storing charge and energy. The usual capacitor
is a pair of parallel plates separated by a small
distance. When a steady voltage is applied
across a capacitor, a charge +Q is stored on
one plate while –Q is stored on the opposite
plate. The amount of charge is determined by
the capacitance (C) and the voltage difference
(V) applied across the capacitor: Q = CV.
Since the charge cannot change instanta-
neously, the voltage across a capacitor cannot
change instantaneously either. Thus capacitors
can be used to guard against sudden losses of
voltage in circuits, among other uses.
Cathode:The positive electrode in a galvanic
cell. The negative terminal in an electrolytic cell.
Cathodic protection:Protects a boat against gal-
vanic corrosion through the use of zinc anodes.
Coaxial (coax) cable:A cable consisting of
four components: (1) a center conductor
made of either solid copper wire or stranded
copper (commonly used in marine applica-
tions; (2) a dielectric material or insulator sur-
rounding the center conductor; (3) a second
conductor, which is a sheath or shield made of
either braided copper or a foil; and (4) an
outer jacket that protects the cable from the
environment and provides some flame retarda-
tion. Coax is used primarily for transmission
of high-frequency signals.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):Rules
and regulations established by the federal
government, covering a broad range of govern-
mental branches (e.g., the U.S. Coast Guard)
and topics, including the installation of boat sys-
tems (Titles 33 and 46). The regulations apply
to both recreational and commercial boats.
Cold cranking amps (CCA):One of several
battery ratings. The number of amps that a
new, fully charged battery at 0°F (–17.8°C)
can deliver for 30 seconds and still maintain a
voltage of 1.2 or more volts per cell.
Compass deviation:Compass error induced
by magnetic interference (such as produced by
an electrical current). The amount of error will
vary proportionally based on the strength of
the interfering magnetic field.
Conductance:A measure of the ability of a
battery to carry current. When a difference of
electrical potential is placed across a conduc-
tor, its movable charges flow, and an electric
current (amperes) appears. Conductance is the
inverse of impedance.
Controller area network (CAN):A serial bus
network of microcontrollers that connects
devices, sensors, and actuators in a system or
subsystem for real-time control applications.
There is no addressing scheme used, as in the
sense of conventional addressing in networks
(such as Ethernet). Rather, messages are
broadcast to all the nodes in the network using
an identifier unique to the network. Based on
the identifier, the individual nodes decide
whether or not to process the message and also
determine the priority of the message in terms
of competition for bus access. This method
allows for uninterrupted transmission when a
collision is detected, unlike Ethernets that will
stop transmission upon collision detection.
Controller area networks can be used as an
embedded communication system for micro-
controllers as well as an open communication
system for intelligent devices.
Counterpoise:A conductor or system of con-
ductors used as a substitute for earth or
ground in an antenna system.
Delta-to-Wye transformer:A transformer in
which the primary windings are in a Delta
configuration and the secondary windings are
in a Wye.
Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN):
The German national standards institution.glossary 205