Glossary...................................................................
Glossary...................................................................
E
lectronics has its own jargon, just like every other discipline. Some of
these terms have to do with electricity itself, such as voltageor electron.
Other terms are the names of various components or tools that you work with.Use this handy glossary if you run into an unfamiliar word or phrase.60/40 rosin core:Solder used in working with electronics that contains 60
percent tin and 40 percent lead (within a few percentage points) with a core
of rosin flux.alternating current (AC):Current in which there is a change in the direction
in which electrons flow. See alsodirect current (DC).amplitude: How much voltage is in an electrical signal.anode: Positive terminal of a diode. See alsocathode.auto-ranging: A feature that some multimeters offer that automatically sets a
test range. See alsomultimeter.AWG (American Wire Gauge):Seewire gauge.bandwidth: With an oscilloscope, the highest frequency signal that you can
test with any reliability, measured in megahertz (MHz).battery: A power source that uses electrochemical reaction to create a posi-
tive voltage at one terminal and a negative voltage at another. Two different
types of metal are placed in a type of chemical to produce the power.biasing:Applying a small amount of voltage to the base of a transistor. This
partially turns on the transistor.bipolar: A common IC type. See alsointegrated circuit.breadboard: Also referred to as a prototyping boardor solderless breadboard.
Plastic boards in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes that have columns of
holes. A line of metal connects these holes electrically. By plugging compo-
nents into these holes and connecting them with wire, you can build a circuit.
See alsosoldered breadboard.26_009683 gl.qxp 6/22/06 9:38 PM Page 381