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1.2 Glossary of Terms
Alternating Current (AC) - Current that reverses direction on a regular basis (usually 60 times per second in the United
States). Measured in amps.
AC Power Source - An instrument that takes one AC voltage and frequency level and converts it into another AC
voltage and frequency level.
Amplier - A circuit that boosts an input signal from one level to another.
Apparent Power - The total power generated or consumed by a device due to real and reactive circuit components.
Measured in VA (volt-amps).
Crest Factor - The ratio of peak current (Apeak) to RMS current (Arms).
Complex Power – the vector sum of the real and reactive power components of a circuit. Measured in VA (volt-amps).
Direct Current (DC) - Current that only ows in one direction. Direct current comes from a polarized source, meaning
one terminal is always at a higher potential than the other. Measured in amps.
Frequency - The number of times a waveform completes a cycle in a period of time. Measured in hertz.
Inrush Current - A term used to describe the current needed to power a load upon start-up. Some loads require a large/
inrush starting current in order to operate.
Linear Power Source – a power source that linearly amplies the input signal using transistors to increase the voltage,
current, and power output of the system.
OC Fold - Over current fold back is a technology used in power sources that keeps output current constant by reducing
the voltage in order to power loads that may have a high inrush current.
Phase Angle – The degree of measurement that corresponds to an AC waveform’s amplitude. Measured from 0 – 360
degrees.
PLC - Programmable Logic Control is an automation method using relay or digital technology.
Power - A generic term used to describe electrical work being done. There are many types of power, including real
power, reactive power, apparent power, and complex power.
Power factor - The ratio of real power (watts) to apparent power (VA). Based on a scale from 0 to 1 to determine how
reactive and resistive a load is.
Reactive Power – The power absorbed by capacitive or inductive elements in a circuit. This power does no work.
Measured in VAR (volt-amps reactive).
Real Power – The power that performs work in a circuit. Measured in watts.
Response Time - The time that is needed to regulate the voltage, current, frequency, and power output when a load is
added to the power source.
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