MC
2
Power Systems User's Guide
Glossary
Glossary
AC – Alternating Current: An electric current that reverses direction in a circuit at regular intervals (found in a standard wall outlet)
ACC – Accessory
Ambient – Temperature around the circuit board
AMPS – Ampere: a unit of electric current
Circuit - A closed path followed or capable of being followed by an electric current
Com Port – Communications port for data
Cord Set – Power cord
Cycle – Complete discharge and recharge of power system
Cycle Life – Number of complete cycles a battery can perform before reaching the end of its use
DC – Direct current (such as from a battery)
Deep Discharge – Extreme depletion of energy available from a battery
Discharging - To cause the release of stored energy or electric charge from a battery
Exhaust – Opening for hot air to exit power system
Frequency - The number of repetitions per unit time of a complete waveform, as of an electric current
Fuse - A safety device that protects an electric circuit from excessive current
Hertz - A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second
Inrush – A sudden initial pull of power from the battery upon start-up
Intake Filter – Protective device for air inlet
Load - A device or the resistance of a device to which power is delivered
Low Battery – Critical state of discharge
Output – Energy produced by a system
Medical Grade – Standard fit for use in hospitals
Meter Display – Visual interface for power management software
Overload - An electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power
Peak - The highest value attained by a varying quantity: a peak in current
Polyfuse – Thermal re-settable fuse
Preventative Maintenance – Required regular care
Retrofit - To fit into or onto equipment already in existence or service
Suspend – Sedentary state
Timed Out – A state of inactivity between the battery and charger after a preset number of attempts at communication have been made
Torx - Has a grooved socket and receives a driver with a grooved shaft.
Unrecoverable Discharge – A drop in voltage beyond the point where the battery will recover in a timely manner
USB - An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals
November 2006
1110227 Revision 2
51
Glossary MC
2
Power Systems User's Guide
Voltage - The rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; expressed in volts
1110227 Revision 2
