Electrical engineering is an increasingly important field that impacts many different industries and areas of life. It also offers a wide range of career opportunities, from designing the electronics that power elevators to creating more efficient distribution systems for power plants. But breaking into the field of electrical engineering begins with having a firm grasp of common terminology used in this industry.
AC/DC Converter: An electrical circuit capable of transforming an alternating current (AC) into a direct current (DC)
Alternating Current (AC): An electric current capable of periodically reversing its direction. AC is often used in the power supply systems found in homes, businesses, and industrial settings because it is a more efficient means of transmitting electricity over long distances.
Analog Signal: A continuous signal that varies over time. It is capable of having any value within a given range.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): A type of circuit that is capable of converting analog signals into digital, computer-readable signals
Amplifier: A device that is capable of increasing the power of a signal. An amplified is commonly used in audio and communication systems.
Apparent Power (AP): The combination of real power and reactive power. It represents the total power supplied by a source to a circuit, including both the power used to perform work (real power) and the power stored and released by the circuit’s reactive components (reactive power). Apparent power is important because it represents the total capacity that must be provided by power sources, transformers, and distribution equipment.
Asynchronous Converter: A power converter that uses a one-way diode to control the flow of electricity in one direction
Bit: The basic unit of information in computing and digital communications, representing a binary value of either 0 or 1. When an analog-to-digital converter switches an analog signal to a digital number, it expresses this number in binary form using a sequence of bits.
Brushed DC Motor: A type of motor that uses brushes to make a spinning magnet change direction, which causes the motor shaft to turn
Capacitor: A device that is capable of storing electrical energy in an electric field, used to smooth electrical signals and provide power during brief outages
CCM/DCM Multi-Mode Control: A control technique used to keep input current smooth and efficient, reducing electrical noise and improving efficiency
Circuit Breaker: A protection circuit that is tripped, opening the circuit, when high current flows through it or a short circuit is created. Circuit breakers are essential for maintaining the safety, protection, and reliability of electrical systems.
Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM): A mode in which the current in an inductor stays above zero, supplying devices and systems with a medium to high demand for power
Controller: An electronic circuit that functions to control the switching devices of a power converter
Coupled Inductor: A device with two coils in which the current in one coil induces voltage in the other
Current: The flow of an electric charge. A current is measured in amperes (A).
Current Limit Threshold: The maximum current that can be used without damaging the converter
Diode: An electrical component that allows electrical current to flow only in one direction
Digital Signal: A signal that has discrete levels or values, often represented as binary data (0s and 1s)
Direct Current (DC): An electric current that flows consistently in one direction at a steady voltage level. It is commonly used in batteries, electronic devices, and some industrial applications.
Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM): A mode in which the inductor current drops to zero before the next cycle
Driver: A circuit or component designed specifically to control the voltage of another component
Dual-Phase Controller: A converter that uses two controllers working together to reduce ripple currents in the input and output
Electric Motor: A device capable of transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy
Electrical Isolation: When DC and unwanted AC are prevented from passing through a power converter, often using a transformer or a coupled inductor, in order to protect against high voltage
Feedback: A process in which a portion of the output signal of a system is returned to the input
Foldback Current Limit: A circuit that reduces the current when there’s an overload to protect the system
Forward Converter: A switching power supply that can create a DC output voltage different from the DC input voltage and provide electrical isolation
Frequency: The number of times a periodic signal repeats per second, measured in hertz (Hz)
Galvanic Isolation: An electrical isolation method used in systems to create different voltage levels
Henry (H): A measurable unit of induction
Hertz (Hz): A standard unit of frequency measurement, with 1 Hz equal to one cycle per second
High-Voltage DC/DC: A converter powered by high-voltage DC, usually above 400 V
Inductor: A passive component capable of storing energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it
Integrated Circuit (IC): A set of electronic circuits on a small chip of semiconductor material, used in electronic equipment
Inverter: An electrical circuit used to get an AC output from a DC voltage supply
Latency: In rotary angle sensors, latency is the time delay between when the sensor detects a position and when it reports that position
LED Driver: A electrical circuit that provides the power necessary for an LED or array of LEDs to operate safely and consistently
Linear Regulator: A device that keeps the output voltage steady using a transistor that adjusts smoothly, rather than switching on and off
Magnetic Encoder: A device that uses sensors to detect the position of a magnet and then reports this position
Magnetic Field: An invisible area of force surrounding a magnet or a moving electrical charge
Magnetization (M): A measure of the magnetic strength within a material
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET): A widely used type of transistor used to amplify or switch electronic signals
Microcontroller: A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. It contains a processor, memory, and input/output peripherals.
Ohm’s Law: A fundamental principle stating that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points, expressed as V = IR
Oscillator: A circuit that generates a periodic waveform, like those commonly found in clocks, radios, and computers
Overload: A condition that happens when a motor draws a current higher than it’s rated for and starts to generate heat. Damage and failure can occur if a system is kept in a prolonged state of overload.
Permanent Magnet: An object that can generate its own magnetic field
Power: The rate at which electrical energy is transferred in a circuit, measured in watts (W)
Power Converter: A device that changes electrical energy from one form to another
Power Factor (PF): A measure of how effectively electrical power is used by a system. It is the ratio of real power (measured in watts, W) that is used to perform work to the apparent power (measured in volt-amperes, VA) that is supplied to the circuit. Improving the power factor is important because it increases the efficiency of the power system, reduces losses, and can lower electricity costs.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB): A board used to mechanically support and electrically connect multiple electronic components through conductive pathways
Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM): A technique in which the frequency is varied to control the power output
Real Power: The rate at which energy is transferred or converted into heat, light, motion, or other useful effects
Resistor: A component designed to resist the flow of electric current that’s used to control voltage and current in a circuit
Sensor: An electrical device that detects and responds to changes in the environment
Signal Processing: The analysis, interpretation, and manipulation of signals
Silicon Carbide (SiC): A material used in power semiconductors that can withstand higher voltages and operate faster than silicone
Single-Ended Primary-Inductor Converter (SEPIC): A type of DC/DC converter that can adjust the output voltage to be either higher or lower than the input voltage, keeping the output stable despite input changes
Volt-Amperes (VA): A unit of measurement for apparent power in an electrical circuit
Watts (W): A unit of measurement for real power, the actual power consumed or used by an electrical device to perform work
Additional Resources
- Why Pursue a Degree in Electronic Engineering?
- Why Should You Study Electrical Engineering?
- Electrical Engineering Skills and Electrical Engineer Requirements
- What Is Electrical Engineering?
- What Do Electrical Engineers Do?
- What Electrical and Electronics Engineers Do
- Electrical Engineering Defined
- Electrical Engineering
- Elevator Installation
- What Is a Circuit?
- Electronics Activity: Making LED Stickies
- How Circuits Work
- Circuits 101: Voltage, Current, Power, and Energy
- How to Build Circuits