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Resistor Terminology
Adjustable Resistor: A resistor so constructed
that its resistance can be readily changed.*
Alternating Current: A periodic current the
average value of which over a period is zero.
The equation for alternating current is the same
as that for a periodic current except that I0=O*
Ambient Temperature: The temperature of
the surrounding coiling medium, such as gas
or liquid, which comes into contact with heated
parts of the apparatus.*
Ampere: The unit of constant current which,
maintained in two parallel rectilinear conduc-
tors of infinite length separated by a distance of
one meter, produces between these conductors
a force equal to 2x10-7 mks (meter-kilogram-
second) units of force per meter of length.
Armature Resistor: A resistor connected in
series with the armature of a motor either to
limit the inrush current on starting, the gradual
short circuiting of which brings the motor to
normal speed, or to regulate the speed by
armature-voltage control.
Axiohm†: Centohm® Coated axial terminal
wirewound resistor.
Bracket Terminal Resistor: A resistor
equipped with slotted metal end j brackets that
serve as a means of mounting and connecting
to the resistor.
Capacitance: That property of a system of
conductors and dielectrics which permits the
storage of electricity when potential differ-
ences exist between the conductors. Its value is
expressed as the ratio of a quantity of electricity
to a potential difference. A capacitance value is
always positive.*
Capacitor: A device, the primary purpose of
which is to introduce capacitance into an elec-
tric circuit. Capacitors are usually classified,
according to their dielectrics, as air capacitors,
mica capacitors, paper capacitors, etc.*
Clearance: The shortest distance through
space between two live parts, between live
parts and supports or other objects, or between
any live part and grounded part.
Conduction: The transmission of heat or elec-
tricity through, or by means of, a conductor.
Conductor: A body so constructed from con-
ducting material that it may be used as a carrier
of electric current.*
Continuous Duty: A requirement of service
that demands operation at a substantially con-
stant load for un indefinitely long time.*
Continuous-Duty Resistor: A resistor that is
capable of carrying continuously the current
for which it is designed without exceeding the
specified temperature rise.
Continuous Rating: Continuous rating is the
rating that defines the load which can be car-
ried for an indefinitely long time.*
Convection: Convection is the motion resulting
in a fluid owing to differences of density and the
action of gravity.
Corrib®†: A tubular resistor consisting of an
alloy resistance ribbon, crimped and edge-
wound on a ceramic core, the ribbon being
securely and permanently fastened to the core
by vitreous enamel or cement.
Creepage Distance: The shortest distance
between conductors of opposite polarity or
between a live part and ground as measured
over the surface of the supporting material.
Current-limiting Resistor: A resistor inserted
into an electric circuit to limit the flow of current
to some predetermined value. Note: A current-
limiting resistor, usually in series with a fuse or
circuit breaker, may be employed to limit the
flow of circuit or system energy at the time of a
fault or short-circuit.*
Dielectric Strength: The dielectric strength of
an insulating material is the maximum potential
gradient that the material can withstand without
rupture.* It is usually specified in volts per unit
thickness.
Dielectric Test: A test which consists of the
application of a voltage higher than the rated
voltage for a specified time for the purpose of
determining the adequacy against breakdown
of insulating materials and spacings under nor-
mal conditions.*
Direct Current: A unidirectional current in
which the changes in value are either zero or
so small that they may be neglected. A given
current would be considered a direct current in
some applications, but would not necessarily
be so considered in other applications.*
Dividohm®†: A resistor with a bare side and
clamp for adjustment.
Edgeohm†: A high-current resistor made of an
alloy resistance ribbon wound on edge form-
ing an oval-shaped coil supported by grooved
insulators which space adjacent turns and
insulate them from the support bars. Support
bars are secured to steel end pieces forming
a sturdy resistor suitable for continuous-and-
intermittent-duty applications.
EIA: Electronic Industries Alliance.
Electromotive Force: The electromotive force
is the agency causing the flow of current in
a circuit. It is the electrical pressure (or drop)
measured in volts.
Farad: The unit of capacitance of an electric
condenser in which a charge of one coulomb
produces a difference of potential of one volt
between the poles of the capacitor.
Ferrule Resistor: A resistor supplied with fer-
rule terminals for mounting in standard fuse
clips.
Field Discharge Switch: A switch usually of
the knife blade type having auxiliary contacts
for connecting the field of a generator or motor
across a resistor (field discharge) at the instant
preceding the opening of the switch.
Fixed Resistor: A resistor designed to intro-
duce only one set amount of resistance into an
electrical circuit.
Henry: The unit of inductance of a closed cir-
cuit in which an electromotive force of one volt
is produced when the electric current traversing
the circuit varies uniformly at the rate of one
ampere per second.
Hot Spot: The point or location of maximum
temperature on the external surface of a resis-
tor.
Inductance: The (scalar) property of an elec-
tric circuit or of two neighboring circuits which
determines the electromotive force induced in
one of the circuits by a change of current in
either of them.*
Impedance: The apparent resistance of an
AC circuit, being the combination of both the
resistance and reactance. It is equal to the ratio
of the value of the EMF between the terminals
to the current, there being no source of power
in the portion under consideration. The unit
of impedance is the ohm and is represented
by Z.
Intermittent Duty: A requirement of service
that demands operation for alternate intervals
of (1) load and no-load; or (2) load and rest; or
(3) load, no-load and rest; such alternate inter-
vals being definitely specified.*
Intermittent-Duty Resistor: A resistor capable
of carrying for a short period of time the high
overload current for which it is designed without
exceeding the specified temperature rise.
Machine-Duty Resistor: A resistor for use in
the armature or rotor circuit of a motor in which
the armature current is almost constant.
Mega Ohm: A unit of resistance equal to one
million ohms.
MIL Resistor: A resistor built in accordance
with Joint Army-Navy specifications.
Multi-Section Resistor: A resistor having two
or more electrically independent sections.
NEC: The National Electrical Code is the stan-
dard of the National Board of Fire Underwriters
for electric wiring and apparatus as recom-
mended by the National Fire Protection
Association and approved by the American
Standards Association.
NEDA: National Electronic Distributors
Association.
NEMA: The National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, a non-profit trade association,
supported by the manufacturers of electrical
apparatus and supplies. NEMA is engaged
in standardization to facilitate understanding
between the manufacturers and users of elec-
trical products.
Nominal Diameter: As applied to tubular resis-
tors, this is the diameter of the ceramic tube
expressed in inches and/or fractions thereof.
Nominal Length: As applied to tubular resis-
tors, this is the length of the resistor base
or core expressed in inches and/or fractions
thereof.
Non-Inductive Resistor: A non-inductive
power resistor is one in which the inductance
and distributed capacitance are reduced to an
absolute minimum.
Ohm: A unit of resistance defined as the resis-
tance at 0°C of a column of mercury of uniform
cross-section having a length of 106.3 centime-
ters and a mass of 14.4 grams.
Ohmmeter: An instrument for measuring elec-
tric resistance that is provided with a scale
graduated in ohms.
Periodic Duty: A type of intermittent duty in
which the load conditions are regularly recur-
rent.*
Periodic Rating: The rating which defines
the load which can be carried for the alternate
periods of load and rest specified in the rating,
the apparatus starting cold and for the total time
specified in the rating without causing any of
the specified limitations to be exceeded.*
Power: The time rate of transferring or trans-
forming energy; the rate of doing work or
expending energy.
Power Resistor: A resistor capable of dissipat-
ing 5 watts or more.
Rating: A designated limit of operating char-
acteristics of a machine, apparatus or device,
based on definite conditions.