Glossary - Sencore ReZolver LC103 Operation And Application Manual

GLOSSARY

Aging - operating a component or instrument at
controlled conditions for time and temperature to screen
out weak or defective units and, at the same time,
stabilize the good units.
Anode - the positive electrode of a capacitor or diode.
Capacitance - the measure of the size of a capacitor.
Usually expressed in microfarads and picofarads.
Determined by the size of the plates, and the dielectric
material.
Capacitive reactance - the opposition to the flow of a
pulsating DC voltage or AC voltage. Measured in ohms.
Capacitor - an electronic component consisting of two
metal plates separated by a dielectric. Can store and
release electrical energy, block the flow of DC current or
filter out or bypass AC currents.
Cathode - the negative electrode of a capacitor or diode.
Charge - the quantity of electrical energy stored or held
in a capacitor.
Clearing - the removal of a flaw or weak spot in the
dielectric of a metalized capacitor. The stored energy in
the capacitor vaporizes the material in the immediate
vicinity of the flaw. Also called self-healing or self-
clearing.
COG - same as NPO. Very small capacity change for
large temperature changes.
Coil - an inductor wound in a spiral or circular fashion.
Can be wound on a form or without a form such as an air
coil.
CV product - the capacitance of a capacitor multiplied
by its working voltage. Used when determining the
leakage allowable in electrolytic capacitors. The CV
product is also equal to the charge that a capacitor can
store at its maximum voltage.
Dielectric - the insulating or non-conducting material
between the plates of a capacitor where the electric
charge is stored. Typical dielectrics include air,
impregnated paper, plastic films, oil, mica, and ceramic.
Dielectric absorption - the measure of the inability of a
capacitor to completely discharge. The charge that
remains after a determined discharge time is expressed
in a percentage of the original charge. Also called
"Capacitor Memory" or "Battery Action".
Dielectric constant - the ratio of capacitance between a
capacitor having a dry air dielectric and the given
material. A figure for determining the efficiency of a
given dielectric material. The larger the dielectric
constant, the greater the capacity with a given size plate.
Disc capacitor - small single layer ceramic capacitor
consisting of disc of ceramic dielectric with silver
deposited on both sides as the plate. The ceramic
material can be of different compositions to give
different temperature curves to the capacitor.
Dissipation factor (DF) - the ratio of the effective series
resistance of a capacitor compared to its reactance at a
given frequency, generally given in percent.
Electrolyte - a current conducting liquid or solid
between the plates or electrodes of a capacitor with at
least one of the plates having an oxide or dielectric film.
Electrolytic capacitor (aluminum) - a capacitor
consisting of two conducting electrodes of pure
aluminum, the anode having an oxide film which acts as
the dielectric. The electrolyte separates the plates.
Equivalent series resistance (ESR) - All internal series
resistances of a capacitor are lumped into one resistor
and treated as one resistor at one point in the capacitor.
Farad - the measure or unit of capacity. Too large for
electronic use and is generally measured in microfarads
or picofarads.
Fissures - cracks in the ceramic dielectric material of
disc capacitor, most often caused by thermal shock.
Some small fissures may not cause failure for a period of
time until exposed to great thermal shock or mechanical
vibration for a period of time.
Fixed capacitor - a capacitor designed with a specific
value of capacitance that cannot be changed.
Gimmick - a capacitor formed by two wires or other
conducting materials twisted together or brought into
close proximity of each other.
GMV - Guaranteed Minimum Value. The smallest value
this ceramic capacitor will have. Its value could be much
higher.
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