Troubleshooting and Repairing Appliances--Glossary + Terminology

Glossary and Terminology

1. allen wrench - An “L”-shaped tool that is used to remove hex screws.
2. alternating current (ac) - Electrical current that flows in one direction, then re verses itself and flows in the opposite direction. In 60-cycle current, the direction of flow reverses every 120th second.
3. ambient temperature - Temperature of air that surrounds an object on all sides. ammeter A test instrument used to measure current.
4. ampere - The number of electrons passing a given point in one second. armature The section of a motor that turns.
5. automatic defrost timer - A device, connected in an electrical circuit, which shuts off the refrigeration cycle, and turns on the electric heaters to melt the ice off the evaporator coil.
6. bake element - Lower heating element in an oven, used for baking foods.
7. belt - A band of flexible material used to transfer mechanical power from one pulley to another pulley.
8. bimetal (strip or thermostat) - Two dissimilar metals joined together to form one unit with a differential expansion rating, and it will bend if there is a tempera- tare change.
9. bracket - A hardened structure used to support a component.
10. broil element - Upper heating element in an oven used for broiling foods. cabinet The outer wrapper of an appliance.
11. cam - A rotating surface with rises and falls that opens and closes the switches in a timer.
12. capacitor - A device that stores electricity, used to start and/or run circuits on many large electric motors.
13. capillary tube - A metering device used to control the flow of refrigerant in a sealed system. It usually consists of several feet of tubing with a small inside diameter.
14. Celsius - The metric system for measuring temperature. The intervals between the freezing point and the boiling point of water is divided into 100 degrees. This is also called the centigrade scale.
15. circuit - A path for electrical current to flow from the power source, to the point of use, and back to the power source.
16. circuit breaker - A safety device used to open a circuit if that circuit is overloaded. dosed (circuit) An electrical circuit in which electrons are flowing.
17. component - An individual mechanical or electrical part of an appliance.
18. compressor - An apparatus that is similar to a pump used to increase the pressure of refrigerant that is to be circulated within a closed system.
19. condenser coil - A component of the refrigeration system that transfers the heat that came from within a closed compartment to the outside surrounding area.
20. condenser fan - A fan motor and fan blades used to cool the condenser coil.
21. contact points - Two movable objects, or contacts, that come together to complete a circuit; or to separate and break a circuit. These contact points are usually made of silver.
22. continuity - The ability of a completed circuit to conduct electricity.
23. control - A device, either automatic or manual, that is used to start, stop, or regulate the flow of liquid, gas, or electricity.
24. current - The flow of electrons from a negative to a positive potential. cycle A series of events that repeat themselves in the same order.
25. defective - A component that does not function properly.
26. defrost cycle - That part of the refrigeration cycle in which the ice is melted off the evaporator coil.
27. defrost timer - A device used in an electrical circuit to turn off the refrigeration long enough to permit the ice to be melted off the evaporator coil.
28. diagnosis - The act of identifying the problem from its signs and symptoms.
29. direct current - Electric current that flows in one direction in a circuit.
30. end bell - The end plates that hold a motor together.
31. energize - To supply electrical current for operation of an electrical component.
32. evaporator coil - A component of the refrigeration system that removes the heat from within a closed compartment.
33. evaporator fan - A motor and fan blades used to circulate the cold air.
34. Fahrenheit - The standard system for measuring temperature. The freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point of water is 212 degrees.
35. fuse - A safety device used to open a circuit if that circuit is overloaded.
36. gasket - A flexible material used to seal components together; either air-tight or water-tight.
37. ground - A connection to earth or to another conducting body that transmits current to earth.
38. ground wire - An electrical wire that will safely conduct electricity from a structure to earth.
39. Hertz (Hz) - A unit of measurement for frequency. One hertz equals one cycle per second.
40. hot gas defrost - A defrosting system in which hot refrigerant from the condenser coil is directed to the evaporator coil, for a short period of time, to melt the ice from the evaporator coil.
41. housing - A metal or plastic casing that covers a component.
42. Idler pulley - A device that rests on or presses against a drive belt to maintain a specified tension on the drive belt.
43. Insulation - Substance used to retard or slow the flow of heat through a substance.
44. Insulator - A material that does not conduct electricity. It is used to isolate current carrying wires or components from other metal parts.
45. ladder diagram - A wiring schematic, where all of the components are stacked in the form of a ladder.
46. lead (wire) - A section of electrical wiring that is attached to a component.
47. lint - Fine pieces of cotton fiber that broke away from the garment.
48. module - A device that is self contained with a group of interconnecting parts designed to do a specific job.
49. nut driver - A tool used to remove or reinstall hexagonal-head screws or nuts.
50. Ohm - A unit of measurement for electrical resistance. ohmmeter A test instrument used for measuring resistance.
51. open (circuit) - A break in an electrical circuit that stops the flow of current.
52. overload protector - A device that is either temperature, pressure, or current operated, and is used to open a circuit to stop the operation of that circuit if dangerous conditions should arise.
53. parallel circuit - Components that are parallel-connected across one voltage source. All of the branches are supplied with the same amount of voltage.
54. pressure switch - A device that is operated by pressure, and turns a component on or off.
55. pulley - A wheel turned by, or driving, a belt.
56. refrigerant - A chemical substance, used in refrigeration and air conditioning, that produces a cooling effect.
57. relay - A magnetic switch which uses a small amount of current, in the control circuit, to operate a component needing a larger amount of current in the operating circuit. A remote switch.
58. relief valve - A safety device that is designed to open before dangerous pressure is reached.
59. resistance - The opposition to current flow. The load in an electrical circuit.
60. run winding - Electrical winding of a motor, which has current flowing through it during normal operation of motor.
61. safety thermostat - A thermostat that limits the temperature to a safe level.
62. schematic diagram - A line drawing which gives the electrical paths, layout of components, terminal identification, color codes of wiring (and sometimes the sequence of events) of an appliance.
63. series circuit - A circuit where all of the components are sequentially connected in the same line. If one component fails, all the components fail.
64. short circuit - An electrical condition where part of a circuit errantly touches an other part of a circuit, and causes part or all of the circuit to fail (and trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse).
65. solenoid - A cylindrical coil of insulated wire that establishes a magnetic field in the presence of current.
66. start winding - A winding in an electric motor used only during brief periods when the motor is starting.
67. surface element - Top cooking element on a range used for cooking foods.
68. switch - A device to turn current on or off in an electrical circuit.
69. temperature - A measure of heat energy, or the relative lack thereof.
70. terminal - A connecting point in a circuit to which a wire would be attached to connect a component.
71. test light - A light provided with test leads that is used to test electrical circuits.
72. thermometer - A device used to measure temperature.
73. thermostat - A device that senses temperature changes, and which usually operates a control relay.
74. thermostat, operating - A thermostat that controls the operating temperature of a component.
75. transformer - A device that raises or lowers the main ac supply voltage.
76. voltage - The difference in potential between two points; or the difference in static charges between two points.
77. voltmeter - A test instrument used to measure voltage.
78. VOM - A test instrument used to measure voltage, resistance, and amperage. A volt ohm-milli-ammeter.
79. watt - A unit to measure electrical power.
80. wattmeter - A test instrument used to measure electrical power.

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