A

AC - Abbreviation for alternating current.

ACTIVE CIRCUIT - A circuit consisting of some active (semiconductor) elements.

ACTIVE SENSOR - A sensor in which the output is taken directly from the sensor.


ACTUATOR - A device which delivers motion in response to an electric signal.

ACTUATOR CABLE - In a speed control system, the cable responsible for transferring movement of the vacuum diaphragm in the servo to the throttle plates.

ADDRESS - A specific memory location. A microprocessor (or CPU) sends information to a specific address, or reads information from an address.

AC/DC WAVEFORMS:

ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) - Electrical flow that periodically reverses direction; two flows of current, from positive to negative, one in each direction, are called a "cycle." Abbreviation is AC.
ALTERNATOR - Belt-driven electrical generator on the engine that produces a flow of alternating current and converts it to direct current. The current produced by the alternator is stored in the battery and used to supply all electrical needs of the vehicle.

AMMETER - A device that measures the flow of electrical current in a circuit; readings are given in "amperes"

AMPERAGE - The amount of electrical current flowing in a circuit as read in amperes.

AMPERE - A unit measurement for the flow of electric current; 1 ampere flowing at 1 volt equals 1 watt of power.

AMPERE HOUR CAPACITY - A figure indicating the capacity of a storage battery in that it will provide a certain amount of amperes over a certain number of hours.

AMPLIFIER - (1) A circuit or device used to increase the voltage or current of a signal. (2) In a speed control system the solid state device that controls the operation of the system. Not used in IVSC system.

AMPLIFY - To build up the strength of a signal.

ANALOG - A continuously variable voltage signal.

ANALOG - DIGITAL CONVERTER (A/D CONVERTER) - A circuit within the signal processing section of the ECA that takes an analog and converts it to a digital signal to be used in the microprocessor.


ANALOG METER - A meter that uses a needle to point to a number on a scale of numbers, usually of the low impedance type.


AND GATE - A type of logic circuit that requires all inputs to be YES in order for the output to be YES.
ANTENNA ISOLATOR/AMPLIFIER - Device used on vehicles that utilize a combination antenna/rear window defroster. It amplifies radio signals from the rear defroster/antenna grid. It also provides power to the defroster grid.

ARCING - (1) Electrical spark jumping from one electrode to another, as in a spark plug. (2) The occurrence of undesired sparking between electrical conductors or between a conductor and ground when insulation is damaged or inadequate.

AUXILIARY WARNING MODULE - Module used on the Merkur Scorpio which controls the operation of the auxiliary warning system.