Glossary of Terms

AJAX progress indicator
Search:
(clear)
  • Panel Seal:Sealed against the panel by way of o-ring or sealing washer preventing the ingress of dirt, dust or moisture based on the IP rating stated.
  • Passive Components:Components which have no gain characteristics, such as capacitors and resistors.
  • PCB:Printed circuit board.
  • Pitch:The spacing between centers of adjacent leads/terminals.
  • Pole:The number of completely separate circuits that can pass through the switch at one time.
  • Pretravel:Distance the switch button or toggle travels from the free position until it reaches the operating point.
  • Push-On / Push-Off:See Alternate Action.
  • QPL (Qualified Products List):A government report that lists which companies are approved to make a particular product for military use.
  • Quick-Connect Terminal:Flat tab or blade style terminals designed to accept push-on female wire connectors (instead of soldering). The most popular sizes are: 0.250”. 0.187”. 0.110” wide.
  • Rating:See contact rating
  • Release Force:The force that is applied to the button or toggle when the switch contacts return to their unoperated position.
  • Resistance (Electrical):Ability of the element, component, conductor or a system to obstruct current flow.
  • Resistance (Insulation):Resistance of electrical isolator between two electrodes, defined by Ohms Law as result of division of the applied voltage and measured current. Not to be confused with dielectric strength.
  • Resistive Load:An electrical load in which the current instantly rises to its steady state when applied and instantly drops to zero when discontinued.
  • Resistivity (Specific Resistance):Property of material that impedes electrical current when a sample of specified unit dimensions is considered.