Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

DC to AC Power Inverters

AGM: (Absorbent Glass Mat) A lead-acid battery that incorporates a sponge glass mat separator to immobilize the electrolyte. Because of the immobilized electrolyte, AGM batteries will not leak or spill.

Alternating Current: Pulsating electric energy in which the direction of the electron flow is rapidly changed, so the end terminal becomes in rapid succession electrically positive, then negative. Abbreviated AC.

Alternator: Alternating current generators (alternators) produce alternating current that is "rectified" (converted into direct current) before it can be used in an automobile.

Ampere: The unit of electrical current equal to the steady state current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm, abbreviated Amps.

Ampere Hour: A measure of the quantity of electricity, being one ampere for one hour. It is used to express battery capacity. It is obtained by multiplying the current in amperes by the length of time that the current is flowing, abbreviated AH.

Cell: (Storage) An electrolytic cell for generation of electric energy, in which the cell after discharge may be restored to a charged condition by an electric current flowing in a direction opposite to the flow of current when the cell discharges.

Charging: The procedure to convert the chemicals in a storage battery to their original conditions by passing an electrical current through the plates and electrolyte. Charging restores it to a usable charged condition.

Conditioning: An extended charge given to a storage battery to ensure complete restoration of active materials in all the plates of the cells.

Current: The time rate of flow of electricity, normally expressed as amperes, like the flow of a stream of water.

Cycle (Battery): A battery discharge followed by a complete recharge.

Deep Cycle Batteries: Batteries that are designed to withstand repetitive deep cycling and continue to provide their rated capacity even after hundreds of cycles.

Deep Discharge: Removal of up to 80% of the rated capacity of a cell or battery.

Direct Current: A one-direction electron flow. Abbreviated DC.

Discharge: Conversion of a battery's chemical energy into electrical energy.

DUI: Dimensions Unlimited Inc.

Electricity: The flow of electrons through conductive materials and devices.

Electrolyte: In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is sulfuric acid diluted with water. The approximate volume proportion of sulfuric acid to water in a fully charged liquid electrolyte battery is 25% sulfuric acid and 75% water (1.265 specific gravity). A lead-acid battery may have a liquid, gelled, or immobilized electrolyte. The electrolyte is a conductor that allows current flow between the plates.

Equalizing Charge: An extended charge given to a storage battery to ensure complete restoration of active materials in all the plates of the cells.

Float Charging: A recharge at a very low rate, accomplished by connection to a charging source whose voltage is slightly higher than the open circuit voltage of the battery.

Flooded: Describes a type of lead-acid battery filled with liquid electrolyte and vented to the atmosphere.

Fuse: A component of a circuit placed in series and designed to melt "open" at a specific level of current. Fuses protect wires from overheating.

Gassing: Bubbles from gases being released at one or more of the electrodes during electrolysis.

Gel Cell Battery: A lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is immobilized by adding a gelling agent. This battery has the advantage of being non-spillable. A gel cell battery is totally sealed, valve regulated, with no possible access to the cells.

Hydrometer: A device used to measure density or specific gravity of electrolyte solutions.

Lead-Acid Battery: A storage battery using lead (Pb) and lead peroxide (PbO₂) as the "active" materials and an electrolyte solution of water and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). A storage battery changes chemical energy into electricity.

Ohm: A unit of electrical resistance.

Ohm's Law: An equation that expresses the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in an electrical circuit. The equation can be expressed as follows: Volts (V) = Amps (I) X Ohms (R).

Ohmmeter: An instrument used to measure resistance in an electrical circuit.

Open Circuit Voltage: The voltage at a battery terminal when no appreciable current is flowing.

Polarity: The quality of an object characterized by two opposite charges, as in the positive and negative poles of a battery.

Pure sine wave: World’s standard waveform for the electrical utility grid. This waveform is the naturally occurring waveform that is emitted from a rotating electrical generator.

Quasi-sine wave: An electronically generated waveform that looks like a modified square waveform. It is also called a rectangular waveform.

Resistance: The opposition of a conductor to the passage of an electrical current, usually expressed in ohms.

Sine Wave: A representation of an alternating current cycle, generated by moving wires through a magnetic field.

Specific Gravity (Sp. Gr.): The specific gravity of battery electrolyte is the weight of the electrolyte compared to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water.

SPS: Standby power systems.

State of Charge: The amount of electrochemical energy left in a cell or battery.

Volt: The unit of measurement of electromotive force, being the force needed to send a current of one ampere through a conductor with a resistance of one ohm.

Voltmeter: The meter used to measure the amount of voltage in a circuit.

Watt: The unit of measurement for electrical power. The algebraic symbol is "W".

Waveform stabilizer: A circuit designed to absorb reflected power from a reactive load, such as motors.