Electronic Engineering Glossary Terms

Front-to-Back Ratio. The ratio of the energy radiated in the principal direction compared to the energy radiated in the opposite direction.

Fuel Cell. A fuel cell converts energy generated by chemical reaction into electrical energy. Its function is similar to a battery, except that the chemicals generally are supplied from outside the cell.

Full Adder. An adder that accepts input digits to be added as well as any carry inputs from a previous stage and outputs their sum and a carry bit. Refer to a 4-bit Full Adder Schematic.

Full-Duplex Circuit. A circuit that permits simultaneous transmission in both directions [transmit and Receive]. A number of interface buses use a Full-Duplex Circuits, Communication over Gigabit Ethernet is one example.

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier. A Full-Wave Rectifier circuits that uses a 4-diode bridge as the rectifier circuit. Read more on Types of Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier Circuits.

Full-Wave Rectifier. A circuit that uses both positive and negative alternations in an alternating current to produce direct current. There are two general circuit configurations; A two diode circuit that requires a center tapped transformer and a four diode approach that does not require a center tapped transformer. [Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit Schematic]

Full-Wave Rectifier Circuit

Full-Wave Voltage Doubler. Consists of two half-wave voltage rectifiers and is used to reduce the output ripple amplitude. Read more on Voltage Multiplier Circuits.

Function. A specific purpose of an entity; its characteristic action.

Function Generator. A component or piece of equipment that acts as a signal generator but also outputs a number of different Periodic Waveforms and over a range of frequencies.

Fundamental. Of a periodic wave, the sinusoidal component, i.e., Fourier component, having the lowest frequency.

Fundamental Frequency. The basic frequency or first harmonic frequency. The lowest frequency component present in a complex waveform.

Fundamental Mode. The lowest order mode of a waveguide.

Fungus-inert material. A material which, in all modified states and grades, is not a nutrient to fungi.

Fuse. A device that has as its critical component a metal wire or strip that will melt when heated by a prescribed (design) amperage, creating an open in the circuit of which it is a part, thereby protecting the circuit from an over current condition. Note on operating AC Fuses in DC circuits; Maximum Fuse Voltage. Also see Fuse Manufacturers. A component designed for protection against the flow of current in a circuit exceeding specified values by utilizing the low melting point of a fusible element to open the circuit. A short length of fusible wire used to protect a circuit.

Fuse Cartridge. A fuse in which the element is inclosed in a cylindrical body.

Fused-Alloy Junction. See Alloyed Junction.

Fuse Holder. A device used to hold a fuse. The shape of the fuse holder used is determined by the style of fuse being used. Two common style of fuse holders include Block Fuse Holders, and Panel Mount Fuse Holders. Refer here for Manufacturers of Fuse Holders.

Fuse Lamp. An incandescent light contained within a standard size ribbon fuse, using standard fuse clips.

Fuse Link. The current carrying portion of a fuse that melts during an over-load. An item which forms the replaceable fusible element of an electrical fuse and is prefabricated to a specific size and rating.

Fuse Wire. A thin filament or ribbon of metal, designed to be part of a fuse or to act as a fuse to carry the current of a circuit and which all, or part of which, melts when the current exceeds a predetermined value for which it is rated.

Fusible Link. A wire or programming element used in a PROM which melts away when a programming pulse is applied. A fusible link in a PROM could be made of a number of compounds, a few possible elements include; thin film nichrome resistors, tungsten, titanium tungsten, or zapped vertical emitter links. Also refer to Terms used with Programmable Logic, or companies making PROM IC products.

Fusible Wire. A wire that has a low melting point.

Fusing Current. The point at which wire melts, due to high current. Read more from the AWG Fusing Current Table.

Futurebus. IEEE-896. Futurebus is a back-plane bus standard that defines both the Physical and Electrical layers for the interface. The follow-on specification was called Futurebus+, which was an upgrade.