"A"
"B"
"C",
"D",
"E",
"F",
"G",
"H",
"I",
"J",
"K",
"L",
"M",
"N",
"O",
"P"
"Q",
"R",
"S",
"T",
"U",
"V",
"W",
"X",
"Y",
"Z"
"P" to Pd", "Pe" to "Pg",
"Ph" to "Pi",
"Pi" to "Pn",
"Po" to "Pot",
"Pow" to "Pq",
"Pr" to "Pz"
POINT-OF-LOAD. [POL] a term used to indicate that a voltage regulator [voltage source] is place near the load that requires the voltage. On a single Printed Wiring Board [PWB], Point-of-Load means that the regulator is placed right next to the components requiring the voltage [load], as opposed to having the voltage regulator separated on the other side of the PWB [as some design practices would indicate].
In a system the term Point-of-Load means the voltage regulation [generation] is done in the same system block, at the card level and not the IC level, it just depends on the prospective. In many cases the term Point-of-Load refers to the same thing as Point-of-Source [POS], as in the regulator is placed next to the source that requires it. Related; Manufacturers of Voltage Regulators.
POINT-CONTACT DIODE. A diode in which the end of a fine wire is pressed against a semiconductor.
Used as a detector or mixer over the microwave region. Manufacturers of Diodes.
POLAR RELAY. A dc relay in which the direction of
movement of the armature depends on the direction of the current flow. Manufacturers of Relays.
POLARITY. The condition in an electrical circuit by which the direction of the flow of current can be
determined. Usually applied to batteries and other direct voltage sources. Two opposite charges, one
positive and one negative. A quality of having two opposite magnetic poles, one north and the other
south.
POLE. The number of points at which current can enter a switch; for example, single pole, double pole,
and three pole. The sections of a field magnet where the flux lines are concentrated; also where
they enter and leave the magnet.
POLE PIECE. A piece of ferromagnetic material used to control the distribution of magnetic lines of
force; that is, it concentrates the lines of force in a particular place or evenly distributes the lines of
force over a wide area. The shaped magnetic material upon which the stator windings of motors
and generators are mounted or wound.
POLYPHASE. A term that describes systems or units of a system that are activated by or which generate
separate out-of-phase voltages. Typical polyphase systems are 2-phase and 3-phase; their voltages are
90- and 120-degrees out of phase, respectively. This term means the same as MULTIPHASE.
3-Phase Sine-wave
PORT. A connection point to an interface bus. A connector on a computer that receives an interconnecting cable from a peripheral device.
POSITION SENSOR. A component in a servosystem that measures position and converts the measurement into a form convenient for transmission as a feedback signal. [Sensor Manufacturers].
POSITION SERVOSYSTEM. A servo-system whose end function is to control the position of the load it is driving.
POSITIVE CLAMPER. A circuit that clamps the lower extremity of the output waveshape to a dc potential of 0 volts.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK. Feedback in which the feedback signal is in phase with the input signal. Also called REGENERATIVE FEEDBACK.
POSITIVE LOGIC. The form of logic in which the more positive logic level represents 1 and the more negative level represents 0. The opposite of Negative true logic.
POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT. [PTC] The characteristic of a conductor in which the resistance increases as temperature increases.
POTENTIAL ENERGY. Energy caused by the position of one body with respect to another body or to the relative parts of the same body.
Potentiometer
POTENTIOMETER. A variable resistor, used as a volume control or a position sensor in servo-systems, having a terminal connected to each end of a resistive element and a third terminal connected to a wiper contact. The output is a voltage that is variable depending upon the position of the wiper contact. The potentiometer is commonly referred to as a variable voltage divider. It, in effect, converts mechanical information into an electrical signal. Potentiometer Manufacturers
POTS. Plain Old Telephone Service. An acronym used to describe normal residential phone service.
Next Dictionary page "P" Terms.
