electro-, electr-, electri-

(Greek > Latin: electric, electricity; from amber, resembling amber, generated from amber which when rubbed vigorously [as by friction], produced the effect of static electricity)

Electronics in our lives consists of numerous tools

Equipment which we use everyday relies on electronics to function including calculators, car controls, cameras, washing machines, medical scanners, mobile telephones, radar systems, computers; as well as many other applications or devices which are listed in this unit.

electrical rules check
Computer software which determines whether circuit connections shown on a schematic are logical.
electrical scanning, electronic scanning, electronic raster scanning
1. Scanning by electronic methods so that substantially uniform coverage of an area is provided by a predetermined pattern of scanning lines.
2. Scanning in which an electron beam, controlled by electric or magnetic fields, is swept over the area under examination, in contrast to mechanical or electromechanical scanning.
3. In telecommunications, the technique of scanning a surface to reproduce or to transmit a picture.
4. In facsimile, a method of scanning in which the motion of the scanning spot is completely controlled by electronic procedures.
electrical silence
In electroencephalography and electromyography, absence of measurable electrical activity in bodily tissue.
electrical steel
A low carbon-iron alloy containing 0.5-5% silicon which is produced in an electric-arc furnace and used primarily for the cores of transformers, alternators, and other iron-core electric machines.
electrical storm, electric storm
1. A popular name or term for a thunderstorm.
2. An infrequent disturbance of the electric field in the lower atmosphere caused by strong winds and the blowing of dust, but without thunderstorm activity.
3. Any meteorological disturbance in which the air is highly charged with electricity, occurring in fine weather, without clouds or rain, and often accompanied by dry, dusty winds.
4. A sudden change in the pattern of earth currents, causing interference with radio reception.
5. A meteorological condition marked by an intense electric field within a cloud or clouds.
electrical symbol
1. A simple geometrical symbol used to represent a component of a circuit in a schematic circuit diagram.
2. The electronic symbol is a pictogram that is used to represent the various electrical and electronic devices; such as, batteries, wires, resistors, and transistors as shown in a schematic diagram of an electrical or electronic circuit.
electrical system
1. A system of wiring, switches, relays, and other electrical equipment that is associated with receiving and distributing electricity.
2. All of the conductors and electricity that use devices which are connected to a source of electromotive force or generator.
3. The equipment in a motor vehicle that provides electricity to start the engine and to ignite the fuel, to operate the lights, the windshield wipers, the heater, the air conditioner, and the radio.
electrical tape, insulating tape
Tape that is impregnated with insulating material which is usually adhesive.

It is used to cover joints in insulated wires or cables.

electrical thermometer
1. A thermometer that uses a transducing element (a device that converts an input signal of one form into an output signal of a different form) whose element properties are a function of its thermal state.
2. A thermometer that uses thermoelectric current to measure temperature.
3. An instrument which utilizes an electrical means to measure temperature; such as, a thermocouple or resistance thermometer.
4. A thermometer indicating temperature variations by means of electrical current flowing through a circuit in which a galvanometer is inserted.

The sensitive element can be an electrical resistance whose value changes with temperature, or a thermocouple (formed by two soldered metals), which also generates specific quantities of current at different temperatures.

electrical thickness
1. The vertical distance between the surface of an ocean current and an isokinetic point (resistance to a movement at a constant speed) at which the current's speed is about 10% of its speed at the surface.
2. The vertical measure between the surface of an ocean current and an isokinetic point having a value of about one-tenth the surface speed.
electrical transcranial stimulation (s) (noun), electrical transcranial stimulations (pl)
The application of weak electrical currents to modulate the activity of neurons in the brain: Electrical transcranial simulations involve procedures that utilize small pulses of electric current across a patient's head in an attempt to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, or drug addiction.
electrical transcription (s) (noun),electrical transcriptions (pl)
1. A recording of a complete radio program, made especially for broadcast purposes.
2. A radio broadcast from a phonograph record or the phonograph record itself.
3. A radio program broadcast from a special phonograph record or tape recording or the recording itself.

When radio stations first started to record programs, they recorded on "electrical transcription disks".

electrical transient (s) (noun), electrical transients (pl)
Any voltage or current that deviates from the normal steady-state condition.
electrical weighing system
An instrument that weighs an object by measuring the change in resistance caused by the deformation of a mechanical element loaded with the object.
electrical zero
1. The equivalent of neither a positive nor a negative voltage exactly at ground level.
2. A standard reference position from which rotor angles are measured in synchros and other rotating instruments.

Synchros consist of several devices which are used for transmitting and receiving angular positions or angular motions over wires; such as, synchro transmitters or synchro receivers.

The references or sources of information for compiling the words and definitions in this unit are listed at this Electronic Bibliography page or specific sources are indicated when they are appropriate.


A cross reference of word units that are related, directly and/or indirectly, with "electricity": galvano-; hodo-; ion-; piezo-; -tron; volt; biomechatronics, info; mechatronics, info.