This section includes some less-common meanings of words and phrases. The items included here can be confusing, especially to people who are not familiar with electronics, but also to people for whom English is a second language.

(For further explanations, see also the Index or Contents.)

A-G

ANALOG

A system that behaves similarly to the way another system behaves, even though they are not exactly the same. An example would be that some water pipe systems can be analogs of some electronic systems.

Also, a method for encoding information in a manner that is proportional to the original. In other words, sound waves can be represented by electrical signals so that, the louder the sound gets, the stronger the electric signal is, in direct proportion to each other. Another meaning in electronics, with the word being used as an adjective again, is linear amplification.

ARC, ELECTRIC

A long-term avalanche conduction in a material which was previously an insulator. It is caused by an electric field that is higher than the "dielectric strength" of the insulator. It is limited in current, only by some other resistance (not its own resistance), and it can have great power output as heat. It has a "negative incremental resistance," which is the reason why its current is only limited by some external resistance value. (Compare to "SPARK" on page 283.)

BALANCED LINE

Two conductors, making up part of a circuit, neither of which is grounded. Electromagnetic waves hitting the pair will tend...