Glossary of Terms
Alogrithm
An effective method for solving a problem using a finite sequence of instructions
Ambient Pressure
The atmospheric pressure of the medium surrounding a particular sensor
Ambient Temperature
The average or mean temperature of the atmospheric air surrounding the sensor. If the sensor is a heat generator, this term refers to the temperature during the sensors operation.
Analog
Pertaining to measurements or devices in which the output varies continuously, i.e. Voltage or rotation signals compare to digital
Analog Output or Signal
A current signal that is a function of the measurement. A signal that continuously represents a variable condition
Atmospheric Pressure
(Barometric pressure). The pressure exerted by the atmosphere as a consequence of gravitational attraction exerted upon "column" of air lying above the point in question
Bioenergy
Energy derived from biomass. Can be used to generate electricity, produce heat, and also for the production of biofuels. The three main areas of bioenergy are; biomass, biogas and biofuels.
Biomass
Organic material such as wood, plants, or animal waste
Calibration
Checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring device. To ascertain that the devices output corresponds the information it is measuring. The process whereby a position on the signal scale of an instrument is identified with the magnitude of the signal actuating the instrument .
Carbon Dioxide Air Quality Monitor
Determines the concentration of CO2 in the air at ambient temperature. They ensure CO2 levels do not exceed 1500ppm
CO2 Sensor
An instrument for the measurement of Carbon Dioxide gas
Combustion
Is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species
Fail Safe
Describes a device or feature which in the event of failure, responds in a way that will cause no harm or at least a minimum of harm to their devices or danger to personnel.
Floats
A component of some liquid level measurement devices that contain a magnet and use material with a desired specific gravity
Humidity
The amount of water vapour in the air
Indoor Air Quality
The air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants
ISO
A device that cannot produce any spark or hot spot effects under normal or abnormal conditions that would ignite ambient conditions. A device or wiring which is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite a hazardous mixture of vapour.
JIT
An inventory strategy that strives to improve a business's return on investment by reducing in-process inventory and associated carrying costs
Kanban
A concept that relates to lean and JIT production. It is a means through which JIT is achieved
LED
A semiconductor light source. They are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for lighting.
Microprocessor
Incorporates most or all the functions of a computers central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit
Nernst Equation
An equation which can be used (in conjunction with other information) to determine the equilibrium reduction potential of a half cell in an electrochemical cell
Operating Pressure
The actual pressure at which a device operates under normal conditions. Maximum working pressure is the maximum permissable operating pressure at a specific temperature. This is the highest pressure to which the device will be sibjected during regular use.
Optical Liquid Level Sensor
A device that detects the presence and absence of fluid using an infrared LED and phototransisitor technology
Oxygen Sensor
An electronic device that measures the proportion of oxygen (O2) in the gas or liquid being analyzed
Partial Pressure
The pressure of a single gas component in a mixture of gases. It corresponds to the total pressure which the single gas component would exert if it alone occupied the whole volume.
Photometer
In its widest sense, a photometer is an instrument for measuring light intensity or optical properties of solutions or surfaces
Polysulphone
Describes a family of thermoplastic polymers. These polymers are known for their toughness and stability at high temperatures
Power Supply
Is a reference to a source of electrical power
Probe
Usually a term used to describe a sensor shape or end that would protrude into the environment to be sensed.
Relay
An electrically operated switch. Relays find applications where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low power signal, or where several circuits must be controlled by one signal
Repeatability
The maximum difference between output readings when the same inout is applied consecutively
Resistance
The opposition to the flow of current in a DC circuit, unit is ohm. The resitance that will give a one ampere current flow if one volt potential difference is applied in a circuit
Response Time
An output expressed as a function of time, resulting from the application of a specified unit in a specified operating environment
RS232
A standard interface between a computer input/output port and peripheral device. Signal properties including time duration, voltage, and current are specified by the Electronic Industries Association
Schematic
A diagram that represents the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
Screw Thread
Often abbreviated "Thread" is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. A screw thread is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread.
Transmitter
An electronic device which usually with the aid of an antenna, propogates an electromagnetic signal such as radio, television or other telecommunications
Voltage
An electrical potential that is measured in volts
Zironium Dioxide Technology
Is based on a solid state electrochemical fuel cell called Nernst cell