Engineering and Electronics: English Vocabulary List

the branch of physics and electrical engineering that focuses on designing circuits that use transistors and microchips

"Electronics uses microchips."

"The repair shop specializes in fixing consumer electronics such as smartphones laptops and tablets."

a small semiconductor device, used in television and radio sets, able to amplify or rectify an electric current

"This transistor amplifies signals."

"A tiny transistor is crucial for amplifying weak signals in modern electronic devices."

a solid substance that conducts electricity or heat better than insulators, but not as well as most metals

"Silicon is a semiconductor."

"Semiconductors are essential for making computer chips."

an electric current that flows only in one direction

"Use DC power."

"Many electronic devices require a stable supply of DC power to function correctly."

a thin board on which the circuits are printed

"Computer circuit board."

"The computer circuit board contains many small electronic components that make the device work properly."

a failure in a circuit caused when the electricity flows in the wrong route due to wire damage or fault in the connections of wires

"Short circuit caused fire."

"A short circuit happened in the old wiring and caused a small fire in the building last week."

a conductor through which electricity travels to or from an object, such as batteries

"The electrode conducts."

"The battery has a positive electrode and a negative electrode; electrons flow from one to the other to power the device."

an electric device that is used to increase or decrease the voltage of an alternating current

"The transformer changes voltage level."

"A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy between circuits through induction"

a piece of electronic equipment used for sending electromagnetic waves carrying radio or television signals

"Radio transmitter sends."

"The radio transmitter sends signals over long distances to reach listeners far away clearly."

an electric device that is used to accumulate electric charge

"A capacitor stores electric charge."

"The capacitor stores electrical energy temporarily and releases it quickly when the camera flash needs a short burst of power."

to firmly attach or tighten something using a turning metal fastener

"Screw it in tightly."

"You need to screw the cap tightly onto the bottle to prevent the liquid from leaking out during transport."

a wheel with a set of square or triangular teeth sticking out around the edge that fits into the edge of a similar wheel, causing both wheels to turn

"The cog turned the wheel."

"A cog is a toothed wheel that meshes with another to transmit rotational movement."

an electronic device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only

"A diode controls electric current flow."

"A diode allows electric current to flow easily in only one direction."

an electrical device that is used to stop or control the flow of current in a circuit in case it is too strong

"The fuse stopped electricity."

"A fuse is a safety device that breaks the circuit when too much current flows through it."

an instrument that automatically controls the temperature of a room, machine, etc.

"The thermostat is set low."

"He adjusted the thermostat to seventy degrees because the house felt too cold during the winter night."

a device that allows steam, liquid, etc. to escape a machine, if the pressure inside the machine becomes too high

"Safety valve releases pressure."

"The safety valve is very important to release pressure and prevent accidents in the system."

an area of technology that is concerned with the study or use of robots

"Robotics is transforming the modern manufacturing industry."

"Robotics is an exciting field of study focused on the design, construction, and operation of robots."

a piece of equipment for generating oscillating electric currents or voltages by non-mechanical means

"The radio uses an oscillator to generate signals."

"The electronic oscillator generates a repeating signal that can be used to power radio transmitters."

a substance that doesn't conduct heat, sound, etc.

"Good insulator prevents."

"Rubber is a good insulator that prevents electricity from flowing through it safely."

a device that converts the energy of the sun into electricity

"The solar cell produces electricity."

"A perovskite solar cell is a next-generation photovoltaic technology promising high efficiency at a potentially low manufacturing cost compared to traditional silicon cells."

the rotating part of a machine that revolves around a stationary part

"Helicopter rotor spins."

"The helicopter rotor spins very fast to lift the aircraft into the air quickly."

to replace or install new electrical wiring in something, like a building or a machine

"He rewired the old house completely."

"The electrician had to completely rewire the old house because the existing wiring was dangerous and did not meet current safety codes."

an electric current that reverses direction periodically, typically used in power distribution systems due to its efficiency in long-distance transmission

"Alternating current changes direction many times each second in the power lines."

"Most household appliances run on alternating current supplied by the local power grid."

a field of study that deals with the building, designing, developing, etc. of structures, bridges, or machines

"He loves engineering projects."

"Her passion for mechanical engineering led her to design innovative solutions for renewable energy systems."

total potential energy provided by a power source

"This has high voltage."

"The electrician checked the voltage to ensure safety before working."

to allow heat or electricity be transmitted

"The wire will conduct."

"Certain metals conduct electricity far more efficiently than others, making them ideal for electrical wiring."

a piece of metal like a thick nail without a point that used to secure assembled parts by passing through holes and tightening with a nut

"Tighten the bolt."

"They used a large bolt and nut to secure the heavy metal beam."

a flat piece of metal with a hole in the middle through which a bolt is put to secure or fasten objects together

"Tighten the nut."

"You need to tighten the nut securely to ensure the bolt holds firmly."

a machine that produces electricity by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy

"The generator stopped working again."

"When the power went out during the hurricane the hospital turned on its emergency backup generator."

a device that allows movement between mechanical parts of a machine or converts backward and forward motion into circular movement

"He turned the crank slowly."

"A crank converts linear motion into circular motion for a machine."

a metal bar in an engine that enables movement and power to be transmitted from one part to another

"Metal shaft connects."

"The metal shaft connects the engine to the wheels in the machine effectively."

an electronic device that uses a small electrical current to control a larger current, acting like an automatic switch

"The relay switched the lights on."

"The electrical relay in the circuit board failed, causing the entire system to shut down unexpectedly."