voltage
Difference driving current
Voltage is the force that pushes electrical current through a circuit, measured in volts.
Think of it as electrical pressure—higher voltage means more push.
The outlet supplies 120 volts.
In figurative use, voltage suggests intensity or energy: The debate lacked voltage.
Current-limiting circuit element
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
- inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
transistor · rectifier · varistor · potentiometer · regulator · converter · inverter · semiconductor
Electrical flow quantity
- wattageElectrical output measure
- ohmElectrical resistance measure
- currentDirected flow of charge
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
impedance · capacitance · inductance · electromotive · polarity · farad · coulomb · kilowatt
Violent sudden disturbance
- electrocutionDeath from electrical current
- arcCurved line segment
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- zapDestroy suddenly with energy
jolt · burn · hazard · warning · insulation · grounding · safety · fault
Voltage unit, very small
- microvoltMinuscule electrical unit
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- nominalIn designation only
- peakUtmost height attained
rated · operating · standby · undervoltage · brownout · blackout · surge · spike
Rate of change across space
- differenceWay things contrast
- dropFall or release
- gainPositive return received
- differentialRelative difference between things
electrostatic · field · anode · cathode · terminal · positive · negative · ground
Combined electrical measuring device
- ammeterElectrical flow gauge
- ohmmeterInstrument measuring electrical resistance
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
- galvanometerMeasures electrical flow strength
probe · reading · meter · gauge · tester · digital · analog · calibration
resistor
Current-limiting circuit element
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
- inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
diode · transistor · rectifier · varistor · potentiometer · regulator · converter · inverter · semiconductor · conductor
amperage
Electrical flow quantity
resistance · impedance · capacitance · inductance · electromotive · polarity · farad · coulomb · kilowatt · megawatt
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- electrocutionDeath from electrical current
- arcCurved line segment
- sparkTiny fiery particle
zap · jolt · burn · hazard · warning · insulation · grounding · safety · fault · short-circuit
millivolt
Voltage unit, very small
peak · rated · operating · standby · undervoltage · brownout · blackout · surge · spike · dropout
gradient
Rate of change across space
- differenceWay things contrast
- dropFall or release
- gainPositive return received
differential · electrostatic · field · anode · cathode · terminal · positive · negative · ground · reference
multimeter
Combined electrical measuring device
- ammeterElectrical flow gauge
- ohmmeterInstrument measuring electrical resistance
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
galvanometer · probe · reading · meter · gauge · tester · digital · analog · calibration · tolerance
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- Electricalwiring, outlets, circuits, fuses, breakers
- electricityelectricity, battery, batteries, wire, wires
- Battery termsalkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, NiCad
- utilitieselectricity, water supply, public utilities, water line, gas service
- electrical engineeringelectrical engineer, current, circuit design, circuits, transistors
voltagecurrent
Directed flow of charge
amperage · resistance · impedance · conductance · capacitance
voltageground
Solid surface underfoot
earth · low voltage · neutral · short circuit · equipotential
- high voltageDangerous electrical potential
- voltage meterInstrument measuring electrical potential
- voltage regulatorsCircuits controlling electrical potential
- voltage spikesSudden increases in current
- low voltageMinimal electrical potential
- high voltage linesElevated electrical transmission wires