Electrical Engineering Technology: Automation and Controls
20 tools and component terms
It's almost been tow years that I'm studying and in the glossary there gonna be equipment that we usually find in my field of study.
ampere meter
noun
An electrical instrument used to measure electric current (the flow of charge) in amperes (A) and must be connected in series with the circuit being tested, having very low resistance, so it doesn't significantly affect the current it's measuring.
en: ampèremètre
breadboard
noun
A board for making an experimental model of an electric circuit.
Example: Everyone recreates this circuit on your breadboard.
en: plaque d'essai
capacitor
noun
A passive, two-terminal electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field by accumulating charges on two closely spaced conductive plates separated by an insulating dielectric material.
Example: Can you check the capacitor in the circuit?
en: condensateur
Coil
noun
A passive electrical component formed by winding an insulated conductor, usually wire, into a spiral, helix, or torus. It uses electromagnetic induction to convert electric current into a magnetic field, or vice versa, and is commonly used to store energy, filter signals, or create motion in motors and transformers.
en: bobine
crocodile clip
noun
A sprung metal clip with long, serrated jaws, used attached to an electric cable for making a temporary connection to a battery or other component.
Example: Connect your crocodile clip for this temporary connection.
en: pince crocodile
electric motor
noun
A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy (motion, usually rotation) through the interaction of magnetic fields and electric currents, operating on principles of electromagnetism to produce torque, powering everything from household appliances to industrial machinery.
Example: Be caution when you're alimenting the electric motor.
en: moteur électrique
ferrule
noun
A ring or cap, typically a metal one, which strengthens the end of a handle, stick, or tube and prevents it from splitting or wearing.
Example: Put the ferrule at the end of the wire to assure a good connection.
en: virole
LED
noun
A light-emitting diode (a semiconductor diode which glows when a voltage is applied).
Example: Look at the glowing led.
en: LED
oscilloscope
noun
A device for viewing oscillations, as of electrical voltage or current, by a display on the screen of a cathode ray tube.
Example: Come look at the undulation with the oscilloscope.
en: oscilloscope
potentiometer
noun
Often called a "pot," is a three-terminal passive electronic component that acts as an adjustable voltage divider.
Example: Adjust the voltage output with the potentiometer.
en: potentiomètre
programmable Logic Controller
noun
A ruggedized industrial computer that monitors inputs, executes programmed logic, and controls outputs to automate machinery and processes in manufacturing and other industries, serving as the "brain" for tasks like conveyor control, robotics, and temperature regulation, replacing complex relay systems with flexible software.
Example: Have you put the right programme in the programmable logic controller?
en: automate
resistance
noun
The opposition to motion or flow, which can be physical (like air resistance slowing a ball) or electrical (the hindrance to electric current in a circuit, measured in ohms).
Example: Put the 30 ohm resistance in the circuit.
en: resistance
safety programmable Logic Controller
noun
A specialized industrial controller designed to manage safety-critical systems, such as emergency shutdowns and machine guarding, by ensuring a safe, predictable state upon failure.
Example: The program inside the safety programmable logic controller better be well-done.
en: automate de sécurité
switch
noun
A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit.
Example: Flip the switch at off when you're making changes in your circuit.
en: interrupteur
tachometer
noun
An instrument which measures the working speed of an engine (especially in a road vehicle), typically in revolutions per minute.
Example: Look at the speed of that motor with the tachometer.
en: tachymètre
volt meter
noun
An electrical instrument that measures the potential difference, or voltage, between two points in a circuit, connecting in parallel to provide readings in volts, millivolts, or kilovolts.
Example: Can you check the voltage with your volt meter?
en: voltmètre
wall socket
noun
A fixed fitting on a wall (or floor/ceiling) that provides a secure, convenient connection point for electrical devices to access the mains power grid.
Example: Connect your circuit on the wall socket.
en: prise murale
wire
noun
A single, flexible, conductive metal strand or rod—typically copper or aluminum—designed to transmit electrical power or signals within a circuit.
Example: In today, we are gonna use red wires in the circuit.
en: fil
wire nut
noun
A hollow cone-shaped device with a conductive interior and an insulating exterior (usually plastic) applied over two (or more) wires.
Example: Put a wire nut to connect those tow wires.
en: marette
wire stripper
noun
A small, hand-held device used to strip the electrical insulation from electric wires.
Example: Use your wire stripper to get access to the metal in the wire.