Electrical Engineering : Control and Automation Glossary.
15 Electrical Engineering : Control and Automation. terms
Welcome to this glossary made specifically for students in the Electrical Engineering Technology: Control and Automation program at Collège Ahuntsic or any Cegep in Québec. The purpose of this glossary is to help students, technicians, and future engineers master essential English words related to industrial control systems, electronic components, and automated industrial processes.
actuator
noun
A machine component that converts an energy source and a control signal into physical mechanical motion.
Example: The PLC sends a signal to the actuator to open the valve.
fr: actionneur
circuit breaker
noun
an automatic electrical safety switch designed to stop the flow of electricity when a circuit gets overloaded or a fault occurs.
Example: The main circuit breaker tripped due to an electrical overload
fr: Disjoncteur
contactor
noun
an electrically controlled switch used for turning a heavy-duty electrical power circuit on or off.
Example: The three-phase contactor supplies power to the industrial compressor motor.
fr: Contacteur
fuse
noun
a safety device that stops electrical current when it gets too strong
Example: Always disconnect the power before replacing a blown fuse.
fr: fusible
inverter
noun
an electronic device that changes direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity.
Example: We use an inverter to precisely adjust the speed of the conveyor motor.
fr: Variateur de fréquence
multimeter
noun
a versatile electronic measuring instrument used to check key electrical properties such as voltage, current, and resistance.
Example: Use a digital multimeter to check if the circuit is live.
fr: Multimètre
potentiometer
noun
a three-terminal electronic component that acts as a manually adjustable variable resistor to control voltage.
Example: The operator adjusted the potentiometer to change the reference voltage.
fr: Potentiomètre
programmable logic controller
noun
A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a rugged, specialized industrial computer used to automate machines, manufacturing lines, and industrial processes.
fr: Automate programmable
relay
noun
An electrically operated switch that uses an electromagnet to mechanically operate a switch contact
Example: A control relay is used to isolate the low-voltage circuit from the high-voltage load.
fr: Relais
sensor
noun
a device that detects a physical property or change in the environment and turns it into a signal that a machine or human can read.
Example: An inductive proximity sensor detects the presence of metal parts.
fr: Capteur / Détecteur
solenoid
noun
an electromagnetic device that converts electrical energy into mechanical pushing or pulling motion using a coiled wire and a moving metal core.
Example: The pneumatic valve is controlled by a 24V DC solenoid
fr: Solénoïde
terminal block
noun
a modular, insulated connector that securely joins two or more electrical wires together without needing to splice or solder them.
Example: All incoming control wires are organized neatly on the terminal block.
fr: Bornier
thermocouple
noun
an electrical device made of two different metal wires joined at a junction that produces a voltage depending on temperature, used mainly as a sensor.
Example: A type K thermocouple monitors the temperature inside the industrial oven.
fr: Thermocouple
transducer
noun
a device that converts one form of energy into another.
Example: The pressure transducer converts hydraulic pressure into a 4-20mA signal.
fr: Transducteur
transformer
noun
an electrical device that changes voltage levels.
Example: The control transformer steps down 600V to 120V for the control panel.
