GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND SYMBOLS

BATTERY HEADLIGHTS Current flow causes a headlight

Stores chemical energy and filament to heat up and emit light.
converts it into electrical energy. 1. SINGLE A headlight may have either a
Provides DC current for the auto’s FILAMENT single (1) filament or a double (2)
various electrical circuits. filament.

CAPACITOR (Condenser)
2. DOUBLE
A small holding unit for temporary FILAMENT
storage of electrical voltage.

CIGARETTE LIGHTER HORN

An electric resistance heating An electric device which sounds a
element. loud audible signal.

CIRCUIT BREAKER
Basically a reusable fuse, a circuit
breaker will heat and open if too
much current flows through it. Some IGNITION COIL
units automatically reset when cool, Converts low–voltage DC current
others must be manually reset. into high–voltage ignition current
for firing the spark plugs.
DIODE
A semiconductor which allows
current flow in only one direction.

DIODE, ZENER LIGHT

A diode which allows current flow Current flow through a filament
in one direction but blocks reverse causes the filament to heat up
flow only up to a specific voltage. and emit light.
Above that potential, it passes the
excess voltage. This acts as a
simple voltage regulator.
DISTRIBUTOR, IIA LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)
Channels high–voltage current Upon current flow, these diodes
from the ignition coil to the emit light without producing the
individual spark plugs. heat of a comparable light.

FUSE METER, ANALOG

A thin metal strip which burns Current flow activates a magnetic
through when too much current coil which causes a needle to
flows through it, thereby stopping move, thereby providing a relative
current flow and protecting a display against a background
circuit from damage. calibration.
FUSIBLE LINK
(for Medium Current Fuse)
METER, DIGITAL
A heavy–gauge wire placed in
Current flow activates one or
high amperage circuits which
many LED’s, LCD’s, or fluorescent
burns through on overloads, FUEL
displays, which provide a relative
thereby protecting the circuit.
(for High Current Fuse or or digital display.
Fusible Link.) The numbers indicate the cross–
section surface area of the wires.
GROUND MOTOR
The point at which wiring attaches A power unit which converts
to the Body, thereby providing a M electrical energy into mechanical
return path for an electrical circuit; energy, especially rotary motion.
without a ground, current cannot
flow.
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RELAY Basically, an electrically SPEAKER
operated switch which may An electromechanical device
1. NORMALLY be normally closed (1) or which creates sound waves from
CLOSED open (2). current flow.
Current flow through a
small coil creates a
magnetic field which either
2. NORMALLY SWITCH, MANUAL
opens or closes an
OPEN
attached switch. Opens and
1. NORMALLY closes circuits,
OPEN thereby
RELAY, DOUBLE THROW stopping (1) or
allowing (2)
A relay which passes current 2. NORMALLY current flow.
through one set of contacts or the CLOSED
other.

RESISTOR SWITCH, DOUBLE THROW

An electrical component with a A switch which continuously
fixed resistance, placed in a circuit passes current through one set
to reduce voltage to a specific of contacts or the other.
value.

RESISTOR, TAPPED SWITCH,

A resistor which supplies two or IGNITION
more different non adjustable A key operated switch with
resistance values. several positions which allows
various circuits, particularly the
RESISTOR, VARIABLE or primary ignition circuit, to
RHEOSTAT become operational.
A controllable resistor with a
variable rate of resistance.
Also called a potentiometer or
rheostat.

SENSOR (Thermistor) SWITCH, WIPER PARK

A resistor which varies its Automatically returns wipers to
resistance with temperature. the stop position when the wiper
switch is turned off.

SENSOR, ANALOG SPEED TRANSISTOR

Uses magnetic impulses to open A solidstate device typically used
and close a switch to create a as an electronic relay; stops or
signal for activation of other passes current depending on the
components. voltage applied at “base.”

SHORT PIN WIRES

Used to provide an unbroken (1) NOT Wires are always
connection within a junction block. CONNECTED drawn as straight lines
on wiring diagrams.
Crossed wires (1)
without a black dot at
the junction are not
SOLENOID joined; crossed wires
An electromagnetic coil which (2) with a black dot or
forms a magnetic field when octagonal ( ) mark at
current flows, to move a plunger, (2) SPLICED the junction are spliced
etc. (joined) connections.

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