air shutter An adjustable shutter attached to the primary air openings of a burner used to

aldehyde A class of compounds that can be produced from incomplete combustion of

allen wrench An L-shaped tool that is used to remove hex screws.

alternating current (AC) Electrical current that flows in one direction and then reverses itself

ambient temperature Temperature of air that surrounds an object on all sides.

ammeter A test instrument used to measure current.

ampere The number of electrons passing a given point in one second.

armature The section of a motor that turns.

automatic defrost timer A device connected in an electrical circuit that shuts off the

bake element Lower heating element in an oven used for baking foods.

belt A band of flexible material used to transfer mechanical power from one pulley

bimetal (strip or thermostat) Two dissimilar metals joined together to form one unit with

blower wheel A device attached to the indoor side of the fan motor shaft used to circulate

bracket A hardened structure used to support a component.

broil element Upper heating element in an oven used for broiling foods.

BTU (British Thermal Unit) The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one

burner A device in which an air and gas mixture has entered into the combustion zone

burner head The portion of the burner past the outlet mixing tube that contains the

cabinet The outer wrapper of an appliance.

cam A rotating surface with rises and falls that open and close the switches in a timer.

capacitor A device that stores electricity; used to start and/or run circuits on many large

capillary tube A metering device used to control the flow of refrigerant in a sealed system.

Celsius The metric system for measuring temperature. The interval between the freezing

circuit A path for electrical current to flow from the power source to the point of use and

circuit breaker A safety device used to open a circuit if that circuit is overloaded.

closed (circuit) An electrical circuit in which electrons are flowing.

combustion The rapid chemical reaction of a gas with oxygen to produce heat and light.

component An individual mechanical or electrical part of an appliance.

compressor An apparatus similar to a pump that is used to increase the pressure of

condenser coil A component of the refrigeration system that transfers the heat that comes

condenser fan A fan motor and fan blades used to cool the condenser coil.

contact points Two movable objects, or contacts, that come together to complete a circuit or

continuity The ability of a completed circuit to conduct electricity.

control A device, either automatic or manual, that is used to start, stop, or regulate the flow

current The flow of electrons from a negative to a positive potential.

cycle A series of events that repeat themselves in the same order.

defective Refers to a component that does not function properly.

defrost cycle That part of the refrigeration cycle in which the ice is melted off the

defrost thermostat (heat pump AC models) A dual-purpose control that acts as an outdoor

defrost timer A device used in an electrical circuit to turn off the refrigeration long enough

diagnosis The act of identifying a problem based on its signs and symptoms.

direct current (DC) Electric current that flows in one direction in a circuit.

end bell The end plates that hold a motor together.

energize To supply electrical current for operation of an electrical component.

evaporator coil A component of the refrigeration system that removes the heat from within

evaporator fan A motor and fan blades used to circulate the cold air.

Fahrenheit The standard system for measuring temperature. The freezing point of water is

flashback Also known as extinction pop. Where the burner flames enter back into the

fuse A safety device used to open a circuit if that circuit is overloaded.

gasket A flexible material (either airtight or watertight) used to seal components together.

ground A connection to earth or to another conducting body that transmits current to earth.

ground wire An electrical wire that will safely conduct electricity from a structure to earth.

heat anticipator Used to provide better thermostat and room air temperature control.

Hertz (Hz) A unit of measurement for frequency. One hertz equals one cycle per second.

hot gas defrost A defrosting system in which hot refrigerant from the condenser coil

housing A metal or plastic casing that covers a component.

idler pulley A device that rests on or presses against a drive belt to maintain a specified

insulation Substance used to retard or slow down the flow of heat through a substance.

insulator A material that does not conduct electricity. It is used to isolate current-carrying

ladder diagram A wiring schematic in which all of the components are stacked in the form

lead (wire) A section of electrical wiring that is attached to a component.

lint Fine pieces of cotton fiber that have broken away from a garment.

module A self-contained device with a group of interconnecting parts designed to do

nut driver A tool used to remove or reinstall hexagonal-head screws or nuts.

ohm A unit of measurement of electrical resistance.

ohmmeter A test instrument used for measuring resistance.

open (circuit) A break in an electrical circuit that stops the flow of current.

orifice An opening in a hood cap (orifice spud) through which a gas is discharged and

overload protector A device that is temperature- , pressure- , or current-operated that is

parallel circuit Components that are parallel-connected across one voltage source. All of the

port An opening in the burner head where the air and gas mixture is discharged and lit by

pressure switch A device that is operated by pressure and turns a component on or off.

primary air The main air supply introduced into the burner which mixes with the gas before

PTC (positive temperature coefficient) A resistor that increases resistance (ohms) with

pulley A wheel that is turned by or driven by a belt.

refrigerant A chemical substance used in refrigeration and air conditioning that produces

relay A magnetic switch that uses a small amount of current in the control circuit to operate

relief valve A safety device that is designed to open before dangerous pressure is reached.

resistance The opposition to current flow. The load in an electrical circuit.

run winding Electrical winding of a motor, which has current flowing through it during

safety thermostat A thermostat that limits the temperature to a safe level.

schematic diagram A line drawing that gives the electrical paths, layout of components,

series circuit A circuit in which all of the components are sequentially connected in the

short circuit An electrical condition in which part of a circuit errantly touches another part of

slinger ring A ring attached to the circumference of the condenser fan blade. The slinger

solenoid A cylindrical coil of insulated wire that establishes a magnetic field in the presence

start winding A winding in an electric motor used only during brief periods when the

surface element The top cooking element on a range used for cooking foods.

switch A device to turn current on or off in an electrical circuit.

temperature A measure of heat energy or the relative lack thereof.

terminal A connecting point in a circuit to which a wire would be attached to connect

test light A light provided with test leads that is used to test electrical circuits.

thermistor A device that exhibits a large change in electrical resistance with a change in

thermometer A device used to measure temperature.

thermostat A device that senses temperature changes and that usually operates a control

thermostat (operating) A thermostat that controls the operating temperature of a component.

transformer A device that raises or lowers the main AC supply voltage.

venturi throat A section of the mixing tube body that narrows down and then flares

voltage The difference in potential between two points; the difference in static charges

voltmeter A test instrument used to measure voltage.

VOM (voltohm-milliammeter) A test instrument used to measure voltage, resistance, and

water column (WC) A unit used for pressure. A one-inch water column equals a pressure

watt A unit to measure electrical power.

wattmeter A test instrument used to measure electrical power.

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