APPENDIX I
GLOSSARY
A
A/D—Analog-Digital.
ABSORPTION-A taking in and not reelecting of
any substance.
ABT—Automatic bus transfer.
AC–Alternating current.
ACCELEROMETER—an instrument that measures
one or more components of the changes in
speed of a moving body in which the instrument
is contained.
ACO SWITCH—Action cutout switch.
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL—A form of highly
porous carbon that can easily absorb gases,
vapors, and colloidal particles.
ADSORPTION—Adhesion of the molecules of a
gas, liquid, or dissolved substance to a sur-
face.
AJR—Automatic Junction Rotary switch.
ALT—Alternate.
AMPERE—The basic unit of electrical current.
ANODE—A positive electrode of an electrochemical
device toward which negative ions are drawn.
ARC—The band of sparks or incandescent light
formed when an electrical discharge is
conducted from one electrode or conducting
surface to another, characterized by high current
and low voltage.
ARMATURE—The rotating part of an electric motor
or generator. The moving part of a relay or
vibrator.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE-The pressure due to
the weight of the earth’s atmosphere: one
standard atmosphere equals 14.69 lb. per sq. in.
of pressure.
AZIMUTH—Angular measurement in the horizontal
plane in a clockwise direction.
B
BEARING—An angular measurement that indicates
the direction of an object in degrees from true
north. Also called azimuth.
BIT—Built In Test.
BUS—A conductor or group of conductors serving
as a common connection in any high current
application.
C
CAPILLARY TUBE—A tube with a very small bore.
CDS—Combat direction system.
CHILLED WATER—Water from the ship’s air-
conditioning plant. Used in a cooling system’s
primary loop.
CHLORINE—A gaseous element, symbol C. Atomic
number is 17.
CLOSED-LOOPED—A seawater system in which
the distilled water is recirculated.
CIC—Combat information center.
COMPRESSED AIR—Air reduced in volume by
pressure and held in a container.
CONDUCTANCE—The reciprocal of the resistance
of a material and is measured in mhos or
siemens.
AI-1
