Term
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Definition
| Current that cycles back and forth rather than traveling in only one direction. In the United States, the AC voltage from a standard wall outlet is normally between 110v and 115v. In Europe, the standard AC voltage from a wall outlet is 220v. |
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Term
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Definition
| A unit of measurement for electrical current. One volt across a resistance of one ohm will produce a flow of one amp. |
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Term
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Definition
| A unit of measurement for electrical current. One volt across a resistance of one ohm will produce a flow of one amp. |
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Term
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Definition
See ground bracelet. A strap you wear around your wrist that is attached to the computer case, ground mat, or another ground so that ESD is discharged from
your body before you touch sensitive components inside a computer. Also called static strap, ground strap, ESD bracelet. |
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Term
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Definition
| The most common form factor for PC systems presently in use, originally introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and resources than did the earlier AT form factor. |
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Term
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Definition
| A power supply that provides a 12V power cord with a 4-pin connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to provide extra power for processors. |
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Term
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Definition
| Temporary reductions in voltage, which can sometimes cause data loss. Also called sags. |
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Term
BTX (Balanced Technology
Extended) |
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Definition
A form factor used by motherboards and computer cases that was expected to replace ATX. It has higher quality fans, is designed for better air flow, and has
improved structural support for the motherboard. The BTX form factor has not gained full acceptance by the computer manufacturer community. |
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Term
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Definition
See riser card. A card that plugs into a motherboard and allows for expansion cards to be mounted parallel
to the motherboard. Expansion cards are plugged into slots on the riser card. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electronic device that can maintain an electrical charge for a period of time and is used to smooth out the flow of electrical current. Capacitors are often found in computer power supplies |
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Term
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Definition
| The maximum voltage allowed through a surge suppressor, such as 175 or 330 volts. |
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Term
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Definition
| A type of case used in low-end desktop systems. Compact cases, Also called low-profile or slimline cases, follow either the NLX, LPX, or Mini LPX form factor. They are likely to have fewer drive bays, but they generally still provide for some expansion. |
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Term
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Definition
| A surge protector designed to work with the telephone line to a modem. |
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Term
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Definition
See riser card. A card that plugs into a motherboard and allows for expansion cards to be mounted parallel
to the motherboard. Expansion cards are plugged into slots on the riser card. |
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Term
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Definition
| A computer case that sits flat on a desktop doing double duty as a monitor stand. |
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Term
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Definition
| Adapter cards designed to discover and report computer errors and conflicts at POST time (before the computer boots up), often by displaying a number on the card. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electronic device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. Used in a rectifier circuit. |
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Term
| DIP (dual inline package) switch |
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Definition
| - A switch on a circuit board or other device that can be set to on or off to hold configuration or setup information |
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Term
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Definition
| Current that travels in only one direction (the type of electricity provided by batteries). Computer power supplies transform AC to low DC. |
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Term
| electromagnetic interference (EMI) |
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Definition
| A magnetic field produced as a side effect from the flow of electricity. EMI can cause corrupted data in data lines that are not properly shielded. |
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Term
| electrostatic discharge (ESD) |
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Definition
| Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye. |
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Term
| field replaceable unit (FRU) |
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Definition
| A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples: power supply, DIMM, motherboard, floppy disk drive. |
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Term
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Definition
| A version of the ATX form factor that allows for maximum flexibility in the size and shape of cases and motherboards. FlexATX is ideal for small, custom systems. |
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Term
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Definition
| A set of specifications on the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard. |
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Term
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Definition
| A strap you wear around your wrist that is attached to the computer case, ground mat, or another ground so that ESD is discharged from your body before you touch sensitive components inside a computer. Also called static strap, ground strap, ESD bracelet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A UPS connected to a computer by way of a USB or serial cable so that software on the computer can monitor and control the UPS. Also called smart UPS. |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that converts DC to AC. |
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Term
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Definition
| A measure of work or energy. One joule of energy produces one watt of power for one second. |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that regulates, or conditions power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts and spikes. |
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Term
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Definition
| See compact case. A type of case used in low-end desktop systems. Compact cases, Also called low-profile or slimline cases, follow either the NLX, LPX, or Mini LPX form factor. They are likely to have fewer drive bays, but they generally still provide for some expansion. |
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Term
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Definition
| A version of the ATX form factor. MicroATX addresses some new technologies that were developed after the original introduction of ATX. |
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Term
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Definition
| The most versatile and popular computer case, which is midrange in size and generally has around six expansion slots and four drive bays; provides moderate potential for expansion. |
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Term
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Definition
| A device used to measure the various components of an electrical circuit. The most common measurements are voltage, current, and resistance. |
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Term
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Definition
| A low-end form factor that is similar to LPX but provides greater support for current and emerging processor technologies. NLX was designed for flexibility and efficiency of space. |
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Term
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Definition
| Cases used for notebook computers, which are proprietary in design, leave almost no room for expansion, and include a thermometer that controls the case fan. |
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Term
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Definition
| Running a processor at a higher frequency than is recommended by the manufacturer, which can result in an unstable system, but is a popular thing to do when a computer is used for gaming. |
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Term
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Definition
| Power connection on an ATX or BTX motherboard, which can have 20 or 24 pins. |
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Term
| POST (power-on self test) |
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Definition
| A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices. The POST is performed by startup BIOS when the computer is first turned on, and is stored in ROM-BIOS. |
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Term
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Definition
| A line conditioner that regulates, or conditions, power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts. |
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Term
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Definition
| A box inside the computer case that supplies power to the motherboard and other installed devices. Power supplies provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC. Also called a power supply unit (PSU). |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that can test the output of each power cord coming from a power supply. |
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Term
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Definition
| See power supply. A box inside the computer case that supplies power to the motherboard and other installed devices. Power supplies provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC. Also called a power supply unit (PSU). |
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Term
| radio frequency interference (RFI) |
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Definition
| Interference produced by a magnetic field that is a side effect of electricity and is in the radio frequency range. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electrical device that converts AC to DC. A PC power supply contains a rectifier. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electronic device that resists or opposes the flow of electricity. A resistor can be used to reduce the amount of electricity being supplied to an electronic component. |
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Term
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Definition
| A card that plugs into a motherboard and allows for expansion cards to be mounted parallel to the motherboard. Expansion cards are plugged into slots on the riser card. |
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Term
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Definition
Temporary reductions in voltage, which
can sometimes cause data loss. Also called sags. |
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Term
|
Definition
| See compact case. A type of case used in low-end desktop systems. Compact cases, Also called low-profile or slimline cases, follow either the NLX, LPX, or Mini LPX form factor. They are likely to have fewer drive bays, but they generally still provide for some expansion. |
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Term
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Definition
| See intelligent UPS. A UPS connected to a computer by way of a USB or serial cable so that software on the computer can monitor and control the UPS. Also called smart UPS. |
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Term
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Definition
See soft switch. A button or switch on an ATX or BTX
system that allows an OS to power down the system and a feature that allows for activity such as a keystroke or network activity to power up the system. Also called soft power. |
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Term
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Definition
| A button or switch on an ATX or BTX system that allows an OS to power down the system and a feature that allows for activity such as a keystroke or network activity to power up the system. Also called soft power. |
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Term
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Definition
| Temporary surges in voltage, which can damage electrical components. Also called swells. |
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Term
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Definition
| See ESD. Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye. |
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Term
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Definition
| See surge suppressor. A device or power strip designed to protect electronic equipment from power surges and spikes. Also called a surge protector. |
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Term
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Definition
| A device or power strip designed to protect electronic equipment from power surges and spikes. Also called a surge protector. |
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Term
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Definition
| See spikes. Temporary surges in voltage, which can damage electrical components. Also called swells. |
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Term
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Definition
| The largest type of personal computer case. Tower cases stand vertically and can be as high as two feet tall. They have more drive bays and are a good choice for computer users who anticipate making significant upgrades. |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that changes the ratio of current to voltage. A computer power supply is basically a transformer and a rectifier |
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Term
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Definition
| An electronic device that can regulate electricity and act as a logical gate or switch for an electrical signal. |
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Term
uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) |
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Definition
A device designed to provide a backup power supply during a power failure. Basically, a UPS is a battery
backup system with an ultrafast sensing device. |
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Term
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Definition
| A measure of potential difference in an electrical circuit. A computer ATX power supply usually provides five separate voltages: +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and +3.3V. |
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Term
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Definition
| A switch on a computer power supply used to set voltage to 115 V or 230 V. |
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Term
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Definition
| The unit used to measure power. A typical computer may use a power supply that provides 500W. |
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