Commonly Used Appliance Terms and Definitions

Autor: Matt Zieminski

Concept	Description
Safety	State or condition of being safe; freedom from danger, risk, or injury
Accident	Any suddenly occurring, unintentional event which causes personal injury or property damage.
Combustible	Materials or liquids that catch fire easily.
Cooking Products	Cooking products are appliances used to cook food, such as stoves, cooktops, ranges, and ovens.
Small Appliances	Labor saving devices such as can openers or toasters that are generally portable and relatively inexpensive.
Major Appliances	Labor saving devices such as automatic washers and dryers that are generally stationary and relatively expensive.
Electromechanical	A mechanical part such as a solenoid that is started or stopped by an electrical control device

Concept	Description
Voltage	Usually referred to as "Electromotive Force" (EMF). This force causes electrons to move from negative to positive.
Current (Amperage)	A unit of measurement referring to the intensity, or amount of electrical force through a circuit.
Direct Current (DC)	Current that flows only in one direction. DC current is used in applications like low-voltage conditions, circuits conducted over relatively short distances, and appliances with electronic controls.
Alternating Current (AC)	Electrical current that flows in one direction and then reverses itself and flows in the opposite direction. In 60-cycle current, the direction of flow reverses every 120th second.
Resistance	The restriction to the flow of electricity in a circuit. Measured in ohms (Ω). Infinite Resistance means so much resistance that current cannot flow through the circuit (“open” circuit). Zero Resistance means no resistance and current can flow through the circuit (“closed” circuit).
Wattage	The unit of measurement for power, or the work being done by electricity.
Load	Component that converts electricity to heat, light, or motion. All loads restrict the flow of electricity while performing their work.
LED	Light Emitting Diode. A low voltage bulb used to illuminate numbers on control panels and other displays.
Conductor	Material through which electricity can flow. It will usually be a copper wire, and sometimes the chassis, or metal frame, on which the components are mounted.
Short	A circuit that offers no resistance to the flow of current through it. A direct short will cause a fuse to blow or possibly start an electrical fire.
Shorted Switch	A switch that offers no resistance to the flow of current through it. The switch may have a shorted contact.
Open Switch	A switch that will not allow current to flow through it. The switch may have an open contact.
Shunt	A bypass around a load that still offers resistance in the circuit for the flow of current.
Closed Circuit	A complete path through which electricity can travel.
Open Circuit	A circuit in which the path for current has been broken.
Short Circuit	A circuit in which the current has been diverted from its intended path into a side current of lower resistance.
Ammeter	A test instrument used to measure current.
Armature	The section of a motor that turns.
Air Shutter	An adjustable shutter attached to the primary air openings of a burner used to control the amount of primary air entering the burner.
Aldehyde	A class of compounds that can be produced from incomplete combustion of gas fuels.
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 and flows in the opposite direction. In 60-cycle current, the direction of flow reverses every 120th second.
Ambient Temperature	Temperature of air that surrounds an object on all sides.
Ampere	The number of electrons passing a given point in one second.
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 to another.
Bimetal (strip or thermostat)	Two dissimilar metals joined together to form one unit with a differential expansion rating. It will bend if there is a temperature change.
Blower Wheel	A device attached to the indoor side of the fan motor shaft used to circulate air across the evaporator coil.
Bracket	A hardened structure used to support a component.

Concept	Description
Wet Products	Wet products are appliances that use water, such as washers, dishwashers, hot water dispensers, and water heaters.
Drying Products	Drying products are appliances used to dry items, such as dryers.
Cold Products	Cold products are appliances that cool or freeze items, such as freezers and refrigerators.
Cooking Products	Cooking products are appliances used to cook food, such as stoves, cooktops, ranges, and ovens.
Small Appliances	Labor saving devices such as can openers or toasters that are generally portable and relatively inexpensive.
Major Appliances	Labor saving devices such as automatic washers and dryers that are generally stationary and relatively expensive.
Electromechanical	A mechanical part such as a solenoid that is started or stopped by an electrical control device.
Cabinet	The frame and lower covering of an appliance where the operating components and their associated wiring are housed.

Concept	Description
Motor	The motor is generally the part that drives a system of a product such as a washer, dryer, refrigerator, or dishwasher.
Pump	The pump is the part that removes water from an appliance such as a washer or dishwasher.
Fill Valve	The fill valve allows water to flow into the washer, dryer, refrigerator, or dishwasher.
Belt	A band of flexible material used to transfer mechanical power from one pulley to another.
Condenser Motor	A condenser motor cools the condenser coil to remove the heat from the refrigerant.
Light Switches	Light switches allow the interior light to turn on and off in refrigerators, dryers, and microwaves.
Evaporator Motor	An evaporator motor is a motor found in the freezer. It moves cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator.
Defrost Timer	The mechanical refrigerator timer defrosts the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes every three hours of compressor run time.
Mechanical Timer	Mechanical timers are used on washers, dryers, and dishwashers. They control the appliance in relation to time, temperature, and motor speed, where applicable.
Switch	The switch is a key component in appliances, controlling the flow of electric current in circuits.
Pressure Switch	The pressure switch is a specialty switch, with a similar operation to those mentioned previously, but with one important exception: The pressure switch is actuated by a diaphragm that is responsive to pressure changes.
Thermostat	The thermostat operates a switch. It is actuated by a change in temperature.
Electromechanical Timer	Electromechanical timers are utilized for controlling performance in automatic washers, automatic dryers, and dishwashers.
Solenoid	A solenoid is a device used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Air Shutter	An adjustable shutter attached to the primary air openings of a burner used to control the amount of primary air entering the burner.
Aldehyde	A class of compounds that can be produced from incomplete combustion of gas fuels.
Allen Wrench	An L-shaped tool that is used to remove hex screws.
Ambient Temperature	Temperature of air that surrounds an object on all sides.
Ampere	The number of electrons passing a given point in one second.
Bake Element	Lower heating element in an oven used for baking foods.
Blower Wheel	A device attached to the indoor side of the fan motor shaft used to circulate air across the evaporator coil.
Bracket	A hardened structure used to support a component.