Glossary
This area of the MurCal web site is dedicated to providing explanations on the various terminology used on our website.A
Actuator:An actuator is a device that produces a motion by converting energy and signals going into the system.Alternator: An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
Ammeter: An ammeter is an instrument used to measure the current in a circuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes, hence the name.
Analog: Analog is used in applications that need to measure a steady stream of inputs. For example, most speedometers in cars are analog. They constantly measure a vehicle’s change in speed, which is a continuous input as long as the vehicle is moving.
Annunciastor: An annunciator is an array of indicator lights and associated circuitry designed to secure a human operator’s attention by blinking and sounding an audible buzzer when a process changes into an abnormal state.
B
Battery Charger: A battery charger, recharger, or simply charger, is a device that stores energy in a battery by running an electric current through it.Bracket: Mounting Brackets are designed to hold items together, most often at a right angle to each other.
Break-out Box: a breakout box is a device that splits a multi-cable line into several connectors.
C
Circuit Breaker: A circuit breaker is an electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent/overload or short circuit.Contactor: A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching an electrical power circuit.
Control Panel: An enclosure that houses various control and monitoring components, often used in industrial settings.
Control Valve: A valve used to control fluid flow by varying the size of the flow passage as directed by a signal from a controller. This enables the direct control of flow rate and the consequential control of process quantities such as pressure, temperature, and liquid level.
D
DC Contactor: A DC contactor is an electrically controlled device designed to switch current on and off. DC contactors control current in DC circuits by closing and opening internal contacts.Diode: A diode is a two-terminal electronic component that conducts current primarily in one direction. It has low resistance in one direction, and high resistance in the other.
Dump Valve: A Dump Valve is used to divert/dump any liquids compatible with its specifications.
E
Engine Control Systems: Electronic systems that regulate the performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines.F
Flex Relay: A flex relay is a relay that can be used to provide either a positive or ground output.Fuel Sensor: Fuel sensor is a device designed to make accurate measurements of fuel level in vehicle tanks.
Fuse: A fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit.
G
Gage/Gauge: A gauge is a device used to make measurements or to display certain dimensional information.Ground Block: A ground block is a fitting designed to effectively ground coaxial cables. This ground connection is an essential protective measure to prevent damage from lightning strikes.
H
Harness: A cable harness, also known as a wire harness, wiring harness, cable assembly, wiring assembly or wiring loom, is an assembly of electrical cables or wires which transmit signals or electrical power.Hourmeter: An hourmeter, also called a time counter, is a device that records elapsed time. They are usually used to measure the runtime of equipment for maintenance purposes.
I
J
J1939: SAE J1939 is a protocol that was developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to standardize communication between Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in heavy-duty vehicles. It defines how these units communicate with one another and exchange information over the CAN bus.K
L
Level Maintaner: Maintains oil level on any size engine.M
Magnetic Pickup: A wire that is wound around a magnet to create a magnetic field. Whenever this field changes, due to another metal object coming into the field, a voltage is generated.Magnetic Switch: A magnetic switch is an electrical switch that closes or opens contacts in the presence of a magnetic field.
N
O
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A company that produces equipment or components that are used in other manufacturers' products.Oxygen Sensor: An electronic device that measures the proportion of oxygen (O2) in the gas or liquid being analysed.
P
Power Distribution Module: A Power Distribution Module is a low voltage (12 to 30V AC/DC) power distribution module designed to take a single power source and distribute that power to multiple circuits. It comes in 3 or 5 circuit models which can be linked together to achieve multiple circuits.Pressure Switch: A device that monitors and controls pressure levels in various applications.
Pressure Regulator: A valve that controls the pressure of a fluid to a desired value, using negative feedback from the controlled pressure. Regulators are used for gases and liquids, and can be an integral device with a pressure setting, a restrictor and a sensor all in the one body, or consist of a separate pressure sensor, controller and flow valve.
Pressure Reducing Regulator: A control valve that reduces the input pressure of a fluid to a desired value at its output. It is a normally-open valve and is installed upstream of pressure sensitive equipment.
Pressure Sender: A sensor component in a system used to measure and display the pressure within a system. The pressure sender may be hydraulically or electrically connected to a remote gauge or display.
Pressure Transmitter: A pressure transmitter is a device capable of measuring applied pressure. The transmitter converts physical pressure into an electrical signal.
Pulsation Dampener: A Pulsation Dampener is an inline dampening device used to smooth out pulsations in a pump's output. They are used alongside a pump as a mounted accessory to help achieve certain flow rates for an application.
Pyrometer: A pyrometer is a type of remote-sensing thermometer used to measure the temperature of distant objects.
Q
R
Rack Puller: A Rack Puller is a semiautomatic device that provides a pulling force to initiate shut down of diesel engines and equipment.Relay: An electromechanical switch used to control electrical circuits.
S
Solenoid: A solenoid is a type of electromagnet formed by a helical coil of wire whose length is substantially greater than its diameter, which generates a controlled magnetic field. The coil can produce a uniform magnetic field in a volume of space when an electric current is passed through it.Solenoid Valve: An electromechanical device that controls the flow of fluids, such as gases or liquids.
Speed Switch: Speed switches are attached to rotating shafts to detect any abnormal change in rotation speed. These shafts are found in many types of plant machinery, from conveyor belts to rock crushers.
Spark Plug: An electrical device used in an internal combustion engine to produce a spark which ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
Swichgage® is the registered trademark on FW Murphy's best known line of instrumentation. As the name implies, a patented visible and adjustable wiping electrical contact, or switch, is added which combines monitoring, control and automation all in one simple instrument. When readings get to a danger zone, this will allow for shutdown or an alarm saving you expensive repairs.
T
Tachometer: A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common.Temperature Controller: A device used to control temperature by regulating heating or cooling processes.
Temperature Gauge: A temperature gauge is a device used for the accurate measurement and reading of temperature gradient.
Temperature Sensor: A temperature sensor is a device used to measure the temperature (hotness or coolness) of the air, a liquid, or solid matter.
Thermocouple: A sensor used to measure temperature by generating a voltage proportional to the temperature difference between two conductors.
Thermal Circuit Breaker: A thermal circuit breaker is a circuit protection device that contains an alloy reed, two precious metal contacts and the interconnecting terminals. When an over current occurs, heat is generated as the current flows through the reed causing the reed to deflect and snap open.
Thermowell: Thermowells are cylindrical fittings used to protect temperature sensors installed to monitor industrial processes. A thermowell consists of a tube closed at one end and mounted on the wall of the piping or vessel within which the fluid of interest flows.
Throttle: A throttle is the mechanism by which fluid flow is managed by constriction or obstruction. An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases, but usually decreased
Throttle Controller: A throttle controller is a device that that is responsible for catching the signal between the accelerator pedal and the engine management
Time Switches: A device that can automatically start or stop engines or electrical motors after a predetermined time.
U
V
Valve: A valve is a device used to control the direction, pressure, and flow of a fluid in a fluid system.Vibration Switch: A vibration switch is a simple protection device that senses vibration and triggers an alarm or shuts down a machine if the vibration exceeds a preset threshold level.
Voltage Regulator: A device used to stabilize voltage levels in electrical circuits.
