| Alternating Current (AC) - current that reverses direction on a regular basis (usually 60 times per second in the United States). Measured in amps. |
| AC Power Source - an instrument that takes one AC voltage and frequency level and converts it into another AC voltage and frequency level. |
| Amplifier - a circuit that boosts an input signal from one level to another. |
| Apparent Power - the total power generated or consumed by a device due to real and reactive circuit components. Measured in VA (volt-amps). |
| Complex Power - the vector sum of the real and reactive power components of a circuit. Measured in VA (volt-amps). |
| Crest Factor - the ratio of peak current (Apeak) to RMS current (Arms). |
| Direct Current (DC) - current that only flows in one direction. Direct current comes from a polarized source, meaning one terminal is always at a higher potential than the other. Measured in amps. |
| Frequency - the number of times a waveform completes a cycle in a period of time. Measured in hertz. |
| Inrush Current - a term used to describe the current needed to power a load upon start-up. Some loads require a large/inrush starting current in order to operate. |
| Linear Power Source - a power source that linearly amplifies the input signal using transistors to increase the voltage, current and power output of the system. |
| Modular - capability that allows the operator to interconnect multiple 300XAC power sources in order to increase the power output or power configuration beyond that of a single instrument. |
| OC Fold - over current fold back is a technology used in power sources that keeps output current constant by reducing the voltage in order to power loads that may have a high inrush current. |
| Parallel Mode - up to 3x 300XAC modular AC power sources can be configured with their outputs tied in parallel, allowing for the system to output three times a single instrument's nominal output current rating. |
| Phase Angle - the degree of measurement that corresponds to an AC waveform's amplitude. Measured from 0 - 360 degrees. |
| PLC - Programmable Logic Control is an automation method using relay or digital technology. |
| Polyphase Mode - multiple 300XAC modular AC power sources can be configured to provide output voltages of up to 600VAC (output configured for 1Φ3W) or provide 3Φ output power (output configured for 3Φ4W). |
| Power - a generic term used to describe electrical work being done. There are many types of power, including real power, reactive power, apparent power, and complex power. |
| Power factor - the ratio of real power (watts) to apparent power (VA). Based on a scale from 0 to 1 to determine how reactive and resistive a load is. |
| Reactive Power - the power absorbed by capacitive or inductive elements in a circuit. This power does not work. Measured in VAR (volt-amps reactive). |
| Real Power - the power that performs work in a circuit. Measured in watts.
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| Response Time - the time that is needed to regulate the voltage, current, frequency, and power output when a load is added to the power source. |
| Safety Agency Listing - a safety mark given to a product that has met stringent benchmarks as classified by the authorized agency. |
| smartCONFIG® - this feature enables the operator to change the output of linked 300XAC modular AC power sources from Parallel to Polyphase modes with a simple button push. No changing cables or test fixtures is required. |
| smartDETECT® - this feature automatically determines how many 300XAC modular AC power sources are connected together in a power system. After the check is completed the 300XAC Series will automatically change the programming output function based on the number of interconnected sources in the system. |
| smartVOLT® - an exclusive APT feature that allows the operator to configure the VariPLUS to power up at 0 volts or the previously used voltage before the instrument was turned off. |
| Start/End Angle - an APT feature that allows the operator to specify at which phase angle the output waveform begins and ends. |
| Steady State Current r - a term used to describe the current when the load is running nominally after the inrush current. |
| Surge/Drop - an APT feature that allows the test operator to simulate loading, brown-outs, and voltage dips and spikes. |
| Switching Power Source - a power source that uses switching technology (integrated circuits and components) to increase the voltage, current and power output of the system. |
| Synch Output - an APT feature that provides a 5V output signal which can be used to trigger a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) device. |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) - a percentage that is used to identify the degree of the noise/unclean signal in a power source's output waveform. |
| Transient - a temporary change in voltage or current that can occur which may alter the behavior of a DUT. APT instruments can simulate these conditions with our Surge/Drop feature. |
| Voltage - the amount of force that is needed to move current from point to point. Measured in volts. |