GLOSSARY
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Joule: The basic unit of thermal energy.
Journal: A journal is that part of a rotor that is in contact with or supported by a
bearing in which it revolves.
Junction: The point in a thermocouple where the two dissimilar metals are joined.
K: When referring to memory capacity, two to the tenth power (1024 in
decimal notation).
Kelvin: Symbol K. The unit of absolute or thermodynamic temperature scale based upon the
Celsius scale with 100 units between the ice point and boiling point of water. 0°C = 273.15K
(there is no degree (°) symbol used with the Kelvin scale).
Kilowatt (kw): Equivalent to 1000 watts.
Kilowatt Hour (kwh): 1000 watthours. Kilovolt amperes (kva): 1000 volt amps.
Kinetic Energy: Energy associated with mass in motion, i.e., 1/2 rV2 where r is the density
of the moving mass and V is its velocity.
KVA: Kilovolt amperes (1000-volt amps).
Lag: 1. A time delay between the output of a signal and the response of the
instrument to which the signal is sent. 2. A time relationship between two waveforms where a fixed
reference point on one wave occurs after the same point of the reference wave.
Laminar Flow: Streamlined flow of a fluid where viscous forces are more significant than
inertial forces, generally below a Reynolds number of 2000.
Large Scale Integration (LSI): The combining of about 1,000 to 10,000 circuits on a single
chip. Typical examples of LSI circuits are memory chips and microprocessor.
Latent Heat: Expressed in BTU per pound. The amount of heat needed (absorbed) to convert a
pound of boiling water to a pound of steam.
Leakage Rate: The maximum rate at which a fluid is permitted or determined to leak through
a seal. The type of fluid, the differential Limits of Error: A tolerance band for the thermal
electric response of thermocouple wire expressed in degrees or percentage defined by ANSI
specification MC-96.1 (1975).
Least-squares Line: The straight line for which the sum of the squares of the residuals
(deviations) is minimized.
Life Cycle: The minimum number of pressure cycles the transducer can endure and still
remain within a specified tolerance.
Limits of Error: A tolerance band for the thermal electric response of thermocouple wire
expressed in degrees or percentage defined by ANSI specification MC-96.1 (1975).
Linearity: The closeness of a calibration curve to a specified straight line. Linearity is
expressed as the maximum deviation of any calibration point on a specified straight line during any
one calibration cycle.
Liquid Junction Potential: The potential difference existing between a liquid-liquid
boundary. The sign and size of this potential depends on the composition of the liquids and the type
of junction used.
Load Impedance: The impedance presented to the output terminals of a transducer by the
associated external circuitry.
Load: The electrical demand of a process expressed as power (watts), current (amps) or
resistance (ohms).
Logarithmic Scale: A method of displaying data (in powers of ten) to yield maximum range
while keeping resolution at the low end of the scale.
Loop Resistance: The total resistance of a thermocouple circuit caused by the resistance of
the thermocouple wire. Usually used in reference to analog pyrometers which have typical loop
resistance requirements of 10 ohms.
LS-TTL Compatible: For digital input circuits, a logic 1 is obtained for inputs of 2.0 to
5.5 V which can source 20 ľA, and a logic 0 is obtained for inputs of 0 to 0.8 V which can sink 400
ľA. For digital output signals, a logic 1 is represented by 2.4 to 5.5 V with a current source
capability of at least 400 ľA; and a logic 0 is represented by 0 to 0.6 V with a current sink
capability of at least 16 MA. "LS" stands for low-power Schottky.
LS-TTL Unit Load: A load with LS-TTL voltage levels, which will draw 20 ľA for a logic 1
and -400 ľA for a logic 0.
LSD (Least-Significant Digit): The rightmost active (non-dummy) digit of the display.
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