Belkin PF60 AP41300-12 User Manual - Page 24

PureAV Power Console Glossary of Power Terms Alternating Current (AC): The current that is commonly flowing through the electrical outlets in your home. It is an electrical current in the form of a sine wave that oscillates up and down continuously. Amp: An abbreviation for Ampere. This is a unit of electrical current. Direct Current (DC): An electrical current flowing in one direction only. DC current does not have a wave form. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Electrical interference generated by appliances and many other electrical components that cause degradation of sound and picture quality in audio and video equipment. Ground: A conducting object, such as a wire, that is connected to a position of zero-voltage potential. Common connecting points are ground rods or cold-water pipes that are connected to the Earth. Joule Rating: A measure of electrical energy. The higher the joule rating, the more electrical surges a device can absorb before failing. Maximum Spike Current: The maximum current (in Amps) that can be absorbed before failing. The higher the maximum spike current, the more current a device can absorb without failing. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI): Electromagnetic radiation, which is emitted by electrical circuits carrying rapidly changing signals as a byproduct of their normal operation, and which causes interference or noise to be induced in other circuits. Spike: A very fast transient variation in voltage or current. Many small transients, over time, cause components to wear and fail. Surge: An increase in voltage or current significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity. 23