Panasonic Microwave Ovens with Inverters Technical Manual page 44

OPEN CIRCUIT: A circuit that does not provide a complete path for the flow of
current.
OPTO-COUPLER: See photo-coupler.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT: Two or more electrical devices connected to the same
pair of terminals so more than one current path is available. Current flows
through each device in the parallel circuit.
PHASE: The relationship in time and polarity between two waves. A phase
difference results when one wave leads or lags another.
PHOTO-COUPLER: An isolated coupling device which, when energized by an
input, sends a signal to a semiconductor switching device, such as an SCR.
POLARITY: The relative condition of being positive or negative with respect to a
given potential.
POLARIZED RECEPTACLE: A receptacle designed to ensure that the neutral
side of an AC line is always connected to the neutral side of an appliance, such
as a microwave oven.
POSITIVE CHARGE: An electrical medium that has become deficient in
electrons, thus having the ability to attract electrons.
POTENTIAL: The amount of charge held by a body as compared to another
point or body. A difference in voltage potential between two connected points
results in current flow between the two points. The difference in potential is
measured in volts.
PROTONS: One of the fundamental particles of the nucleus of an atom and
carries a unitary positive charge.
RADIATION: The process of emitting radiant energy in the form of waves or
particles.
RC CIRCUIT: A circuit having a resistance and a capacitance in series.
RESONANCE: The condition produced when the frequency of vibrations is the
same as the natural frequency of a cavity. The cavity is sympathetic to the
frequency; thus, the vibrations reinforce each other.
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