Circuit, External

A current flows through a wire or conductor, and also along the air outside of the conductor, the latter being the external circuit.

Circuit Indicator

An instrument, like a galvanometer, that shows the direction in which a current is flowing through a conductor.

Circuit, Return

Usually the ground return, or the negative wire from a battery.

Circuit, Short

Any connection between the mains or parallel lines of a circuit which does not go through the apparatus for which the circuit is intended.

Coherer

A tube, or other structure, containing normally high resistance particles which form a path or bridge between the opposite terminals of a circuit.

Coil

A wire, usually insulated, wound around a spool.

Coil, Induction

One of a pair of coils designed to change the voltage of a current of electricity, from a higher to a lower, or from a lower to a higher electro-motive force.

Coil, Resistance

A coil so wound that it will offer a resistance to a steady current, or reduce the flow of electricity.

Commutator

A cylinder on the end of the armature of a dynamo or motor and provided with a pair of contact plates for each particular coil in the armature, in order to change the direction of the current.

Compass

An apparatus which indicates the direction or flow of the earth's magnetism.

Condenser

A device for storing up electro-static charges.

Conductance

That quality of a conductor to carry a current of electricity, dependent on its shape for the best results.

Conduction

The transmission of a current through a rod, wire or conductor.

Conductivity

That quality which has reference to the capacity to conduct a current.

Conductor

Any body, such as a bar, rod, wire, or machine, which will carry a current.

Connector

A binding post, clamp, screw, or other means to hold the end of a wire, or electric conductor.

Contact

To unite any parts in an electric circuit.

Controller

The handle of a switchboard, or other contact making and breaking means in a circuit.

Converter

An induction coil in an alternating circuit for changing potential difference, such as high alternating voltage into low direct current voltage.

Convolution

To wind like a clock spring.

Core

The inner portion of an electro-magnet. The inside part of an armature wound with wire.

Core, Laminated

When the core is built up of a number of separate pieces of the same material, but not insulated from each other.

Coulomb

The unit of electrical quantity. It is the quantity passed by a current of one ampere intensity in one second of time.

Couple, Electric

Two or more electrodes in a liquid to produce an electric force.