Engineering Glossary: V
29 definitions in plain language.
29 terms beginning with V. Use the filter to narrow the list, or the letters to jump to another part of the glossary.
29 terms
- Vacuum #
- A pressure below atmospheric pressure. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics
- Valve #
- A device that controls or stops the flow of a fluid. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics
- Vapor pressure #
- The pressure at which a liquid boils at a given temperature. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics
- Variable #
- A named place in memory that holds a value that can change. Programming, data and computing
- Variable frequency drive #
- An electronic controller that varies the frequency and voltage to a motor to control its speed. Also called VFD or inverter. Electrical power and machines
- Variance #
- The average of the squares of the differences from the mean; a measure of spread. Math, units, quality and workshop
- Varistor #
- A resistor whose resistance falls sharply above a certain voltage, used to absorb surges. Also called MOV. Electronics
- V-belt #
- A belt with a trapezoid cross-section that wedges into a pulley groove for higher grip. Mechanical design and mechanics
- Vector #
- A quantity with magnitude and direction, such as force or velocity. Math, units, quality and workshop
- Velocity #
- The rate of change of position, with direction; speed is its magnitude. Math, units, quality and workshop Read more: Velocity Converter
- Ventilation #
- The supply of outdoor air to a space to dilute pollutants and carbon dioxide. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics
- Ventilation (workshop) #
- Moving air to remove fumes, dust and heat from a work area. Math, units, quality and workshop
- Venturi meter #
- A pipe section that narrows and widens, measuring flow from the pressure drop at the throat. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics
- Vernier caliper #
- A hand instrument with sliding jaws and a scale for measuring outside, inside and depth dimensions. Materials, manufacturing and measurement
- Version control #
- A system that records changes to files over time so earlier versions can be recovered. Git is the most common. Programming, data and computing
- Via #
- A plated hole that connects copper layers of a printed circuit board. Electronics
- Vibration #
- Repeated back-and-forth motion about a mean position. Math, units, quality and workshop
- Vibration isolation #
- Reducing the vibration passed between a machine and its surroundings, using springs or rubber mounts. Mechanical design and mechanics
- Viscosity #
- A fluid's resistance to flow; thick fluids such as honey have a high viscosity. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics Read more: Properties of Common Liquids
- Viscosity grade #
- A number that classifies a lubricating oil by its viscosity, such as ISO VG 46 or SAE 30. Math, units, quality and workshop
- Vision system #
- A camera and software that lets a machine inspect or locate parts. Automation, controls and robotics
- VLAN #
- A virtual local area network: a way to separate network traffic into groups on the same physical switches. Automation, controls and robotics
- Volatile #
- A keyword in C that tells the compiler a variable can change outside the program's control, such as a hardware register. Programming, data and computing
- Volt #
- The SI unit of voltage: the potential difference that pushes one ampere through one ohm. Electrical power and machines
- Voltage #
- The electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuit, measured in volts. Also called potential difference. Electrical power and machines
- Voltage divider #
- Two resistors in series that give a fraction of the input voltage at their junction. Electronics Read more: Voltage Divider and LED Resistor Calculator
- Voltage drop #
- The loss of voltage along a conductor because of its resistance. Electrical power and machines Read more: Cable Sizing and Voltage Drop
- Volt-ampere #
- The unit of apparent power; one volt times one ampere. Electrical power and machines
- Volumetric flow rate #
- The volume of fluid that passes a section per unit time, in m³/s or gpm. Fluids, heat and thermodynamics