[glossary_atoz /]
1080i & 1080p: Also known as “True HD” or “Full HD”, this is the best quality High Definition standard you’ll find. For the techies out there, the number 1080 relates to the number of lines of vertical resolution (measured in pixels), combined with a horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels.
100Hz: Most TV pictures are broadcast or recorded at 50Hz (High Frequency Rate) – that’s 50 fields or 25 frames per second. In an attempt to manipulate the picture and create the illusion of smoother motion, many TVs feature 100Hz processing software. This doubles the number of frames on screen, making motion appear smoother.
3D: A display technology that provides the illusion of depth to create a three dimensional effect. Some 3D screens create the illusion with hardware, whereas others require glasses.
4K ULTRA HD: One of two ultra-high definition resolutions, 4K UHD has a monumental four times the detail of Full HD, and twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of the 1080p HDTV format. This is a resolution of 3840 pixels x 2160 lines
400 CFM DUAL HIGH PERFORMANCE BLOWER: A dual centrifugal blower motor design that allows a ventilation system to operate at up to 400 CFM to meet the demand of high-output gas burners over 15,000 BTUs.
600 CFM HIGH-PERFORMANCE BLOWER: A single centrifugal blower motor design that allows a ventilation system to operate at up to 600 CFM to quickly remove smoke, steam and odors.
1,150 CFM DUAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE BLOWER: A dual centrifugal blower motor design that allows a ventilation system to operate at up to 1,150 CFM to meet the demand of high-output gas burners over 15,000 BTUs.
1,200 CFM DUAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE BLOWER: A dual centrifugal blower motor design that allows a ventilation system to operate at up to 1,200 CFM to meet the demand of high-output gas burners over 20,000 BTUs.
A
ABSOLUTE: The micron rating of a filter. It indicates that any particle larger than a specific size will be trapped within the filter.
ADAPTIVE DEFROST CONTROL: This defrost control uses a microprocessor on a small circuit board to control how often a frost-free refrigerator goes into its defrost cycle. Adjusts defrost frequency over time, based on several factors: time since last defrost, door openings, etc.
ADHESION: The molecular attraction exerted between the surfaces of materials in contact, (see cohesion).
AERATOR: A device used to infuse air into a liquid. An example is the aerator on the tip of a water faucet. This feature may also be found on some dishwasher faucet adaptors.
AGITATOR: An agitator is a mechanism to put something into motion by shaking or stirring. In a top load washing machine the agitator projects from the bottom of the wash basket and creates the wash action by rotating back and forth, rolling garments from the top of the load, down to the bottom, then back up again.
There are several types of agitator with the most common are the “straight-vain” and “dual-action.” The “straight-vain” is a one-part agitator with bottom and side fins that usually turns back and forth. The Dual-action is a two-part agitator that has bottom washer fins that moves back and forth and a spiral top that rotates clockwise to help guide the clothes to the bottom washer fins.
AGITATOR POST: In top load washers the post is what the agitator is mounted on and through which the drive shaft passes.
AGITATOR VANE: One of the blades of an agitator, primarily on the bottom section, that acts as a paddle to provide the necessary water turbulence.
AIR CONDITIONER: Appliance used to control air temperature and as a byproduct also reduces humidity.
AIR DAMPER: Used in refrigerators, to control the amount of airflow, usually between freezer and refrigerator compartments
AIR FILTER: The filter used in range hoods, down draft cooktops, air conditioners and furnaces.
AIR GAP: 1) A device in the water fill line that prevents backflow of soiled dishwasher water into the supply line. 2) A device used in dishwasher drain lines, mounted to and protruding above the sink, to prevent sink gray water from migrating back into the dishwasher.
AMPLIFIER: This device will amplify (boost) the signal to the volume you require.
ANTI FLOOD DEVICE: This device has an anti leak sensor fitted to the base of the appliance. Should a leak be detected then the dishwasher’s water supply will be cut off within seconds
APP: Abbreviation of “application”; a piece of software which runs on your device; whether it may be your ‘phone, tablet or TV.
ASPECT RATIO: The width of an image, divided by its height. The two you’ll see most often are 4:3 and 16:9.
AUGER: 1) Upper portion of a top-load washer’s dual action agitator. 2) The large ‘screw’ that forces ice to the front of a refrigerator’s ice dispenser bin and out the dispenser door.
AUTO DRY: Clothes dryer cycle that responds to moisture left in laundry, as opposed to the timed cycle, which runs for x minutes regardless of moisture level or laundry load.
AUTO DEFROST: The fridge freezer will automatically defrost to eliminate the build up of ice around the inside of the appliance and on your foods
B
BACK PRESSURE: Pressure that can cause water to backflow into the water supply when a user’s waste water system is at a higher pressure than the public system.
BACKLIT CONTROLS: Illuminated controls that show at a glance that a cooking element is on.
BACKSPLASH: An upright surface that installs on the back of a range top or range and protects the wall behind it.
BATCH FEED: This feature lets you use the kitchen disposer even if a wall switch isn’t available. Closing the auto-start lid will begin operation.
BAKE ELEMENT: The lower heating element that supplies the heat in an electric oven. Usually operates on 240 volts, and glows red hot when cycled on in normal use. The oven controls cycle the element on and off to maintain proper oven temperature.
BAKE VALVE: An electrically operated valve, that open and closes by means of a bimetal, to control the flow of gas to a gas oven burner. Sometimes referred to as an oven safety valve.
BASS: The lowest part of the frequency range. In loudspeakers Woofers and Subwoofers produce this
BEZEL: The frame around the TV screen.
BIMETAL: Two dissimilar metals, bonded together, that, when heated, expand at different rates, causing the bimetal strip to bend and thus break contact. Widely used in thermostats of all types of appliances including refrigerators, dryers, ranges and other low-torque applications where response to temperature change is needed.
BIT RATE: A measure of speed. A bit is the smallest component of a digital music signal, and the bit rate measures the speed in which that information is transferred. The bit rate (measured in Kbps or Mbps) is used to indicate the quality of digital music: the greater the number, the better the sound. Boom.
BLU-RAY DISC: Blu-ray was pioneered by Sony to supersede DVD as an optical disc format, enabling the recording and writing of high-definition video. As a high-density format, it offers a superior image and sound quality and a greater capacity for storage (more than five times that of DVD).
BLOWER WHEEL: Basically a fan blade, but this term usually refers to the ‘squirrel cage’, or radial designs commonly used in clothes dryers, the evaporator (indoor) side of room air conditioners, and older refrigerators. Quieter than axial fan blades, and very efficient.
BOOT: The rubber seal that fits around an opening and is highly flexible, reminiscent of an accordion’s bellows, allowing movement of the device to which it’s attached. Front-load washers typically have a boot around their door opening. This allows the tub to move freely on its mounts, while preventing water leaks.
BOTTLE CAPACITY: The number of bottles, which can be stored in your wine cooler
BRIGHTNESS- A measure of the amount of light emitted from the screen. This is measured in cd/m squared, and the average is 500cd/m2.
BRIQUETTES: Used in gas barbecues in place of lava rock. Controls flare-ups better than lava rock, self-cleaning, and provides faster, even heat.
BROIL ELEMENT: The upper element located in electric ovens. Mounted to the oven’s ceiling, it provides top browning during bake, and broils meat and other foods by direct radiant heating.
BROIL REFLECTOR: A reflective metal plate that enhances broiling results.
BROIL VALVE: An electrically operated valve, that open and closes by means of a bimetal, to control the flow of gas to a gas oven burner. Sometimes referred to as an oven safety valve.
BTU: British Thermal Unit – a standard unit of measurement of heat transfer; the amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
BUILT-IN INTEGRATED: The front of the refrigerator is out of sight, hidden behind existing cupboard doors. This ensures that your new refrigerator won’t change your kitchens current appearance
CABINET DEPTH DESIGN: The depth of the refrigerator cabinet enables it to align closely with kitchen cabinetry for a built-in look.
CALIBRATION: In reference to an oven range Calibration is the process of establishing the relationship between an oven thermostat and the units of measure or temperature.
CALROD: Trade name for the material used in bake and broil elements, to distinguish them from earlier Nichrome wire coil type elements.
CANOPY HOOD: These cooker hoods are hidden behind a static panel
CAPACITOR: Energy storage device, used widely in motor starting applications, microwave oven voltage doubling circuits, power supply filtering, and more.
CAPILLARY OR �CAP’ TUBE
A tiny tube, usually of copper, that provides an engineered amount of resistance to fluid passing through it. Used as a restriction device in smaller home refrigeration systems – refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, etc.
CHARCOAL FILTER: A type of filter used in recirculating ventilation applications that helps remove smoke, grease and odors before air returns to the kitchen.
CHILL-PLATE: An evaporator that is in the refrigerator compartment that defrosts each time the thermostat cycles off
CHILLER ZONE: Stores fresh meat, fish, ready cooked and chilled food at around 0°C for safer and longer storage.
CHIMNEY COVER: A metal covering for exposed ductwork. Used for vents where no cabinet exists between the hood and ceiling.
CHIMNEY EXTENSION KIT: Provides the ability to install a vent hood in areas with high ceilings while maintaining the recommended distance above the cooking surface to ensure efficient ventilation.
CHIMNEY HOOD: A chimney cooker hood comes down from the ceiling and can be quite a feature in the kitchen
CFM: Cubic feet per minute. The higher the CFM rating, the more air movement the ventilation hood offers and the quicker it cleans smoke, grease and odors out of the air.
CLUTCH: Some brands of clothes washers still use one of these. This is usually a slip clutch, which is just a drum with shoes inside that are designed to slip while the tub comes up to speed in spin.
COHESION: The molecular attraction by which the particles of a body are united throughout the mass, whether like or unlike, (see adhesion).
COLD CONTROL: Another name for a refrigerator thermostat. Responsible for sensing inside temperature and cycling the cooling system on and off as needed.
COMPACTOR BAG: The bag used in compactors to collect the waste material. Most compactors use their own style bags.
COMPRESSOR: An electro-mechanical device used to circulate refrigerant through a refrigeration system for the purpose of transferring heat
CONDENSATE: Moisture, which is recovered from humidity when warm air is cooled
CONDENSER: The part of a refrigeration system where high pressure, heat latent gas, is condensed into a liquid by means of heat transfer to the surrounding air.
CONDENSER FAN MOTOR: Traditionally mounted next to the compressor, this is the fan motor that forces air over the condenser coils. It also provides compressor cooling.
CONTROL LOCK OPTION: A selectable option that disables the dishwasher’s control functions to prevent unintended operation.
CONTROL THERMOSTAT: The ‘cycling’ thermostat that regulates the temperature inside a dryer drum.
CONVECTION: This is the process of heat rising and being replaced by cool air
CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Heats from the bottom of the cavity only, great for baking, as it is hotter at the top of the cavity
CONVERTIBLE TO LP: Range tops, cooktops and ranges are manufactured for use with natural gas. However, they may be converted for use with LP.
CRISPER COVER: Refrigerator cover or shelf located over the crisper drawer.
CUSTOM OVERLAY DESIGN: Custom overlay panel-ready appliances are delivered without panel(s) and handle(s), which must be ordered separately.
CUTLERY BASKET: The basket, which is placed inside your dishwasher, which neatly stores your cutlery while it is being cleaned
CYCLE: A series of events, which have a tendency to repeat in the same order
DECIBELS: This is how noisy the cooker hood will be when it has been switched on and it is in use, a quieter cooker hood is less intrusive while cooking
DEEP CLEAN WASH SYSTEM: Combines two powerful technologies for optimal results. The Anti-escape valve ensures the maximum concentration of detergent is used, while Care Control temperature management keeps wash water warm enough for detergent enzymes to work effectively.
DEFROST DRAIN PAN: A trough or pan under a refrigerator’s evaporator coil. A tube connected to the refrigerator carries the coil’s melted frost to the drain pan where condenser and compressor heat evaporates it.
DEFROST HEATER: An electric heater in or under the freezer evaporator coil that is cycled on regularly to melt off accumulated frost or ice
DEFROST LIMIT THERMOSTAT: A small bimetal thermostat (‘thermo disc’) that’s usually electrically in series with the defrost heater. Calibrated to turn on or off the heater to ensure the coil is clear of frost.
DEFROST TIMER: A clock-driven switch or ADC circuit boards that is responsible for turning a refrigerator’s compressor off and its defrost heater on after a set amount of time. Usually wired to run along with the compressor and initiate defrost after x amount of hours of accumulated compressor run time.
DEHUMIDIFIER: An appliance designed to extract moisture from the ambient air by means of a refrigeration system. A fan draws warm moist air across the cold evaporator, which causes the water vapor to condense onto the coil and drop into a container. The cooled air is then passed over the condenser where it is warmed before being passed back into the surrounding area
DEHUMIDIFICATION: Removal of moisture or humidity from room air.
DEHUMIDIFIER RATING: These machines are rated in pints/24 hours, or how many pints of water they’ll remove from the air in one 24-hour period.
DELAY WASH: Sets the washer to begin cleaning up to 18 hours later, during off-peak hours when utility rates may be lower or when unloading the washer is more convenient.
DELICATE WASH: A great feature that really takes care of those more precious items of clothing, taking away the hassle of washing by hand
DETERGENT DISPENSER: Dishwasher or clothes washer mechanism that releases detergent into the wash load at the proper time. Operated by bimetal, wax motor, solenoid or timer mechanical linkages.
DIGITAL: Streams of numerically encoded data made up of lots of individual values, which represent input, processing, transmission, storage and display. This is opposed to the older analogue system of streaming a continuous signal.
DIGITAL TUNER: A digital tuner acts to translate a signal so that your device can display it. The tuner is often integrated into your screen, and as it receives bits of information (e.g. via satellite or cable), it translates that signal into pictures and sound.
DOLBY DIGITAL: Dolby is a digital audio format, which delivers a surround sound via a 5.1 speaker system.
DOOR BAR END CAP: This is the plastic piece that latches into a refrigerator or freezer door liner holding the shelf rail in place.
DOOR GASKET OR SEAL: Rubber or vinyl strips are used to seal the door openings on refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers. Fiberglass, silicone and metal mesh material is used on oven doors. Refrigerator gaskets have flexible magnetic strips inside that ‘stick’ to steel cabinets and hold doors closed.
DOOR HINGE: The hinge allows a door to swing open and closed. Many refrigerator door hinge assemblies have built in ‘automatic’ closers, usually simple cam systems, that ensure closure to keep warm air entry to a minimum.
DOOR LATCH: A device that holds the door closed. Various styles are used on dryers, microwave ovens, dishwashers and front load washers. Those on a front load washer lock the door preventing the door opening while there’s water in the machine.
DOOR LINER: The inner panel of an appliance door. Referring mainly to refrigerators, upright freezers, and dishwashers.
DOOR LOCK: Latch or lock mechanism that prevents the door opening. Commonly used in food freezers, front load washers (and some top loaders lock during spin) and self-cleaning ovens.
DOOR SHELF BAR: The bar that prevents items on refrigerator and freezer door liner shelves from falling off.
DOOR SPRING: Used to counterbalance a door to keep it from falling heavily. Most doors use a pair of springs and it’s best to replace both of them when either breaks. Ovens, dishwashers, and drop-down dryer doors all use these.
DOOR SWITCH: ‘Makes’ or breaks a circuit when a door’s open or closed. Used on dryers to turn the motor and heating source off when door is open. Turns refrigerator or freezer interior light(s) and fans on and off and on newer ADC systems, tells the computer how often the door is opened. Prevents your dishwasher from spraying you with hot water when its door’s opened. The oven door hits this switch and turns on interior light and lets the EOC (electronic oven control) know whether it can latch the door to clean or heat the oven.
DOWNDRAFT VENT SYSTEM: Pulls steam, smoke and odors downward and outside to help clear kitchen air. Conveniently built into select cooktops
DRAIN CHECK VALVE: Dishwashers use one of these to help prevent drain ‘gray or dirty water ’ from finding its way back into the machine. Most are just a simple rubber flapper valve. You still need a high loop or air gap in the line.
DRAIN HOSE: Connects an appliance to the house drain. Used in clothes washers, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers to get rid of ‘gray or dirty water’.
DRAIN IMPELLER: Usually refers to a dishwasher’s pump impeller, responsible for pumping water out of the machine.
DRAIN LOOP: The detail most commonly left out of dishwasher installations. A machine’s drain line should be tied up as high as possible under the kitchen cabinets before connecting to the house drain or connected to an air gap. This prevents sink gray or dirty water from migrating into the dishwasher. Also, if the drain runs down through the floor before connecting to the house drain, the washer water’s siphoning out is a sure thing unless a loop or air gap is used.
DRAIN PAN: Most commonly referring to the pan underneath refrigerators. This pan collects defrost water from collecting on the floor.
DRAIN PUMP: Some washing machines and dishwashers use a separate pump and motor assembly to drain their water.
DRAIN TRAP: A loop in a drain line, designed to hold a small amount of liquid, to prevent the movement of unwanted gases through the drain. Refrigerator drain traps keep warm air out of the food compartment while house drain traps keep sewer gases out of the living area.
DRAIN TROUGH: A funnel shaped trough located in the back of the refrigerator under the evaporator coil of self-defrosting refrigeration systems. It catches defrost water from the coil and directs it through a connected tube and into the drain pan, where it evaporates.
DRAIN TUBE: The small hose that connects the drain trough to the drain pan.
DRIP PAN: Usually refers to the pans, or bowls, located under range surface units and under some gas range burners. They catch the spills when cooking.
DRIVE BLOCK: The drive block mounts the tub to the spin shaft.
DRIVE COUPLER: The coupler that hooks the motor and transmission together. This system is used instead of a belt drive. Whirlpool uses these on there washing machines. They are made of two plastic pieces with a rubber cushion between them.
DRUM BELT: Multi-grooved or flat belt that drives a dryer drum. The belt circulates the drum and winds around an idler pulley and motor pulley.
DRUM SEAL: Clothes dryers use seals, usually made of felt, to seal the gaps where the rotating drum mates to the rear bulkhead and cabinet front. Some seals are attached to the drum, others to the cabinet, but all service the same purpose that is to prevent air from traveling through the gap. Air leakage here causes air to bypass around the heating element or gas burner. In electric dryers this causes the thermal fuse and/or heating element to fail. In gas dryers it causes thermal fuse problems. Air circulation is the most important thing with a dryer.
DRUM SUPPORT: This is a bearing surface that supports the weight of a dryer drum. Drum rollers are used in the back of most dryers. Various types of plastic slides are used in the front of most dryers.
DRUM VANE: The Vanes or ‘paddles’ mounted to the inside of the drum of dryers and front-load washers. These do the work of moving the laundry through a dryer’s airflow or a washer’s water/detergent solution.
DRYING CAPACITY: The amount of clothes, which can be dried effectively during one cycle in the tumble dryer
DTS: Digital Theatre System – similar to Dolby Digital, this is a multi-channel decoding format that gives you surround sound in your home. Some people say it’s got a slight edge over Dolby as it uses higher data rates to give you higher quality audio, however the differences in your home will be minimal.
DUAL FUEL: Providing electric and gas cooking methods, combining the two to give you more control when cooking
DUCTING KIT: This is a fitted tube which allows unclean air which has been extracted and contains grease and odors to be removed from your kitchen air
DUCT-FREE FILTER: Filter included with the duct-free ventilation kit that captures smoke, grease and moisture and allows air to travel through the filter without a loss of air efficiency. The filter also has a replacement indicator.
DUCT-FREE VENTILATION: A ventilation solution that does not require running ductwork for kitchens with installation restrictions or ducting limitations.
DUAL-ACTION AGITATOR: The term used for top load washer agitators with a top half that moves somewhat independently of the bottom half. Most of these incorporate a ratcheting auger that rotates in only one direction that is driven by the agitator’s oscillating bottom half.
DVD RECORDER: Hardware, which allows you to record programs onto recordable DVDs.
DVI: The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is used to connect a video source to a display device, like a computer monitor.
DVR: Digital Video Recorder…now sometimes built in to your TV, this software/hardware allows you to record programs and start to view them from the beginning as they’re being recorded.
DYNAMICS: The reproduction of the quietest and loudest parts of a piece of music. A highly dynamic system can go from extremely quiet to extremely loud, super fast.
EER: EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio primarily used in air conditioning. It means the btu/watt rating. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
ELECTRIC: A type of fuel which uses an electric source to while cooking your foods, great for a more instant heat
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL: A term used to describe any device that turns electrical power into mechanical work or vice versa. One example is an automobile generator that turns mechanical rotation into electrical power
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
A method of ignition in which the gas is ignited at the burner port by an electric spark.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION: how much energy the machine uses during a wash cycle
ENERGY RATING: The rating awarded to a washing machine for its energy efficiency, A++ is currently the highest energy rating for a washing machine. Better for the environment and better for your energy bills
ENERGY SAVER SWITCH: In the case of refrigerators, this switch turns a tiny condensate heater on/off. When they appear on air conditioners, most cycle the fan off when the thermostat no longer ‘calls for’ cooling.
ENERGY STAR® QUALIFIED: Meet or exceed government standards to help conserve natural resources and save money on utility bills.
ERC or EOC: Electronic Range Control’ or ‘Electronic Oven Control’; these two acronyms refer to the same thing. Many modern ranges and ovens use microprocessors to control oven operation and some newer ones even use control electric surface units.
EURO-BURNER: Solid cast iron electric range surface units.
EVAPORATOR: The ‘low (pressure) side’, cold portion of a refrigeration system, usually in the form of a coil, in which the refrigerant is boiled, or evaporated, from a liquid into a gas, absorbing ‘latent’ heat in the process, and providing refrigeration.
EVAPORATOR FAN MOTOR: Fan motor located in the refrigerator or freezer that forces air through the evaporator coil.
EXTERIOR VENTING: Ductwork in the ventilation system that extends through an outer wall or the roof of a home.
EXTERNAL DUCTING KIT: A tube for unclean air and greases to be transported outside keeping your kitchen air cleaner and removing unwanted greases
EXTRACTION RATE: This is how fast the cooker hood extracts greases and odors from your kitchen air
EXTRACTION SPEED: When the cooker hood is switched on this is the rate in which steam, odors and greases are removed from the air
EXTERNAL VENTILATION: External ventilation takes any unclean air out of the kitchen and outside through a ducting kit, keeping the air inside your kitchen free of unwanted smells and grease
FABRIC SOFTENER: Any one of several chemicals used to essentially ‘dry lubricate’ fabric fibers, making them feel soft, and reducing static charge. Perfumes are also added to some laundry fabric softener formulations. Liquids are one common form of softener used in washing machines. For use in clothes dryers the chemical is embedded in sheets of paper-like fabric called dryer sheets.
FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER: Introduces fabric-softening chemical into a wash load at the designated time. Usually in the rinse cycles clear water.
FAN: A fan circulates the heat around the cooker providing an all round even cooking temperature, ideal for any kitchen
FILL HOSE: The hose that connects a washer to the fresh water supply. There are commonly two used and connected from the water valve on the washer to both the hot and cold-water shut-off valves.
FILL LEVEL: The height, or depth, of the water when a washer, dishwasher or icemaker fills.
FILL VALVE: The water valve that turns the water on/off to washers and icemakers. Electrically controlled, this valve uses a solenoid that opens a small internal port, allowing house water pressure to operate the actual valve and turn water on or off.
FILTER: A device containing a porous material or a material itself, through which a liquid or gas is passed in order to separate suspended particulate matter. Common filter materials are activated charcoal, polypropylene and HEPA (high efficiency particulate air [filter]).
FISH BURNER: An elongated central burner that can accommodate oval-shaped pans and other longer cookware. Ideal for cooking large whole fish or other oversized dishes on the range top.
FLAME SENSOR: Gas dryer component, mounted to the side of the burner ‘can’, that senses radiant heat from the igniter and/or gas flame. The flame sensor is made from a strip of bimetal painted black on one side and operates a set of switch contacts. The switch is normally closed and opens when heated.
FLOAT: A dishwasher component that prevents overflow by switching off the fill valve or telling the electronic control there’s an overfill condition and that it should shut the unit off. Basically just a small float attached to a micro switch in series with the fill valve.
FLUSH-TO-CABINET DESIGN: Appliances that install flush with surrounding cabinets for seamless integration into the kitchen
FOOT PAD: The rubber piece on the bottom of the legs of appliances. Also used on the bottom of grates of gas ranges.
FRAME RATE: Measured in Hertz (Hz), this relates to the rate at which your TV picture changes, per second. The higher the frame rate, the fewer flickers on the screen. See 100Hz.
FREON: Trade name for a family of synthetic chemical refrigerants manufactured by DuPont. Sometime mistakenly called Free Zone
FREEZER CAPACITY: This is the amount of internal space that the freezer has and is measured in liters, the greater the capacity the more frozen items you will be able to store
FREESTANDING: The front of the appliance is visible and this type of washing machine can be placed anywhere in the kitchen. Either placed underneath a work surface or stood independently
FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR: A style of refrigerator where the freezer compartment is on the bottom and the refrigerator compartment has two doors that open side by side.
FREQUENCY: The pitch of a signal, measured in Hertz (Hz). High notes live at the bottom of the frequency range, and low notes at the top.
FRONT LOADER: Clothes washer that is loaded from the front rather than the more common top-loader. Also called ‘horizontal axis’ machines.
FROST FREE: This is what we’ve called self-defrosting refrigerators since they were invented in the late 1950’s. A defrost timer and heater system is employed to defrost the evaporator at timed cycles.
FSP: An abbreviation for Factory Specification Parts. Used by Whirlpool to differentiate genuine factory replacement parts from those of after market or universal replacement parts.
FUSE: A link made of ‘melt able’ metal, calibrated to melt open within a specific current or heat range to protect an electrical circuit.
GAS: A type of fuel which will be used by the appliance to cook your food, simple to use and easy to control
GAS VALVE: Combination pressure regulator and valve used in gas dryers that are electrically controlled by a set of solenoid coils. Used in gas ranges to regulate surface burners. Also an inline shutoff valve inserted in a gas appliance’s supply line.
GASKET: A resilient or flexible material used between mating surfaces to provide a leak-proof seal. May also be called a SEAL.
GEARCASE: Also called a transmission. Contains a washer’s drive system, including its drive gears and input and output shafts. They are filled with heavy oil or grease to keep the gears lubricated.
GLIDE: A piece of plastic, usually made of some version of Teflon®, used to support the front of the drum.
GREASE FILTER: Trapping grease inside a filter in the cooker hood so it is contained together and not passed back out into your kitchen
GRIDDLE: A flat plate, also known as a grill pan, which is used on the top of the appliance for extra cooking options. Great for cooking meat, fish and vegetables
HALF LOAD FUNCTION: This adjusts the amount of water, which is use in a washing machine cycle, beneficial to save time, money and energy
HALOGEN LIGHTS: These bright lights shine onto your appliances to illuminate the cooker so you can see more clearly what you are doing while preparing your meals
HAND WASH: Clothing with a hand wash label can be washed safely on this cycle, extremely gentle on your clothing taking hassle away from hand washing your garments
HARD DISK DRIVE: An internal disc for storage of large amounts of data, particularly on MP3 players, DVD recorders and DVRs.
HD DVD: Back in the nighties, HD DVD competed with Blu-ray as a successor to DVD, but didn’t get the same level of brand and manufacturer support, and gradually lost its battle as everyone jumped on the Blu-ray train.
HDMI: Hi-Definition Multimedia Interface. A HDMI connection carries sound and vision (including high definition audio) in a ‘pure digital’, high quality form, from your player or device to your screen.
HD READY: A TV will be flagged “HD Ready” if it has a high resolution screen (with a minimum of 720p), HDCP and a DVI or HDMI socket, allowing it to accept and display High Definition pictures.
HDTV: High Definition Television.
HE DETERGENT: Recommended for use in newer high efficiency washers, especially front-loaders, this is a more concentrated, low-sudsing form of detergent.
HEAT: A form of energy, the addition of which causes substances to increase in temperature
HEAT EXCHANGER: The suction/capillary line assembly that carries refrigerant to/from a refrigeration system’s evaporator coil.
HEATING ELEMENT: The coil or cal-rod used to provide the heating in range surface units, bake and broil elements, dryer elements, heaters, bbq’s, etc.
HEAT LEVEL SETTINGS: Settings on induction cooktops that can be increased or decreased with the touch of a finger to achieve the precise temperatures required for different cooking methods.
HEATED DRY OPTION: The Heated Dry option, along with the dual-watt element, is part of a complete drying system. These components help warm the air inside the dishwasher, leaving dishes dry when the cycle ends.
HEAVY WASH CYCLE: A dishwasher cycle that utilizes the maximum amount of water and heating time for cleaning heavily soiled pots, pans, casseroles and regular tableware.
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE: A height adjustable cooker hood gives you the option to position the hood at a more convenient angle to suit your cooking requirements
HIGH DEFINITION (HD): A screen technology, which creates a better picture. The 3 types of HD are 720p, 1080i and 1080p, though many would say that 1080p (see definition) is the only true HD standard. If your screen is enabled to display HD it’ll be referred to as “HD Ready”.
HIGH LIMIT THERMOSTAT: A safety device that ‘backs up’ the control thermostat in dryers. Also used in ranges and built in ovens
HIGH-LOW DRYING SETTINGS: This option gives you more flexibility and ensures your laundry is effectively dried how you want it, for example if a load is partially dry you can opt for a low heat setting to help complete the drying process
HIGH VOLTAGE CAPACITOR: Used in a microwave oven it is the voltage doubling circuit of the high voltage section that fires the magnetron.
HIGH VOLTAGE DIODE OR RECTIFIER: Used in a microwave oven’s voltage doubler to efficiently provide sufficient voltage to the magnetron.
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER: The high voltage transformer raises 120 volts AC to 1000 volts or more before sending it on to the doubler, which doubles it.
HORIZONTAL AXIS: The shaft that a frontload clothes washer drum or basket that spins on.
HOSE WASHER: The rubber washer seal in the end of a washer fill hose that is compressed against the faucet rim and hose connecter to prevent water leaks.
HUMIDISTAT: Similar to a thermostat, except this switch cycles based on humidity rather than temperature. Used in humidifiers and dehumidifiers to turn them on or off.
HYDRATOR (CRISPER): A drawer or compartment, usually located in the bottom of a refrigerator. It’s designed to help keep fruit and veggies fresh for as long as possible.
HYDRATOR COVER: Commonly called the ‘crisper cover’, it is the shelf that covers the vegetable drawers in refrigerators.
ICE DISPENSER: Refrigerator mechanism that dispenses ice. Usually located in the freezer door. Pushing on the cradle with a glass dispenses either ice or chilled water.
ICEMAKER: Mechanism that makes ice cubes and drops them in a bin.
ICEMAKER BAIL: Usually a piece of stainless steel wire that senses the level of ice cubes in the storage bin, turning the unit off when the bin gets full. The icemaker raises this bail during every cycle, and then lowers it again, and if it contacts ice, turns off a switch that shuts the icemaker off until it is lowered by ice usage.
ICEMAKER FILL LEVEL: Most overlooked cause of icemaker problems. Whenever any change is made to an ice making system – new unit installed, fill valve replaced, etc., this must be checked and adjusted. The icemaker should fill with water around 140 cc’s per cycle. This amount varies a little bit between icemaker styles, but not by much.
ICEMAKER FILL TUBE: This little plastic tube angles down through the back of a refrigerator’s cabinet into the icemaker. Water enters through this tube and fills the icemaker’s cube mold.
ICEMAKER MODULE: The mechanism assembly located in front part of newer icemakers.
ICEMAKER MOLD: The actual ‘cube tray’ that the water fills up to form the cubes into their shape.
IDLER PULLEY: A roller and spring assembly that supplies tension to a belt. Used in dryers and some belt-drive washers.
IGNITER: A gas appliance component that ignites the gas flame. They’re made of a carbon compound that glows when voltage is applied. Some are an electrode that generates a spark.
IMPELLER: A fan blade that moves liquid. You’ll find these in dishwasher pumps and washer pumps.
INDUCTION: A type of electric stove, which heats the bottom of the pan through a magnetic force. Induction appliances need to be used with compatible pans
INDUCTION PANS: A pan specifically used on an induction stove that generates heat at the bottom of the pan from the magnetic current given from the stove
INDUCTION TECHNOLOGY: Some ceramic electric cooktops use an electromagnetic current that produces heat when it interacts with iron-based cookware, resulting in faster, more responsive cooking with increased energy savings.
INFINITE HEAT SWITCH: A switch that controls the amount of heat generated by an electric range surface burner. It accomplishes this by quickly cycling the voltage on and off to achieve an intermediate range. E.g. At medium it may supply 100% voltage for only 50% of the time it is switched on. It does not act like a rheostat and reduce the voltage, to lessen the heat generated, as sometime mistakenly thought.
INTEGRATED: Any functions that are built-in to your TV are referred to as integrated.
INTEGRATED HOOD: An integrated hood keeps the look and feel of your kitchen and is placed behind a cupboard panel, the appliance starts to extract when the front is pulled open
INTENSIVE WASH: A more thorough wash, which is ideal for heavily, soiled clothing
INTERIOR LIGHT: A light, which switches on when the refrigerator door is opened. Allowing you to see more easily inside the appliance when looking for your chilled items
INTERLOCK SWITCH: Attached to door and lid mechanisms to prevent them from being opened during some cycles. These are used in microwave ovens, some locking washers (all front-loaders), trash compactors, and some self-cleaning ovens.
INTERNAL WATER DISPENSER: A water dispenser on the inside of the refrigerator compartment.
INVERTER: Electronic circuitry commonly used to convert DC voltage to a form of AC. Limited use in microwave ovens to replace the high voltage transformer, which is much heavier. Now used in newer washer and dryers.
ISLAND HOOD: Located centrally in the kitchen and attached to the ceiling, a stunning focal point in your kitchen
ISLAND TRIM PIECE: A trim kit that installs behind the cooking surface instead of a larger backsplash.
JET DRY: Rinse agent for automatic dishwashers. Keeps glasses spotless.
KEYPAD: Two membranes of conductive material separated by a non-conductive layer, making a ‘sandwich’ of individual switches that are connected to a microprocessor to control it. They are located on the front panel of appliances that use an ERC.
Key Lock: The removable key is required to turn the compactor’s start knob – a great choice for households with children.
KNOB CONTROLS: A type of control, which is used to operate the appliance
KNOCKOUT, DISPOSAL: Disposals are shipped with the dishwasher drain hole plugged with a plastic piece that needs to be punched out to connect the dishwasher drain hose.
LATENT HEAT: The heat energy absorbed in the process of changing the state of a substance (e.g. from solid to liquid, from liquid to gas, or vice versa) without changing the temperature or pressure
LCD SCREEN: LCD TVs use fluorescent tubes to backlight the screen and have a liquid-crystal filter inside that block and bends light to produce color- preventing screen glare. LCD’s offer a vibrant display but they can struggle to create deep blacks and darker images.
LED: LED TVs are very similar to LCDs but use hundreds of little light emitting diodes to give a sharp and vibrant display to create a full color range from deep blacks to brilliant bright tones. Some models use LED lights situated around the edge of the screen to do this, whereas others use a panel of lights at the back – both types are equally as effective.
LID BUMPER: Small piece of rubber that prevents a washer lid from contacting the cabinet top directly.
LID LOCK: Mechanism used on some top-load washers to latch the lid closed during spin for safety purposes.
LID SWITCH: Top-load washers use a switch that prevents operation with their lid open. Many will fill and agitate, but not spin, with an open lid.
LID SWITCH ACTUATOR: The mechanical link that operates a top load washer’s lid switch. Often a strike pokes through a hole in the cabinet top and pushes the actuator.
LIMIT SWITCH: A bimetal switch used to open the electric circuit once a set temperature is reached. This thermostat will usually reset to a closed position once a set colder temperature is again reached.
LINE LEVEL: Line level is the specified strength of an audio signal used to transmit analogue sound between audio devices like a DVD player or TV. Dual phonon (RCA) and 3.5mm headphone jacks are the most common form of connection.
LINER: The interior walls of refrigerators and freezers, and the inside panels of their doors, are referred to as liners.
LINT FILTER: Lint screen that collects the lint during the drying cycle in dryers.
LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS: Liquid Petroleum gas is an alternative fuel type to traditional gas. LPG consists of propane, propylene, butane, and butylene in various mixtures
LITHIUM GREASE: Multipurpose, high-temperature lubricant containing Teflon. Ideal for metal-to-metal and plastic to metal applications, Excellent rust and corrosion inhibiter.
LOADING: The position of the door on the washing machine when you load your washing into
LOW SIDE: A refrigeration system’s lower pressure ‘half’, consisting of the evaporator and suction line.
LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER: Electronic controls operate on low voltages DC and this transformer ‘steps’ the ordinary 120-volt household down to the 2 or 3 low voltages commonly used on a pc board.
LOW-SUDS (HE) DETERGENT: Recommended for use in newer high efficiency washers, especially front-loaders, this is a more concentrated, low sudsing form of detergent.
LP: Liquid Petroleum, or ‘bottled gas’, the most commonly used form of fuel used to operate gas ranges, dryers, bbq’s and water heaters.
LP Convertible: Several ranges, ovens and dryers can be converted from natural gas to a liquid petroleum (propane) fuel source.
MAGNETRON: The vacuum tube that generates microwave energy at 2450 MHz to cook our fast food. The name comes from the field created by two huge ceramic magnets used to ‘bend’ electron flow into a resonant cavity to ‘tune’ it to the proper frequency.
MANUAL DEFROSTS REFRIGERATOR: A type of refrigerator that does not have a mechanical defrosting system and must be defrosted manually. This type of appliance usually has one main outer door with a small door inside, covering the evaporator box.
MEASURED FILL: Allows you to select the exact amount of filtered water – in ounces, cups, or liters – that you need. The dispenser will fill the container and automatically shut off when complete. Available as part of the Fast Fill dispensing system on select models.
MEMORY CARD / SD SLOT: Plug your camera or camcorder’s memory card straight into your TV, then you can look at your files on the big screen.
MICROWAVE: A high-frequency electromagnetic radio wave, in the spectrum between infrared light and short-wave radio wavelengths.
MICROWAVE OVEN: An appliance that uses microwaves (radio waves in the microwave spectrum) to create friction at the molecular level, to generate heat in food
MICROWAVE STEAMER: Works in tandem with the steaming function to conveniently steam foods such as rice, vegetables and fish with fresh, pleasing results.
MODULAR DESIGN: Range tops, cooktops and ranges with modular cooking surfaces that allow for easy customization with optional accessories or cartridges for different methods and styles of cooking.
MONITOR SWITCH: This one ‘backs up’ a microwave’s interlock switches, blowing a microwave’s fuse if either of the interlock switches should fail.
MOTION RATE: The higher the refresh/motion rate, the fewer flickers you’ll notice and the picture should be more solid in appearance.
MOTOR AND PUMP ASSEMBLY: Many clothes washers use a small, separate motor that drives its own pump, independently from the drive motor. Many newer dishwashers also use one of these for drain. Also refers to a dishwasher’s main ‘wash’ motor & pump assembly, which can be replaced as a unit in many machines.
MOTOR CONTROLLER: Most front load washer motors – and some high-end top loaders – are 3-phase, and this circuit board is responsible for converting our single phase house current into 3-phase that the motor can use. Also handles speed control requirements.
MOTOR START SWITCH: Used on a single-phase motor to switch from the start winding over to the run, or main, winding, once the motor has come up to the proper speed.
MOTOR, DRIVE: The main motor in an appliance.
MOULDING: A piece of plastic used to cover the joint between the inner and outer cabinet of a refrigerator or freezer. May also be called a BREAKER STRIP.
MULLION: The front surface of a refrigerator’s ‘divider’ between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The only surface shared by both door seals.
MULLION HEATER: A small electric resistance heater mounted behind the center mullion of refrigerators.
MULTI-ROOM: Playing music or films in multiple rooms through your home, controlled at one central point.
MULTI-V BELT: A ‘grooved’ belt used in applications where two pulleys are of very different sizes. Commonly used in dryers and front load washers.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL: This type of oven heats from the top and bottom inside the cooker; also it has a fan, which circulates the heat inside the cavity and provides a number of cooking options
NATURAL GAS: Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane but including significant quantities of ethane, propane, butane, and pentane—heavier hydrocarbons removed prior to use as a consumer fuel —as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen sulfide. This is what most gas appliances are set up to use from the factory, as opposed to ‘bottled’, or ‘LP’, manufactured gas.
NETFLIX: A TV and movie subscription service, offering more than a billion hours of TV programs and films per month (including original series) at a set monthly price. You can watch Netflix using your smart TV or any other connected screen.
NEUTRAL DRAIN: Early direct-drive washers went directly into spin with a full load of water and laundry. This proved hard on clutches and other drive components, so the gear case design was changed to incorporate the ND mechanism inside. The idea is to drain most of the water out before spin occurs.
OEM PARTS: Original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, is an ambiguous and abstruse phrase that refers to containment-based re-branding, where a company uses a component of another company in its product, or sells the product of another company under its own brand. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product.
OHM: A unit of electrical resistance and this is used to measure the impedance of a speaker.
OLED: OLED TVs offer the biggest range of colors, brightest screens and widest viewing angles. Each pixel uses a small blob of organic phosphor to emit light and it’s this technology that makes it such a super-efficient, slim and good-looking option.
OPEN DOOR ALERT: If you accidentally leave the door of the fridge freezer open an alert will sound to let you know you have left the appliance open. Great for making sure you don’t ruin foods stored in the appliance
ORIFICE: A small hole of a specific calibrated size to provide proper BTU output to a particular burner in a gas appliance.
OVEN ELEMENT: Referred to the bake or broil element inside your oven.
OVEN SENSOR: Used in electronically controlled ovens, this little probe contains a thermostat. This is a solid-state device whose electrical resistance varies with temperature. Its resistance is measured by the microprocessor, which then cycles the oven heat on or off as necessary to maintain the selected temperature.
OVERLOAD PROTECTOR: A device that protects against both overheating and over-current protection, opening a circuit whenever either happens. Most motors and refrigeration compressors have these.
OZONE: A form of oxygen (O 3) usually obtained by the discharge of electricity in air
PAN SIZE DETECTION: An intuitive feature on induction cooktops that uses sensors to generate energy only when appropriately sized cookware is being used.
PANEL-READY DESIGN: Delivered with handles and/or factory-installed door trim only. Custom panels must be ordered separately.
PC INPUT: An input on your TV for your personal computer
PIXEL: These are an individual dot of a TV’s picture. The more pixels, the more detailed the picture will be.
PLASMA: Plasma TVs offer you bright colors and deep black tones, using heated phosphors to create the picture, despite being the oldest in terms of technology. They’re perfect for gamers or sports fans looking for fast response times as each pixel is controlled individually, which reduces motion blur.
PORCELAIN-ON-CAST-IRON GRATES: Cooking grates with a porcelain coating that withstand high temperatures.
PORTHOLES: The hole used when loading a front-loading washing machine
POWRER OUTPUT: The amount of energy produced by a component.
POWER RELAY: Relay that functions at a predetermined value of power: may be an overpower relay, an under power relay, or a combination of both.
PRESSURE SWITCH: An electrical switch that is operated by pressure, usually air pressure, acting on a diaphragm. Used mainly in clothes washers to determine water fill level by switching off the water fill valve and turning on the timer or ‘telling’ the electronic control it’s time to start the agitation process.
PRE SOAK: This feature is an extra program to run before a full dishwasher cycle to help to remove burnt on stains and grease
PRE WASH: For items which are more heavily soiled, a pre wash feature makes sure that your clothing will come out clean after a main cycle
PTC (POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT) RELAY: A solid-state device whose electrical resistance increases as its temperature increases. Widely used for starting refrigerator and freezer compressors.
PUMP: Device used to move liquids, usually by means of a centrifugal impeller.
PUSH TO START SWITCH: Switch used to initiate the start of a cycle in an appliance. It starts the motor. Used on dryers and trash compactors.
PYROLYTIC: A special program, which is used to heat the oven to high temperatures turning any food residue to ash, which can then be easily swept away
QUICK DEFROST: A selectable microwave oven option that quickly defrosts one pound of frozen food.
QUICK WASH: A rapid wash feature, which is great for lightly, soiled clothing or when you are in a hurry
QUIET SPIN TECHNOLOGY: Ideal for second floor laundry rooms with great out-of-balance performance and vibration control. Quiet Spin Technology’s unique suspension system makes it all possible.
RACK ROLLER: The small wheels, usually made of plastic, that support the dishwasher’s dish racks, allowing them to be rolled out to be loaded and unloaded.
RADIANT ELEMENTS: Fast-heating ribbon elements sealed underneath a glass-ceramic cooking surface.
RAPID BOIL ELEMENT: A more powerful radiant element burner brings liquids to a boil more quickly and provides cooking flexibility by accommodating various sizes of cookware
REAR BEARING: The bearing located on the rear drum shaft in the back of the dryer.
RECEPTACLE, DRYER: The Receptacle that the 220V dryer cord plugs into, located on the wall
RECEPTACLE, RANGE: The terminal blocks that the electrical cord hooks up to one on electrical ranges. One is on the back of the range and the other in the wall.
RECIRCULATION: Any unclean air from the kitchen is cleaned through filters inside the cooker hood and then clean air then flows back into the kitchen
REFRIGERATOR: An appliance designed to transfer heat from the interior of the cabinet to the exterior
RELAY: a set of electrical contacts that is opened and closed by a magnetic coil or other actuator device, such as a bimetal.
REMOTE PUMP: In newer clothes washers and some dishwashers, the remote pump is a separate component from the main drive motor, and can operate independently from it.
RESIDUAL HEAT INDICATOR: On an electric cooker this illuminated indicator shows when the appliance is in use, warning you when the surface is hot. Until the surface is cool enough to touch the lights will stay on
RESPONSE TIME: This represents the amount of time it takes for one pixel to go from active (black) to inactive (white) and back to black again.
RESOLUTION: The higher the number of pixels, the better the picture quality.
REVERSE DRUM: A tumble dryer with a reverse drum can turn in both directions, clockwise and anti clockwise
REVERSIBLE DOOR: This feature gives you the flexibility to have the door hinge on either the left or right of the refrigerator, allowing you to open the door at the angle you want
RINSE AID: A chemical wetting agent added to a dishwasher’s rinse water to prevent spotting, especially on glassware. The rinse agent dispenser automatically admits a small quantity into the dishwasher.
RINSE HOLD: This helps to reduce cleaning and odors during the cycle by the clothes remaining in the water from the final rinse until there is a convenient time for you to select a spin program to complete the washing machine cycle
ROLLOUT RACKS: Wine racks inside wine cellars and beverage centers roll out to provide easy access.
SABBATH MODE: Overrides the oven’s automatic shut-off function, keeping it active for hours of uninterrupted cooking, making it possible to use the oven on the Sabbath without turning it on.
SADDLE VALVE: A small valve commonly used to connect refrigerator icemaker water supplies. Clamps onto, or ‘saddles’ a water line, from which it obtains its water supply. There are basically two types: those that pierce the water line, and those that require drilling a hole into the line.
SADDLE VALVE: A small valve commonly used to connect refrigerator icemaker water supplies. Clamps onto, or ‘saddles’ a water line, from which it obtains its water supply. There are basically two types: those that pierce the water line, and those that require drilling a hole into the line.
SANI RINSE: Sanitizes dishes by eliminating 99.999% of bacteria. NSF® Certified.
SCREEN SIZE: This is measured diagonally and tells you how big the screen is.
SEALED BURNERS: Cleans up quickly after cooking is complete. No gap between the cooktop and these burners makes for a smooth surface that’s easy to clean.
SEALED SYSTEM: An entire refrigeration system, consisting of compressor, evaporator, condenser, drier-filter, connecting tubing, and the captive oil and refrigerant charge.
SELECTOR SWITCH: A multi-position electrical switch that routes current flow to different circuits depending on the user’s choice. There are two main types, rotary or pushbutton switches.
SELF-LEVELER: Usually seen on the rear legs of automatic top-load washers, these devices simplify the leveling process during installation. The front feet are leveled side to side, and then the machine is tipped forward a bit and dropped down onto the rear feet. This mechanism is designed to cause the rear feet to conform to the floor and level the washer.
SENSITIVITY: Sensitivity doesn’t refer to sound quality, but how high the volume needs to be in order for the speakers to work their best. A less efficient speaker will create less noise, so the lower the dB level, and the lower the sensitivity.
SENSOR DRYING: This is a drying program, which allows the user to select the desired dryness. Sensors in the drum measure the moisture in the laundry and cleverly alter the cycle accordingly
SHELF SUPPORT: A short plastic support post that anchors to a refrigerator or freezer liner and upon which the shelves rest.
SIDE-BY-SIDE: Refrigerator with the fresh food and freezer sections next to each other. The freezer section is usually on the left side.
SILK PERFORMANCE: Making sure your silk items are correctly cared for and reducing creases the spin cycle is gentle with your clothing and takes the hassle out of washing by hand
SILVERWARE BASKET: In dishwashers, a container usually made of plastic that holds silverware and other small items, keeping them from falling into the bottom of the dishwasher.
SIMMER BURNER: A burner that produces a low output at its highest setting and has a low turn-down well suited for delicate tasks such as melting.
SIPHON BREAK: A small check valve that allows air into a drain system to prevent a siphon from becoming established. Used mainly in clothes washer drains.
SLEEP TIMER: This lets you set the TV to turn itself off after a set amount of time.
SMART TV: Smart TVs allow you to stream online content through your broadband connection and access online video and media without the need to connect a PC.
SMOOTH TOP: In reference to electric ranges with some version of glass over the surface burners.
SNUBBER: A device that adds some friction to a suspension system to dampen vibration. Most often used on washers.
SOIL SENSOR: Used mainly in high-end dishwashers to ‘read’ suspended dirt in wash water.
SOLENOID: An electro-mechanical device that produces a magnetic field, to move an internal metallic plunger, when power is supplied. When power to the electromagnet is discontinued, the plunger is free again to move by other forces. This plunger can be attached to other devices (levers, seals, etc.) to do mechanical work. This arrangement is commonly used in water fill valves, dishwasher drain valves, range door lock mechanisms and dryer gas valves.
SOLID STATE RELAY: An electronic switch that diverts the current when the flow is changed or when an external current is applied. Sometimes called a TRIAC.
SONOS: Sonos Wireless Hi-fi brings your digital music collection together in one app, controlled from any device. Play what you want in every room using wireless speakers and a dedicated wireless network.
SOUND BAR: Soundbars are a discrete option that save on space yet still pack a punch when it comes to sound compared to your TVs speakers. They fit alongside your TV stand and some can even be mounted onto your wall depending on where your TV is mounted.
SPARK MODULE: Electronic circuit module that provides the high voltage to the spark igniter to light gas burners.
SPEED-COOK: A comprehensive four-in-one cooking system that combines the speed of microwave energy with convection and broiling to cook oven-quality meals up to three times faster than traditional cooking methods.
SPEED WASH CYCLE: Runs a full dishwasher cycle in just one hour – that’s less than half the time of other wash cycles.
SPIN PERFORMANCE: This is the rating, which is given to a washing machine based on how well it extracts water from your laundry
SPIN SEAL: A large rotary seal in a clothes washer that protects the main shaft and bearings.
SPRAY ARM: In dishwashers, this is a rotating, perforated tube, usually flattened, through which the wash water recirculates during the wash cycle to distribute it over the dishes.
STEAM OVENS: Steam is used in this type of oven to cook your food. This is considered a healthy alternative to traditional ovens and locks in vitamins and minerals while keeping the same great taste in your meals
STEAM TECHNOLOGY: Naturally cleans and refreshes clothes. In the washer, steam breaks down and dissolves tough stains without pretreating. With the push of a button, the dryer combines mist with heat to create steam to relax wrinkles and refresh dry clothes.
STREAMING: Sending media from one place to another; via the Internet or a wireless network. If you don’t have a smart TV, you’ll need to connect a media player or wireless router to your TV. Media streaming allows you to watch movies, picture slideshows, YouTube videos and catch up services, and to listen to music playlists and a large number of radio stations.
SUBWOOFER: The subwoofer (also see woofer!) is the speaker, which reproduces extremely low frequencies.
SUCTION LINE: The ‘low side’ tube that connects a refrigeration system’s compressor to the evaporator. The larger of the two tubes that make this connection, and the biggest tube seen connected to the compressor.
SUMP: The lowest point in a water-handling system, where liquids collect and are moved upward.
SURFACE UNIT: Electric range top burner.
SURFACE UNIT RECEPTACLE: Bakelite (porcelain) or plastic block into which a conventional surface unit plugs or wires into.
S-VIDEO: An analogue video connection, which carries the brightness and color data as two separate signals.
Tap touch controls: The touch interface brings allows direct access to refrigerator functions and its sleek appearance enhances the appeal of any space.
TAP ADAPTOR: A male connector that attaches to a water faucet to allow a female connector (dishwasher unicouple) to attach to it. This device sometimes includes an aerator and is more properly called a dishwasher FAUCET ADAPTOR
TALL TUB: Refers to the newer style of dishwashers with large tanks that extend nearly to the floor.
TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL: Degrees of difference between the ‘cut-in’ and ‘cut-out’ of a temperature control system. For example, in an oven, when set for 350F, the actual temperature may cycle from 325F to 375F. The temperature differential in that case would be 50F.
TEMPERATURE PROBE: Allows for precise measurement of cooking temperatures for meat, poultry and liquid-based casseroles.
THERMAL FUSE: Any of the ‘one-time’ (non-resettable) temperature-sensitive devices used mainly in heating applications as protection against overheating when other components fail. Commonly used in clothes dryers and microwave ovens, they’re designed to open within a precisely defined temperature rating to help prevent fires.
THERMAL LIMITER: This is very similar to a thermal fuse, but in some cases can be resettable.
THERMISTOR: The combination of the two words ‘thermo’ and ‘resistor’, this is a resistor whose electrical resistance varies with temperature change.
THERM-O-DISC, INC.: Therm-O-Disc is a manufacturer of temperature sensors, temperature controls and electrical switches for the appliance, HVAC, automotive and commercial industries and is a subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co. Probably most notably associated with their bimetal disc thermostats
THERMOSTAT: A switch that opens and closes based on heat rise or fall. Most are operated either by a piece of bimetal or small hydraulic systems charged with a chemical whose expansion and contraction operates the switch contacts.
TIMED DRY: In a clothes dryer, this refers to the cycle that runs for x amount of minutes, then turns off, whether the laundry’s dry or not, with no actual moisture sensing involved.
Timer: In appliances, these are the ’mechanical brains’ that determine what the appliance does, and how long it does it before doing something else.
TIMER DELAY: A programmable feature which allows the washing machine cycle to start at a point in the future determined by the user, ideal to set the cycle over night when energy prices are cheaper
Top Freezer or Top Mount: Refrigerator design with the freezer on top and fresh food section on the bottom.
Top Loader: A washer that’s loaded with laundry from above. Some portable dishwashers also loaded this way.
TOUCH CONTROL: These oven controls are operated by touch alone; they look fabulous in any kitchen
Transmission: Also called a gear case. Contains a washer’s drive system, including its drive gears and input and output shafts. They are filled with heavy oil or grease to keep the gears lubricated.
Triac: A solid-state relay that can be turned on and off many times per second
Trim Ring: A circle of chrome or porcelain around conventional range surface burners.
Tub Ring: A top load washer tub’s top cover. Basically a large donut-shaped cap that seals the top of the tub. Also closes down the gap between the top of the basket and the tub, to help prevent small articles of laundry from escaping into the tub.
Turntable: Also called a carousel. The tray inside a microwave oven that is square, rectangular, or round, made of a special high iron content glass.
Turntable Motor: The small electrical motor that rotates a microwave ‘carousel’ to help provide even cooking.
UNICOUPLE: Device used to attach the fill and drain hose of a portable dishwasher or washing machine to a faucet (tap) adaptor mounted on a sink faucet.
UPSCALING: If you’re watching an old DVD on a newer DVD player and a HD screen, you may find that your DVD player is able to ‘upscale’ the picture by filling in some gaps. It won’t quite be to the standard of Blu-ray (it can only work with what’s in the original recording) but it will create a better picture.
VALVE COIL: the electromagnetic coil of wire used in appliance water fill valves, drain valves, gas control vales, and others.
VARIABLE SPIN: A variable spin speed allows you to adjust the amount of revolutions per minute (RPM) of a wash load to control the cycle more
VARIABLE TEMPERATURE: You are able to change the temperature of a cycle as your wish to, giving you the ability to customize you wash programs. You can suit the clothing you have placed into the machine, or wash at a lower temperature to save energy
VENTED DRYER: This type of tumble dryer vents the water expelled during the cycle outside, through a ventilation hose
VENT FAN MOTORS: The Fan Motor that pushes the air through the vent pipe.
VENT HOOD: The opening in the outside house wall through which a dryer vents. These are equipped with either a flapper or louvers that are opened by the dryer’s outlet air pressure.
Also called a ‘range hood’. The large ‘funnel’ installed over a stove to catch and divert cooking heat and vapors outside the house. Usually fan-forced. Some ‘recycle’ air through a filter and back into the house.
VIRTUAL DOLBY: Gives an effect similar to surround sound by distributing the sound around the room from twin speakers.
VISIBLE SCREEN SIZE: The diagonal measurement from one corner of the screen to another.
VOLTAGE: Voltage (sometimes also called electric or electrical tension) is the difference of electrical potential between two points of an electrical or electronic circuit, expressed in volts. [1] It measures the potential energy of an electric field to cause an electric current in an electrical conductor. Depending on the difference of electrical potential it is called extra low voltage, low voltage, high voltage or extra high voltage.
WASHABLE FILTER: A washable filter can be easily cleaned and traps any grease preventing it from returning to your kitchen air
WASH IMPELLER: In dishwashers, this rotating ‘fan blade’ recirculates the tankful of water and detergent solution back over dishes after passing it through a filter.
WASH LOAD: This is the amount of laundry, which can be washed during one cycle; a washing machine with a larger wash load can reduce creasing
WASH PERFORMANCE: This is the rating, which is given to a washing machine to determine how well it cleans during a cycle
WASH PUMP: The section of a dishwasher pump assembly, including the wash impeller, that is responsible for rotating the water to spray the dishes.
WATER CONSUMPTION: The amount of water, which is used during the washing machines cycle
WATER DISPENSER: The refrigerator system that stores a quantity of chilled water, and delivers, it on demand, to an outlet outside the refrigerator, and directly into a glass or other container. Uses the same water supply as the icemaker.
WATER FILTER: A refrigerator water filter is a devise located in the water line designed to absorb impurities in the water.
WATER LEVEL SWITCH: Also called a pressure switch. In a clothes washer the water level switch is activated by the water level in the tank, and turns the fill valve off and the timer motor on, starting the agitate cycle.
WATER VALVE: Also called a fill valve. A commonly used device in appliances, these valves use house supply water pressure to open and close. Energizing a valve coil that opens a small hole, allowing water pressure to lift the valve’s diaphragm off the valve seat, allowing water to flow into the appliance, does this.
WATTAGE: The unit of power measurement; 1 joule of energy per second; the power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm; in Ohm’s law, watts = volts x amps
WI-DI: Wireless Display – watch what’s on your devices on your TV screen with Intel wireless display (all devices need to be Wi-di compatible).
WI-FI: Wi-Fi lets you connect your electronic device to the Internet wirelessly using radio waves. You just need to be within range of a network router.
WINE COOLER: A section inside the refrigerator where you can store wine, ensuring it is chilled to an optimum temperature.
WOOFER: A loud speaker designed to produce low frequency sounds. A woofer has a wide frequency range compared to a subwoofer.
Yoder Loop
A length of a refrigeration system’s warm condenser tubing that is routed inside a refrigerator or freezer cabinet to warm its surface, preventing condensation
