73
22.
Glossary
Ampere (A):
SI unit of measurement of electric current
bar:
unit of pressure equal to exactly 100,000 Pa. This pressure is very close to
standard atmospheric pressure.
cal (Calorie):
equal to the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of
one gram of water by one degree centigrade.
Circuit breaker:
Electromechanical device that protects a given electrical appliance.
cm (centimetres):
unit of measurement.
CO (carbon monoxide):
Lightly flammable, colourless, odourless and very
dangerous gas, due to its toxicity.
CO
2
(carbon dioxide):
Gas needed by plants for photosynthesis on the one hand,
and emitted into the atmosphere on the other, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
CO emissions:
emission of carbon monoxide gas into the atmosphere.
CO Emissions (13% O
2
):
carbon monoxide content corrected to 13% of O2.
Combustion: a process that releases energy. Combustion is basically a chemical
reaction that requires three items in order to take place: fuel, oxidant and ignition
temperature.
Creosote:
chemical compound created by combustion. This compound is sometimes
deposited on the glass and flue of an insert fire.
Differential switch:
protects people and property against grounding failures,
preventing electric shocks and fires.
Energy efficiency:
capacity to generate large quantities of heat with the least
amount of energy possible, causing the least environmental impact and reducing the
energy budget.
Fuel:
anything that can undergo combustion, in this case wood.
Glass ceramics:
highly resistant ceramic material produced through controlled
crystallisation of vitreous materials. Used widely in industrial applications.
Heat-resistant:
resistant to high temperatures and thermal shock.
kcal (Kilocalorie):
multiple units of measurement of calories. Equivalent to 1000
calories.
kW (Kilowatt):
unit of measurement equal to 1,000 watts.
mA (milliampere):
unit of measurement of electric current.
mm (millimetres):
unit of measurement.
Net heating value:
also known as specific combustion heat. It represents the
amount of heat released when a certain amount of fuel is completely burned. Calorific