Toyota 2003 Prius, Manual

Page: 19 / 307

2003 PRIUS (EWD493U)
18
E GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND SYMBOLS
BATTERY
Stores chemical energy and
converts it into electrical energy.
Provides DC current for the auto’s
various electrical circuits.
GROUND
The point at which wiring attaches to
the Body, thereby providing a return
path for an electrical circuit; without a
ground, current cannot flow.
CAPACITOR (Condenser)
A small holding unit for temporary
storage of electrical voltage.
HEADLIGHTS
Current flow causes a headlight
filament to heat up and emit light. A
headlight may have either a single
(1) filament or a double (2) filament
1. SINGLE
FILAMENT
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
An electric resistance heating
element.
2. DOUBLE
FILAMENT
CIRCUIT BREAKER
Basically a reusable fuse, a circuit
breaker will heat and open if too
much current flows through it.
Some units automatically reset when
cool, others must be manually reset.
HORN
An electric device which sounds a
loud audible signal.
DIODE
A semiconductor which allows
current flow in only one direction.
IGNITION COIL
Converts low–voltage DC current
into high–voltage ignition current for
firing the spark plugs.
DIODE, ZENER
A diode which allows current flow in one
direction but blocks reverse flow only up
to a specific voltage. Above that potential,
it passes the excess voltage. This acts as
a simple voltage regulator.
LIGHT
Current flow through a filament
causes the filament to heat up and
emit light.
PHOTODIODE
The photodiode is a semiconductor
which controls the current flow
according to the amount of light.
LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)
Upon current flow, these diodes emit
light without producing the heat of a
comparable light.
DISTRIBUTOR, IIA
Channels high–voltage current from
the ignition coil to the individual
spark plugs.
METER, ANALOG
Current flow activates a magnetic
coil which causes a needle to move,
thereby providing a relative display
against a background calibration.
FUSE
A thin metal strip which burns through
when too much current flows through it,
thereby stopping current flow and
protecting a circuit from damage.
FUSIBLE LINK
METER, DIGITAL
Current flow activates one or many
LED’s, LCD’s, or fluorescent
displays, which provide a relative or
digital display.
FUEL
FUSIBLE LINK
A heavy–gauge wire placed in high
amperage circuits which burns through on
overloads, thereby protecting the circuit.
The numbers indicate the crosssection
surface area of the wires.
(for Medium Current Fuse)
(for High Current Fuse or
Fusible Link)
MOTOR
A power unit which converts
electrical energy into mechanical
energy, especially rotary motion.
M