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Available Voltage

1. The amount of voltage available at any point in the circuit 2.The maximum voltage that can be produced in the secondary circuit of a conventional ignition system.

Avalanche Diode

A semiconductor designed to operate in the breakdown region to produce a constant voltage across the diode for regulating through the current though it may vary.

Avalanche Point

The point at witch a nondestructive PN junction breaks down and creates a reverse bias current flow.

AVCS

Air valve control solenoid.

Averaging

A processing technique used by digital oscilloscopes to reduce noise in a displayed signal.

Avgas

Slang for aviation gasoline; generally higher octane than automobile gasoline.

AVM

Advance vacuum modulator.

AVOM

Analog volt ohm meter.

AVR

Amps volts resistance.

AWD

An acronym for all-wheel drive.

AWDA

An acronym for Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, Inc.

AWG

An acronym for American wire gauge.

Axial

In line along with the axis of centerline of a part or component.

Axial Compressor

A compressor designed so that the cylinders are arranged parallel to the output shaft.

Axial Leads

Wires that extend from the ends of an electronic component, such as a capacitor, along the axis of the unit.

Axial Load

A type of load placed on a bearing that is parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft.

Axial Motion

Motion that occurs along the axis of a revolving shaft or parallel to the axis of a revolving shaft.

Axial Play

Axial play in a ball joint means looseness in the same line as the ball joint stud.

Axis

[1] The center line of a rotating part. [2] A cross member supporting a vehicle on which one or more wheels are mounter [3] A pair of wheels at either end of a vehicle

Axle

A solid metal tube connected to the wheel on either side of a vehicle. In the rear on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the axles live inside an axle housing with a differential, commonly called a pumpkin, at the center. (Four-wheel-drive vehicles have a similar setup at the front, as well.) Some people use the word axle to refer to the axle housing.