Aerial Conductor. A wire or electric conductor carried over housetops or poles, or otherwise suspended in the air, as distinguished from underground or submarine conductors.
Affinity. The attraction of atoms and molecules for each other, due to chemical or electrical action.
Air-condenser. A static condenser whose dielectric is air.
Air-line Wire. In telegraphy that portion of the line-wire which is strung on poles and carried through the air.
Alarm, Burglar. A system of circuits with an alarm-bell, the wires of which extend over a house or building, connecting the windows and doors with the annunciator.
Alarm, Electric. An appliance for calling attention, generally through the ringing of a bell or the operating of a horn.
Alarm, Fire and Heat. An expansion apparatus that automatically closes a circuit and rings a bell.
Alive, or “Live.” A term applied to a wire or circuit that is charged with electricity. A “live” wire.
Active circuits or wires.
Alloy. Any mixture of two or more metals making a scientific compound. For example: copper and zinc to form brass; copper, tin, and zinc to form bronze; copper, nickel, and zinc to form German-silver.