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Glossary of Terms

From “AC” to “voltage” and from “alarm” to “warble”, you’ll find the definition in the list below.

Term Definition
AC Abbreviation for Alternating Current.
AC/DC An alarm rated for AC/DC works on both AC or DC current.
Alarm Generic term that covers electronic audible alarms. Other common names include buzzers, audible indicators, alerts, piezo's, beepers, sirens, & indicators.
Alerts Generic term that covers electronic audible alarms. Other common names include buzzers, audible indicators, piezo's, beepers, sirens, & indicators.
Alternating Current Electric current in which the polarity alternates (i.e. follows a sinusoidal wave shape), abbreviated as AC, and measured in ampheres (amps). House hold current uses AC current.
Amperes Units of electrical current abbreviated as Amps.
Amps Abbreviation for Amperes.
Audible A "sound" whose pitch falls between 1 Hz and 20,000 Hz which is the normal range of hearing for an adult. Also known as audio.
Audio A "sound" whose pitch falls between 1 Hz and 20,000 Hz which is the normal range of hearing for an adult. Also known as audible.
A-Weighted Mathematical scale used to adjust the sound level to account for the human ear not being a perfect microphone. A sound level measurement that is made using the A-Weighted scale has units of dB(a).
Board Mount Any alarm that is intended to be used on a circuit board.
Bracket Mount Audible alarms that utilize a metal bracket to mount the alarm.
Buzzers Generic term that covers electronic audible alarms. Other common names include audible alarms, audible indicators, alerts, piezo's, beepers, sirens, & indicators.
Constant Tone A constant (or continuous) tone alarm will continously sound when voltage is applied. This is in contrast to a pulsing or beeping alarm that turns on and off when voltage is applied.
Cross Walk Series Mallory Sonalert audible alarm series designed to be used for pedestrian crosswalk applications.
cUL Registered cUL is a combined specification that covers both the UL and CSA specification under one qualification certification.
dB Abbreviation for Decibels.
dB(a) Abbreviation for Decibels using an A-Weighted scale.
DC Abbreviation for Direct Current.
Decibels Unit of measure for sound level abbreviated as dB. If an A-Weighted scale is used, the abbreviation is dB(a). The decibel scale is an arbitrary scale that ranges from the threshold of hearing (0 dB) to the threshold of pain (130 dB).
Direct Current Current that flows in only one direction, abbreviated as DC, and is measured in ampheres (amps). Batteries provide direct current.
Dual Tone Alarm An audible alarm that can produce two different sounds depending on which terminals are activated. One of the sounds is a continous tone, and the other is a pulsing sound.
EAU Abbreviation for Estimated Annual Usage.
EFI Abbreviation for Electromagnetic Frequency Interference
Electromagnetic Type An electromagnetic audible alarm utilizes an electro-magnetic coil and a metal disc. When a voltage is applied to the magnetic coil, the resulting electromagnetic field causes the metal disc to physcially bend.
Electromechanical Type An older technology of audible alarm that uses a metal clapper to generate the sound. Electromechanical alarms have mostly been replaced by more efficient and reliable electronic audible alarms.
EMI Abbreviation for Electro-Magnetic Interference
ESD Electro-Static Discharge.
External Drive Transducer A transducer type audible alarm that only has two external connections. The user has complete control of the AC signal that is applied to the part.
Feed Back Usually refers to the third terminal on a self-drive transducer audible alarm that provides a voltage that is 180 degrees out of phase with the input voltage signal.
Flange Mount An audible alarm that has an integrated flange with mounting holes. These parts are generally mounted using rivets or screws.
Frequency The number of peaks per second of the audible air pressure wave. Also known as sound pitch and is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Fundamental Frequency The main frequency component of an audible sound. A sound can be composed of many different frequencies (think of hitting multiple keys on a piano at the same time). For electronic audible alarms, there is typically one main fundamental sound frequency.
Harmonic Frequency(s) Audible alarms typically have one main frequency called the fundamental frequency. Often, there are much softer higher frquency components in the generated sound that are called the harmonic frequencies (which are a multiple of the fundamental frequency.
Hertz Unit of measure for sound pitch or sound frequency. One Hertz equals one cycle per second. Abbreviated as Hz.
Hi-Lo Sound A sound that changes between two different pitches. Also known as a warble sound.
Hz Abbreviation for Hertz.
Indicator An electronic audible alarm that has a built in circuitry so that the user of the alarm only needs to apply voltage to the part.
Intermittent Sound A sound that repeatedly turns on and off. A slow pulsing sound is typically less than 2 pulses per second while a fast pulsing sound is typically more than 2 pulses per second. Also known as a pulsing sound.
IP A self-certified European rating system for dust water protection.
Knurled Nut The plastic or metal nut that is threaded onto the neck of the panel mount alarm.
LED Abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode.
NEMA A self-certified U.S. rating system for water protection.
Over-Voltage Applying more voltage than the normal operating voltage range. Most Mallory Sonalert alarms are rated for 10 to 20% over-voltage protection.
Panel Mount Panel mount alarms require that a hole be cut into the panel in order for the alarm to be properly mounted. The panel hole size varies depending on the alarm series used.
PC Board Mount An audible alarm designed to be mounted onto a printed circuit board.
Piezoelectric Type A piezoelectric audible alarm utilizes a piezoelectric sounder element which consists of a metal disc that has a special ceramic material mounted on it. When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric sounder element, the sounder element physically bends.
Pitch The number of peaks per second of the air pressure wave. Also known as sound frequency and is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Pulsing Sound A sound that repeatedly turns on and off. A slow pulsing sound is typically less than 2 pulses per second while a fast pulsing sound is typically more than 2 pulses per second. Also known as an intermittent sound.
Resonant Frequency The frequency at which the transducer operates the most efficiently and produces the loudness sound level.
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