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.
* Groove:
housing for the sealing ring.
*
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 on the one hand for photosynthesis,
and emitted into the atmosphere on the other, contributing to the greenhouse
effect.
*
Combustion
:
a process that releases energy. Combustion is basically a chemical
reaction that requires three things in order to take place: fuel, oxidant and ignition
temperature.
*
Oxidant
: chemical substance that feeds combustion (essentially oxygen) and is
essential for it to take place.
*
Fuel
: anything that can undergo combustion, in this case wood.
*
Creosote
: chemical compound created by combustion. This compound is
sometimes deposited on the glass and flue of an insert fire.
*
Circuit breaker
:
Electromechanical device that protects a given electrical
appliance.
*
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.
*
CO Emissions
: emission of carbon monoxide gas into the atmosphere.
*
CO Emissions (13% O
2
)
: carbon monoxide content corrected for 13% of O
2
.
*
Differential Switch
:
protects people and property against earthing failures,
preventing electric shocks and fires.
*
kcal
(Kilocalorie): multiple unit of measurement of calories. Equivalent to 1,000
calories.
*
kW
(Kilowatt): Unit of measurement equal to 1,000 watts.
*
mm
(millimetres): unit of measurement.
*
mA
(milliampere): unit of measurement of electric current.
*
Pa (Pascal)
: standard SI unit of pressure and tension. This unit is named after
Blaise Pascal, eminent French mathematician, physicist and philosopher.
*
Calorific Value
: also known as specific combustion heat. Represents the quantity
of heat released when a certain quantity of fuel is completely burned. Calorific
value is expressed in calories (or kilocalories) per unit of weight of fuel.
*
Rated output
:
Electric power consumed by an energy source. Measured in watts.
*
Nominal heat output
:
heating capacity, i.e. the heat energy the unit transfers
from energy present in the firewood
– measured for a standard load of firewood
over a given period of time.
*
Power output
:
a manufacturer's recommendation from tests on the equipment
with firewood loads within a reasonable operating range. This power output range
will present different firewood consumptions per hour.
*
Plumb
: vertically above the installation.
*
Efficiency
:
expressed as a percentage of “useful energy” that can be extracted
from a
given system, taking into account the “total energy” of the fuel used.
*
Ignition temperature
: temperature above which the fuel can enter into
combustion.
*
Heat-resistant
: resistant to high temperatures and thermal shock.
*
Ceramic glass
: Highly resistant ceramic material produced through controlled
crystallisation of vitreous materials. Used widely in industrial applications.
*
W
(Watt): SI unit of power.
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