28
16.
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):
it is the amount of heat required to increase one degree centigrade
the temperature of one gram of water.
cm (centimetre):
unit of measurement.
CO (carbon monoxide):
A lightly flammable, colourless, odourless gas that is very
dangerous due to its high toxicity.
CO
2
(carbon dioxide):
Gas needed by plants for photosynthesis on the one hand,
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 items in order to take place: fuel, oxidiser and ignition
temperature.
Combustive agent:
the chemical substance that feeds combustion (essentially
oxygen), that must be present for the combustion to take place.
Combustible:
property of any material that can ignite; wood, in this example.
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.
Energetic 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% of O
2
):
monoxide content corrected to 13% of O
2
.
Differential switch:
protects people and property against grounding failures,
preventing electric shocks and fires.
kcal (kilo calorie):
multiple of the unit of measurement calorie. Equivalent to 1000
calories.
kW (kilowatt):
unit of measurement equal to 1,000 watts.
mm (millimetre):
unit of measurement.
mA (milliamp):
unit of measurement of electric current.
Pa (Pascal):
standard IS unit for pressure and tension. This unit is named after
Blaise Pascal, eminent French mathematician, physicist and philosopher.