Question 1

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

Accepted Answer

A device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion.

Question 2

Inverter

Accepted Answer

A device that converts DC power from the vehicle's battery into AC power for running electrical equipment.

Question 3

Shore Power

Accepted Answer

External electrical power that can be connected to a vehicle or trailer to provide power without running the engine.

Question 4

Battery Isolator

Accepted Answer

A device that allows multiple batteries to be charged from the engine's alternator while preventing the batteries from discharging each other.

Question 5

Voltage Regulator

Accepted Answer

A component that maintains the output of the alternator or generator at a constant voltage level.

Question 6

Solar Charging System

Accepted Answer

A system that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and charge the vehicle's battery.

Question 7

Standby Generator

Accepted Answer

A generator that automatically provides power to the vehicle's electrical systems in case of power loss from the main source.

Question 8

Paralleling Switchgear

Accepted Answer

A device that allows multiple power sources to be connected in parallel to increase the total power available.

Question 9

HVAC Systems

Accepted Answer

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems used to control the temperature and air quality inside the vehicle.

Question 10

Alternator

Accepted Answer

A component that converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy for the vehicle's electrical systems.

Question 11

Dual Battery System

Accepted Answer

A system that uses two batteries: one for starting the engine and running the vehicle's primary electrical systems, and another for auxiliary equipment.

Question 12

Battery Management System (BMS)

Accepted Answer

A system that monitors and manages the state of charge, health, and other parameters of a battery or battery pack.

Question 13

Electrical Load

Accepted Answer

The total amount of electrical power being consumed by all electrical devices and systems in a vehicle.

Question 14

Energy Storage System

Accepted Answer

A system that stores electrical energy for later use, often using batteries or capacitors.

Question 15

Converter

Accepted Answer

A device that changes AC power to DC power for charging a vehicle's battery or running DC equipment.

Question 16

Transfer Switch

Accepted Answer

A switch that changes the source of electrical power from one source to another, such as from the generator to shore power.

Question 17

Load Management System

Accepted Answer

A system that manages the distribution of electrical power to various systems and devices in the vehicle.

Question 18

High Idle Control

Accepted Answer

A feature that increases the engine's idle speed to produce more electrical power for the vehicle's systems and equipment.

Question 19

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Accepted Answer

A device that shuts off an electrical circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an unintended path, such as through water or a person.

Question 20

Circuit Breaker

Accepted Answer

A device that interrupts an electrical circuit to protect it from damage caused by an overcurrent or short circuit.

Question 21

Soft Start Module

Accepted Answer

A device that gradually increases the current to an electric motor to reduce the mechanical stress on the motor and electrical stress on the power supply.

Question 22

Wiring Harness

Accepted Answer

A group of wires or cables bundled together to transmit signals or electrical power in a vehicle.

Question 23

Fuse

Accepted Answer

A safety device that protects an electrical circuit by melting when the current in the circuit exceeds a certain level.

Question 24

Relay

Accepted Answer

An electrically operated switch that opens or closes circuits by using a small electrical signal to control a larger electrical load.

Question 25

Capacitor

Accepted Answer

A component that stores electrical energy in an electric field and can release it when needed.

Question 26

Rectifier

Accepted Answer

A device that converts AC power into DC power.

Question 27

Solenoid

Accepted Answer

A coil of wire that creates a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it, often used as a switch or valve in vehicles.

Question 28

Starter Motor

Accepted Answer

An electric motor that rotates the internal combustion engine to initiate the engine's operation.

Question 29

Ohm's Law

Accepted Answer

A basic principle of electricity stating that the current passing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.

Question 30

Power Factor

Accepted Answer

The ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit.

Question 31

Phase Inverter

Accepted Answer

A device that changes a single-phase power supply into a three-phase supply or vice versa.

Question 32

Sine Wave

Accepted Answer

The waveform of a pure alternating current or voltage. It is the shape of the wave produced by most generators and used by most electrical appliances.

Question 33

Square Wave

Accepted Answer

A waveform with sharp transitions between high and low levels. Some inverters produce this waveform, which is less efficient and can cause more electrical noise.

Question 34

Modified Sine Wave

Accepted Answer

A compromise between a square wave and a sine wave. It is less efficient than a sine wave but more efficient and less noisy than a square wave.

Question 35

Pure Sine Wave

Accepted Answer

A smooth, oscillating waveform that is the same as the wave shape of utility power or the power from the best quality inverters.

Question 36

Load Shedding

Accepted Answer

The process of turning off non-critical electrical systems to prevent an overload of the electrical supply.

Question 37

Isolation Transformer

Accepted Answer

A device that separates two parts of an electrical system to prevent current from flowing between them, used for safety and to reduce noise.

Question 38

Surge Protector

Accepted Answer

A device that protects electrical appliances from voltage spikes by blocking or shorting to ground any unwanted voltages above a safe threshold.

Question 39

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

Accepted Answer

Disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source.

Question 40

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Accepted Answer

A subtype of EMI that occurs in the radio frequency spectrum and is usually due to artificial sources such as radio transmitters.

Question 41

Power Conditioning

Accepted Answer

The process of improving the quality of the power that is delivered to electrical load equipment, often by correcting the power factor or reducing noise.

Advanced ASE Truck Equipment Certification - E3 Auxiliary Power Systems