Glossary of Electronic Terms, Electronic terms starting from alphabet K

Kilocycle {obsolete, now kHz}.

KEEP-ALIVE VOLTAGE.

DC voltage applied to a tr gap electrode to produce a glow discharge that allows the tube to ionize faster when the transmitter fires.

KELVIN.

A unit of temperature equal to 10 Celsius.

KERNEL.

A module of a program that forms a logical entity or performs a unit function.

KEYBOARD.

A peripheral device used with a personal computer which allows data entry similar to a typewriter.

KEY-CLICK FILTERS.

Filters used in keying systems to prevent key-click interference.

KEY CLICKS.

Interference in the form of "clicks" or "thumps" caused by the sudden application or removal of power.

KEYED-OSCILLATOR TRANSMITTER.

A transmitter in which one stage is used to produce the RF pulse.

KEYER.

A device that changes dc pulses to mark and space modulation for teletypewriter transmissions. A synchronizer.

KEYING RELAYS.

Relays used in radio transmitters where the ordinary hand key cannot accommodate the plate current without excessive arcing.

KILO.

A prefix meaning one thousand, 10³.


KIRCHHOFF'S LAWS.

The algebraic sum of the current flowing toward any point in a circuit and the current flowing away from it is zero. The algebraic sum of the products of the current and resistance in each of the conductors in any closed path in a network is equal to the algebraic sum of the electromotive forces in the path.

KLYSTRON POWER AMPLIFIER.

A multicavity microwave electron tube that uses velocity modulation.

KNEE OF THE CURVE.

The point of maximum curvature of a magnetization curve.

Kilovolt-ampere 1000 volts at 1 ampere.

Kilowatt-hour 1000 watts for 1 hour.

Kilowatt-hour meter A meter used by electric utility companies to measure the amount of electric power used by a customer.

Kinetic energy Energy associated with motion.

Kirchhoff"s current law The sum of the currents flowing into a point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents flowing out of that same point.

Kirchhoff"s voltage law The algebraic sum of the voltage drops in a closed path circuit is equal to the algebraic sum of the source voltages applied.

Knee voltage The voltage at which a curve joins two relatively straight portions of a characteristic curve. For a PN junction diode, the point in the forward operating region of the characteristic curve where conduction starts to increase rapidly. For a zener diode, the term is often used in reference to the zener voltage rating.