Glossary of terms

An effect where the position or direction of an object appears to differ when viewed from different positions.

PCB is an abbreviation for Printed Circuit Board. It consists of metal (usually copper) tracks attached to a substrate such as fibreglass-reinforced epoxy resin.

Electrical phase is the relationship between voltage and current in an alternating current (AC) circuit. 

In DCC, we use Single-phase, a system supplying a simultaneous change in all supply voltages. It’s a much lower voltage (about 15VAC) than most homes use, but is the same principle.

When it comes to power distribution, a single-phase uses the phase and neutral wires. The phase wire will carry the current, while the neutral wire offers a return path for the current.

Phillips screws feature a cross-head slot forming a four pointed cross on the screw head.
Use of a Pozidriv drive screwdriver with this type of screw will result in the screwdriver not fitting snugly into the screw.

Electrical polarity, referred to as + (positive) and - (negative) poles, is the direction of current flow in an electrical circuit. Current flow is from positive to negative.

Electrical positive is due to a greater number of protons than electrons in an object. This gives the object a positive charge and a higher electrical potential.

Electric potential is measured in volts, and is the work needed, to move one unit of charge against an electric field, from one point to another.

A power district is an area or sub-area of track that is powered by a booster or circuit breaker. It is electrically isolated both at the track and power district levels.

Pozidriv screws feature a cross-head slot, with radial indentations that are set at 45 degrees from the main cross.
Use of a Phillips drive screwdriver with this type of screw will result in the screwdriver not fitting snugly into the screw.

A cross-head type of screwdriver, identified by an eight point star forming the slot of the screw.