The goal of this page is to explain the meanings behind some of the many terms and acronyms you may hear as a member of NER’s electrical team.
NER-Specific Terms
MPU - Main Processing Unit.
TCU - Telemetry Control Unit.
Competition/Rules Terms
Page 78 in the FH+E Rules includes a useful glossary of electrical terms
BRB - Big Red Button. These are used to shut down the car in the event of an emergency. The car includes 3 of them, one on the dashboard and one on each side of the car.
IMD - Insulation Monitoring Device. This is a component of the shutdown loop which cuts power to the car if there’s a short circuit between high voltage and the chassis of the car which could endanger the driver or bystanders.
BMS/AMS - Battery Management/Accumulator Monitoring System.
GLV Grounded Low Voltage system (GLV) - Every conductive part that is not part of the
tractive system. (This includes the GLV electrical system, frame, conductive housings,
carbon-fiber components etc.
Tractive System (TS) - The High Voltage system on the car.
GLVMS – Grounded Low Voltage Master Switch.
ESF - Electrical System Form.
SMD – Segment Maintenance Disconnect.
SSOK – Safety Systems OK.
TSAL – Tractive System Active Lamp.
TSMP – Tractive System Measuring Points.
TSMS – Tractive System Master Switch.
BSPD - Brake System Plausibility Device. A system required by FSAE rules which shuts down the car in the event of simultaneous braking and acceleration.
BOTS - Brake Overtravel Switch
PCB/Altium Terms
PCB - Printed Circuit Board.
DRC - Design Rules Check. A Report showing Violations of PCB design rules
SMD/SMT - Surface Mount Device/Technology. Refers to components which mount to one side of a PCB.