Electrical Glossary

Owned by Walter Stadolnik (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Jun 27, 2023
2 min read

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.