electrical contact
1
4.1
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl ˈkɒntækt/
- Specialized
:
contacto eléctrico
- A typical fuel cell voltage is about one volt; practical systems have a stack of fuel cells, with the anode of one cell in electrical contact with the cathode of the next.
Examples
-
An important feature of OPM development is that there are no electrical contacts necessary within the pneumatic transducer itself.
Academic text (1992) -
These will provide both support for the rotor as well as electrical contacts for the battery.
-
Practical systems use a stack of many fuel cells, with the anode of each cell in electrical contact with the cathode of the next.
Academic text (1994) -
With very careful positioning of the picoprobes to ensure good electrical contact, 56 points were measured around the chip.
Academic text (1999) -
Ohmic microswitches make direct electrical contact between metal conductors, and wear ultimately limits lifetime.
Academic text (2003) -
The all-important question was to determine the fabric's reliability and durability, especially with respect to the electrical contacts.
Blog text (6) -
Sponges, which supplied the electrical contact between the plate electrodes and specimens, were saturated with a reasonable amount of water, and tests were performed quickly so the water did not have time to enter pores and microcracks.
Academic text (2016) -
It's got eight electrical contacts on each side, configured so it doesn't matter which way you plug it in—a bugaboo with USB cables, particularly as they get smaller.
Blog text (5) -
The electrical contact in this device ensures that power flows smoothly from the battery.
-
These two wires must form a strong electrical contact to maintain a steady current.
Synonyms
43
5.5
A place where two metal parts touch to pass electricity
A point where two wires touch to make an electric connection
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'electrical' (pertaining to electricity) with 'contact' (a point where conductors meet), so the meaning 'a point or surface allowing current to pass' is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a straightforward compositional technical noun phrase and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Electrical contact comes from the words electrical and contact, meaning electricity and touching, and paints a simple picture: two metal parts touch so electricity can move from one to the other like a small bridge or a handshake. So, it means the place or surface that lets electric current 'pass' between wires or parts.