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mA

mA

6 3.3
A small unit that measures electric current equal to one thousandth of an amp
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : mA
  • The Level Plus LT420 is a loop-powered 4- to 20-mA level transmitter.
  • 4- to 20 mA
  • 20 mA
  • mA output

Examples

  • Zero and span adjustments permit scaling the input to set the 4- to 20-mA output as desired.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The external channels support 4-20 mA probes, including pressure transducers and water quality probes.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The control loop output is 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 20 mA.

    Academic text (1995)
  • F equals MA, force equals mass times acceleration.

  • The sensor operates on 5 V DC with a maximum of 30 mA current.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The transmitter has been designed for 1/1000-in. resolution with standard 4 to 20 mA DC output.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The self-contained unit provides a reversible 4-20 mA output proportional to liquid level or space.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Two integral relays, as well as a 4- to 20-mA output, allow for a range of alarming and indication possibilities.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The transmitter provides an adjustable 4-20 mA signal and an open-collector sensor pulse output signal.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The control loop output is 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 20 mA.

Synonyms

milliamp
vsmA
  • Specialized
2 4.0

A unit of electric current equal to one thousandth of an ampere

is written as a short symbol rather than the full word
milliampere
vsmA
  • Specialized
5.1

One thousandth of an ampere of electric current

is written as a short symbol rather than the full term

Compounds

ma-in-law
  • Informal
8.9

The mother of your husband or wife

Surface Forms

mA singular
mAs plural

Morphology

mA = ampere (transparent) = m + A

Standard SI prefix 'm' (milli) denotes one thousandth of the base unit 'ampere', so the meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

MA stands for milliampere, where milli- means 'one thousandth' (the same 'milli-' in millimeter and milligram) and ampere is the unit for 'electric current'. So, mA is one thousandth of an amp, which is why small devices often use values like 20 mA.