open circuit
1
4.6
- noun
- /ˈoʊpən ˈsɜrkɪt/
- Specialized
:
circuito abierto
- The data collected would typically be in open-circuit voltage measurements.
- open circuit voltage
Examples
-
At that point, we develop a voltage at open circuit, but there's no current that flows.
-
In order to collect pulmonary data during the test, an open circuit spirometer (Mijnhart Oxycon, IBM, Bunnik, the Netherlands) with automatic printout every 30 seconds was used.
Academic text (2005) -
First thing I think about is what's the open circuit voltage?
-
This timing device is an open circuit before the hand touches the push rim.
Academic text (1996) -
In an open circuit, the free charges would simply remain on the electrodes, and a voltage could be measured.
Academic text (2005) -
The open circuit voltage is 2V; it would be much lower if shorted out.
Blog text (31) -
With an open circuit, no current is flowing, and the partial reactions occurring at the anode and cathode are at equilibrium.
Academic text (1994) -
If the cause of the kick out is "Brake," the ECM has detected an open circuit in the circuit for a service brake switch. Verify that the operator did not operate the service brake.
Blog text (6) -
The lithium-ion cell has a nominal open-circuit voltage of 3.6V and a typical charging voltage of 4.2V (Wikipedia, 2006).
Academic text (2007) -
In an open circuit, no current flows because the electrical path is incomplete.
Antonyms
How Reliable
473
2.3
- Specialized
5
5.3
- Specialized
61
3.5
- Specialized
1
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'open' (not closed) modifies 'circuit' (a route for electric current), so a learner who knows both words can infer an electrical path that is not complete and therefore no current flows. This adjective+noun combination follows regular English logic and has close equivalents in many languages, making it immediately understandable to B1 learners.
Etymology
The noun open circuit comes from the image of a circuit as a loop or road for electricity that is left open or broken, like a road with a gap. Because the loop is open, the 'current' cannot flow, so the device does not work.