This blog was originally published on the 18th March 2013. It was updated on the 14th July 2025.
Acronyms, abbreviations, SI units, sometimes researching and using test equipment can feel like you're starring in your very own Line of Duty episode! To help, we've compiled a glossary of common symbols, units, terms, and acronyms. So, if you're confused by a symbol and not sure what it means, this handy guide will help!
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What do Test Equipment Terms & SI Units Mean?
The world of testing equipment is vast and filled with numerous parameters, terms, and acronyms, making it hard to keep track of what everything means. This short glossary details the key terminology, units, and abbreviations common to most electrical testing equipment. We have developed this guide to serve as an easy reference point for parameters that feature heavily across our site.
SI Unit & Term Glossary
- AC - Alternating Current or Voltage
- DC - Direct Current or Voltage
- V - Volts
- mV - Millivolts
- kV - Kilovolts
- A- Amperes (amps)
- mA - MilliAmperes
- µA - Microamperes (the µ represents 'micro')
- W - Watts
- KΩ - KiloOhm
- MΩ - Megohm
- Hz - Hertz
- kHz - Kilohertz
- µF - Microfarads
- nF - Nanofarads
- °F - Degrees Fahrenheit
- °C - Degrees Celsius
- LOG - Readings are being recorded
- LO - Low
- nS - Nanosiemens
- MEM - Memory
- MS - Time display in minutes/seconds
- HM - Time display in hours/minutes
- RPM - Revolutions per minute
- COM - Common
- OL - Overload
- T - Time
- LSD - Least Significant Digit
- MAX - Maximum
- MIN - Minimum
- AVG - Average
- TRIG - Trigger
- Vave - Average Voltage
- Vp - Peak Voltage
- Vp-p - Peak-to-peak voltage
- Vrms - Root-mean-square (RMS) voltage
- Hi-z - High input impedance
- dB - Decibel
- dBV - Decibel Volts
- dBW - Decibel Watts
Further Information
For additional guidance regarding SI units, terms, and acronyms, please don't hesitate to contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.
Our expert Sales team are also happy to offer help and advice regarding our eclectic array of test equipment, including PAT testers, multifunction testers, thermal cameras, and much more, by leading brands such as Extech, FLIR, Fluke, Megger, and Kewtech, to name a few.
In the meantime, you can find comprehensive information about our vast test equipment range on our website, tester.co.uk.
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