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Clock
Terms
Analog: Analog is the
traditional style of time keeping, in which the hours and minutes are
represented by an hour and minute hand, and a clock dial displaying the
hours.
Arabic
dial: Most common numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc...) used on a
dial, as compared to Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV)
Ascending
alarm: Alarm that increases alarm volume - usually
automatically at pre-set intervals.
Atomic Clock: There are 2 common
uses of the term "atomic clock". (1) Used to refer to the Atomic Clock
maintained by the National Bureau of Standards (NIST) in Fort Collins,
CO. (or similar stations in other countries). This clock is interfaced
with a radio transmitter (callsign WWV, or WWVB), which transmits a
signal from the clock which is used as a time standard for most radio
controlled clocks, as well as television and radio stations, and
government agencies. (2) The term "atomic clock" is also used to refer
to clocks which syncronize themselves to the radio signals from the
atomic clock mentioned above. These clocks are actually radio
controlled clocks, which use a built in receiver to syncronize
displayed time (and usually date) to the NIST clock mentioned above.
Automatic Movement: Also called an "kenetic" movement -
found in wristwatches. The motion of the arm moves a rotor within the
movement. With the older styles, this movement winds the mainspring.
With newer styles, the rotor is attached to micro electronic components
which generate electrical voltage when moved. This voltage is then
stored in a storage cell which powers the movement. Several "hybrid"
types have evolved, which use both kenetic and solar energy to store
power in a storage cell. These types of movements typcially never
require a battery.
Bell Silencer:
A small switch normally on the back of striking or chiming case clocks,
which allows the bell cycle to be turned off at night.
Beveled glass: Glass used on the
sides and front of a clock case, which has its outside edges ground and
polished at an angle to providing a beautiful decorative effect.
Bezel:
The grooved rim around the dial into which the crystal is set.
Chime-selector: A feature on many
case clocks which allows the chime tune or melody to be changed -
normally a small switch of some kind on the rear of the clock.
Crystal: Normally made of glass or
high impact plastic, covers the dial for protection.
Dial: The face of the clock on which
hours, seconds, etc. are indicated.
Digital: Digital clocks display the
time with a series of digital numbers, rather than the traditional hour
and minute hands used on analog clocks.
Forged Brass: Forged
brass is normally preferred to cast, or rolled brass cases, and is
typically of higher quality. In terms of weight, forged brass casework
is much heavier, and of a more endearing quality. The forging process
refines the structure of the brass, and improves the physical
properties of the brass, and is more consistent than rolled, or cast
brass. Forged brass does not contain the porosity, or defects more
commonly found with other types of casework.
Hands: Indicators or "hands",
usually metal or plastic, sometimes decorative, which indicate the
hours, minutes and seconds on the dial of a clock or watch.
Kenetic movement: Also called an
"automatic" movement - found in wristwatches. The motion of the arm
moves a rotor within the movement. With the older styles, this movement
winds the mainspring. With newer styles, the rotor is attached to micro
electronic components which generate electrical voltage when moved.
This voltage is then stored in a storage cell which powers the
movement. Several "hybrid" types have evolved, which use both kenetic
and solar energy to store power in a storage cell. These types of
movements typcially never require a battery.
Key-wound
movement (also Mechanical Movement): A clock which uses a key
to wind the main spring that powers the clock movement. Key-wound
movements generally run the clock for up to eight days before needing
manual rewinding. Most clock makers recommend winding at 7 day
intervals, at about the same time each week for maximum accuracy.
Key-wound, or Mechanical movments do not normally provide the accuracy
of a quartz movement.
Liquid crystal display (LCD): A form
of digital display used in clocks in which electrical current is
applied to a layer of liquid crystals between two layers of transparent
material. Placement of the crystals form the digits of the display.
Light emitting diode (LED): Similar
to LCD, a display used in clocks in which an actual electronic
component (the diode) illuminates to form the display. The actual
color of the display is normally determined by the colored overlay
placed on the clock face - usually red, or bluegreen.
Movement: The inner mechanism of a
clock or watch. Several types including key-wound, weight-driven
(grandfather clocks), electric or quartz, and kenetic.
Pendulum: A balanced swinging rod
and weight (bob) suspended below the clock movement. Pendulum
determines the rate at which the movement measures time.
Quartz
movement: Electronic
impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal, powering the
movement of the clock at regular intervals.
Radio
controlled clock: See Atomic Clocks above.
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