Terminolgy

[friartuck]

Hi Folks

Its very interesting reading the various problems that we face as engineers, but sometimes the terminolgy is a little difficult to interpret.

I would be interested in hearing of some terms that other countries use that we might not understand.

I have a couple to start off with...

a. USA Hydronic = UK Hydraulic
b. USA 'Blind' = UK Blank flange (that one took me a while to understand)
c. USA Furnace = UK Boiler

etc.

I hope I have posted this in the right place.



Friar Tuck of Sherwood

 

[TBP]

"Hydronic" refers to hot water heating. (Some definitions also include steam heating.) "Hydraulic" refers to liquid power, like water or equipment/systems operated by hydraulic oil.

"Furnace" tends to refer to forced air heating appliances, as opposed to a "boiler", which supplies steam or hot water. The fireside of a boiler is often referred to as the furnace side, though. Force air heating systems are popular in North America, because they're cheap to install and readily allow central air conditioning to be included.