In
electronicsElectronics is a branch of science and technology that deals with the controlled flow of electrons. The ability to control electron flow is usually applied to information handling or device control. Electronics is distinct from electrical science and technology, which deals with the generation,...
, a
lead has two meanings:
- An electrical connection consisting of a length of wire
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, string of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads and to carry electricity and telecommunications signals. Wire is commonly formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate. Standard sizes are determined by various wire gauges...
or soldering pad (smdSolder mask or solder resist is a lacquer like layer of polymer that provides a permanent protective coating for the copper traces of a printed circuit board and prevents solder from bridging between conductors, thereby preventing short circuits. Solder mask was created primarily to facilitate...
) that comes from a device. Leads are used for physical support, to transfer power, to probe circuits (see multimeterA multimeter or a multitester, also known as a volt/ohm meter or VOM, is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage, current and resistance...
), and to transmit information. The tiny leads coming off through-hole componentsAn electronic component is a basic electronic element usually packaged in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads or metallic pads....
are also often called pins.
These pins often either bend under the package body like a letter "J" (J-lead) or come out, down, and form a flat foot for securing to the board (S-lead or gull-lead).
- Another is the difference in time between two waveforms of the same frequency.
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In
electronicsElectronics is a branch of science and technology that deals with the controlled flow of electrons. The ability to control electron flow is usually applied to information handling or device control. Electronics is distinct from electrical science and technology, which deals with the generation,...
, a
lead has two meanings:
- An electrical connection consisting of a length of wire
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, string of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads and to carry electricity and telecommunications signals. Wire is commonly formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate. Standard sizes are determined by various wire gauges...
or soldering pad (smdSolder mask or solder resist is a lacquer like layer of polymer that provides a permanent protective coating for the copper traces of a printed circuit board and prevents solder from bridging between conductors, thereby preventing short circuits. Solder mask was created primarily to facilitate...
) that comes from a device. Leads are used for physical support, to transfer power, to probe circuits (see multimeterA multimeter or a multitester, also known as a volt/ohm meter or VOM, is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage, current and resistance...
), and to transmit information. The tiny leads coming off through-hole componentsAn electronic component is a basic electronic element usually packaged in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads or metallic pads....
are also often called pins.
These pins often either bend under the package body like a letter "J" (J-lead) or come out, down, and form a flat foot for securing to the board (S-lead or gull-lead).
- Another is the difference in time between two waveforms of the same frequency. One waveform is said to lead another if it precedes it. (See also Phase (waves)
The phase of an oscillation or wave is the fraction of a complete cycle corresponding to an offset in the displacement from a specified reference point at time t = 0. Phase is a frequency domain or Fourier transform domain concept, and as such, can be readily understood in terms of simple harmonic...
, especially the section on "Phase Shift")