Previous Page
digital logic / dimensional stability
digital logic A signal level is represented as a
number value with a most significant and
least significant bit. Binary digital logic uses
numbers that consist of strings of 1s and 0s.
digital manometer A manometer that is
equipped with a sonar device that measures
column height and produces a digitized dis-
play.
digital motor See stepping motor.
digital multimeter (DMM) An instrument
that measures resistance, AC and DC volt-
age, and current in several selectable ranges
and displays the results in numeric form.
digital multiplexer A data selection device
that permits multiple groups of digital
devices to share a common information path,
such as from a computer CPU to any of sev-
eral groups of digital output devices.
digital output Transducer output that repre-
sents the magnitude of the measurand
through a series of discrete quantities coded
in a system of notation. Note: Digital output
is distinguished from analog output. [ISA-
37.1-1975 (R1982]
digital panel meter (DPM) A panel-mounted
instrument that displays the value of a single
type of measurement in numeric form.
digital readout An electrically powered
device that interprets a continuously variable
signal and displays its amplitude, or another
signal attribute, as a series of numerals or
other characters. These numerals or charac-
ters correspond to the measured value and
can be read directly. The accuracy of mea-
surement is limited by the decimal position
of the rightmost character in the display
rather than by characteristics of the measure-
ment circuit alone.
digital recorder An instrument that records
data in digital form.
digital resolution The value of the least sig-
nificant digit in a digitally coded representa-
tion.
digital scrubbing In video development, the
process of reading back and forth over a
small portion of audio to locate a precise edit
point. Same as "audio scrubbing."
digital service unit The interface between a
user's data terminal equipment and a digital
data service, usually through a channel ser-
vice unit.
digital signal See signal, digital.
digital speed transducer See digital tachome-
ter.
digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) An oscil-
loscope that digitizes an input signal and
stores the data in memory for later display or
analysis.
147
digital subset See data set.
digital tachometer Any of several instru-
ments that are designed to determine rota-
tional speed and display the indication in
digital form.
digital-to-analog converter (D/A or DAC) 1.
A device or subsystem that converts binary
(digital) data into continuous analog data, as,
for example, to drive actuators of various
types, motor-speed controllers, and so on.
2. An electronic device that converts a
binary-coded word into an analog voltage
that is proportional to the binary value of
that word.
digital valve A single valve casing that con-
tains multiple solenoid valves whose flow
capacities vary in binary sequence (1, 2, 4, 8,
16,...). To regulate flow, the control device
sends operating signals to various combina-
tions of the solenoids. Applications of digital
valves are limited to very clean fluids at
moderate temperatures and pressures, but
within these limitations precise flow control
and rapid response are possible. An eight-
element valve, for example, yields flow reso-
lution of 0.39 percent (1 part in 256).
digitize To convert an analog measurement
of a physical variable into a numerical value,
thereby expressing the quantity in digital
form. See analog-to-digital converter.
digitized signal The representation of infor-
mation by a set of discrete values, in accor-
dance with a prescribed law. Every discrete
value represents a definite range of the origi-
nal undigitized signal. See analog-to-digital
converter.
digitized typesetting In typographic imag-
ing, the process of creating typographic char-
acters and symbols by arranging pixels.
digitizer A device that converts an analog
measurement into digital form.
dilatant substance A material that flows
under low shear stress but whose rate of flow
decreases with increasing shear stress.
dilatometer An apparatus for accurately
measuring the thermal expansion of materi-
als.
dilution 1. Adding solvent to a solution to
lower its concentration. 2. Melting low-alloy
base metal or previously deposited weld
metal into high-alloy filler metal so as to pro-
duce a weld deposit of intermediate compo-
sition.
dimensional stability The ability of a mate-
rial to retain its size and shape over an
extended period of time under a defined set
of environmental conditions, especially tem-
perature.
dimetcote / direct current plasma display panel (DCPDP)
dimetcote An inorganic zinc coating that is
composed of two materials--a reactive liquid
and a finely divided powder—which are
mixed together. The mixture reacts in place
with a steel surface to form an insoluble coat-
ing.
diminished radix complement A number
that is obtained by subtracting each digit of
the given number from one less than the
radix. Typical examples are the nines-com-
plement in decimal notation and the
ones-complement in binary notation.
DIN Deutsches Industrie Norms; Deutsches
Institut für Normung e.V. (Germany). Ger-
man industrial standards often used interna-
tionally.
diode Any electronic device that has only
two electrodes and a voltage characteristic
that allows AC current to pass only in the
forward direction (as in a flow check valve).
diode laser A laser in which stimulated emis-
sion is produced at a p-n junction in a semi-
conductor material. Only certain materials
are suited for diode-laser operation, among
them gallium arsenide, indium phosphide,
and certain lead salts.
diode laser array A device in which the out-
put of several diode lasers is brought
together in one beam. The lasers may be inte-
grated into the same substrate, or discrete
devices may be coupled optically and elec-
tronically.
diopter A measurement of the refractive
power of a lens that is equal to the reciprocal
of the focal length in meters. A lens with a
20-centimeter focal length has the power of
five diopters, while one with a 2-meter focal
length has a power of 0.5 diopter.
DIP Dust-ignition-proof; dual in-line pack-
age, standard for or package for integrated
circuits ranging in size from 8 to 48 pins.
dip brazing Producing a brazed joint by
immersing the assembly in a bath of hot mol-
ten chemicals or hot metal. A chemical bath
may provide the brazing flux. Molten metal
may provide the brazing alloy.
dip coating Covering the surface of a part by
immersing it in a bath that contains the coat-
ing material.
dip needle A device for indicating the angle,
in a vertical plane, between a magnetic field
and the horizontal plane.
dipole antenna A center-fed antenna that is
approximately half as long as the wave-
length of the radio waves it is primarily
intended to transmit or receive.
dip soldering A process that is similar to dip
brazing but uses a lower-melting filler metal.
148
DIP switches Miniature circuit switches in a
DIP (dual in-line) configuration that are
mounted on circuit boards.
dip tube See bubble tube.
direct access The retrieval or storage of data
by referring to its location on a volume,
rather than by its location relative to the pre-
viously retrieved or stored data.
direct-access device See random access device.
direct-access storage device (DASD) A data
storage unit on which data can be accessed
directly at random without having to
progress through a serial file such as tape. A
disk unit is a direct-access storage device.
direct-acting controller See controller, direct-
acting.
direct-acting recorder A recorder in which
the pen or other writing device is directly
connected to, or directly operated by, the pri-
mary sensor.
direct acting valve A valve that travels to the
closed position when the signal increases.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
direct action 1. A controller in which the
value of the output signal increases as the
value of the input (measured variable or con-
trolled variable) increases. 2. An actuator that
extends the actuator stem when the power
supply increases.
direct address An address that indicates the
location at which the referenced operand is
to be found or stored with no reference to an
index register. Synonymous with first-level
address.
direct addressing An addressing mode in
which the instruction operand specifies the
location of the data to be used.
direct code A code that specifies the use of
actual computer command and address con-
figurations.
direct-connected An arrangement whereby a
meter or other driving mechanism is con-
nected to a driven mechanism without inter-
vening gears, pulleys, or other
speed-changing devices.
direct coupling The act of associating two
circuits through the capacitance, resistance,
or self-inductance that is common to them.
direct-current amplifier An amplifier that is
designed to amplify signals of infinitesimally
small frequency.
direct current plasma display panel
(DCPDP) A type of liquid crystal display
(LCD) that operates through the emission of
photons from gas that has been ionized by
electric charge when electrodes are exposed
to working gas. DCPDPs have lower driving
voltages than alternating current plasma dis-
 direct digital control (DDC) / direct numerical control (DNC)
plays (ACPDPs), but their luminescence
diminishes over time because of electrode
deterioration. Compare with alternating cur-
rent plasma display panel (ACPDP).
direct digital control (DDC) 1. A computer
control technique in which the final control
element's position is set directly by the com-
puter output. 2. A control system in which
the computer carries out the functions that
are normally performed by conventional
controllers, for example, three-term control.
3. A term that is used to imply that a digital
controller is connected directly to a final con-
trol element or actuator in a manufacturing
process. An example would be a valve in a
process stream or an electric drive motor that
is mechanically operating on a process. The
term direct digital control is used to distin-
guish this control from analog control. 4. A
method of control in which all control out-
puts are generated by the computer directly,
with no other intelligence between the cen-
tral computer and the process being con-
trolled. See analog control.
direct distance dialing (DDD) A telephone
system that allows users to call subscribers
outside their local area without operator
assistance.
direct drive Any powered mechanism whose
driven portion is on the same shaft as the
driving portion or is coupled directly to the
driving portion.
direct entry 1. In computing and data pro-
cessing, inputting data directly to computer
memory and disk. This contrasts with to ear-
lier methods of keying to punched cards,
which were then read into a computer. 2. In
engineering, a method for connecting an
electrical apparatus to the external circuits by
means of the connecting facilities inside the
main enclosure or in a terminal compartment
that has a free opening to the main enclosure.
(IEV 426-04-07) [ANSI/ISA-12.22.01-1998
(IEC 60079-7 Mod)]
direct extensions A device that indicates the
flow rate when the user views the position of
the extension of the metering float within a
glass extension tube.
direction The act of having the person who is
qualified to perform a task physically
present when the task is performed or in con-
tinuous communication with the person who
is performing the task. [ANSI/ISA-67.14.01-
2000]
directional control valve A valve whose
chief function is to control the direction of
flow within a fluid system.
149
directional coupler A device for separately
sampling either the forward or backward
oscillations in a transmission line. A fiber-
optic coupler is directional if it preferentially
transmits light in one direction.
directional gyroscope A navigational instru-
ment for indicating direction. It contains a
free gyroscope that holds its position in azi-
muth, thus allowing the instrument scale to
indicate deviation from the reference direc-
tion.
directional property Any mechanical or
physical property of a material whose value
varies with the orientation of the test axis
within the test specimen.
direction of polarization The direction of the
electric field vector of an electromagnetic
wave.
direction of propagation The direction of
average energy flow with respect to time at
any point in a homogeneous, isotropic
medium.
directive An operator command that is rec-
ognized by computer software.
directivity The solid angle, or the angle in a
specified plane, over which sound or radiant
energy on a transducer is measured within
specified tolerances in a specified band of
measurand frequencies. [ISA-37.1-1975
(R1982)]
directivity characteristic (directional response
pattern) A plot of the sensitivity level of a
piezoelectric sound-pressure transducer ver-
sus the angle of sound incidence on that
transducer's sensing element relative to the
sensitivity level in a specified direction and
at a specified frequency. [ISA-37.10-1982
(R1995)]
directly controlled system See system, directly
controlled.
directly controlled variable See variable,
directly controlled.
direct memory access (DMA) 1. A method of
fast data transfer between the peripherals
and the computer memory. The transfer does
not involve the CPU. 2. Direct memory
access pertains to hardware that enables data
to be entered into computer memory without
involving the CPU. This is the method used
by most telemetry and computer systems.
direct multiplex control See control, direct
multiplex.
direct numerical control (DNC) A distrib-
uted numerical control system in which the
supervisory computer controls several CNC
(computer numerical control) or NC (numer-
ical control) machines.
directory / discrete increment
directory 1. A file that contains the layout for
each field of the record that it describes. 2.
The layout of a record within a file. 3. A table
that contains the names of, and pointers to,
files on a mass-storage device.
directory device A mass-storage retrieval
device such as disk that contains a directory
of the files stored on the device.
directory service The network management
function that provides all the addressing
information required to access an application
process. See PSAP address.
direct power generation Any method for
producing electric power directly from ther-
mal or chemical energy without first convert-
ing it into mechanical energy. Examples of
direct power generation include thermopiles,
primary batteries, and fuel cells.
direct process piping The piping between
the process and the control center that con-
tains process fluid. [ISA-RP60.9-1981]
direct-reading gauge Any instrument that
indicates a measured value directly rather
than by inference. Examples include indicat-
ing liquid level by means of a sight glass
partly filled with liquid from the tank or by
means of a pointer directly connected to a
float in the tank.
direct record In instrumentation tape, the
mode in which tape magnetization is directly
related to data voltage level.
direct storage access (DSA) See access, direct
storage.
direct storage access channel (DSAC) A
channel for providing direct access to stor-
age. See access, direct storage, and channel
[ISA-RP55.1-1975 (R1983)]
direct wave A wave that is propagated
through space without relying on the proper-
ties of any gas or other substance occupying
the space.
direct-writing recorder A pen-and-ink
recorder in which the position of the pen on
the chart is controlled directly by a mechani-
cal link to the coil of a galvanometer or indi-
rectly by a motor controlled by the
galvanometer.
DIS Draft international standard; ISO stan-
dard status that has been registered and
numbered but not yet given final approval.
DCE Independent Sublayer
disable 1. To remove or inhibit a computer
hardware or software feature. 2. To disallow
the processing of an established interrupt
until interrupts are enabled. Contrast with
enable. See also disarm.
150
disarm To cause an interrupt to be com-
pletely ignored. Contrast with arm. See also
disable.
disassemble To reduce an assembly to its
component parts by loosening or removing
threaded fasteners, pins, clips, snap rings, or
other mechanical devices. In most instances,
disassembly is done for such purposes as
cleaning, inspections, maintenance, or repair
and is followed by reassembly.
discharge head The pressure at which a
pump discharges freely to the atmosphere,
usually measured as feet of water above the
intake level.
disconnect 1. To disengage the apparatus
used in a connection and to restore it to its
ready condition when not in use. 2. To disen-
gage the linkage between an interrupt and a
designated interrupt servicing program. See
connect.
disconnect signal A signal transmitted from
one end of a transmission line that indicates
to the device on the other end that the con-
nection should be terminated.
disconnect switch An electrical switch for
interrupting the power supplied to a
machine. It is usually separate from the
machine controls (often mounted nearby on
the wall) and serves mainly to deenergize the
equipment to ensure safety during setup or
maintenance.
discontinuity Any feature within a bulk solid
that acts as a free surface. A discontinuity
may be a crack, lap, seam, pore, or other
physical defect, or it may be a sharp bound-
ary between the normal structure and an
inclusion or other second phase. A disconti-
nuity may or may not impair the usefulness
of a part.
discrete 1. Pertaining to distinct elements or
to representation by means of distinct ele-
ments, such as characters. 2. In data process-
ing, data that are organized into specific
parts. 3. Referring to an individual bit from a
selected word. 4. Discrete manufacturing
refers to the manufacture of distinct products
or parts.
discrete component circuit A circuit that is
implemented by use of individual transis-
tors, resistors, diodes, capacitors, and so on.
Contrast with integrated circuit.
discrete control (control, discrete) On/off
control. One of the two output values is
equal to zero.
discrete increment An increment that pro-
vides an output that represents the magni-
tude of the measurand in the form of discrete
or quantized values. [ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]

discrete input 1. Inputs that have a separate
and distinct identity. 2. A digital input that is
either on or off.
discrete manufacturing The production of
individual (discrete) items (e.g., automobiles,
electronic devices).
discrete output 1. Outputs that have a sepa-
rate and distinct identity. 2. A digital output
that is either on or off. 3. On/off control.
discrete part manufacturing A manufactur-
ing process that produces discrete parts in
comparatively small lots or batches of one to
perhaps fifty thousand.
discrete programming See integer program-
ming.
discrete value A variable that has only two
states: " 1 " (true, on) or "0" (false, off).
discriminator A circuit that selects signals
with a particular range of amplitude or fre-
quency and rejects all others. Also, a circuit
that converts a frequency-modulated or
phase-modulated signal into an amplitude-
modulated signal.
disdrometer An apparatus that is capable of
measuring and recording the size distribu-
tion of raindrops in the atmosphere.
disengage To intentionally pull apart two
normally meshing or interlocking parts, such
as gears or splines, especially for the purpose
of interrupting the transmission of mechani-
cal power.
disengaging surface The surface of the boiler
water from which steam is released.
dish antenna An antenna in which a parab-
ola-shaped "dish" serves as the reflector to
increase antenna gain.
dishing A metal-forming operation that
forms a shallow concave surface.
disinfectant A chemical agent that destroys
microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses or ren-
ders them inactive.
disk [Eng] 1. In engineering, an essentially
flat, circular-shaped part that modifies the
flow rate through either linear or rotary
motion. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000] [Comp] 2.
In computing, a high-speed rotating mag-
netic platter for storing computer data.
disk brake A mechanical brake in which the
friction elements, normally called "pads,"
press against opposite sides of a spinning
disk, which is attached to the rotating ele-
ment so as to slow or stop its motion.
disk cam A flat cam with a contoured edge
that rotates about an axis perpendicular to
the plane of the cam. It communicates radial
linear motion to a follower that rides on the
edge of the cam.
151
discrete input / DISOSS
disk clutch A device for engaging or disen-
gaging a connection between two shafts. The
chief clutch element is a pair of disks, one
coupled to each shaft, that when engaged
transmit power by means of disk-face linings
made of friction materials.
disk coupling A flexible coupling in which
power and motion is transmitted by means
of a disk that is made of elastomeric or other
flexible material.
disk directory A table for storing the location
of files held on the disk.
disk drive 1. The mechanism that moves the
disk in a disk storage unit, usually including
the spindle, drive motor, read-record heads,
and head-actuating mechanism. The term
disk drive is sometimes used to include the
logic control unit and other electronic circuits
that are part of the drive unit. 2. A device
that reads and writes computer data on
disks.
diskette A round, flat, flexible platter that is
coated with magnetic material and used for
storing software or data.
disk formatting See format.
disk map The organization of information
stored on disks.
disk meter A flow-measurement device that
contains a nutating disk mounted in such a
way that each time the disk nutates, a known
volume of fluid passes through the meter.
disk operating system (DOS) A set of pro-
grams that instruct a disk-based computing
system to operate equipment through appli-
cations programs. The DOS also manages the
computing system's resources, such as track-
ing, saving, and retrieving files; allocating
storage space; and so on.
disk pack A large disk with very high stor-
age capacity.
disk server A mass storage device that can be
accessed by several computers, thus making
possible the sharing of stored data.
disk spring A mechanical spring that con-
sists of a dished circular plate and washer.
The spring is supported in such a way that
one opposing force is distributed uniformly
around the periphery, and the second acts at
the center. Washer-type disk springs are
sometimes known as "Belleville washers."
disk valve A valve that has a closure member
consisting of a disk that moves with a rotary
or linear motion against a stationary disk.
Each disk has flow passages through it.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
DISOSS Distributed office support system;
server portion of client/server facility for
handling e-mail.
dispatching priority / display
dispatching priority A number that is
assigned to tasks to determine the prece-
dence in which the central processing unit
may be used in a multitask situation.
dispersing prism A prism that is designed to
spread out the wavelengths of light so as to
form a spectrum.
dispersion 1. Any process that breaks up an
inhomogeneous, lumpy mixture and con-
verts it into a smooth paste or suspension in
which the particles of the solid component are
more uniform and small in size. 2. Breaking
up globs of oil and mixing them into water to
make an emulsion. 3. Intentionally breaking
up concentrations of objects or substances and
scattering them over a wide area. 4. The pro-
cess by which an electromagnetic signal is dis-
torted because the various frequency
components of that signal have different
propagation characteristics. 5. The relation-
ship between refractive index and frequency
(or wavelength). 6. In wave mechanics, linear
dispersion is the rate of change of distance
along a spectrum with frequency, whereas
reciprocal linear dispersion is the rate of
change of frequency with distance along a
spectrum. 7. Dispersion is a general term for
those phenomena that cause light to broaden
or spread as it propagates through optical
fiber. The three types of dispersion are
modal, material, and waveguide.
dispersion-limited operation An operation
in which the dispersion of the pulse, rather
than its amplitude, limits the distance
between repeaters. In this regime of opera-
tion, waveguide and material dispersion pre-
clude an intelligent decision on the presence
or absence of a pulse.
displacement 1. The change in position of a
body or point with respect to a reference
point. Note: Position is the spatial location of
a body or point with respect to a reference
point. [ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)] 2. The volume
that is swept out by a piston as it moves
inside a cylinder from one extreme of its
stroke to the other. 3. For a reciprocating
engine, pump, or compressor, the volume
that is swept out by one piston as it moves
from top dead center to bottom dead center,
multiplied by the number of cylinders. 4. The
act of forcing a fluid or granular substance to
move out of a cavity or tube by forcing more
of the substance in or by means of a piston or
inflatable bladder that moves or expands
into the space.
displacement antiresonance A condition of
antiresonance in which the external sinusoi-
dal excitation is a force, and the specified
152
response is displacement at the point where
the force is applied.
displacement meter A meter that measures
the amount of a material flowing through a
system by recording the number of times a
vessel or cavity of known volume is filled
and emptied.
displacement resonance A condition of reso-
nance in which the external sinusoidal exci-
tation is a force, and the specified response is
displacement at the point where the force is
applied.
displacement transducer,
noncontact Usually a probe-type configu-
ration that operates on eddy current princi-
ples. A noncontact displacement transducer
is a small system made up of a probe, exten-
sion cable, and oscillator demodulator. The
oscillator/demodulator excites the probe,
which is a coil of wire, through the extension
cable, at a radio frequency of approximately
1.5 MHz. This produces a magnetic field
radiating from the tip of the probe. When the
probe tip is brought near to a conductive
material, eddy currents are induced at the
surface of the material, which extracts energy
from the probe's excitation and decreases its
amplitude. Thus, as the distance (probe tip to
conductive surface) changes, the probe's
excitation amplitude changes, and a DC volt-
age from the oscillator demodulator changes
proportionally.
displacement-type density meter A device
that measures liquid density by means of a
float and balance beam and is used in con-
junction with a pneumatic sensing system.
The float is confined within a small chamber
through which the test liquid continually
flows, so that density variations with time
can be determined.
displacer-type liquid-level detector A
device for determining liquid level by means
of force measurements on a cylindrical ele-
ment that is partly submerged in the liquid
in a vessel. As the level in the vessel rises and
falls, the displacement (buoyant) force on the
cylinder varies and is measured by the lever
system, torque tube, or other force measure-
ment device.
displacer-type meter An apparatus for
detecting liquid level or determining gas
density by measuring the effect of the fluid
on the buoyancy of a displacer unit
immersed in it.
display 1. A visual presentation of data. 2. In
data processing, the visible representation of
data on a screen.
 display station / distortion analyzer
display station The location of the video
screen, keyboard, and related equipment,
from which the plant or process can be moni-
tored and perhaps operated.
display tube A cathode ray tube that is used
to display information.
display unit A device that provides a tempo-
rary visual representation of data. Compare
hard copy. See also cathode ray tube.
dissector tube A camera tube that produces
an output signal by moving the elec-
tron-optical image, formed by photoelectric
emission on a continuous photocathode sur-
face, past an aperture.
dissipation constant A ratio for a thermistor
that relates change in internal power dissipa-
tion to the resultant change of body tempera-
ture.
dissociation The process by which a chemical
compound breaks down into simpler constit-
uents, as the CO 2 and H 2 O, at high tempera-
ture.
dissolve In video development, any of sev-
eral scene transitions that involve a gradual
decrease or increase in opacity of a film clip
relative to another clip, graphic, or matte.
dissolved gases Gases that are "in solution"
in water.
dissolved solids Those solids in water that
are in solution.
dissymmetrical transducer A transducer in
which interchanging at least one pair of spec-
ified terminals will change the output signal
that is delivered when the input signal
remains the same.
distance through casting compound The
shortest distance through a casting com-
pound (for example, epoxy resin) between
two conductive parts. [ISA-12.02.01-1999(IEC
60079-11 Mod)]
distance through filling material The short-
est distance through a filling material
between two conductive parts. [ANSI/ISA-
12.25.01-1998(IEC 79-05 Mod)]
distance through solid insulation The short-
est distance through solid insulation (for
example, insulation that is extruded or
molded, not poured) between two conduc-
tive parts. Note 1: For the purposes of ISA
standard ISA-12.02.01-1999(IEC 60079-11
Mod), solid insulation is considered to be
prefabricated (for example, sheeting or sleev-
ing). Note 2: Varnish and similar coatings are
not considered to be solid insulation. [ISA-
12.02.01-1999(IEC 60079-11 Mod)]
distance/velocity lag A delay that is attribut-
able to the transportation of material or to the
finite rate of propagation of a signal. [ANSI/
153
ISS-51.1-1979 (R1993)] Also known as "trans-
portation lag" and "transport lag."
distillate 1. The distilled product from a frac-
tionating column. 2. The overhead product
from a distillation column. When a partial
condenser is used, both a liquid and a vapor
distillate stream may be present. 3. In the oil
and gas industry, the term distillate refers to a
specific product withdrawn from the col-
umn, usually near the bottom.
distillate fuel Any of the fuel hydrocarbons
obtained during the distillation of petroleum
that have boiling points higher than that of
gasoline.
distillation 1. A unit operation that is used to
separate a mixture into its individual chemi-
cal components. 2. The vaporization of a sub-
stance in which the vapor is subsequently
recovered by condensation. 3. Distillation is
often used in a less precise sense to refer to
the vaporization of the volatile constituents
of a fuel without subsequent condensation.
Binary Distillation Tower
distilled water Water that is produced by
vaporization and condensation with a result-
ing higher purity.
distortion 1. The deformation of signal shape
by the device or system to which it is applied.
[ISA-26-1968] 2. The extent to which a system
or component fails to reproduce accurately at
its output the characteristics of the input. 3.
An undesired change in the waveform of a
given signal. 4. A lens defect that causes the
images of straight lines to appear deformed or
non-straight. See harmonic content.
distortion analyzer An instrument that
rejects the selected fundamental frequency
and measures the remaining energy of the
spectrum.
distortion meter / diverse
distortion meter An instrument that visually
indicates the harmonic content of an audio
frequency signal.
distributed In a control system, distributed
refers to control that is achieved by intelli-
gence that is distributed about the process to
be controlled, rather than by a centrally
located single unit.
distributed communications network A
communications link among the various
(hardware) components in distributed con-
trol system. See also data highway.
Distributed Computing Environment
(DCE) A software technology licensed by
the Open Software Foundation (OSF). It pro-
vides services for distributed computing and
includes technologies for threads, remote
procedure calls, directory service, security,
time service, distributed file system, personal
computer integration, and management.
distributed control The use of multiple
microprocessors to distribute the functions of
direct digital control (DDC) (central or host
computer) so as to perform process control,
thereby distributing the risk from component
failure. Later techniques to minimize ground
loops permitted the physical distribution of
control around a plant, placing micro-
processors at various points in the process.
distributed control system (DCS) 1. That class
of instrumentation (input/output devices,
control devices, and operator interface
devices) that in addition to executing the
stated control functions also permits the trans-
mission of control, measurement, and operat-
ing information to and from one or many
user-specifiable locations, all connected by a
communication link. [ISA-5.3-1983] 2. A sys-
tem that, while being functionally integrated,
consists of subsystems that may be physically
separate and remotely located from one
another. [ANSI/ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992)] 3. A
system of dividing plant or process control
into several areas of responsibility, each man-
aged by its own controller (processor). The
whole is interconnected to form a single
entity, usually by using communication buses
of various kinds. DCS evolved from central
computer control of the 1960s and was devel-
oped initially for continuous flow processes
that required loop, analog, and limited dis-
crete control.
distributed database Relational computer
data that can be stored in more than one net-
worked computer but can be accessed
entirely by one computer.
Distributed Management Environment
(DME) The part of the Distributed Com-
154
puting Environment (DCE) that unifies the
system and network management of stand-
alone and distributed systems in a het-
erogeneous computing environment. A DME
consists of a graphical user interface (GUI)
and application services for software instal-
lation, distribution, and licensing; printer
services; and user group administration.
distributed processing The interconnection
of two or more computers so they can work
together on the same problem, not necessar-
ily under the direction of a single control pro-
gram. See also computer networking.
distributed system A group of connected
computers that share software, information,
and/or load.
distributor 1. Any device for apportioning
current or flow among various output paths.
2. In an automotive engine, a device for send-
ing an ignition spark to the individual cylin-
der in a fixed order at a rate determined by
engine speed.
disturbance An undesired change in a vari-
able being applied to a system that tends to
affect adversely the value of a controlled
variable. [ANSI/ISA-51.1-1979 (R1993)]
disturbance resolution The minimum
change caused by a disturbance in a mea-
sured variable that will induce a net change
of the ultimately controlled variable.
disturbance variable A measured variable
that is uncontrolled and that affects the oper-
ations of the process.
dither A useful oscillation of small magni-
tude, which is introduced to overcome the
effect of friction, hysteresis, or recorder pen
clogging. See also hunting. [ANSI/ISA-51.1-
1979 (R1993)]
dithering 1. An electronic graphics technique
in which the gap between two pixels is filled
with another pixel that has an average value
of the two surrounding pixels so as to mini-
mize the difference between their two values
or to add detail that smoothes the resulting
line. Also, the intermingling of dots of vari-
ous colors to create a color not in the palette
that supports the display being presented. 2.
The application of intermittent or oscillatory
forces that are just sufficient to minimize static
friction within the transducer. [ISA-37.1-1975
(R1982)]
divergence The spreading out of a laser beam
over distance, measured as an angle.
divergence loss The portion of energy in a
radiated beam that is lost due to nonparallel
transmission or spreading.
diverse The use of different technologies,
equipment, or design methods to perform a
 diversion valve / dominant wavelength
common function in order to minimize com-
mon cause. [ANSI/ISA-84.01-1996]
diversion valve A type of fluidic control
device that uses the Coanda effect to either
switch flow from one outlet port to another
or to proportion flow between two divergent
outlet ports.
diversity combiner A device that accepts two
radio signals from a single source, which
have been received with polarization, fre-
quency, or space diversity. It then combines
them to yield an output that is better than
either original signal.
diversity reception The use of two or more
radio receivers, each connected to different
antennas, in order to improve the signal
level. The antennas have diversity in space,
phasing, and polarity.
divider A layout tool that resembles a drafts-
man's compass and is used in toolmaking or
sheet-metal work to draw circles or arcs or to
scribe hole spacings or other linear dimen-
sions.
dividing network See crossover network.
Division 1 The classification that is assigned
to a location that has either a high probability
of a frequently or regularly occurring dust
hazardous atmosphere or a location where
the dust is electrically conductive.
Division 2 The classification assigned to a
location that has where a low probability of a
dust hazardous atmosphere occurring and/
or a high probability that a hazardous dust
layer will be present
DLC Data link control; rules (protocol) used
by two devices on a communication network
to perform the orderly exchange of informa-
tion. Also, distributed line carrier.
DLL 1. Data link layer; - Defined in ISO 7498
2.dynamic link library; unlike static libraries
in DOS, code for all functions of a program is
not copied into an executable file at link time,
but rather linking occurs at run time when
library code is joined with program code.
This allows a single DDL file to be shared by
multiple applications without increasing
memory or hard disk, so there is a standard
interface independent of languages, compil-
ers, and applications software, and so updat-
ing DDL does not require all applications to
be relinked or rebuilt.
DLT Digital linear technology; contains com-
pressed digital data, generally for the cre-
ation of commercial CDs.
DMA Direct memory access; method of mov-
ing data from a storage device to RAM with-
out the need for CPU intervention.
155
DME Distributed Management Environ-
ment; part of the Distributed Computing
Environment (DCE) that unifies the system
and network management of stand-alone
and distributed systems in a heterogeneous
computing environment; consists of graphi-
cal user interface (GUI) and application ser-
vices for software installation, software
distribution, software licensing, printer ser-
vices, and user group administration.
DMT (BvS) Deutsche Montan Technologie);
German certification and testing laboratory
for testing the equipment of different ven-
dors to some common standard.
DNA Digital Network Architecture; Digital
Equipment Corporation's layered data com-
munication protocol.
DNP Distributed Network Protocol; from
Westronics, now Harris Controls Division;
user's group formed in 1993.
document A medium and the data recorded
on it for human use, for example, a report
sheet or a book. By extension, a document
may also be any record that has permanence
and can be read by man or machine.
documentation 1. The creating, collecting,
organizing, storing, citing, and disseminat-
ing of documents or the information
recorded in them. 2. A collection of docu-
ments or information on a given subject. 3. A
term often used in specific references to
explanations of computer programs.
document management system A system
that provides for the storage, retrieval, and
manipulation of (computer) documents in a
compact space.
DOE Department of Energy (United States);
U.S. agency responsible for research and
development of energy technology.
dog Any of several simple devices for fasten-
ing, gripping, or holding.
DO loop A FORTRAN-based iterative tech-
nique that enables any number of instruc-
tions to be executed repeatedly.
domain 1. A part of computer memory that is
associated with the software component of a
resource. It may contain programs or data.
[ISA-TR50.02, Part 9-2000] 2. An organiza-
tional unit that has responsibility for naming
hosts or networks.
domain name A unique name that defines an
Internet site, such as "company.com". A
domain name always has two or more parts
that are separated by periods. The portion of
the name to the left is more specific, the por-
tion to the right more general.
dominant wavelength The wavelength of
monochromatic light that matches a given
dope / double sampling
color when it is combined in suitable propor-
tions with a standard reference light.
dope A cellulose ester lacquer that is used as
an adhesive or coating.
doped germanium A type of detector in
which impurities are added to germanium to
make the detector respond to infrared radia-
tion at wavelengths that are much longer
than those detectable by pure germanium.
doping 1. The act of adding a small amount
of a substance to a material or mixture to
achieve a special effect. 2. The process of
coating a mold or mandrel to prevent a
molded part from sticking to it.
Doppler-effect flowmeter A type of device
that uses ultrasonic techniques to determine
flow rate. A continuous ultrasonic beam is
projected across fluid flowing through the
pipe, and the difference between the inci-
dent-beam and transmitted-beam frequen-
cies provide a measure of the fluid flow rate.
Doppler shift 1. A phenomenon that causes
electromagnetic or compression waves ema-
nating from an object to have a longer wave-
length if the object moves away from an
observer than would be the case if the object
were stationary with respect to the observer.
The Doppler shift also causes electromag-
netic or compression waves to have a shorter
wavelength if the object moves toward the
observer. It is the physical phenomenon that
forms the basis for analyzing certain sonar
data and astronomical observations. 2. A
change in the wavelength of light caused by
the motion of an object emitting (or reflect-
ing) the light. Motion toward the observer
causes a shift toward shorter wavelengths,
while motion away causes a shift toward
longer wavelengths.
dose The amount of radiation received at a
specific location per unit area or unit volume,
or the amount received by the whole body.
dose rate Radiation dose per unit of time.
dose-rate meter Any of several instruments
for directly indicating radiation dose rate.
156
dosimeter (dosemeter) Any of several instru-
ments for directly measuring the total dose
of radiation received in a given period.
dot An individual element of a halftone. It
can be as small as a pixel in screen displays.
dot generator A test generator that is used
with a video receiver to adjust the conver-
gence of a picture tube.
dot matrix Refers to characters that are
formed by varied groupings or matrices of
printed dots.
dot matrix printer A printer that produces
letters, numbers, and symbols from a
two-dimensional group of dot patterns.
double-action forming A metal-forming pro-
cess in which one stroke of the press per-
forms two die operations.
double-acting 1. An actuator in which the
power supply acts both to extend and retract
the actuator stem. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
2. Acting in two directions. Examples include
a reciprocating compressor in which each
piston has a working chamber at both ends
of the cylinder, a pawl that drives in both
directions, or a forging hammer that is raised
and driven down by air or steam pressure.
double-acting actuator A device in which
power is supplied in either direction. [ANSI/
ISA-75.05.01-2000]
double-acting positioner See positioner, dou-
ble-acting.
double amplitude The peak-to-peak value.
double-buffered I/O An input or output
operation that uses two buffers to transfer
data. While one buffer is being used by the
program, the other buffer is being read from
or written to by an I/O device.
double-density A type of computer diskette
that has twice the storage capacity of a sin-
gle-density diskette.
double groove weld A weldment in which
the joint is beveled or grooved from both
sides to prepare the joint for welding.
double insulation Insulation that is com-
prised of both basic insulation and supple-
mentary insulation. [ANSI/ISA-82.02.01-
1999(IEC 1010-1 Mod)]
double pole A device such as a switch, relay,
or circuit breaker that is capable of either
closing or opening two electrical paths.
double precision 1. Pertaining to the use of
two computer words to represent a number.
2. In floating-point arithmetic, the use of
additional bytes or words representing the
number to double the number of bits in the
mantissa.
double sampling A type of sampling inspec-
tion in which the lot can be accepted or

rejected based on results from a single sam-
ple, or the decision can be deferred until the
results from a second sample are known.
double-sided Of a computer diskette that
stores data on both sides.
doublet lens A lens that has two components
of different refractive index. It is generally
designed to be achromatic.
double-welded joint A weldment in which
the joint is welded from both sides.
double window fibers Optical fibers that are
designed to be transmitted at two wave-
length regions, 0.8 to 0.9 micrometer and
around 1.3 micrometers.
dowel 1. A headless, cylindrical pin that is
used to locate parts in an assembly or to hold
them together. 2. A round wood stick or
metal rod that is used to make dowel pins.
dowel screw A dowel that is threaded at both
ends.
down 1. Said of any machinery or equipment
that is not operating. 2. In data processing,
computer hardware that is not running.
downhand welding See flat-position welding.
download 1. The process of data or program
transfer, usually from a larger computer to a
PC. 2. A service that is used to load data from
the client into the server's domain. [ISA-
TR50.02, Part 9-2000]
downloading The process of sending config-
uration parameters, operating software, or
related data to remote stations or devices
from a (usually central) configuration sta-
tion.
downstream The outlet side of an instru-
ment.
downstream seating A seating that is
assisted by the pressure differential across
the closure member in the closed position.
The closure member is moved slightly down-
stream into tighter contact with the seat ring
seal that is supported by the body. [ANSI/
ISA-75.05.01-2000]
downtimeThe time during which a piece of
equipment, system, or the like is unavailable
for various reasons, such as maintenance,
setup, power failure, or equipment malfunc-
tion.
dowtherm A constant boiling mixture of phe-
nyl oxide and diphenyl oxide that is used in
high-temperature heat transfer systems (boil-
ing point 494°F, or 257°C).
dp cell A pressure transducer that responds to
the difference in pressure between two pres-
sure sources, frequently, a diaphragm capsule
and an integral part of a dp (differential-pres-
sure) transmitter. Dp cells are often used to
measure flow by observing the pressure dif-
157
double-sided / draft gauge
ference across a restriction in the flow line.
They are also used to measure level by mea-
suring the pressure difference between the
head pressure produced by the height of a liq-
uid in a vessel or tank and a reference pres-
sure.
DPDT Double pole double throw; electrical
switch action on a pair of wires that can be
used to select one of two paths for the pair or
used to reverse the direction of a single
polarized pair; relay output contact form C.
dpi Dots per inch; measure of screen image
or printed page.
DPMI DOS-protected mode interface;
multitasking DOS extender, replaces VCPI.
See VCPI.
DPS Distributed processor system; term cre-
ated by Sam Herb in 1994 to identify the
newer architectures being developed for dis-
tributed control systems in light of connec-
tivity to MES/ERP systems, emerging
fieldbus capabilities, "smart" transmitters,
"smart" valves, etc., as well as the blurring of
the distinction between process controllers
and programmable logic controllers; see
DCS.
DPSK Differential phase-shift keying; modu-
lation technique used in Bell 201 modem.
DPST Double pole single throw; electrical
switch action used to interrupt flow through
a pair of wires.
D/P transducer A transducer that measures
differential pressure and converts it into
another signal.
DQDB Distributed Queue Dual Bus;
implementation of reservation strategy in a
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) in which
each station on a 150 Mbs twin bus records
and maintains reservations in local queue.
See MAN.
draft Also spelled "draught." 1. The side
taper on molds and dies that makes it easier
to remove finished parts from the cavity. 2.
The depth to which a boat or other vessel is
submerged in a body of water. The value var-
ies with vessel weight and water density. 3.
Drawing a product in a die. 4. The small,
positive pressure that propels exhaust gas
out of a furnace and up the stack. 5. The dif-
ference between atmospheric pressure and
some lower pressure that exists in the fur-
nace or gas passages of a steam-generating
unit. [ISA-77.41-1992] 6. A preliminary docu-
ment.
draft differential The difference in static
pressure between two points in a system.
draft gauge 1. A type of manometer that is
used to measure small gas heads, such as the
Draft International Standard (DIS) / drift, point
draft pressure in a furnace. 2. A hydrostatic
indicator that is used to determine the depth
at which a ship is submerged.
Draft International Standard (DIS) The sec-
ond stage of the ISO standard promulgation
process.
draft loss A decrease in the static pressure in
a boiler or furnace as a result of flow resis-
tance.
draft proposal (DP) The first stage of the ISO
standard promulgation process.
drag 1. The resistance of a vehicle body to
motion through the air as a result of the total
force acting parallel to and opposite to the
direction of motion. 2. Generally, any resis-
tance to the motion of a solid shape through
a body of fluid. 3. In data processing, the
movement of an object on a screen by using a
mouse.
drag-body flowmeter A device that mea-
sures the net force on a submerged solid
body in a direction parallel to the direction of
flow. It converts this value into an indication
of flow or flow rate.
drain 1. A pipe that carries away waste solu-
tions or effluent. 2. To empty a tank or vessel
by means of gravity flow into a waste system
or auxiliary holding vessel. 3. A valved con-
nection at the lowest point for the purpose of
removing all water from the pressure parts.
DRAM [pronounced dee-ram] Dynamic ran-
dom access memory is high speed but must
be refreshed regularly.
draw 1. To pull a load. 2. To form cup-shaped
parts out of sheet metal. 3. To reduce the size
of wire or bar stock by pulling it through a
die. 4. To remove a pattern from a sand-mold
cavity. 5. A fissure or pocket in a casting that
is caused by inadequate feeding of molten
metal during solidification.
draw bead 1. A bead or offset that is used to
control metal flow during sheet-metal form-
ing. 2. A contoured rib or projection on a
draw ring or holddown for the purpose of
controlling metal flow in deep drawing.
drawbench The stand that holds a die and
draw head, which are used for reducing the
size of wire, rod, bar stock, or tubing.
drawdown The curvature of the liquid sur-
face upstream of the weir plate.
drawdown ratio The ratio of a die opening to
the product's thickness in a deep-drawing
operation.
drawhead 1. The die holder on a drawbench.
2. A group of rollers through which strip,
tubing, or solid stock is pulled so as to form
angle stock.
158
drawing back 1. A shop term for tempering.
2. The process of reheating hardened steel
below the critical temperature so as to reduce
its hardness.
drawing compound A lubricating substance
such as soap or oil that is applied to prevent
draw marks, scoring, or other defects caused
by metal-to-metal contact during a stamping,
wiredrawing, or similar metal-forming oper-
ation.
drawings 1. Graphic representations of the
control center, which may also include bills
of material, hard copies of video display tube
(VDT) displays, photographs, and tables
(e.g., wire and cable lists). [ISA-RP60.4-1990]
2. A general term that refers to any drawing
used for the design, construction, or mainte-
nance of instrumentation. Examples include
P&IDs, installation detail drawings, loop
drawings, electrical drawings, emergency
shutdown system logic drawings, PCB sche-
matic drawings, and so on.
dress 1. To shape a tool such as a grinding
wheel. 2. To restore a tool to its original con-
tour and sharpness.
drawing tower A type of equipment for mak-
ing optical fibers, in which optical fibers are
drawn from heated glass preforms.
draw mark Any surface flaw or blemish that
occurs during drawing, including scoring,
galling, pickup, or die lines.
draw radius The curvature at the edge of the
cavity in a deep-drawing die.
draw ring A ring-shaped die part. The punch
pulls the draw blank over the draw ring dur-
ing a drawing operation.
drift 1. An undesired change in output over a
period of time, where the change is unrelated
to the input, environment, or load. See
ANSI/ISA-S51.1-1979 (R1993). [ISA-
RP67.04.01-2000.ISA-RP67.04.02-2000] 2. An
undesired change in the output/input rela-
tionship over time. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-
2000] 3. An undesired change in output over
time that is not a function of the measurand.
[ISA-37.1-1975 (1992)] 4. Drift is usually
expressed as the change in output over a
specified time with fixed input and operation
conditions. It is usually used in the context of
analog transducers, analyzers, and so on.
drift, point The change in output over a spec-
ified period of time for a constant input
under specified reference operating condi-
tions. Note: Point drift is frequently deter-
mined at more than one input, as for
example: at 0%, 50%, and 100% of range.
Thus, any drift of zero or span may be calcu-
lated. Point drift is typically expressed as fol-

lows: "the drift at mid-scale for ambient
temperature (70 ± 2 2°F) for a period of 48
hours was within 0.1% of output span.
[ANSI/ISA-51.1-1979 (R1993)]
drift pin A round, tapered metal rod that is
driven into matching holes in mating parts in
order to stretch them and bring them into
alignment, such as for riveting or bolting.
drift plug A tapered rod that can be driven
into a pipe to straighten it or flare its end.
drill A cylindrical tool with one or more cut-
ting edges on one end. It makes or enlarges
holes in solid material by being rotating
about its longitudinal axis with the applica-
tion of axial force.
drill drift A flat, tapered piece of steel that is
used to remove taper shank drills and other
tools from their tool holders.
drill gauge A flat, thin steel plate with
numerous holes of accurate sizes that can be
used to check the size of drills.
drill jig A tool that is constructed to guide a
drill during repeated drilling of the same size
holes. The drill jig can be used either at many
locations in a given piece or at the same loca-
tion in many identical pieces, especially
where exceptional straightness or accuracy
of location is desired.
drill press A vertical drilling machine that is
constructed to hold a work piece stationary
and to apply vertical force in order to press a
rotating drill into the work.
drill sleeve A hollow, tapered cylinder that is
used as an adapter in order to fit the shank of
a taper-shank drill or other tool into the spin-
dle of a drill press or similar machine tool.
drip tight A nonstandard term that is used to
refer to control valve leakage. ANSI/FCI FCI
70-2 specifies the leakage classifications.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
drive In data processing, a device that
manipulates a diskette, disk, or magnetic
tape so the computer can read or write data
to it. See disk drive and tape drive.
drive fit A type of interference fit that
requires light to moderate force to assemble.
driven gear The member(s) of a gear train
that receive power and motion from another
gear.
driver 1. A software element that converts
operator instructions into the appropriate lan-
guage to drive a hardware device (unit or
stream drivers, for example). 2. A small pro-
gram or routine that handles the control of an
external peripheral device or executes other
programs. 3. A circuit or device that provides
input for another circuit or controls the oper-
ation of that circuit.
159
drift pin / drum
drive shaft A shaft that transmits power and
motion from a motor or engine to the other
elements of a machine.
driving pinion The gear in a gear train that
receives power and motion by means of a
shaft. The shaft is connected to the source of
power and transmits the power and motion
through its teeth to the next gear in the train.
driving-point impedance The complex ratio
of applied sinusoidal voltage, force, or pres-
sure at the driving point of a transducer to
the current, velocity, or volume velocity,
respectively, that result at the same point
(assuming that all inputs and outputs termi-
nate in some specified manner).
driving-point reactance The imaginary com-
ponent of driving-point impedance. See driv-
ing-point impedance.
driving-point resistance The real compo-
nent of driving-point impedance. See driv-
ing-point impedance.
drone A remotely controlled, self-powered
aircraft or missile.
droop See offset.
droop rate The rate at which the voltage out-
put of a storage device decays. [ISA-RP55.1-
1975]
drop cap In the typographical composition of
screen displays and printing, the enlarged,
initial capital letter set into the first few lines
of that paragraph for stylistic or design rea-
sons.
drop-in A character that appears erroneously
(on a display screen, printer, file, etc.)
because the disk or tape drive misstored or
misread one or more bits.
drop leg The section of measurement piping
that is below the process tap location to the
instrument.
drop-out 1. A character that vanishes (from a
display, printout, or file) because the disk or
tape drive misstored or misread one or more
bits. In data transmission, drop-out refers to a
momentary loss in signal, usually because of
noise or a system malfunction. 2. Any dis-
crete variation in signal level during the
reproduction of recorded data that results in a
data-reduction error.
drop tight A nonstandard term used to refer
to control valve leakage. ANSI/FCI FCI 70-2
specifies leakage classifications. [ANSI/ISA-
75.05.01-2000]
drosometer An instrument for measuring the
amount of dew that condenses on a given
surface.
drum 1. Any machine element that consists
essentially of a thin-walled, hollow cylinder.
2. A thin-walled, cylindrical container, espe-
drum baffle / DSP
cially a flat-ended shipping container, that
holds liquids or bulk solids and has a capacity
of 12 to 110 gallons (50 to 400 liters). 3. The
cylindrical member around which a hoisting
rope is wound. 4. A high-capacity computer
storage device. 5. A steam drum is a closed
vessel that is designed to withstand internal
pressure. It collects and separates the steam/
water mixture that is circulated through the
boiler. [ANSI/ISA-77.42.01-1999]
drum baffle A plate or series of plates or
screens that is placed within a drum to divert
or change the direction of the flow of water
or water and steam.
drum brake A mechanical brake in which the
friction elements, normally called "shoes,"
press against the inside surface of a cylindri-
cal member (the drum), which is attached to
the rotating element to slow or stop its
motion.
drum course A cylindrical section of a drum.
drum head A plate that closes the end of a
boiler drum or shell.
drum internals All apparatus within a drum.
drum operating pressure The pressure of the
steam that is maintained in the steam drum
or steam-and-water drum of a boiler in oper-
ation.
dry air Air with which no water vapor is
mixed. This term is used comparatively,
since in nature there is always some water
vapor in air, and such water vapor, being a
gas, is dry.
dry ash Industrial refuse in the solid state,
usually in a granular or dust form.
dry assay The act of determining the amount
of a metal or compound in an alloy, ore, or
metallurgical residue by means that do not
involve using liquid to separate or analyze
the constituents.
dry back The baffle that is provided in a fire-
tube boiler that joins the furnace to the sec-
ond pass in order to direct the products of
combustion. The dry back is constructed of
heat-resistant material (generally refractory
and insulating material) and is designed to
be separate from the pressure vessel.
dry basis A method for expressing moisture
content in which the amount of moisture
present is calculated as a percentage of the
weight of bone-dry material. Dry basis is
used extensively in the textile industry.
dry-blast cleaning The use of a dry abrasive
medium such as grit, sand, or shot to clean
metal surfaces by driving the medium
against the surface with a blast of air or by
centrifugal force.
160
dry-bulb temperature The temperature of
the air that is indicated by a thermometer not
affected by the water vapor content of the air.
dry corrosion The atmospheric corrosion that
takes place at temperatures above the dew
point.
dry gas Gas that contains no water vapor.
dry-gas loss The loss that represents the dif-
ference between the heat content of the dry
exhaust gases and their heat content at the
temperature of ambient air.
drying oven A closed chamber for driving
moisture from surfaces or bulk materials by
heating them at relatively low temperatures.
dry pipe A perforated pipe in the steam
space above the water level in a boiler that
helps keep entrained liquid from entering
steam outlet lines.
dry steam Steam that contains no moisture.
Commercially dry steam that contains not
more than 1/2 of 1 percent of moisture.
dry steam drum A pressure chamber, usually
serving as the steam offtake drum, that is
located above and in communication with
the steam space of a boiler's
steam-and-water drum.
dry test meter A type of meter that is used
extensively to determine gas flow rates for
billing purposes and to calibrate other
flow-measuring instruments. It has two
chambers that are separated by a flexible dia-
phragm, which is connected to a dial by
means of a gear train. In operation, the cham-
bers are filled alternately as a flow control
valve switches from one chamber to the
other as the first becomes completely filled.
The flow rate is indicated indirectly from
movement of the diaphragm.
DS Data structure [ISA-TR50.02, Part 9-2000];
Dansk Standardiseringsråd (Denmark); stan-
dards group in Denmark.
DSA Directory Service Agent, for directory
services.
DSL Digital subscriber line; technology that
uses special modems to send digital signals,
rather than analog waveforms, over existing
twisted-pair copper phone lines; see also
ADSL.
DSL (delta slope) algorithm See compressor.
DSM Demand-side management; electric
power industry term.
DSP Digital signal processor (or processing);
a RISC microprocessor optimized to execute
digital signal processing algorithms; an algo-
rithm process by which a sampled and digi-
tized data stream is modified to extract
relevant information. See RISC.

DSR Data set ready; modem interface control
signal (typically EIA RS-232/422) that indi-
cates that the terminal is ready for transmis-
sion from DCE.
DSS Decision support system; a form of com-
puter- based data warehousing and manage-
ment using DBMS techniques to focus the
retrieval of information for specific needs.
DSSS Direct sequence spread spectrum; used
for wireless communication systems.
DSVD Digital simultaneous voice and data;
telephone connections that permit the simul-
taneous transfer of voice and data similar to
ISDN.
DTE Data terminal equipment; end point of
communication link such as a device acting
as data source, data sink, or both (worksta-
tion, repeater, file server, etc.); usually pro-
ducing data in human-readable form, as with
a printer or video screen.
DTMF Dial tone multiple frequency. Also see
dual tone multiple frequency; audio sig-
naling frequency on Touch-tone, pushbutton
telephones.
DTR Data terminal ready; modem interface
control signal (typically, EIA RS-232/422)
that indicates that the terminal is ready for
transmission to DCE.
DTV Desktop video; combines animation,
image metamorphosis, photography, etc.,
within common data manager.
DUA Directory User Agent; for directory ser-
vices.
dual-axis tracking antenna A tracking
antenna that is steered automatically in both
azimuth and elevation.
dual-beam analyzer A type of radia-
tion-absorption analyzer that compares the
intensity of a transmitted beam with the
intensity of a reference beam of the same
wavelength.
dual in-line package (DIP) A standardized
component package that is fabricated from
two parallel rows of leads on 0.1-inch cen-
ters. It is intended to allow the printed-circuit
mounting of integrated circuits, switches,
and components.
dual-mode control A type of control law that
consists of two distinct types of operation. In
linear systems, these modes usually consist
of a linear feedback mode and a bang-bang-
type (two-position) mode. The latter mode is
often used for startup.
dual output Providing two separate and non-
interacting outputs that are functions of the
applied measurand. [ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]
dual-ramp ADC A technique for converting
analog data into digital form. The unknown
161
DSR / Dumet wire
voltage is input into a ramp generator and
integrated for a specified time. When that
time has passed, a counter is started and a
reference voltage applied to cause a con-
trolled ramp-down. The counter is stopped
when the voltage becomes zero. The count
gives the digital number output.
dual-sealing valve A valve that uses a resil-
ient seating material for the primary seal and
a metal-to-metal seat for a secondary seal.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
dual-slope converter 1. An integrating ana-
log-to-digital converter in which the
unknown signals are converted into a pro-
portional time interval. 2. An A / D converter
that integrates the signal for a specific time,
then counts time intervals for a reference
voltage so as to bring the integrated signal
back to zero.
dual system Special configurations that use
two computers to receive identical input and
execute the same routines. The results of
such parallel processing are then compared.
Exceptionally high reliability requirements
usually are involved.
dub In video development, a copy of a mas-
ter tape, usually at lower resolution, for
offline editing.
duct An enclosed fluid-flow passage, which
may be any size up to several feet in cross
section. A duct is usually constructed of gal-
vanized sheet metal and is not intended to
sustain internal pressures of more than a few
psi. The term duct is most often applied to
passages for ventilating air and to intakes
and exhausts for engines, boilers, and fur-
naces.
ductile iron The term preferred in the United
States for cast iron that contains spheroidal
nodules of graphite in the as-cast condition.
Also known as "nodular cast iron," "nodular
iron," and "spherulitic-graphite cast iron."
ductility The property of a metal that indi-
cates its relative ability to deform without
fracturing. It is usually measured as the per-
centage elongation or reduction of an area in
a uniaxial tensile test.
dumb terminal An expression used to
describe most ASCII asynchronous termi-
nals, both hard-copy and VDT-type devices.
Dumb terminals do not use a data transmis-
sion protocol and usually send data one
character at a time.
Dumet wire Wire made of Fe-42Ni covered
with a layer of copper. It is used to replace
expensive platinum as the seal-in wire in
incandescent lamps and vacuum tubes. The
copper coating prevents gassing at the seal.
dummy / dust, combustible
dummy 1. A device that is constructed to
resemble another device physically, but with-
out the original's operating characteristics. 2.
In engineering, a cathode, usually corru-
gated so to provide varying current densi-
ties, that is plated at low-current densities to
preferentially remove impurities from an
electroplating solution. 3. A substitute cath-
ode that is used during the adjustment of the
operating conditions in electroplating. 4. In
computing, an artificial address, instruction,
or record of computer information that is
inserted solely to fulfill prescribed condi-
tions, such as to achieve a fixed word length
or block length, but that does not itself affect
machine operations except to permit the
machine to perform desired operations.
dummy argument A variable such as the one
that appears in the argument list of a func-
tion definition but is replaced by the actual
argument when the function is used.
dummy instruction An artificial instruction
or address that is inserted in a list to serve an
instructional purpose rather than for execu-
tion.
dump 1. A printout of computer memory or a
file in hexadecimal and character form. 2.
The transfer of data without regard for its
significance. Same as "storage dump."
dump valve A large valve in the bottom of a
tank or container that can quickly empty the
tank in an emergency.
dunnage Loose material that is used around
an item to prevent damage during shipment.
[ISA-RP60.11-1991]
duodecimal number A number, of successive
characters, that represents a sum in which
the individual quantity represented by each
character is based on a radix of twelve. The
characters used are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, T
(for ten) and E (for eleven). Related to number
system.
duplex 1. Pertaining to a twin, pair, or a
two-in-one situation. An example would be a
channel that provides simultaneous trans-
mission in both directions or a second set of
equipment to be used in event of the failure
of the primary device. 2. Referring to any
item or process that consists of two parts
working in conjunction with each other.
duplex, full The method of operation of a
communication circuit in which each end can
simultaneously transmit and receive. [ISA-
RP55.1-1975 (R1983)]
duplex, half Permitting one-directional elec-
trical communication between stations. Tech-
nical arrangements may permit operation in
162
either direction but not simultaneously. [ISA-
RP55.1-1975 (R1983)]
duplex cable 1. In fiber optics, two fiber
cables that are suitable for duplex transmis-
sion. With copper wire, a pair of wires that
are insulated from each other and in which
there is an outer jacket of insulation around
the inner insulated pair. 2. A cable that con-
tains two optical fibers in a single cable struc-
ture. Light is not coupled between the two
fibers. Typically one cable is used to transmit
signals in one direction and the other to trans-
mit in the opposite direction.
duplex connector A connector that simulta-
neously makes two connections, joining one
pair of optical fibers with another.
duplex control A control in which two inde-
pendent control elements share a common
input signal to operate separate final control
elements, both of which influence the value
of the controlled condition.
duplexed system A system that has two dis-
tinct and separate sets of facilities, each of
which is capable of assuming the system
function while the other assumes a standby
status. Usually, both sets are identical in
nature.
duplex mode The communication link that
allows simultaneous the transmission and
receipt of data.
duplex operation The operation of an associ-
ated transmitter and receiver that are
designed for concurrent transmission and
reception.
duplex process Any integrated process in
which a manufacturing operation is carried
out by two procedures in series. An example
is refining steel by the Bessemer process and
then producing ingots or continuously cast
slabs by the basic-oxygen or electric-furnace
process.
duplex pump A reciprocating or diaphragm
pump that has two parallel flow paths
through the same housing, with a common
inlet and a common outlet.
duplex transmission Transmission in both
directions, either one direction at a time (half
duplex) or both directions simultaneously
(full duplex).
dust 1. Any finely divided solid material that
is 420 µm or smaller in diameter (i.e., mate-
rial that passes a U.S. No. 40 Standard Sieve).
[ISA-12.10-1988] 2. Particles of gas-borne
solid matter that are larger than one micron
in diameter.
dust, combustible Any finely divided solid
material that is 420 microns or less in diame-
ter (i.e., material passing a U.S. No. 40 sieve)

Types of Transmission - Duplex
and that presents a fire or explosion hazard
when dispersed. [ISA-12.01.01-1999]
dust counter A photoelectric instrument that
measures the number and size of dust parti-
cles in a known volume of air. Also known as
"Kern counter."
dust-ignition proof Used to describe an
enclosure that will exclude dust and that,
when installed according to original design
intent, will not permit arcs, sparks, or heat
generated or liberated inside the enclosure to
ignite exterior accumulations or atmosphere
suspensions of a specified dust anywhere
near the enclosure. [ISA-12.01.01-1999]
dust ignition-proof enclosure An enclosure
that excludes ignitable amounts of dusts or
amounts that might affect the performance
or rating. Moreover, an enclosure that, when
installation and protection conform with the
NEC, will not permit arcs, sparks, or heat
generated or liberated inside the enclosure to
ignite exterior accumulations or atmo-
spheric suspensions of a specified dust in or
near the enclosure. [ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-
1999]
dust layer, combustible Any surface accu-
mulation of combustible dust that is thick
enough to propagate flame or that will
degrade and ignite. me or will degrade and
ignite. [ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-1999]
dust loading The amount of dust in a gas,
usually expressed in grains per cubic feet or
pounds per thousand pounds of gas.
dust-protected enclosure An international
term for an enclosure in which dust is not
totally prevented from entering, but in which
it does not enter in quantities sufficient to
interfere with the safe operation of the equip-
ment or accumulate where it can cause an
ignition hazard.e to cause an ignition hazard.
[ISA-12.01.01-1999]
163
dust counter / DVCAM
dust-tight Of an enclosure constructed so
that dust will not enter the enclosing case
under specified test conditions. [ISA-
12.01.01-1999]
dust-tight enclosure An enclosure of sub-
stantial mechanical construction that is pro-
vided with gaskets or otherwise designed to
exclude dust. It has no open through holes
and no knockouts. The conduit entrance is
by tapped threads that have a minimum of 3
1/2 threads engaged or by a gasket, bonded
conduit hub. The dust-tight enclosure has a
substantial door or cover that is made dust
tight by a securely fastened gasket or by the
width and closeness of fit of the mating
flanges. Its door or cover fasteners are of sub-
stantial construction and are permanently
captive. The door or cover itself is also per-
manently captive to the enclosure.
Threaded-hub conduit connections are made
dust tight by welding or gasketing. Threaded
hub conduit connections are solidly bonded
to the enclosure by welding or bonding
through proper fittings. Such enclosures are
NEMA 3, 3X, 4, 4X, 6, 12 or 13 enclosures.
[ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-1999]
dutch oven A furnace that extends forward
of the wall of a boiler setting. It usually is
constructed entirely of refractories although
in some cases it is water cooled.
duty 1. The statement of operating conditions
and their durations to which a device or
equipment is subjected, including rest and
deenergized periods. 2. The specification of
service conditions that defines the type, dura-
tion, and constancy of applied load or driving
power.
duty cycle 1. For a device that operates repeat-
edly, but not continuously, the time intervals
that are involved in starting, running, and
stopping plus any idling or warm-up time. 2.
For a device that operates intermittently, the
ratio of working time to total time, usually
expressed as a percentage. Also known as
"duty factor." 3. The ratio of the amount of
time a valve spends performing one particu-
lar function to the valve's total installed time
period. It may be expressed as a percentage of
total time (service time versus installed time).
[ISA-RP75.23-1995] 4. In digital transmission,
the ratio of high levels to low levels. In elec-
trical apparatus, the pulse width times the
frequency.
duty cyclometer A meter for directly indicat-
ing duty cycle.
DVCAM Digital videocassette camera video
format; potential emerging video produc-
tion standard promoted by SONY. DVCPRO
DVD / dynamic dispatching
is a version by Panasonic; Digital-S is a ver-
sion by JVC.
DVD Digital video disk (or digital versatile
disk); a concept to bring the worldwide (con-
sumer) electronics industry into one stan-
dard for both computer and entertainment
industries (large CD- ROM, movie playback
platform, game platform, large computer
data drive and erasable memory). Five-inch
disk fits 3.7 GB of data on a single side using
the size of pits and spacing between pit
tracks and read the data using a red laser
beam rather than the current infrared beam.
A variation provides up to 7.4 GB on a single
side by using two layers, a semireflective
layer above a fully reflective one; another
variation provides 5 GB on each side of a
two-sided disk. A later format for an agreed-
upon standard among audio, video, and
computer industries exceeds 17 GB. See
MMCD, SD, and HDCD.
DVD-ROM Digital video (versatile) disk
read-only memory; provides 4.7 GB of mem-
ory, roughly seven times more than the 650
megabytes held by CD-ROMs.
DVI Digital video interactive; brand name of
Intel for a variety of product families involv-
ing digital video and audio.
DVR Dynamic voltage restorer; turns a dis-
torted waveform, including voltage dips,
into a required waveform by interjecting a
precise amount of voltage using a series-con-
nected transformer into a distribution feeder
between the power supply side and the load
side.
dwell 1. A contour on a cam that causes the
follower to remain at maximum lift for an
extended portion of the cycle. 2. In a hydrau-
lic or pneumatic operating cycle, a pause
during which pressure is neither increased
nor decreased.
dwell period The time a commutator spends
at a given channel position.
dwell time In any variable cycle, the portion
of the cycle when all controlled variables are
held constant. Examples of using dwell time
include allowing a parameter such as tem-
perature or pressure to stabilize or allowing a
chemical reaction to go to completion.
DXF Document Exchange Format; a drawing
file format developed by AutoCAD and
adopted by others.
dye penetrant A low-viscosity liquid that
contains a dye used in nondestructive exami-
nation to detect surface discontinuities such
as cracks and laps in both magnetic and non-
magnetic materials.
164
dynamically relocatable coding Coding for a
computer that has special hardware for per-
forming the derelativization. With an appro-
priately designed computer system, coding
can be loaded into various sections of core,
appropriate addresses changed, and the pro-
gram executed.
dynamic analysis The study of data under
changing internal and/or external condi-
tions. Such analysis can include static analy-
sis, linear, or nonlinear.
dynamic burn-in The application of patterns
so as to exercise devices during burn-in and
to produce higher power dissipation, current
density, and chip temperature than static
burn-in provides.
dynamic calibration 1. Calibration in which
the input varies over a specific length of time
and the output is recorded against time. 2. A
calibration procedure in which the quantity of
liquid is measured while liquid is flowing into
or out of the measuring vessel.
dynamic characteristics Those characteris-
tics of a transducer that relate to its response
to variations of the measurand with time.
[ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]
dynamic compensation A technique used in
control to compensate for dynamic response
differences to the different input streams to a
process. A combination of lead and lag algo-
rithms will handle most situations.
Dynamic Compensation
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) A Microsoft-
developed interapplication communications
protocol in which the data from one program
(application) automatically updates another.
DDE was originally designed to move data
from a spreadsheet to word processor. Is the
baseline protocol for OLE 1.0, but not for
OLE 2.0 (it is supported there, however, to
maintain upward compatibility). DDE has
become more complex with the advent of
Windows and Windows NT in industrial
applications.
dynamic dispatching Dispatching that
occurs in real time (as it occurs). Dynamic
dispatching reports to an MES system all sta-
tus changes, such as work completed, opera-
 dynamic functional board tester / dynamometer
tional problems, and priority changes;
updates the entire plant floor; and auto-
matically reschedules all operations for all
released jobs to reflect those changes.
dynamic functional board tester A device
that accesses a circuit board under test
through a connector that applies predeter-
mined inputs and then examines the outputs
for correct board response.
dynamic gain See gain, dynamic.
dynamic load That portion of a service load
that varies over time and cannot be charac-
terized as a series of different, unvarying
(static) loads successively applied and
removed.
dynamic memory Same as dynamic storage.
dynamic model A model in which the vari-
ables are functions of time. Contrast with
steady-state model.
dynamic optimization A type of control, fre-
quently multivariable and adaptive in
nature, that optimizes some criterion func-
tion in bringing the system to the set points
of the controlled variables. The sum of the
weighted, time-absolute errors is an example
of a typical criterion function to be mini-
mized. Contrast with steady-state optimization.
dynamic pressure The increase in pressure
above the static pressure that results from the
complete transformation of the kinetic
energy of the fluid into potential energy.
dynamic programming In operations
research, a procedure for optimizing a multi-
stage problem wherein a number of deci-
sions are available at each stage of the
process. Contrast with convex programming,
integer programming, linear programming (LP),
mathematical programming, nonlinear program-
ming, and quadratic programming.
dynamic RAM Random access memory that
needs to be refreshed at regular time inter-
vals. It involves the extra complexity of
refresh circuits, but higher densities can be
achieved.
dynamic range 1. The range of signals that is
accepted by a device without manual adjust-
ment. 2. The difference between the highest
voltage level that will overload the instru-
ment and the lowest voltage level that is
detectable. Dynamic range is usually
expressed in decibels, typically 60 to 90 dB
for modern instruments.
dynamic response The behavior of the out-
put of a device as a function of the input,
both with respect to time. See response,
dynamic. [ANSI/ISA-67.04.01-2000] 2. The
behavior of an output in response to a chang-
ing input.
165
dynamic sensitivity In leak testing, the mini-
mum leak rate that a particular device is
capable of detecting.
dynamic stability The property that permits
the response of a positively damped physical
system to asymptotically approach a con-
stant value when the level of excitation is
constant. Compare with static stability.
dynamic stiffness The apparent stiffness of a
spring member under vibration or shock
loading. This apparent stiffness is frequency
dependent.
dynamic stop A loop stop that consists of a
single jump instruction.
dynamic storage The storage of data on a
device or in a manner that permits the data
to move or vary with time. Thus, the data is
not always available instantly for recovery.
Examples of dynamic storage include acous-
tic delay line, magnetic drum, or the circulat-
ing or recirculating of information in a
medium. Synonymous with dynamic memory.
dynamic storage allocation A storage alloca-
tion technique in which the location of pro-
grams and data is determined by criteria that
are applied at the moment of need.
dynamic subroutine A subroutine that
involves parameters, such as decimal point
position or item size, from which a relatively
coded subroutine is derived. The computer
itself is expected to adjust or generate the
subroutine according to the parametric val-
ues chosen. Contrast with static subroutine.
dynamic test A test of a device or mechanism
that is conducted under variable loading or
stimulation.
dynamic unbalance The net force or torque
produced on the valve stem or shaft by fluid
pressure acting on the closure member and
stem or shaft at stated travel and flowing
conditions. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
dynamic variables Process variables that can
change from moment to moment because of
unspecified or unknown sources.
dynamometer 1. An electrical instrument in
which current, voltage, or power is mea-
sured by determining the force between a
fixed coil and a moving coil. 2. A special type
of rotating machine that is used to measure
the output or driving torque of rotating
equipment.