MITO EV Auto L5 study materials
MITO EV Auto L5 study resources

MITO EV Auto L5 key terms

MITO EV Auto L5 · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

High-voltage interlock loop

A low-voltage diagnostic circuit that runs through the high-voltage connectors and covers of an electric vehicle; if any connector opens or a cover is removed, the loop breaks and the battery management system disables high-voltage contactors.

Related: Service disconnect, Battery management system, Contactor
Service disconnect

A manually operated plug or switch used by technicians to physically break the high-voltage battery circuit before work begins, isolating the pack from the rest of the vehicle's electrical system.

Related: High-voltage interlock loop, Battery management system, Insulation resistance
Battery management system

The electronic control unit that monitors cell voltage, temperature, and current, estimates state of charge and state of health, balances cells, and commands contactors to open or close for safety.

Related: Contactor, State of charge, Cell balancing
Contactor

A heavy-duty electrically controlled switch that connects or disconnects the high-voltage battery from the vehicle's power electronics; it is normally open when the vehicle is off or a fault is detected.

Related: Battery management system, Pre-charge circuit, High-voltage interlock loop
Pre-charge circuit

A resistor-limited path that slowly charges the inverter's capacitors before the main contactors close, preventing a damaging inrush current surge when the high-voltage system is energized.

Related: Contactor, Inverter, Battery management system
State of charge

The remaining energy in a battery pack expressed as a percentage of its current usable capacity, analogous to a fuel gauge reading and used to estimate remaining driving range.

Related: State of health, Battery management system, Cell balancing
State of health

A measure of a battery's present capacity and internal resistance compared with its new condition, expressed as a percentage and used to judge degradation and remaining service life.

Related: State of charge, Capacity fade, Battery management system
Cell balancing

The process of equalizing charge among series-connected cells, either by dissipating excess energy as heat (passive) or by transferring charge between cells (active), to maximize usable capacity and slow degradation.

Related: Battery management system, State of charge, Thermal runaway
Thermal runaway

A self-accelerating exothermic reaction inside a battery cell in which rising temperature increases reaction rate, producing more heat and potentially spreading fire to adjacent cells and the whole pack.

Related: Cell balancing, Insulation resistance, Regenerative braking
Insulation resistance

The electrical resistance between high-voltage conductors and the vehicle chassis; a low reading indicates insulation breakdown and a shock hazard, so the system monitors it continuously and sets a fault when it falls below threshold.

Related: Service disconnect, High-voltage interlock loop, Thermal runaway
Regenerative braking

A strategy in which the traction motor acts as a generator during deceleration, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy that is returned to the battery instead of being lost as brake heat.

Related: Inverter, State of charge, Thermal runaway
Inverter

A power electronics unit that converts direct current from the battery into alternating current for the traction motor, and reverses the conversion to rectify generated current back to the pack during regenerative braking.

Related: Pre-charge circuit, Regenerative braking, Contactor
On-board charger

The vehicle-mounted unit that converts alternating current from an external charging supply into the direct current and voltage profile required to charge the high-voltage battery.

Related: State of charge, Battery management system, Contactor
Capacity fade

The gradual loss of a battery's usable energy storage over time and cycling, caused by electrode degradation, electrolyte breakdown, and growth of resistive surface layers on the electrodes.

Related: State of health, Cell balancing, Thermal runaway
Hours-of-service rules

Legally binding limits on driving time, on-duty time, and required rest periods for commercial drivers, enforced through records of duty status and designed to reduce fatigue-related crashes.

Related: Electronic logging device, Pre-trip inspection, Gross vehicle weight rating
Electronic logging device

A tamper-resistant device connected to the engine that automatically records driving time and duty status, replacing paper logs and providing data for hours-of-service compliance checks and roadside inspections.

Related: Hours-of-service rules, Pre-trip inspection, Load securing
Gross vehicle weight rating

The maximum total weight a vehicle is designed to carry safely, including chassis, body, fuel, passengers, and cargo, as specified by the manufacturer and used to determine legal load limits and axle loading.

Related: Load securing, Axle load distribution, Hours-of-service rules
Load securing

The practice of restraining cargo with straps, chains, or bars so it cannot shift, slide, or fall during transport, meeting minimum restraint strength and attachment point requirements for road safety.

Related: Axle load distribution, Gross vehicle weight rating, Pre-trip inspection
Axle load distribution

The way total vehicle weight is shared among axles and wheels; incorrect distribution can overload an axle, reduce steering grip, and cause premature tyre and suspension failure.

Related: Gross vehicle weight rating, Load securing, Pre-trip inspection
Pre-trip inspection

A structured walk-around check of tyres, brakes, lights, couplings, load restraints, and fluids performed by the driver before departure to detect defects that could cause a breakdown or crash.

Related: Hours-of-service rules, Load securing, Electronic logging device
Tachograph

A recording instrument fitted to commercial vehicles that logs speed, distance, and driver activity over time, used by enforcement authorities to verify compliance with driving time and rest regulations.

Related: Hours-of-service rules, Electronic logging device, Pre-trip inspection
Blowout

A sudden tyre failure in which air escapes rapidly, often causing loss of steering control; drivers are trained to hold the wheel firmly, avoid hard braking, and slow gradually to a safe stop.

Related: Pre-trip inspection, Axle load distribution, Load securing
Methane drainage

The controlled capture of gas from boreholes drilled into coal seams or surrounding strata to reduce explosion risk in workings and to recover gas for use or safe disposal.

Related: Firedamp, Well control, Gas detection
Firedamp

A flammable mixture consisting mainly of methane that accumulates in underground mine workings; it becomes explosive within certain concentration ranges and is controlled by ventilation and gas monitoring.

Related: Methane drainage, Gas detection, Ventilation circuit
Ventilation circuit

The planned network of airways, fans, and regulators that delivers fresh air to working places and carries contaminants away, maintaining oxygen levels and diluting methane and dust below statutory limits.

Related: Firedamp, Gas detection, Methane drainage
Gas detection

The use of fixed sensors or portable instruments to measure concentrations of methane, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and other gases, triggering alarms or automatic shutdowns when hazardous thresholds are reached.

Related: Firedamp, Ventilation circuit, Methane drainage
Bench

A stepped working level or terrace cut into an open-pit or quarry face, where drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling are carried out; bench height and width are set by geotechnical design.

Related: Blast pattern, Haul road, Highwall
Highwall

The vertical or steeply inclined face of rock left at the edge of an open-pit or strip mine after material has been excavated; stability is managed through slope angle design and monitoring.

Related: Bench, Blast pattern, Haul road
Blast pattern

The designed layout of borehole spacing, burden, depth, and explosive charge used in a blast to fragment rock to a target size while controlling flyrock, vibration, and damage to the surrounding rock mass.

Related: Bench, Highwall, Haul road
Haul road

A purpose-built route for heavy mining trucks, designed with controlled gradients, width, drainage, and berms so vehicles can travel safely between loading and dumping points.

Related: Bench, Highwall, Blast pattern
Well control

The set of procedures, equipment, and monitoring practices used to keep formation fluids inside the wellbore, preventing an influx from becoming an uncontrolled blowout during drilling or workover operations.

Related: Blowout preventer, Kick, Mud weight
Blowout preventer

A stack of hydraulically operated rams and annular sealing elements installed at the wellhead that can close around or shear the drill string to seal the wellbore if pressure control is lost.

Related: Well control, Kick, Mud weight
Kick

An unintended influx of formation fluid into the wellbore caused by formation pressure exceeding the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid, detected by pit gain, flow increase, or pressure changes.

Related: Well control, Mud weight, Blowout preventer
Mud weight

The density of the drilling fluid, expressed in kilograms per cubic metre or pounds per gallon, adjusted to provide hydrostatic pressure that balances formation pore pressure and keeps the well stable.

Related: Kick, Well control, Blowout preventer
Hydrogen sulphide

A highly toxic, flammable gas that can be present in produced fluids; it is odourless at dangerous concentrations and requires continuous monitoring, personal detectors, and respiratory protection procedures.

Related: Gas detection, Well control, Kick
Cargo segregation

The separation of incompatible dangerous goods on a vehicle or in a load, based on their hazard classes, to prevent dangerous reactions, contamination, or escalation of an incident during transport.

Related: Dangerous goods declaration, Load securing, Emergency response guide
Dangerous goods declaration

A document that identifies a consignment's hazard class, UN number, proper shipping name, packing group, and quantity, providing the information emergency responders and carriers need.

Related: Cargo segregation, Emergency response guide, Load securing
Emergency response guide

A reference carried by drivers and handlers that gives initial isolation distances, protective actions, and first-aid measures for spills or fires involving dangerous goods by hazard class.

Related: Dangerous goods declaration, Cargo segregation, Hydrogen sulphide