Find clear explanations of the most common terms used in ANA’s equipment manuals, service resources, and technical documentation.
Welcome to ANA’s glossary of commonly used terms and acronyms. This reference is designed to help team members, partners, and customers understand key terminology used across our products, documentation, and training materials.
Engine and Exhaust Systems
AVR – Automatic Voltage Regulator
Regulates the output voltage from the generator to a controlled, consistent voltage level for safe and stable use.
EGR – Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Recirculates exhaust gases to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by replacing some of the oxygen in the combustion mixture.
DOC – Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
Acts like a fine filter or catalytic converter that burns off unburnt diesel fuel and carbon before releasing exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
DPF – Diesel Particulate Filter
A honeycomb-style filter that captures unburnt diesel fuel and soot particles before they exit the exhaust system.
SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction
An emissions control system that injects Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) into the exhaust stream to chemically convert harmful nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water.
DEF – Diesel Exhaust Fluid
A liquid solution (typically urea and deionized water) used in SCR systems to break down harmful exhaust emissions.
ETM – Exhaust Temperature Management
Uses a throttle valve to create backpressure and heat in the exhaust system, improving the burn-off of carbon deposits.
Engine Components and Controls
PCV – Positive Crankcase Ventilation
A valve system that releases excess pressure from the engine’s crankcase to prevent oil leaks and improve emissions performance.
SCV – Suction Control Valve
Controls the amount of fuel discharged by the high-pressure pump into the common rail system.
ECM – Engine Control Module
The onboard computer that manages and monitors all electronic and fuel functions within the engine.
ECU – Engine Control Unit
Synonymous with ECM; refers to the central computer that controls the engine’s performance and diagnostics.
Sensors and Measurement Units
CKP – Crankshaft Position Sensor
Uses a magnetic pickup to detect crankshaft position and rotational speed by counting gear teeth.
CMP – Camshaft Position Sensor
Similar to CKP, this sensor determines the camshaft’s position to ensure accurate timing for fuel injection and ignition.
RPM – Revolutions Per Minute
A measure of how fast the engine crankshaft is spinning, representing engine speed.
HP – Horsepower
A unit of power measuring the rate at which work is done—commonly used to indicate engine output.
HZ – Hertz
A unit of frequency; in power generation, it measures how often an alternating current (AC) cycles per second (commonly 60 Hz in the U.S.).
Electrical and Power Terms
KVA – Kilovolt-Amperes
Represents the apparent power of an electrical system, combining voltage and current without accounting for power factor.
KW – Kilowatts
Represents the real power output, calculated from voltage, current, and power factor. (1 kW = 1.34 HP)
V – Voltage
The electrical potential difference or “pressure” that drives current through a circuit.
A – Amperage
The measure of electric current flowing through a circuit.
Air and Pressure Systems
CFM – Cubic Feet per Minute
A measure of airflow volume, commonly used for compressors and ventilation systems.
PSI – Pounds per Square Inch
A unit of pressure used to measure force applied per unit area, such as air pressure in pneumatic systems.
