In the mnemonic "ELI the ICE man," what does ELI stand for?

In the mnemonic "ELI the ICE man," the "ELI" part specifically stands for "Voltage (E) Leads Current (I) in Inductance (L)." This concept is fundamental in understanding how inductors function in electrical circuits.

When an alternating current (AC) flows through an inductor, the voltage across the inductor leads the current through it. This means that the voltage reaches its peak value before the current does. The term inductance (L) relates to the property of the inductor that opposes changes in current. The mnemonic helps technicians and engineers remember this important phase relationship in AC circuits, thereby assisting them in analyzing and designing electrical systems involving inductors.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for diagnosing circuit behavior, especially in applications where inductive loads are present, such as motors and transformers.