Transient (oscillation)

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A transient event is a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage, current or load.

[edit] Electrics

In electrical and electronic engineering these sudden changes are mostly found as the result of the operation of switching devices. Engineers use voltage regulators and surge protectors to prevent transients in electricity from affecting delicate equipment.

Transients are also deliberately administered to electronic equipment for testing their performance and resilience to such interference. International standards define the magnitude and methods used to apply them. Typically refer to EN-61000-4-4, the European standard for Fast Transient testing.

The U.S. version of the standard for EFT is IEEE C37.90. Both of these standards are similar. Which standard you choose is based on the intended market.

[edit] Acoustics

The typical sound of some musical instruments is also characterized by transients, which can be heard when striking the strings of string instruments