terminal voltage

Potential difference (pd) or voltage across the terminals of a power supply, such as a battery of cells. When the supply is not connected in circuit its terminal voltage is the same as its electromotive force (emf); however, as soon as it begins to supply current to a circuit its terminal voltage falls because some electric potential energy is lost in driving current against the supply's own internal resistance. As the current flowing in the circuit is increased the terminal voltage of the supply falls.