装置
そうち · souchi · JLPT N3 · noun
equipment
⚙️🔧 装置 = dress up + place: kit you mount in its place
装 (sou) means to fit out or equip, as in 装備 (equipment), and 置 (chi) means to put or place, as in 位置 (position). So a そうち is gear that has been fitted and set in place: an apparatus or installation.
装 — clothes 衣 + strong 壮 (phonetic)
装 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The bottom 衣 ('clothes') gives the meaning, since the original sense was packing or dressing—putting clothes or goods into a bundle. The top 壮 supplies the sound. Meanings extended from 'to dress/attire' to 'to load, install, pretend'.
置 — net 罒 (top) + straight 直 (bottom)
Originally a phono-semantic compound: the net 网/罒 on top suggested the idea of catching or pardoning a criminal, while 直 ('straight, upright') gave the sound and hinted at setting things upright. The meaning shifted from 'pardon, set free' to the modern senses 'place, put, set up, establish'.