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The Book of Terms

The Book of TermsThe WJI Book of Wire & Cable Terms: an interactive experience of learning and sharing
This book, written by industry volunteers and containing more than 5,000 entries, is an asset for newcomers to wire and cable.

At the same time, it also represents an opportunity for industry veterans to give back by either updating or adding to the more than 5,000 entries. This is an honor system process. Entries/updates must be non-commercial, and any deemed not to be so will be removed. Share your expertise as part of this legacy project to help those who will follow. Purchase a printed copy here.

   

 

All   0-9   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Cotter Pin

A split pin, made from half-round wire that has a tapered piece (cotter) which, when inserted into a hole or slot and the tapered piece bent, prevents a nut from working loose or unscrew­ing. It is produced in various sizes, very little is drawn, most being cold rolled to shape from round material.

Cotton

A natural plant fiber that is used in the industry for servings and braids. It has good flexibility and strength although treatments are required to provide chemical and fungus resistance. Heat resistance is limited.

Cotton Covering

Used for covering wires and strips for winding large coils requiring heavy conductors of round or rectangular section. Cotton insulation acts chiefly as a mechanical spacer between conductors and the electrical strength of the coil depends on the impregnating varnish used. Thorough drying out is necessary before impregnation as the electrical strength is greatly reduced if moisture is present.

Coulomb

Unit quantity of electricity; i.e., the quantity transferred by one ampere in one second.

Coulomb Friction

The proportionality factor in calculating the shear stress as a function of pressure between the work piece and die. It is assumed constant for a given die, work piece and lubricant.

Counter EMF

The voltage opposing the applied voltage and the current in a coil; caused by a flow of current in the coil; also known as back EMF.

Counterpoise

Bare copper, usually soft drawn, buried around the perimeter of a structure for grounding purposes.

Coupling

The transfer of power by proximity, between two or more cables or pairs in a cable.

Coupling Efficiency

Efficiency of optical power transfer between two components.

Coupling Loss

Signal losses due to small differences in numerical aperture, core diameter, core concentricity and tolerances in splicing connectors when two fibers are aligned. Also known as Splicing Loss and Transfer Loss.

Coupling Ring

A device used on cylindrical connectors to lock plug and receptacle together.

Coupon

A piece of metal for testing, of specified size; a piece of metal from which a test specimen may be prepared.

COV

See Concentrated Oil of Vitriol.

Cover Wires

The outer layer of wires in a rope.

Coverage

The calculated percentage that defines the completeness with which a metal braid covers the underlying surface.

Covering

Textile braid or jacket of rubber plastics, or other materials applied over wire and cable to provide mechanical protection and identification.

CP

Designation for chlorosulfonated polyethylene.

CPE

Designation for chlorinated polyethylene, a tough chemical and oil-resistant material that makes an excellent jacket for industrial control cable. This can be used as either a thermoplastic or thermoset. As a thermoset, it can be used as an oil-resistant cord jacket.

See also: Chlorinated Polyethylene

CPS

Designation for Cycles Per Second. See Hertz.

CPU

Designation for Control Process Unit (of a computer). It is the key component of a computer system.
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