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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

Cuprous Oxide Eutectic

A form of oxygen found in copper that can cause embrittlement when it is heated under reducing conditions.

Curb Chain

Consists of links twisted at an angle to make the chain lie flat. Sizes from two to 20 links/in. (0.08 to 0.8 links/mm) in steel, nickel, brass and gilding metal. May be soldered or unsoldered.

Cure

To change the physical properties of a material by chemical reaction, by the action of heat and catalysts, alone or in combination, with or without pressure.

Cure Date

The date at which the curing cycle is completed on neoprene, rubber. The date of manufacture.

Curie Point

See Magnetic Transformation Point.

Curing Cycle

The time, temperature and pressure required for curing.

Curl

The degree to which a wire tends to form a circle after removal from a spool. Also referred to as “cast.”

Current

The rate of transfer of electricity, usually expressed in amperes, which represents the transfer of one coulomb per second. In a simple circuit, current (I) produced by a cell or electromotive force (E) when there is an external resistance (R).

Current Carrying Capacity

The maximum current an insulated conductor can safely carry without exceeding its insulation and jacket temperature limitations.

Current Density

The current per unit cross-sectional area.

Current Induced

Current in a conductor due to the application of a time-varying electromagnetic field.

Current Penetration

The depth of a current of a given frequency will penetrate into the surface or a conductor carrying the current.

Current Penetration Depth

This is a quantitative measure of the skin effect. The value of penetration depth varies with the square root of electrical resistivity and inversely with the square root of frequency and relative magnetic permeability. Mathematically speaking, approximately 86 percent of the power induced within the heated body (i.e., wire) will be concentrated within a current penetration depth.

Current Rating

The maximum continuous electrical flow of current recommended for a given wire in a given situation. Expressed in amperes.

Current Transformer

See Transformer, Current.

Current, Alternating

An electric current that periodically reverses direction of electron flow. The number of full cycles occurring in a given unit of time (one second) is called the frequency of the current.

Current, Charging

The current needed to bring the cable up to voltage, determined by capacitance of the cable; after withdrawal of voltage, the charging current returns to the circuit; the charging current will be 90° out of phase with the voltage.

Current, Direct

Electrical current whose electrons flow in one direction only; it may be constant or pulsating as long as their movement is in the same direction.

Current, Leakage

That small amount of current which flows through insulation whenever a voltage is present and heats the insulation because of the insulation’s resistance; the leakage current is in phase with the voltage, and is a power loss.

Curtain Rod Wire

A medium carbon steel wire used for curtain rods that is hard drawn with a tinned or galvanized coat. The wire is coiled in spiral form. Also produced in stainless steels that have an extruded plastic sheath over a bright wire spiral.
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