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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

Locked-Coil Conductor

A stranded con­ductor in which the outer wires are so shaped that when assembled with a lay they are locked in position against radial movement.

Lockout

The term for preventing a start up of power or equipment while it is being serviced for the safety of the personnel. Usually the power switches are locked so they cannot be turned on.

Longitudinal Curl

A unidirectional departure from longitudinal flatness.

Longitudinal Direction

The direction in a wrought metal product parallel to the direction of working (drawing, extruding, rolling).

Longitudinal Indent

An indent shape where the longest dimension is in line with the connector barrel.

Longitudinal Shield

A tape shield, flat or corrugated, applied longitudinally with the axis of the core being shielded.

Longitudinal Wrap

A tape applied longitudinally with the axis of the core being covered, as opposed to a helical, or spiral, tape wrapped core.

Loop

Wire shape at the end of an extension spring that enables it to be attached to other items. Usually in the form of an eye or hook.

Loop Control

Term applied to controlling stands of finishing operations for rod rolling. These prevent rod tension in critical sections of the mill.

Loop Resistance

The total resistance of two conductors measured from one end to the other. Commonly used term in the thermocouple industry and when referring to a pair of copper wires used for telephone transmission. There is a limit on how far away a telephone subscriber can be located from a given central office, which is correlated to the loop resistance. The longer the distance, the higher the resistance of the line and the amount of current that can be delivered decreases.

Loop Test

Used to locate a fault in the in­sulation of a conductor, which is arranged to form part of a closed circuit or loop.

Loopers, Automatic

Term used for automatic looping on in-line finishing stands.

Looping

Copper rod mill operation where looping is accomplished in-between separate stands. This type of mill was generally known as the Belgian Mill or Looping Mill.

Looping Test

To determine ductility the end of a coil is sometimes formed into a loop or kink by hand, followed by pulling the wire straight again, the process being repeated until fracture occurs. The force necessary, the number of opera­tions and the appearance of the fracture enable an experienced operator to deter­mine the approximate strength and duc­tility. Often known as a snarl test.

Looping-in

Wiring method that avoids tee joints by carrying the conductor or cable to and from the point to be supplied.

Loopro Process

A method of handling wire or wire rod as a single strand without the necessity of a very long processing plant to allow sufficient time for treatment in a furnace, cleaning tank or coating plant. The basic principle is to coil the material into overlapping loops, transfer the loops onto a conveyor at a spacing from two to 20 times the wire or rod diameter depending on the conditions involved, and then carry the looped material through the process.

Loose Tube

Type of cable design in which coated fibers are encased in buffer tubes offering excellent fiber protection and segregation. Mainly used in outdoor cable types.

Loss

Energy dissipated without accomplishing useful work.

Loss Factor

See Loss Index, which is the preferred term.

Loss Index

The product of the power factor and the dielectric constant of an insulating material.
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