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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

Neoprene Rubber

Dupont trade name for synthetic rubber known as polychloroprene, which is used for wire and cable jacketing. Although the electrical properties of neoprene are inferior to many other insulations, they are adequate for low-voltage work. Its physical properties are similar to natural rubber, but it is considerably better from the standpoint of resistance to oil, ozone, heat, weather, sunlight and aging. It does not support combustion and resists abrasion and cutting.

Neoprene Tubing

A tube made of neoprene, which is used by cable pullers as a jacket.

Neper

A unit, analogous to the decibel (dB), which can be used to express ratios such as voltage.

Netting

Open, meshed material resembling cloth, produced mainly in finer steel wires of soft quality to offer high pliability. Available in mesh diameters of 3 to 100 mm. The principal type has hexagonal meshes. Ideal where a light retaining wire mesh is required at low cost. Netting wire is produced from low carbon steel and drawn to various sizes from 0.7 to 2 mm. in diameter. Finish, full-annealed. The material is galvanized after weaving.

Network

1) An aggregation of interconnected conductors consisting of feeders, mains and services. 2) Series of points connected by communications channels. 3) Interconnected series of telephone lines normally used for dialed telephone calls. 4) Series of communications channels connected for the use of one customer.

Network Limiter

A current-limiting fuse for protecting a single conductor.

Neutral

The element of a circuit from which other voltages are referred with respect to magnitude and time displacement in steady state conditions.

Neutral Conductor

In multiphase circuits, the conductor used to carry an unbalanced current. In single-phase systems, the conductor used for a return current path.

Neutral Fats

An ingredient in mineral oil base coolant to enhance lubrication.

Neutralizers

See Inhibitors and Pickling.

New British Standard

See British Standard Wire Gauge.

Newton

The derived SI unit for force. It is the force that will give one kg mass an acceleration of one meter per second.

NEXT

Designation for Near-End Crosstalk, a decibel measure of disturbing signal transferred from one pair to the same end of a de-energized pair.

Nib

1) The cylindrical blank of sintered tungsten carbide or other die material, either solid or with a preformed hole, from which a drawing die is produced. Solid (one piece) nibs are press-fit into steel cases for use in wiredrawing machines. Split nibs are used in special metal holders. 2) The metal in a synthetic or natural diamond die that holds the diamond.

Nichrome

Driver Harris Company’s trade name for an alloy of 60-percent nickel, 16-percent chromium and 24-percent steel. Used extensively in wire wound resistors and heating elements.

Nickel

Element, chemical symbol Ni. A metallic element used in some steels. A silvery-white metal of medium hardness, highly ductile and resistant to chemical and atmospheric corrosion. Widely used as an alloying agent in iron and copper base alloys. As an alloying element in steel, it imparts a finer and more homogeneous structure. The most suitable composition for cold working is said to be 0.2 to 0.5 percent carbon and 2 to 3.5 percent nickel. Also used for plating and coating.

Nickel Alloy

A combination of nickel and one or more other metals to form a new or different metal with specific or desirable qualities. Some of the most common nickel alloys include nickel bronze, nickel chrome, nickel copper, nickel iron, nickel manganese and nickel silvers.

Nickel Bronze

A series of bronzes in which part of the tin content is replaced by nickel. Usual composition is 1 to 20 percent tin, 3 to 40 percent nickel, up to 30 percent aluminum, up to 3 percent lead and up to 12 percent zinc.

Nickel Chrome

Nickel-base alloy in which iron is usually also present. Used for electric resistant heating wire and heat-resistant products. Nickel-chrome iron is an alloy supplied in varying content usually defined by the figures given after the name (e.g. 37/18 is 37 percent nickel, 18 percent chromium and the balance is ferrous).

Nickel Copper

Cupro-nickel, an alloy of copper and nickel varying in content and usually defined by the figures given after the name (e.g. cupro-nickel 96/4 is 96 percent copper and 4 percent nickel).
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