Wirenet Image Band
wirenet.org mobile image band

The Book of Terms

  • Home
  • /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.

   

 

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

Jump Test

See Upsetting Test.

Jumper

1) Any length of conductor used to tie two or more points on an electrical circuit together. It usually implies a temporary condition but can be a permanent arrangement. 2) An assembly of twisted pairs without connectors used to join telecommunications circuits/links at the cross-connect.

Jumper Cable

A short flat cable interconnecting two wiring boards or devices. Used as temporary con­nections during maintenance work on overhead lines. Usually the cables are light and robust for handling under difficult conditions.

Jumper Wire

See Jumper.

Junction

A point in a circuit where two or more wires are connected.

Junction Box

A box for joining different runs of raceway or cable, plus space for connecting and branching the enclosed conductors.

Jute

A natural fiber of plant base formed into rope-like strands. Used in cables for filling the interstices, to give a round cross-section.

Jute Filler

Rope-like strands of material used in cables for filling in the interstices to form a rounded shape.

K

Designation for a constant used in many engineering equations. A typical use in the equation for insulation where K denotes insulation resistance.

kA

Designation for kilo Ampere.

Kapton

A trade name for a polymide film manufactured by DuPont that is used in tape form where the wire product insulation is to be used for high temperature applications and where a lightweight is important.

kc

Designation for kilocycle. Replaced by kiloHertz.

kcmil

Designation for one thousand circular mils (MCM).

Kel F

High temperature insulation used on hook-up wire and for tubing where temperatures are beyond the range of PVC, and where resistance to solvents is needed. It has excellent electrical properties and a useful temperature range of –240 to 200°C (-400 to 400°F).

Kelvin (K)

The basic SI unit of temperature: 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.

Kelvin Bridge

Conductivity bridge used to precisely measure electrical conductivity of the finished rod product. The specimen under test must be completely submerged in the insulating transformer oil. It is kept in the oil a minimum of 30 minutes prior to performing the test. See Bridge.

Kerosene-Rolled Finish

The finish obtained by cold rolling with kerosene, soap or soluble-oil as a lubricant, giving a semi-burnished appearance.

Kevlar

DuPont’s trade name for aramid material. See Aramid Yarn.

Kevlar Yarn

See Aramid Yarn.

Keying

The mechanical feature of a connector system that guarantees correct orientation of a connection, or prevents the connection to a jack, or to an optical fiber adapter of the same type intended for another purpose.
Display # 

Contact us

The Wire Association Int.

71 Bradley Road, Suite 9

Madison, CT 06443-2662

P: (203) 453-2777