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The Book of Terms

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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

Open Butt

See Taped Insulation.

Open Cell

Foamed or cellular material with cells that are generally interconnected. Closed cells are not interconnected.

Open End

The end of an open coiled helical spring where the helix angle of the end coil has been progressively reduced.

Open Hearth Furnace

See Furnace, Open Hearth.

Open Wiring

An exposed wiring method in which conductors are run in or on buildings, are not concealed by the structure and are supported by cleats, knobs and tubes.

Opening Time

The period between which an activation signal is initiated and switch contacts part.

Operating Temperature

See Temperature, Operating.

Optimization

The procedure used in the design of a system to maximize or minimize some performance index.

Orange Peel

A surface roughening encountered in forming products from material that has a coarse grain size. The roughening takes the form of a pebble-grained pattern where a metal of unusually coarse grain undergoes plastic deformation. Also called pebbles and alligator skin.

Orbital Wire Packaging

Laying wire around a dead block and depositing it in orbit around a central point to obtain a low, wide coil. One type of equipment for this consists of a hydraulically driven flyer with a secondary hydraulic system driving the orbiting device. See Pattern Lay Coil.

Ordinary Mill Anneal

A term applied to thermal treatments where the object is to soften the steel.

Organic

Relating to or derived from animal or plant life or composed of chemicals of hydrocarbon origin, either natural or synthetic.

Oscillating

1) The action of a device or signal when it is constantly changing direction in a specific and often controlled range. 2) Winding a narrow strip of metal over a much wider roll, much like threading over a spool.

Oscillator

1) A device used mainly in cabling telephone paired components. By oscillating the pairs, alternately rotating the cable forming plate left and right, a false (reverse) cable lay is obtained. 2) A mechanical device that provides the oscillating motion. 3) Electrical circuit that produces an alternating output current of a predetermined frequency. See Oscillating.

Oscillatory Surge

A surge that includes both positive and negative polarity values.

Oscillograph

An instrument primarily for producing a graph of rapidly varying electrical quantities.

Oscilloscope

A test instrument for visually displaying the changes in a voltage waveform on a screen.

OSHA

See Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Out-of-Round

1) The condition of ovality in a product that is supposed to be round. 2) The condition of a wire or insulation that, when formed, does not remain round. See Ovality of Wire.

Outgassing

The dissipation of gas from a dielectric evidencing decomposition.
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