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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

Rated Voltage

The maximum voltage at which an electric component can operate for extended periods without undue degradation or safety hazard.

Rating, Temperature

The highest temperature permitted for a circuit during normal operation.

Rating, Voltage

The maximum voltage permitted for a cable during normal operation.

Rayon

A synthetic fabric used for yarn serving and braid applications generally in the same applications where cotton can be used.

Reactance

Opposition offered to the flow of alternating current by the inductance or capacitance of a component or circuit.

Reactance Drop

With AC, that component of the voltage drop which is in quadrature with the current and equals the current in amperes multiplied by the reactance in ohms between the two points.

Reactive Wiredrawing

An alternative name for back-pull wiredrawing in which the back-pull is applied to the wire before passing through the die to reduce the compressive stresses caused by the nib of the die. Passing the wire between dress­ing rolls gives a back-pull between the rolls and drawing die.

Reactor

A device to introduce capacitive or inductive reactance into a circuit.

Real Time

The actual time during which a physical process transpires.

Reamed Extrusion Ingot

A cast hollow extrusion ingot that has been machined to remove the original inside surface.

Recalescence

The liberation of latent heat, due to phase changes, which occurs when a pure metal or alloy is cooled through the critical temperature.

Recarburizers

Material added to molten steel to increase its carbon content; e.g., anthracite coal (slack) or hot metal.

Receptacle

A contact device installed at an electrical outlet for the connection of a single attachment plug.

Recognized Component

An item to be used as a subcomponent and tested for safety by an organization such as UL.

Recorder

1) A device that makes a permanent record, usually visual, of varying signals. 2) An audio listening device that stores audio signals.

Recrystallization

The formation of a new, strain-free grain structure from that existing in cold worked metal, usually accomplished by heating.

Rectangular Weave

Another name for slot weave. Uses include sand screening and general chemical screening. See Weaving Wire and Woven Wire Mesh.

Rectify

For equipment, this can mean changing the electrical current from AC to DC.

Red Dip Finish

Another term for Bichromate Dipped Finish, which is the preferred term.

Red Plaque

A powdery brown-red growth sometimes found on silver-coated copper conductors and shield braids. It is fungus-like in appearance and will appear in random spots along the length of a conductor or shield. It most often occurs at the point of crossover in a shield or in the interstices of a stranded conductor. It is caused by oxygen and copper reacting in the presence of water to cause the formation of copper oxides. Proper design and material selection, or nickel-plating prior to silver plating, has largely eliminated this problem.
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