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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

Cementite

An iron carbide (Fe3C) that is very hard and brittle and contains 6.69 percent carbon by weight; it is the normal form in which carbon is present in steel.

Centigrade

See Celsius Temperature Scale.

Central Burst

Central bursts, or chevron breaks, are internal arrow-shaped cracks encountered in cold-extrusion or wiredrawing. Chevron-shaped fractures occur along the centerline due to tensile stresses that exceeds the wire’s strength in the center. Central bursts are caused by poor quality wire rod or improper drawing conditions such as reduction per draft, die angle and back tension.

Central Member

A material (steel, fiberglass or glass-reinforced plastic) located in the middle of a cable. It often provides extra strength and anti-buckling properties and can be made from different materials than the rest of the cable.

Centrifuge

A clarification device that uses centrifugal force to separate the solids from the liquid or liquid from liquid. It uses the ratio of the specific gravities to separate the materials. Used mainly in laboratory analysis or on the production line to separate contaminates from an oil or coolant.

Ceramic

Inorganic, nonmetallic materials. Available in the form of fibrous alumina-silica yarns for servings and braids and also in the form of magnet wire coatings. Ceramic beads are another form used to provide physical separation. Heat and radiation resistances are excellent. Also, see Mineral Insulated.

Ceramic Capstans

The sheaves in a wiredrawing machine that pull the wire through the dies.

Ceramic Coating

1) Applied to winding wires where stability at high temperatures requires that conductors have an oxidation resistance superior to that ob­tainable by an organic coating. After the ceramic coating has been applied, the wires are completed by an additional layer of silicone or poly­amide resin applied to the surface. 2) A surface layer of hard ceramic material, usually applied by plasma spray, for wear-resistance.

Cermet

A hard metal that combines ceramic particles with a metallic binder. It is used in the machining of steels, stainless steels and cast irons. For the wire and cable industry, it is often used for edging strip or rectangular wire.

Ceroc Magnet Wire

Copper wire coated with ceramic for high temperature use.

Certificate of Compliance

A written statement, normally generated by a Quality Control Department, which states that the product being shipped meets customer specifications.

Certified Test Report

A report providing actual test data on wire or cable that demonstrates compliance with customer specifications. It is usually witnessed by a notary public.

CF

Designation for fixture wire, heat-resistant, with flame-retardant, moisture-resistant impregnated cotton insulation. Can be with or without plain or fancy cotton or rayon braid, 300V, 90°C.

CF Glass

Continuous filament glass yarn that is used in braiding, in making glass fabric and glass thread.

CFC

Designation for two or three CF type wires twisted together without overall covering. Color-coded, 300V, 90°C.

CFPD

Designation for two or three CF type wires twisted together with overall braid. Color-coded, 300V, 90°C.

CFPO

Designation for two CF type wires laid parallel with overall braid. Color-coded, 300V, 90°C.

CFT

Designation for 100 feet.

CGS

Designation for centimeter, gram, second.
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