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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

Dead

Not having an electrical charge. Also, not having voltage applied.

Dead Block

A fixed block on which wire is fed by a disc or arm, which rotates round the block winding the wire round it. This equipment often is at the end of a wiredrawing machine in place of the normal capstan or block. Wire can then be taken from this non-rotating block without stop­ping the rest of the machine as is necessary when accumulated wire is periodically stripped off a rotating capstan or block fitted to the end of the machine. The rotating disc or arm has either pulleys or dies which enable the wire cast and helix to be adjusted.

Dead Block Coiler

A coiler used in the collection of continuous cast rod. Mainly used on heavy material weighing 2,268 to 6,804 kg (5,000 to 15,000 lb). See Dead Block.

Dead Cast

A coil of wire that, when cut, lies in uniform circles.

Dead Soft

A temper of nonferrous alloys and some ferrous alloys corresponding to the condition of minimum hardness and tensile strength produced by full annealing.

Dead Soft Steel

Carbon steel containing up to about 0.15 percent carbon.

Dead Zone Formation

A condition that occurs to metals inside a drawing die. This problem can be created when the material is drawn with too high of a cone angle, causing the metal to deform too much on the surface of the wire and not enough in the lower layers, creating a dead metal zone. The dead metal no longer takes part in the flow but is sheared off to form a chevron-shaped void that can result in a “cup and cone” type fracture.

Deadman’s Switch

A switch that requires a continuous positive action by an operator to keep the system or equipment running or energized.

Debug

To examine or test a procedure, routine or piece of equipment for the purpose of detecting and correcting errors especially during start-up.

Decalescence

Absorption of heat, due to phase changes, which occurs when steel is heated through the critical temperature range.

Decarburization

Loss of carbon from the surface layer of a carbon-containing alloy due to reaction with one or more chemical substances in a medium that contacts the surface. Most commonly used to refer to the loss that occurs during heat treatment without proper atmosphere control.

Decibel

A unit to express differences of power level. It is used to express power gain in amplifiers or power loss in passive circuits or cables.

Decibel, Loss

The loss of signal over a path, or conductor, expressed in decibels.

Dedicated Circuit

In a residence, a 120, 120/240, or 240 volt circuit that is installed to supply power to a specific equipment indoors or outdoors, such as a large appliance or heating and air conditioning equipment.

Deep Drawing

Forming shaped articles or shells by forcing sheet metal into a die.

Deep Etch Test

A test in which the surface of a rod, wire or bar is treated with acid to reveal defects.

Deep Etching

Macro etching for examination at a low magnification in a reagent that attacks the metal to a much greater extent than normal for microscopic examination. Gross features may be developed: abnormal grain size segregation, cracks or grain flow.

Defeater

A means to deactivate a safety interlock system.

Defect

A departure of any quality characteristic from its intended (usually specified). According to ANSI, very serious defects lead directly to severe injury or catastrophic economic loss; serious defects lead directly to significant injury or significant economic loss; major defects are related to major problems with respect to anticipated use; minor defects are related to minor problems with respect to anticipated use.

Defective

A quality control term describing a unit of product or service containing at least one defect, or having several lesser imperfections that, in combination, cause the unit not to fulfill its anticipated function. Note: the term is not necessarily a synonym for nonconforming (or rejectable).
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