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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

Polystyrene

An acid and grease resistant plastic with good insulating properties.

Polysulfide Testing

A test method that exposes a sample to a sodium polysulfide solution to quantitatively determine the continuity of the plating on a wire strand.

Polysulfone

A polymer highly resistant to mineral acid, alkali and salt solutions. Good dielectric properties up to 176°C (350°F).

Polytetrafluoroethylene

A plastic material used for insulation of cables and wires that have very low dielectric loss and great resistance to heat. It will operate at temperatures of up to 240°C and remains flexible down to very low temperatures. It is non-inflammable and is completely unaffected by oils, fuels and solvents. The material also possesses low permitivity and power factor, together with very high insulation resistance.

Polythene

A thermoplastic that is a pure synthetic hydrocarbon with ex­cellent electrical characteristics that makes it very suitable as an insulating material for practically every type of cable. Produced by the direct polymerization of ethylene. It has good abrasion resistance, but a tendency to cutting by a sharp edge. It has fair flexibility, though it tends to be stiff in thicker sections. It is unaffected by fresh or salt water, and dilute acids and alkalis, but slowly oxidizes in the presence of air and ultraviolet light unless precautions are taken.

Polytrifluorochloroethylene

This material approaches PTFE in many properties but is characterized by somewhat lower heat resistance.

Polyurethane

A thermoplastic material used primarily for cable jacketing. It has excellent moisture, oxidation, oil and ozone resistance. Some formulations also have good flame resistance. It is a hard material with excellent abrasion resistance. It is easily soldered and has excellent winding properties as a magnet wire insulation.

Polyvinyl Acetate

A thermoplastic material composed of polymers of vinyl chloride. A colorless solid with outstanding resistance to water, alcohol and concentrated acids and alkalis.

Polyvinyl Butyral

An adhesive (Monsanto’s Butvar) that may be applied over a polyurethane base to create a heat- or solvent-activated bondable construction for magnet wire. It is referred to as a self-bonding polyurethane: thermal class 105. Retains the solder stripping characteristics of polyurethane base. The self-bonding polyurethane film is generally produced in number 30 AWG wire and finer round copper wire.

Polyvinyl Chloride

A common thermoplastic insulation and jacketing material used for wire and cable. It is composed of polymers of vinyl chloride that may be rigid or elastomeric, depending on specific formulation. Produced by the combination of acetylene and hydrochloride acid. The basic polymer is a hard white in­fusible substance that can be rendered thermoplastic only by the addition of plasticizers. By varying the nature and quantity of the plasticizer, a wide range of properties to suit a particular use can be obtained.

Polyvinyl Formal

An early insulation for magnet wire composed of the reaction product of polyvinyl formal (Formvar) and phenolformaldehyde. Later formulations were modified with the addition of materials such as melamine and isocyanate to improve specific wire properties. Polyvinyl formal insulated conductors are noted for their toughness and resistance to mechanical stresses. The film is quite resistant to softening and almost all varnish solvents and oils, but it must be stress relieved after winding into a coil to prevent crazing (microscopic cracking).

Polyvinylidene Fluoride

A resin with a melting point of 171°C that gives it a high temperature rating. Its symbol is PVDF. It is resistant to attack or penetration by most corrosive chemicals and organic solvents, including inorganic acids, oxidants, alkalis, halogens and hydrocarbons. It is a very hard material with high tensile strength that results in insulations having excellent cut-through resistance and good abrasion resistance.

Porosity

1) The presence of fine holes within metals, e.g., blowholes and shrinkage cavities in cast metals. 2) Multiple air voids in a material such as an insulation or jacket wall.

Portable Power Cable

Flexible, all rubber, insulated for hard usage. Some cables have shielded conductors (metallic or non-metallic) and can have neoprene sheath overall.

Positive

1) The electrical notation for power voltage above neutral. 2) Connected to the positive terminal of a power supply.

Positive Lap Wound

See Taped Insulation.

POSJ

Designation for all-rubber, parallel, light duty ripcord for use on lamps and small appliances, 300V, 600V, 60°C.

POSJX

Designation for all-rubber, parallel, #20 AWG ripcord for use on lamps, clocks and decorative lights, 125V.

Post-Extrusion Equipment

Equipment used to handle the product after the extrusion process. Includes such items as stationary run out table, plate-type run out conveyor, v-shaped mobile run out trough and retractable table.

Post-Heating

A heating operation applied to welds as soon as possible after welding for the purpose of relieving stresses and tempering the weld metal and the heat-affected zone.

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