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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

Concentric Stranded Conductors

Manufactured to ASTM, ICEA and CSA standards, the most common fixed installation type conductors are: 1) round, no diameter reduction. 2) compressed, approximately 3 percent diameter reduction. 3) compact, approximately 10 percent diameter reduction.

Concentric Stranding

A group of un-insulated wires twisted so as to contain a center core with one or more distinct layers of spirally wrapped, un-insulated wires laid overall to form a single conductor.

Concentricity

In a wire or cable, the measurement of the location of the center of the conductor with respect to the geometric center of the circular insulation.

Concertina Wire

Wire or flat strip that contains numerous large, extremely sharp barbs, used primarily for protection or containment. Also known as Danaert wire.

Concrete Pipe Reinforcement

A type of welded fabric in diverse configurations used to reinforce concrete pipe.

Concrete Reinforcement Wire

Wire drawn for use as reinforcement in concrete. Wires may be in straightened lengths or welded into fabric mesh. Straight wires are either plain (smooth surface) or deformed (twisted surface). Refer to ASTM A 82 and A 496. Also known as rebar.

Concrete Reinforcement Wire/Mesh

Welded wire fabric, drawn in mild steel, which has been produced in a continuous length for use as concrete reinforcement. Mesh may be cut into flat mats or be coiled into rolls.

Conditioning

The removal or surface defects (seams, laps, pits, etc.). In steel, conditioning is usually done when it is in the semi-finished condition (blooms, billets, slabs). It may be accomplished, after an inspection, by chipping, scarfing, grinding or machining. In special cases, the steel may be pickled first so as to reveal more of the defects.

Conductance

The ability of a conductor to carry an electric charge. The ratio of the current flow to the potential difference causing the flow. The reciprocal of resistance.

Conducted Susceptibility

The tendency of a piece of equipment to have its performance degraded in response to noise on its connecting wires.

Conductivity Bronzes

Alloys consisting of copper with small proportions of tin, cad­mium, silicon or other elements, with improved strength and conductivities from 55 to 75 percent IACS. With tin contents of up to about 1 percent, also used for cold heading and thread rolling.

Conductivity of Copper

Expressed as a percentage of the IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). Small quantities of silver and cadmium have comparatively little effect on conductivity, but 0.05 percent of phosphorus reduces IACS conductivity to about 70 percent; 0.4 percent arsenic reduces it to 40-50 percent and silicon is also particularly harmful. Cold working decreases the con­ductivity of high conductivity copper and when it is in the fully hard-drawn condition, its conductivity is about 3 percent lower than when annealed.

Conductivity, Electric

A term used in describing the capability of a conductor to carry electric current. Usually expressed as a percent of IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), which is defined as being 100 percent conductive. The test is performed under controlled conditions where there is a given length at a given temperature, and the equation is adjusted for its weight and resistance of the specimen.

Conductivity, Thermal

Ability of a material to conduct heat. The measure of the heat conducted, expressed in BTU per hour per sq ft of exposed surface, per °F difference between the adjacent hot and cold bodies, per in. thickness. Not to be confused with Heat Transfer.

Conductor

A wire (or combination of wires not insulated from one another) suitable for carrying electric current. A conductor may be used bare or insulated. The conducting portion of a cable or core. It is made up of a number of bare copper or aluminum wires, stranded or bunched, the use of the latter usually being confined to the smaller flexible cables.

Conductor Load

The mechanical loads on an aerial conductor, such as wind, weight, ice, etc. Also used to describe electrical load, usually as a percent of rated ampacity.

Conductor Resistance

See Resistance.

Conductor Rope

An alternative name for a guide rope employed, for example, in guiding mine cages in a shaft.

Conductor Shield

A layer of semi-conducting material or tape applied directly over the stranded conductor or cables rated 2000 volts and higher. This reduces the possibility of high electrical stress points occurring between the conductor and the insulation.

Conductor Stress Control

See Conductor Shield.
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