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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.


 

All   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

Efficiency

The ratio of the power output of equipment to the input energy, usually presented as a percentage.

Egg Crating

Insulation walls between each cavity within the contact wire entry face of the connector housing, usually appearing as rectangular cells. It normally allows the rear portion of the contact to be fully protected by housing material, thereby preventing shorts between adjacent contacts, and minimizing the flexing of wires and/or contacts.

EHV Cables

See Voltage, EHV.

Elastic Deformation

A change in dimensions directly proportional to an increase or decrease in applied force. When the force is removed, the material returns to its original dimensions.

Elastic Limit

The greatest stress which a material is capable of withstanding without permanent deformation remaining on release of the stress. Also known as the Limit of Proportionality.

Elasticity

That property of recovery of original size and shape after deformation. The property of direct proportionality between stress and strain.

Elastomer

A rubber or rubber-like material that will stretch repeatedly to 200 percent or more and return rapidly and with force to its approximate original shape.

Electric Arc Furnace

See Furnace, Electric Arc.

Electric Field Strength

At a given point, the ratio of force on a positive charge placed at the point to the magnitude of the charge, in the limit that the charge goes to zero.

Electric Gradient

The space rate of change of potential at a point in the direction of the greatest change.

Electric Strength

The maximum potential gradient that a material can withstand without rupture. The value obtained for the electric strength will depend on the thickness of the material and on the method and conditions of test. Also called Dielectric Strength (or Disruptive Gradient).

Electric-Resistant Welded

A technique of welding two metallic edges or parts by passing a high electrical current through them so that the resistance characteristic of each part generates enough heat to fuse them together. Some typical applications include spot welding clips or connectors and manufacturing seamless tubing such as conduits.

Electrical Conductivity

The parameter for the ability of a material to conduct electricity. The values are usually standards of measurement set by the international annealed copper standard (IACS) as established by the ASTM. See Conductivity of Copper.

Electrical Length

The length of cable expressed as degrees of a cycle or fraction of a wavelength for the signal transmitted. The equivalent electrical length of a cable equals the physical length times the space root of the dielectric cable.

Electrical Metallic Tubing

A tube having certain standardized length and combinations of outside diameter and wall thickness, thinner than those of rigid conduit, commonly designated by nominal electrical trade sizes, for use with compression-type fittings as a protection for electrical wiring.

Electrical Noise

Voltage and/or current in an electrical system that prevents it from functioning correctly through interference.

Electrical Resistance

A parameter indicating the resistance of a material to restrict the passage of an electric current through it. Expressed as ohms (units of resistance) per mil ft or as microhms (millionth of an ohm) per centimeter cube at a specified temperature.

Electricity

The flow or presence of charged particles; a fundamental physical force or energy.

Electro Positive

A substance that has a tendency to unite electrons in electrolysis, leaving it with a positive charge.

Electro-brightening

See Anode.

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