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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

Burning

Permanent damage caused when a metal is exposed to unduly high temperatures. The damage may be due to the melting of the more fusible constituents, segregation of certain elements or oxidation and other reactions involving penetrating gases.

Burnouts

A problem that can occur in a wire annealing process that uses resistance or induction to generate the needed heat. Burns can be caused by such factors as poor voltage control, misalignment in the heating zone or defects in the drawn wire.

Burnt Ammonia

See Ammonia, Burnt.

Burnt Deposit

A loose dark powdery deposit usually due to excessive rate of deposition in electroplating.

Burr

The thin ridge of roughness left by cutting operations such as slitting, shearing, blanking or sawing. Also used to describe the upset ring when two wires are welded together.

Bus

Wire used to connect two terminals inside of an electrical unit. A common point for electrical circuits to return. Can be bare, tinned or insulated.

Bus Bar

Also Busbar. A conductor, often a heavy strap or bar, used to make a common connection between several circuits, generally by bolting.

Bus Conductor

A rigid, high conductivity copper electrical conductor of any section used to consolidate electrical energy received from, or to distribute it to, a plurality of locations.

Bus Duct

An assembly of bus bars within an enclosure that is designed for ease of installation that has known fixed electrical characteristics and allows power to be taken off conveniently, usually without circuit interruption.

Bushing

1) A mechanical device used as a lining to prevent abrasion to wire and cable. 2) A low-cost method of insulating, anchoring, cushioning and positioning. A nonmetallic material is often preferred.

Butt

Joining of two conductors end-to-end, with no overlap and with the axis in line.

Butt Braider

A machine used for braiding or shielding cable or wire. It may have 8, 16, 24, 32, 48 or 64 carriers, operating on the maypole type principle.

Butt End Saw

Term for saw used to cut the butt end of a billet after it has been extruded in the billet forming process.

Butt Lap

See Lap.

Butt Splice

A splice where two wires from opposite ends butt against each other, or against a stop, in the center of a splice.

Butt Welder

A device in which a weld is made by mechanically forcing the ends of two wires together in a confined space. Little heat is generated.

Butt Welding

Welding of two wires or rods end-to-end to allow continuous drawing from one coil to another.

Butt Wrap

Tape wrapped around an object or conductor in an edge-to-edge condition.

Butyl (IIR-Isobutylene-Isoprene) Rubber

A polymer of isobutylene with small amounts of isoprene. This insulation and jacketing material is characterized by excellent resistance to oxidation and aging, exceptional ozone resistance and very good electrical properties. Has good resistance to moisture, physical abuse and chemicals, but is alkali-sensitive. Uses include power cables, apparatus and equipment leads, control cables, etc.

Butyrate

See Cellulose Acetobutyrate.
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