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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

Continuity Test

See Continuity Check.

Continuity Testing

Electrical test to confirm the accuracy of wiring, solder paths, etc.

Continuous Casting, Cast and Die Shape

A casting technique in which liquid metal is being continuously solidified while passing through a (normally water) cooled shaped die. Length of the continuous cast material is not constrained or determined by the dimensions of a mold. The solidified metal is pulled through the casting die/cooler assembly by a withdrawal system that controls the pulling sequence and casting speed. Liquid metal continues to feed into the hot end of the casting die assembly under a controlled metal-static pressure. The “semi finished” products from this process feature characteristic large “as cast” grain size. Continuous casting systems for upwards vertical, horizontal and downward vertical production are available.

Continuous Casting, Cast and Roll

A casting technique in which a billet, bloom, bar or other shape is continuously solidified while it is being poured. For production of wire rod, strip and sheet, molten metal is poured from the ladle, pouring spout or pouring trough into a cooled die or a complex casting machine in a form of a continuous mold, from which a solidified strand is produced and made to follow a roller path where it may be cooled by means of water sprays. It then enters a multi-stand rolling mill where reduction of the cast cross-section takes place by hot rolling until a rod strip/sheet is obtained.

Continuous Coiling

The use of devices such as deadblocks to produce continuous coils that do not require the feeding machines to be shut down when changing packages.

Continuous Duty

In some portable cords there are two standard numbers of strands of a given wire size. The one with the greater number (most flexible) is called continuous duty and the other is called stationary duty.

Continuous Extrusion

A metal forming process where feed stock is pushed continuously through a die to form an infinitely long product. The product cross section is usually considerably smaller than that attainable by a single pass through a drawing die.

Continuous Furnace

One in which the process is continuous by means of a con­veyor or by passing individual strands of wire through a fixed furnace.

Continuous Gauging

A process where a product on a moving production line can be continuously gauged. For example, a device can continually monitor the width and thickness in conjunction with a power screw-down in the rolling operation.

Continuous Load

An electrical load in which the maximum current is expected to continue for three hours or more.

Continuous Mill

A mill composed of several stands of rolls arranged “in tandem,” usually so close together that the material being rolled is passing through several stands simultaneously.

Continuous Resistance Annealing

On-line annealing where the basic heating is accomplished by applying a current to the wire as it passes between two contact sheaves. The low-voltage current generates heat by means of the resistance losses through the conductor. The level of heat and cooling rate are controlled to achieve the desired metallurgical structure.

Continuous Vulcanization

A continuous, in-line process whereby a wire has an extruded covering applied, is then passed through a tube containing such temperatures and pressures as are necessary to complete vulcanization. The process of extruding on a wire, under high-pressure, a uniform seamless, close fitting tube of a rubber or rubber-like (thermoset) compound. The covered wire then continues into a vulcanizing chamber, where, under high pressure and temperature control, the in­sulation is vulcanized continuously. Often referred to as CV. See Vulcanization.

Contour Cable

A ribbon-like flat and flexible cable developed for use in applications where space is confined. Very flat metallic strips are embedded side by side in a plastic dielectric ribbon, which carries up to 40 separate conductors. A typical cable is about as thick as a postcard. There are also considerable weight savings.

Control

The method and means of governing the performance of any apparatus, machine or system.

Control Cable

A multi-conductor cable made for operating in control or signal circuits, usually flexible, relatively small in size, and with relatively small current rating.

Control Wire and Cable

Any wire that carries current to control a valve or a relay or to cause any event without actually carrying the energy controlled in the event.

Controlled Atmosphere

A gas or mixture of gases having specific or general properties, known either to cause or prevent certain gas-to-metal reactions occurring during heat treatment. Most controlled or prepared atmospheres are produced during heat treatment from a consistent source of hydrocarbon gas, i.e., natural gas (methane), vaporized propane or butane, by a process of total or partial combustion in air in the case of the exothermic type atmospheres or by passing a mixture of the reaction fuel and air over a heated catalyst in the case of the endothermic type atmospheres. An annealing atmosphere can also be prepared for a typical bell annealer by mixing two or more delivered gases, such as using bulk nitrogen with a small “spike” gas like propylene. In metal forming operations such as continuous casting, inert gas atmospheres are maintained to prevent metal oxides from forming.

Controlled Cooling

A process of cooling from an elevated temperature in a predetermined manner, to avoid hardening, cracking or internal damage, or to produce a desired microstructure. This usually follows a final hot-forming operation.

Controlled Impedance Cable

Package of two or more insulated conductors where impedance measurements between respective conductors are kept essentially constant throughout the entire length.

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