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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

Herringbone Streaks

Surface defects on a rolled product. Exhibited as elongated, alternate bright and dull markings at an angle to the rolling direction of the sheet. Such streaks have the general appearance of a herringbone pattern.

Herringbone Twill Weave

Another name for reverse twill weave in which the normal weave is reversed at intervals to give a striped effect like a herringbone.

Hertz (Hz)

Cycles-per-second, a unit of frequency.

Hessian

A plain weave material made from jute that once was used as a wrapping for coils of wire during transport.

Heterogeneous Insulation

A cable insulating system composed of two or more layers of different insulating materials. See Homogeneous Insulation.

Hexagons

A product of hot-rolled carbon steel bars hexagonal in cross-section. Commercial size range of hexagons is from 6.35 to 140 mm (0.250 to 5.0 in.).

HF

Designation for polyethylene-insulated radio hookup wire with or without braid.

Hi-Pot (High Potential)

A test designated to determine the highest voltage that can be applied to a conductor without breaking down the insulation (see Dielectric Test).

Hickey

1) A conduit bending tool. 2) A box fitting for hanging lighting fixtures.

High Carbon Steel

Steel containing a com­paratively high percentage of carbon (generally from 0.4 to 1.0 percent C), for end uses such as tire cord, bed springs, rope wire and music wire.

High Temperature Wire and Cable

Those electrical wires and cables having thermal operating characteristics of 150°C (240°F) and higher. In many cases, silver and nickel platings are used to coat the individual strands of the conductor to prevent oxidation and corrosion to improve termination and thermal protection.

High Tension

See High Voltage.

High Voltage

Cables rated over 35 kV.

High Voltage Time Test

An accelerated life test on a cable sample in which voltage is the factor increased.

High-Conductivity Copper

Copper that in the annealed condition has a minimum electrical conductivity of 100 percent IACS as determined in accordance with ASTM methods of testing. Such a copper wire is used for general purpose building wire and other electrical applications, including telecommunications and magnet wire.

High-Pair Count Cable

A cable having multiple conductors formed from many pairs.

High-Speed Steel

A steel that is capable of cutting metal at a much higher rate than carbon tool steel and continues to cut and retain its hardness even when the point of the tool is heated to a low red temperature. Tungsten is the major alloying element but it is also combined with molybdenum, vanadium and cobalt in varying amounts. Although replaced by cemented carbides for many applications it is still widely used for the manufacture of taps, dies, twist drills, reamers, saw blades and other cutting tools.

High-Strength Alloy Conductor

A conductor that shows a maximum 20 percent increase in resistance and a minimum of 70 percent increase in breaking strength over the equivalent construction in pure copper and a minimum elongation of 5 percent in 254 mm (10 in.). As required, the alloy should be capable of sustaining continuous exposure to temperatures as high as 300°C (480°F) without suffering an appreciable permanent change in properties.

High-Strength/Low-Alloy Steel

A specific class of low-alloy steels with enhanced mechanical properties that result from incorporating small amounts of one or more alloying elements other than carbon. Enhanced strength is often achieved by very fine grain structure. These are more economical than alloy steels because of the low level of alloying elements.

High-Temperature Oxidation

A condition that takes place during the heat-treating or annealing operation, resulting in symptoms such as loss of ductility and surface discoloration. It may be compounded by water vapor in the furnace.
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