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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

Cross-Sectional Area

The area of the cut surface of an object cut at right angles to the length of the object.

Cross-Sectional Area of a Conductor

The area of a conductor exposed by cutting the conductor perpendicular to its longitudinal plane, expressed in circular mils, square inches or square millimeters.

Cross-Wire Welding

Welding at the point of contact where two wires cross and where a localized area offers high resistance to the flow of current. It is an example of projection and not spot welding. A number of cross wires are usually welded at the one time, and because heavy pressures have to be applied, pneumatically operated machines are used to reduce operator fatigue.

Crosshead

A device attached to the discharge end of the extruder where the insulation material is applied. The crosshead, which holds the die, guide and core tube, is usually just referred to as the “head.”

Crosstalk

Undesired electrical currents in conductors caused by electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling from other conductors or from external sources. Also, leakage of optical power from one optical conductor to another.

Crown Wires

The outside wires in a wire rope that comes into contact with pulleys, sheaves, etc.

Crow’s Feet

1) V-shaped ruptures or cracks on the surface of copper wire caused by localized high concentration of copper oxides, non axial entry of wire into the die, or physical abuse. 2) On steel wire, a pattern of acid etching on the surface due to cracks present in the scale prior to pickling. See Cracked Scale Pattern.

CRT

Cathode Ray Tube.

Crucible

A ceramic pot or receptacle made of graphite and clay, or clay or other refractory material, used in the melting of metal.

Crystal

A solid composed of atoms, ions, or molecules arranged in a pattern that is periodic in three dimensions.

Crystalline Fracture

A pattern of brightly reflecting crystal facets on the fracture surface of a polycrystalline metal resulting from cleavage fracture of many individual crystals. Contrast with fibrous silky fracture. All fractures are crystalline, but this term is generally applied only to those fractures characterized by a lack of visible plastic deformation.

Crystalline Structure

Normally a metallurgical term, but in this industry, can be used to describe the diamond crystal used in manufacturing diamond dies. Also applicable to typical metallurgical terms.

Crystallization

The formation of crystals by the atoms assuming definite positions in a crystal lattice. This is what happens when a liquid metal solidifies.

CS

Designation for Cast Steel.

CSP

See Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene.

CSPE

See Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene.

CT

Designation for Cable Tray. A reference to the cable tray flame rating.

CTFE

Designation for chlorotrifluoroethylene. A series of polymers with good chemical resistance used for insulating material. It is a true thermoplastic and it can be injection molded.

CTS

Designation for Cable Type Sheathed. A cable that is sheathed with a tough rubber sheathing.

Cup and Cone Fracture

The type of fracture in which the exterior portion is extended and the interior is relatively depressed, resembling a cup. It is often seen in tensile test specimens of a ductile material where the central portion undergoes plane-strain fracture and the surrounding region also undergoes plane-stress fracture. It is also seen when failure occurs due to separation at a central burst. Note: it is important to verify the reason for failure because correcting for tension failure may increase the tendency for central bursting.
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