Loosely used term that defines the gelatinous or paste-like matter that accumulates on carrier capstans or rolls causing poor material flow that affects drawing or rolling performance. The gumminess is caused by a chemical breakdown or reaction at the heat of the work with the cool­ants or oil, which creates undesirable soaps or other gel-like matter. Sometimes referred to as residue.

A tension wire connected to a tall structure and another fixed object to add strength to the structure.

Designation for thermoset primary wire. Can be bare or tinned copper. In automotive applications, GXL is cross-linked polyethylene insulated cable with regular insulation wall thickness that is 0.023 inches (0.58 mm) for 0.5 mm2 to 2.0 mm2 cable sizes.

A designation for a type of shielded power cable. Multi-conductor cables have paper or varnished-cambric insulation applied directly over individual conductors. Spiraled metallic shielding tape over insulation with overall protective covering.

Letter used in coding building wire based on the parameter that the wire has high heat resistance.

Alloy steels that possess specifically established hardenability.

A screened cable.

Rectifying only half of a sinusoidal AC supply.

A temper resulting from cold rolling or drawing to produce a tensile strength about midway between dead soft and full hard tempers.

A method used for annealability testing that uses a tensile strength-annealing temperature curve for standard reduction and annealing cycle. The annealed strength is determined by a calculated length of time at an elevated temperature. The half-hard point is arbitrarily assumed as being the softening temperature and is obtained graphically.v

The changing of current density in a conductor due to a magnetic field extraneous to the conductor.

The most commonly occurring halogens in cable compounds are fluorine, chlorine and bromine. Polymers or additives containing these elements can impart desirable flame retardant properties. Halogens are an inherent part of halogenated polymers by being included into the polymer composition on a molecular scale. Additives containing halogens can be incorporated into both halogenated and non-halogenated polymers to enhance flame retardant properties. The potential for some halogenated materials to release acidic gasses and/or high levels of smoke in a fire situation should be balanced against flammability requirements as measured by an appropriate flammability test. Typical halogenated polymers used in wire and cable applications are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorsulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), and fluoropolymers.

Flame retardant materials that do not contain halogens as part of their inherent (molecular) composition or as flame retardant additives are defined as halogen free. Halogen-free additives are used most often to impact flame retardance to polyolefin-based polymers that are not inherently flame retardant. Commonly used halogen-free additives are aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide and phosphorous-containing compounds. Halogen-free materials may be specified when a low risk of release of halogenated species is desired in a fire situation with respect to smoke, corrosivity or environmental impact.

A defect on the surface of the steel that is a folded-over portion produced by bad practice in forging.

This term, which normally is used as either left-hand or right-hand, refers to the direction in which the helix of a spring is formed. Also used to indicate the helix direction of wires during stranding.

The process of straightening by bending or twisting by hand with the aid of adjustable supports and suitable hand tools.

A small box in a raceway used to facilitate cable installation into which an installer can reach but not enter.

A temper produced in wire, rod or tube by cold drawing. Hard drawn refers to the temper of wires that are drawn without annealing and work harden in the drawing process. Also, wire that has been drawn to a specific size without being annealed.

The use of hard water results in the formation of hard water soaps or curds similar to those in a bathtub ring. They create the same problems as other soaps in the system. Hard water is often defined as a liquid that contains over 100 ppm of calcium and/or magnesium.

Cable connection using either screw lugs or a splice.