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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

Magnet Strip

Sheet or foil aluminum (either bare or insulated) used as the conductor in electric windings. The largest application has been in distribution transformers. There has also been some use in small coils for devices such as relays and automobile horns. Most use has been in the form of bare aluminum strip with shaped, rounded or contoured edges. Coated strip (of both aluminum and copper, which is also used) has also been developed.

Magnet Wire

Insulated copper or aluminum wire used for winding coils, motors and transformers and other coils for electromagnetic devices. Also known as winding wire, it has a relatively thin layer of high performance insulation that allows the wire to be formed very tightly, which leads to increased coil effectiveness and electrical efficiency.

Magnetic Density

The number of lines of magnetic force passing through a magnet or magnetic field per unit.

Magnetic Field

The region within which a body or current experiences magnetic force.

Magnetic Flux

The rate of flow of magnetic energy across or through a surface (real or imaginary).

Magnetic Inclusions

Contaminants embedded in a nonferrous wire, which are ferromagnetic. These can be tiny chips, slivers and particles that abrade off mill rolls, from steel bands, steel rods and floor steel debris.

Magnetic Noise

Interference caused by the magnetic field in neighboring control or instrumentation circuits. Caused by current frequency in an AC power line, which has a magnetic field around the cable.

Magnetic Pole

The portion of the magnet where the external magnetic induction appears to converge (south) or diverge (north).

Magnetic Sorting Bridge

A simple electrical network in which the magnetic and, indirectly, the dimensional or metallurgical properties of two samples can be compared. Similar properties cancel each other out and the differences are dis­played on a cathode-ray tube. This method is suitable for routine testing of a large number of small components, such as valve springs.

Magnetic Testing

Method to find external defects. The test is carried out by magnetizing the bar and sprinkling it with a magnetic powder that has been applied to detect flaws or defects on the surface. See Magnaflux Test.

Magnetic Transformation Point

The temperature at which a normally magnetic material becomes substantially non-magnetic (relative magnetic permeability of metal equals unity). Also called the Curie Point.

Magnetic-Analysis Inspection

A nondestructive inspection method to find variations in the magnetic flux in ferromagnetic materials of constant cross-section, such as might be caused by discontinuities and variations in hardness. Variations are usually indicated by a change in pattern on an oscilloscope screen.

Magnetic-Particle Inspection

A nondestructive inspection method to detect extent of surface cracks and similar imperfections in ferromagnetic materials and determine their size. Finely divided magnetic particles applied to the magnetized part are attracted to and outline the pattern of any magnetic leakage fields created by discontinuities. See Magnaflux Test.

Magnetite

Ferrous-ferric oxide (Fe3O4). One of the three oxides of iron that form on wire as scale. Magnetite forms between the ferrous oxide and the outer layer of ferric oxide. Also, a strongly magnetic iron ore.

Main Cross-Connect

A cross-connect for first level backbone cables, entrance cables and equipment cables. See Cross-Connect.

Main Disconnect Switch

1) Part of a building’s service equipment that shuts off the flow of power to the building. 2) The switch that disconnects all of the electrical power to a machine or process that has more than one disconnect switch. The other switches disconnect portions of the machine or process.

Malleability

A metal’s ability to be deformed in compression by rolling or hammering without fracture.

Mandolin Wire

See Musical Instrument Wire.

Mandrel

1) A rod used to retain the cavity in hollow metal products during work. 2) A metal bar around which other metal may be cast, bent, formed or shaped. 3) The tool around which wire is formed as in spring coiling.

Mandrel Test

Also known as the wrapping test, a method to determine the adherence of a galvanized coating on wire. The wire is wound onto a mandrel, the diameter of which is a multiple of the wire diameter.
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