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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

Post-Stressing

A method of strengthen­ing concrete by stressing after it has been cast. Ducts are first placed in position before casting, through which wires or strands can later be introduced. After the concrete is cured the wires or strands are stressed to a predetermined figure—usually 70 to 80 percent of the braking load, which introduces sufficient compressive stresses in the concrete to withstand the design loads.

POT

Designation for thermoplastic, parallel, light duty ripcord, 300V, 60°C to 105°C. Also a potentiometer.

Potassium Permanganate Descaling

See Caustic Permanganate Descal­ing.

Potassium Stannate

A chemical used in alkaline tin-plating baths.

Potential Energy

Energy of a body or a system with respect to the position of the body or the arrangement of the particles of the system.

Potential Voltage

The electrical term for the maximum voltage achievable with a power supply or circuit.

Potentiometer

A variable resistor that functions as voltage divider.

Pothead

A device for sealing the end of a cable, providing insulated egress for the conductor.

POTS

Designation for Plain Old Telephone Service, non-data voice transmission.

Potted

Cemented with special compound to make moisture-proof or airtight.

Potting

The sealing of a cable termination or other component with a liquid that thermo-sets into an elastomer or solid compound to exclude moisture.

Potting Cup

An accessory which, when attached to the rear of a plug or receptacle, provides a pouring form for potting the wires and the wire entry end of the assembly.

Pouring

The movement of molten metal into the casting machine. There are two types: level pouring or conventional pouring.

Powder Deposition

When two or more cables are to be sheathed with plastic, they are first passed through an electrostatic powder depositing plant to coat them with French chalk to prevent them from sticking together. By imparting a high positive electrostatic charge to the powder, a uniform, strongly adherent layer is applied and free powder is prevented from leaving the unit.

Powder Metals

Fabrication technology in which fine metallic powder is compacted under high pressure and then heated at a temperature slightly below the melting point to solidify the material. Primary users of powder metal parts are the auto, electronics and aerospace industries.

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred. The time ratio at which work is done, equal to W/t where W is the amount of work done in time, t. Power is expressed in watts when W is expressed in joules and t in seconds. Another common measure is horsepower, which equals 746 watt.

Power Cable

A cable of various sizes, construction and insulation, single or multi-conductor, which is used to supply power to a variety of equipment types.

Power Distribution

The transmission of power over electrical power lines throughout a network. This could include sub-transmission circuits, small distribution substations and distribution transformers. Secondaries are also included in this network, which usually run along streets carrying power at lower voltages from the transformers to the surface of the individual users.

Power Factor

1) Mathematically, the cosine of the angle of phase difference between current and voltage applied. 2) The ratio of resistance to impedance. 3) The ratio of the actual power of an alternating current to apparent power; the number of watts indicated by a wattmeter, divided by the apparent watts as measured by a voltmeter and ammeter. 4) The multiplier used with the apparent watts to determine how much of the supplied power is available for use. 5) That quantity by which the apparent watts must be multiplied in order to give the true power.

Power Loss

Losses due to internal cable impedance. The losses cause heating.
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