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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

Resilient

Able to return to original configuration after release of an applied force.

Resin

Resin is a solid or semisolid material, often of high molecular weight, that exhibits a tendency to flow when subjected to stress. It is used synonymously with the terms plastics and polymers. Resins usually have a low softening point or melting range. They are the base material from which insulating materials are made.

Resistance

1) The opposition to the flow of electric current in a conductor. It is usually measured in ohms. 2) The back force applied on an object as it moves or is forced through restrictive areas.

Resistance Alloys

Electrical resistance alloys are used to control or regulate either alternating or direct current. The electrical properties of interest are resistivity, temperature co-efficient of resistance (TCR) and thermoelectric potential. The first is a measure of the resistance to the flow of current in a metal or alloy; the second is a measure of the consistency of the resistance over a range of temperatures; the last defines the Electromotive Force (EMF) generated when two dissimilar metals are joined and exposed to a variation in temperatures.

Resistance Furnace

A furnace that heats by the flow of current against ohmic resistance internal to the furnace.

Resistance Unbalance

The difference in resistance between two wires of a pair.

Resistance Welding

Welding by pressure and heat when the work piece’s resistance to an electric circuit produces the heat.

Resistance Wire

Wire suitable for use as electrical heating wire because of its electrical resistance and resistance to oxi­dation at high temperatures. Most com­monly used are nickel-chromium alloys, such as the nickel-chrome 80-20 or 60-15 quality. Drawn to various fine sizes. Also produced in nickel silver. Often used for heating applications such as electric toasters, heaters, etc.

Resistance, Insulation

See Insulation Resistance.

Resistance, Thermal

1) The opposition to heat flow. It is the resistance to the flow of heat, expressed in thermal ohms, of one cm length of a cable, offered by the path from the conductor to the external surface of the cable (lead sheath or protec­tive covering). 2) The resistance offered by the insulation to the flow of heat from the conductor(s) to the sheath.

Resistive Conductor

A conductor with high electric resistance.

Resistivity

The ability of a material to resist passage of electrical current either through its bulk or on a surface. The unit of volume resistivity is the ohm-cm. The unit of surface resistivity is the ohm.

Resistor

A device whose primary purpose is to introduce resistance.

Resistor, Bleeder

1) A resistor used to drain current after a device is de-energized. 2) A resistor in a circuit to improve voltage regulation. 3) A resistor used as part of a circuit to protect against voltage surges.

Resolution

The degree to which nearly equal values of a quantity can be discriminated.

Resolver

A device whose input and output is a vector quantity.

Resonating

The maximizing or minimizing of the amplitude or other characteristics.

Response

A quantitative expression of the output as a function of the input under conditions that must be explicitly stated.

Respooler

A respooler, as its name implies, is used to rerun material from one spool to another, typically for length verification, inspection, repackaging, inspection and printing. In its simplest form, a re-spooler consists of a payoff and a take-up, although more sophisticated systems will have some type of dancer or other ability to control tension and speed.

Restrainers

More commonly known as in­hibitor, substances added to the pickling bath to retard acid attack on the steel while allowing it to continue on the iron oxides and scales. See Inhibitors.
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