Wirenet Image Band
wirenet.org mobile image band

The Book of Terms

  • Home
  • /The Book of Terms

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

Restrike

A resumption of current between contacts during an opening operation after an interval of zero current of ¼ cycle at normal frequency or longer.

Retention Time

In liquid handling systems, it defines the size of the reservoir with respect to its ability to slow the rate of flow of liquid through the reservoir for a given time. For example, a 3,785-liter (1,000-gallon) tank handling 378.5 lpm (100 gpm) will have a 10-minute retention time.

Retort

1) A vessel used for the distillation of volatile materials, as in the separation of some metals and in the destructive distillation of coal. 2) The hearth portion of a fluidized bed furnace that holds the sand.

Retractile Cable

A cable that returns by its own stored energy from an extended condition to its original contracted form.

Retractile Cord

A cord with specially treated insulation or jacketing so that enables it to retract like a spring. Extractability may be added to all or part of the cord’s length.

Return Loss

A decibel measure of backward-reflected energies from uneven parts of a cable structure that cause impedance variations. Return loss is necessary for bi-directional applications.

Return Wire

A common wire, a ground wire or the negative wire in a direct-current circuit.

Reverse Bend Test

Also known simply as the bend test, a test of ductility of wire, carried out by holding the wire at one end and repeatedly bending it in reverse directions through 90° at each bend. See Bend Test.

Reverse Osmosis

The process of removing dissolved salts in water using a membrane technology for water preparation that will be used in different processes.

Reverse Torsion Test

A test applied to rod or wire in which the test piece is twisted axially first in one direction and then in the opposite direction for a specified number of turns. Fracture should not occur and, ideally, no surface defects should become visible.

Reverse Twill Weave

Also known as herringbone twill weave. A variation of twill weave in which the normal weave is reversed at intervals to give a striped effect like a herringbone. See Twill Weave, Weaving Wire and Woven Wire Mesh.

Reversible Process

A process that can be reversed and leaves no change in system or surroundings.

Reversing Mill

A rolling mill in which the direction of rolling can be reversed.

Reversing Passes

Technique used in the roughing operation of a rod rolling function to move and guide the rod between passes in such a way as to prevent injuries to the rod surface that might result in seams or slivers.

RH/RW

Designation for rubber-insulated, heat and moisture resistant building wire, 75°C (167°F) dry, 60°C (140°F) wet.

Rheology

The science of the flow and deformation of matter.

Rheostat

A variable resistor, which can be varied while energized, normally one used in a power circuit. For example, an electrical test instrument to determine how much voltage an insulated wire will withstand before breakdown.

RHM

Designation for rubber-insulated multiple conductors, heat resistant and overall fibrous covered.

RHML

Designation for rubber-insulated multiple conductors, heat resistant and overall lead-covered.

Rho

The seventeenth letter of the Greek alphabet, used symbolically to represent various coefficients, principally resistivity or specific resistance.
Display # 

Contact us

The Wire Association Int.

71 Bradley Road, Suite 9

Madison, CT 06443-2662

P: (203) 453-2777