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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

Secondary Creep

The secondary portion of the creep curve following the initial creep stage and in which the rate of creep has reached a fairly constant value.

Secondary Distribution

In the electric power distribution network, primary distribution consists of the high voltage transmission lines while secondaries are the distri­bution lines along the streets carrying power at lower voltage from the transformer to serve the user.

Secondary Hardening

Tempering certain alloy steels at certain temperatures so that a hardness is obtained greater than that resulting from the tempering of the same steel at some lower temperature for the same time.

Secondary Insulation

A nonconductive material that protects the conductor against abrasion and provides a second electrical barrier. Placed over the primary insulation.

Secondary Products

Those products which for any reason are not prime quality but which are still good for some applications.

Secondary Scale

Oxide of iron that is formed on hot steel while it is being rolled or forged.

Section Number

The number assigned to an extruded or drawn shape for identification and cataloging purposes, usually the same number that is assigned for the same purpose to the die from which the shape is made.

Sector Cable

A multicore cable in which the cross section of each conductor is substantially a section of a circle, an ellipse (oval) or a figure intermediate between them. When cabled, this contributes to a smaller overall diameter.

Sector Strand

A group of wires laid in triangular shape with rounded corners, for use as one conductor of a three-conductor cable with a 120° angle between faces, and with a 90° angle for a four-conductor cable.

Sector-Shaped Conductors

Often employed when more than one core is to be enclosed within a single sheath in order to achieve a more economic design. In the case of stranded conductors the shaping is carried out by passing the conductor through special rotating dies or rolls in the stranding machine.

Seebeck Effect

The generation of a voltage by a temperature difference at the junctions in a circuit composed of two homogeneous electrical conductors of dissimilar composition. Or, in a non-homogeneous conductor, the voltage produced by a temperature gradient in a non-homogeneous region.

Segmental Conductor

A stranded conductor consisting of three or more stranded conducting elements, each element having approximately the shape of the sector of circle, assembled to give a substantially circular cross-section. Segmen­tal conductors are therefore usually hollow.

Segmented Die

A die made of parts that can be separated for the ready removal of the work piece. Synonymous with split die.

Segregation

The nonuniform distribution of impurities, alloying elements or microphases. It is the result of the natural phenomenon in the solidification of metal in which various components with the lowest freezing point are concentrated in parts of the section last to solidify.

Seizing, Wire

Binding of a wire rope with wire or other material on each side of the place where a rope is to be cut, to prevent un-lay­ing of the strands. Seizing wire is a mild steel wire drawn to sizes approximately 2 mm (.04 in.) in diameter. Finish, annealed or annealed galvanized. Seizings on locked coil ropes will range in length from 10 to 20 rope diameters and their number will vary with rope diameter and construction.

Selective Heating

A process by which only certain portions of an object are heated in a way that will produce desired properties after cooling.

Selective Quenching

A process by which only certain portions of an object are quenched.

Selenium

Element, chemical symbol Se. A gray metal chemically similar to tellurium. Excellent conductor of electricity. Obtained as a by-product of the electrolytic refining of copper. Used chiefly in photoelectric cells, rectifiers and other electronic devices, and as a pigment for glass and ceramics. Selenium is added to steel to enhance machinability. It combines with manganese sulfide inclusions to modify their shape to be more globular.

Selenium Cure

Process used to cure neoprene and rubber jacketed wires and cables. The process makes a dense, tough, durable jacket.

Self-Contained Cable

Compression cables in which a lead sheath is ex­truded over the diaphragm provided by the polythene or thin lead sheath covering each core. The pressurizing gas is contained between the outer casing and the impermeable diaphragm.
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