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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

Tertiary Winding

A winding added to a transformer in addition to the conventional primary and secondary windings, such as for suppressing third harmonics or connecting to a power factor-correcting device.

Test Lead

A flexible insulated lead wire that usually has a test prod, clamp or other connectors on one or each end. It is ordinarily used for making tests, connecting instruments to a circuit temporarily, or making temporary electrical connections.

Test Report

The term mainly used for the permanent records on the tests made by a wire manufacturer that were performed on a batch of wire to verify specifications were met.

Test, Corona

Finding the corona extinction and inception voltage levels. Low levels indicate impurities in insulation, or voids within the insulation, or voids between insulation and shield, or broken shields. For bare overhead conductors, a corona (see entry) is the result of a surface irregularity.

Test, Dimensional Stability

A test where a specified length of cable (one ft) is heated to measure insulation shrink-back from the conductor.

Test, Proof

See Proof Test.

Test, Referee

A test made by or in the presence of an independent agency or expert in the particular field.

Test, Spiral

A test for rod quality and re-crystallization performed by winding a coil with weights to determine the elongation factor. Also known as the spiral elongation test.

Test, Structural Stability

A test where a cable is heated to its rated temperature, measured for the dissipation factor and corona extinction voltage, then cooled and remeasured.

Test, Torsion

See Torsion Test.

Test, U-Bend

A test that determines corona discharge and ozone resistance time to failure.

Test, Voltage Breakdown

1) Step Method: applying a multiple of rated voltage to a cable for several minutes, then increasing the applied voltage by 20 percent for the same period until voltage breakdown occurs. 2) Rapid Rise: applying a voltage at a specified rate (usually 1 kV/sc) until voltage breakdown occurs. 3) Impulse: applying voltage impulses (usually 1.5 x 40 microseconds) and increasing by 20 percent until voltage breakdown occurs.

Test, Voltage Life

Applying a multiple of rated voltages over a long time period until voltage breakdown occurs. Time to failure is the parameter measured for cables.

Test, Water Absorption

A test that determines how much water a given volume of material will absorb in a given period.

Testing, Weld

Technique used to test butt welds of rods as the tail end of one coil is welded to the leading edge of another for a continuous operation.

TEW

Designation for Canadian Standards Association (CSA) type appliance wires. Solid or stranded single conductor, plastic-insulated. 600V, 105°C (221°F).

TFFN

Designation for fixture wire for internal wiring of lighting fixtures where gasoline resistance is required. The jacket is extruded nylon suitable for exposure to mineral oil, liquid gasoline and gasoline vapors at ordinary ambient temperature. This type is closely related to TFN.

TFN

Designation for fixture wire for internal wiring of lighting fixtures. When the insulation is gasoline resistant, TFN is used as a conductor with a jacket of extruded nylon suitable for exposure to mineral oil, liquid gasoline and gasoline vapors at ordinary ambient temperature. This type is closely related to TFFN.

TG

Flexible nickel or nickel-clad copper conductor, PTFE tape, overall glass braid, 200°C (392°F).

TGS

Designation for solid or flexible copper, nickel-clad iron or copper, or nickel conductor, PTFE tape, silicone glass braid, 600V, 250°C (482°F).
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