Technical Reference

Glossary of Terms

Abrasion Resistance Cord Ability of wire, cable or material to resist surface wear. A small, exible insulated cable. AC Alternating Current CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene) Current in which the charge- ow periodically reverses and is A exible material with high tear strength and good resistance to represented by:I=I0cos (2f+f)[I= Im cos (vt+f]whereIis the most inorganic chemicals. It is inherently dicult to ignite. A current, I0 is the amplitude,fthe frequency,fthe phase angle. Thermoset plastic. Ambient Temperature Creepage The temperature ofamedium (gas or liquid) surrounding an object. The conduction of electricity across the surface ofadielectric. Ampere (A) Crimp Termination The unit of current. One ampere is the current owing through one A connection in whichametal sleeve is secured toaconductor by ohm of resistance at one volt potential. mechanically crimping the sleeve with pliers, presses or automated ANSI crimping machines. Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute. Current (I) Armorfast The rate of transfer of electricity. Practical unit is the ampere, which Cordset with metal clad cable (NEC type MC) represents the transfer of one coulomb per second. Inasimple Armored Cable circuit, current (I) produced byacell or electromotive force (E) A cable provided withawrapping of metal for mechanical when there is an external resistance ®) and internal resistance ®) is: I protection. =E/R+r) AWG (American Wire Gauge) Current Carrying Capacity The standard system used for designating wire diameter. The lower The maximum current an insulated conductor can safely carry the AWG number, the larger the diameter. Also called the Brown without exceeding its insulation and jacket temperature limitations. and Sharpe (B&S) wire gauge. Cut-Through Resistance AWM (Appliance Wiring Material) The ability ofamaterial to withstand mechanical pressure, usually a A UL designation covering insulated wire and cable for internal sharp edge or small bending radius, without separation. wiring of appliances and equipment. Dielectric Strength Binder The voltage that an can withstand before breakdown A spirally served tape or thread used for holding assembled cable occurs. Usually expressed asavoltage gradient (such as volts per components in place awaiting subsequent manufacturing mil). operations. Direct Current (DC) Braid An electric current that ows in only one direction. A brous or metallic group olaments interwoven in cylindrical Drain Wire form to formacovering over one or more wires. Inacable, the bare wire laid over the component or components Cable and used asaground connection. A stranded conductor with or without insulation and other Earth coverings (single-conductor cable), oracombination of conductors British terminology for zero-reference ground. (multiple-conductor cable). EPDM Color Code Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber.Amaterial with good Wire or circuit identication by color, utilizing solid colors, tracers, electrical insulating properties. A Thermoset plastic. braids, surface printing, etc. eurofast ® Contact Holder M12 threads, single key,2-6, 8, 10, 12 pin Insulating device that holds the contacts in their proper position Extruded Cable Conductivity Cable with conductors that are uniformly insulated and formed by The ability ofamaterial to allow electrons to ow, measured by the applyingahomogeneous insulation material inacontinuous current per unit of voltage applied. It is the reciprocal of resistivity. extrusion process. Conductor Fillers A wire (or combination of wires not insulated from one another) Non-conducting components cabled with the insulated conductors suitable for carrying electric current. or optical bers to impart roundness, exibility, tensile strength, or Conduit a combination of all three, to the cable. ® A tube or trough in which insulated wires and cables are run. refast Connector High temperature protective sleeving. ® A device used to provide rapid connect/disconnect service for exlife-10 and wire terminations. Unique cable designed for robotic and other continuous motion Contact applications The parts ofaconnector that actually carry the electrical current Ground and that are touched together or separated to control the ow. An electrical connection to the earth, generally throughaground Cable rod. Alsoacommon return toapoint of zero potential, such as the A multiconductor cable made for operation in control circuits. metal chassis of equipment. Cordset Portable cord tted withawiring device at one or both ends.

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Glossary of Terms

Ground Loop MSHA A completed circuit between shielded pairs ofamultiple pair Mine Safety and Health Administration created by random contact between shields. An undesirable circuit multibox ® condition in which interference is created by ground currents when Junction boxes, 4, 6,8and 16 port grounds are connected at more than one point. multifast Ground Potential M23 threads, 12, 16 and 19 pin or M27 threads, 26 and 28 pin The potential of the earth.Acircuit, terminal or chassis is said to be Mylar at ground potential when it is used asareference point for other DuPont trademark for polyester lm. potentials in the system. National Electrical Code (NEC) Hygroscopic A set of regulations governing construction and installation of Capable of absorbing moisture from the air. and apparatus in the United States, established by IEC the American National Board of Fire Underwriters. European Standardization agency; International Electrotechnical NEMA Commission. National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Input Neoprene A signal (or power) which is applied toapiece of electrical A synthetic rubber with good resistance to oil, chemical, and ame. apparatus or the terminals on the apparatus to whichasignal or Also called polychloroprene. A Thermoset plastic. power is applied. Noise Insulation Inacable or circuit, any extraneous signal that tends to interfere A material having good dielectric properties that is used to with the signal normally present in or passing through the system. separate close electrical components, such as cable conductors and NPN Output circuit components. Transistor output that switches the common or negative voltage to ITC the load (current sinking). Load connected between output and Instrument Tray Cable. NEC classi cation for cable resistant to the positive supply. spread ore and suitable for use in cable trays. 150Vrating. Ohm ( ) Irradiation The electrical unit of resistance. The value of resistance through In insulation, the exposure of the material to high-energy emissions whichapotential dierence of one volt will maintainacurrent of for the purpose oavorably altering the molecular structure. one ampere. Jacket Ohm's Law Pertaining to wire and cable, the outer protective covering, may E=IxR. Voltage (E) is directly proportional to the product of also provide additional insulation. current (I) and resistance ®) of circuit. LED Output Light Emitting Diode used to indicate device status. The useful power or signal delivered byacircuit or device. Line Voltage PA (Polyamide, ) The value of the potential existing onasupply or power line. An abrasion-resistant thermoplastic with good chemical resistance, Load also known as polyamide. A device that consumes power fromasource and uses that power pentafast ® to performafunction. M5 threads,3and4pin MC picofast ® Metal Clad Cable. NEC classi cation for cable resistant to crush and Snap lock or M8 threads, 3,4and6pin impact based on an outer covering of metal. Plastic microfast ® High-polymeric substances, including both natural and synthetic ½"-20UNF threads, dual key, 2-6 pin ® products, but excluding the rubbers, that are capable oowing minifast under heat and pressure. 7/8"-16UN threads,2-6pin Plug minifast B size A connector associated with being attached toacable. 1"-16UN threads, 6-8 pin PLTC minifast C size Power Limited Tray Cable. NEC classi cation for cable resistant to 1 1/8"-16UN threads, 9, 10, 12 pin the spread ore and suitable for use in cable trays. 300Vrating. Moisture Resistance PNP Output The ability ofamaterial to resist absorbing moisture from the air or Transistor output that switches the positive voltage to the load from water when immersed. (current sourcing). Load connected between output and common. Molded Plug A connector molded onto either end ofacord or cable. MOV Acronym for Metal Oxide Varistor. A solid state device used to suppress voltage surges\spikes

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Glossary of Terms

POM (Polyoxymethylene, Acetal, Delrin ) STOW Polyoxymethylene-acrystalline thermoplastic withahigh Heavy duty, PVC insulated, portable cord with oil resistant PVC melting point. It is suitable for mechanical parts or electrical outer jacket. Stranded copper conductors, PVC insulation. Two or insulators that require structural strength at above more color coded conductors cabled with ller, wrapped with normal temperatures. separator and PVC jacketed overall. Approved for outdoor use. 600 Potting V. The sealing ofacable termination or other component withaliquid Stranded Conductor that thermosets into an elastomer. A conductor composed of groups of wires twisted together. PUR (Polyurethane) Temperature Rating Broad class of noted for good abrasion and solvent The maximum temperature at whichamaterial may be used in resistance. continuous operation without loss ots basic properties. PVC () Thermoplastic A general-purpose thermoplastic widely used for wire and cable A material that will soften, ow or distort appreciably when insulation and jackets. subjected to heat and pressure. powerfast ® Thermoset 1 3/8"-16 threads, 2,3and4pin or M23 threads, 6,7and9pins or A material that hardens or sets when heat is applied, and which, M40 threads, 4-pin. once set, cannot be re-softened by heating. The application of heat Resistance ®) is called "curing". A measure of the di culty in moving electrical current through a TPE medium when voltage is applied. It is measured in ohms. Thermo Plastic Elastomer. Broad class of polymers noted for Retractile Cord exibility and weld slag resistance. A cord havingaspecially treated jacket or insulation so that it will TPR retract likeaspring. Retractility may be added to all or part of a Thermo Plastic Rubber. Another name for TPE. cord's length. Twisted Pairs RoHS A cable composed of two small, insulated conductors twisted (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) See page S2. together withoutacommon covering. Rubber Versafast TM A general term used to describe wire insulation made of M16 threads, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14 and 19 pin thermosetting elastomers, such as natural or synthetic rubbers, V*fast ® neoprene, Hypalon, CPE butyl rubber and others. DIN 43650, type A, B,Iand C Serve VDE A lament or group o laments such as bers or wires, wound German approval agency. aroundacentral core. Volt (V) Shield A unit of electrical pressure. One volt is the electrical pressure that In cables,ametallic layer placed aroundaconductor or group of will cause one ampere of current to ow through one ohm of conductors to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic interference resistance. between the enclosed wires and external elds. Voltage Signal The term most often used in place of electromotive force, potential Any visible or audible indication that can convey information. Also, dierence, or voltage drop. Designates the electric pressure the information conveyed throughacommunication system. existing between two points that is capable of producingacurrent SJOOW whenaclosed circuit is connected between these points. Junior hard service, rubber insulated, portable cord with oil Voltage Rating resistant rubber outer jacket. Stranded copper conductors with The highest voltage that may be continuously applied toawire in separator and individual oil and water resistant rubber insulation. conformance with standards or specications. Two or more color coded conductors cabled with ller, wrapped VW-1 with separator and rubber jacketed overall. A ammability rating established by Underwriters Laboratories for 300 V. wires and cables that passaspecially designed vertical ame test, Solid Conductor formerly designated FR-1. A conductor consisting ofasingle wire. Wicking Solid State The longitudinal ow ofaliquid inawire or cable due to capillary Pertains to circuits and components using semiconductors without action. moving parts. Example: transistors, diodes, SCR, etc. SOOW Heavy duty, rubber-insulated portable cord with oil resistant rubber outer jacket. Stranded copper conductors with separator and individual oil and rubber insulation. Two or more color-coded conductors cabled with ller, wrapped with separator and rubber jacketed overall. 600 V.

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