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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.

   

 

All   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

Emulsion

The colloidal suspension of one liquid in another liquid, such as oil in water for lubrication. A water-based coolant used in drawing and rolling where there is an emulsifier to bond water with the oil or chemical ingredients to serve the application with lubrication, cooling and cleaning.

Emulsion Cleaning

Emulsions of a sol­vent, such as a petroleum solvent or a chlorinated hydrocarbon for example, emulsified in water in medium to low con­centrations are used at temperatures of 48 to 82°C (118 to 180°F), particularly for cleaning metals, such as zinc or aluminum that are attacked by some alkalis, and also for cleaning steel prior to phosphate treatment.

Emulsion process

Term used in the wire-insulating sector for resin manufacturing with emulsifier and water to suspend the insulating material. In the wire-manufacturing sector, emulsion is a type of coolant used in the drawing and rolling operations.

EN Specification

Designation of steels for general engineering purposes detailed in BS 970, and mentioned in other British Standards.

Enameled Wire

A conductor with a baked-on enamel film insulation. In addition to magnet wire, enameled insulation is used on thermocouple type wires and other wires.

Enameling

Enameled wires are produced by passing the wire through an enamel trough and then metering the liquid coating so that when it is cured in the baking oven the correct thickness is obtained. A number of coatings must be applied to get the desired thickness.

End Cap

1) Short pieces of tubing having one end sealed shut. A cap is placed over the wire splice and heated to shrink and seal it permanently. 2) The end piece of a cartridge filter design to provide the seal for the ends of the cartridge as they are positioned in a filter vessel.

End-quench Hardenability Test

A test for ferrous alloys where a standard specimen is heated above the upper critical temperature is placed in a fixture and sprayed with cold water on one end. Measurements are taken at fixed intervals to determine the hardenability of the material, i.e., the depth of hardness inside a quenched product. See Hardenability.

End-To-End Check

Tests conducted on a completed wire and/or cable run to assure electrical continuity.

Endosmosis

Penetration of water into a cable by osmosis; aggravated and accelerated by dc voltage on the cable.

Endothermic Atmosphere

An endothermic atmosphere is useful for bright hardening and bright annealing of carbon steel. Example: a neutral CO2-free furnace atmosphere obtained from coal gas by a reaction with a small amount of air. Also known as endogas at­mosphere.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction where heat is absorbed.

Ends

In braiding, the number of essentially parallel wires or threads on a carrier.

Endurance

The ability of parts to withstand repeated reversals of stress. See Fatigue.

Endurance Limit

The maximum stress that a metal will withstand without failure during a specified large number of cycles of stress, or (in most ferrous metals) an unlimited number of cycles of stress. If the term is employed without qualification (e.g., the minimum applied load), the cycles of stress are usually such that they produce complete reversal of flexural stress.

Energize

To apply rated voltage to a circuit or device in order to activate it.

Energy

The capacity for performing work.

Energy of a Charge

E = ½ QV, given in ergs when the charge Q, and the potential, V, are in electrostatic units.

English Legal Standard

See British Standard Wire Gauge.

Entrance Facility, Telecommunications

An entrance to a building for both public and private network service cables (including antennae) including the entrance point at the building wall and continuing to the entrance room or space.
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