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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

Electro-osmosis

The movement of fluids through diaphragms because of electric current.

Electro-tinned

Electrolytic process of tinning wire using pure tin.

Electro-tinning

Electrolytic process of tinning wire using commercially pure tin.

Electrochemical Corrosion

Corrosion that is accompanied by a flow of electrons between cathodic and anodic areas on metallic surfaces.

Electrode

A conductor through which a current enters or leaves an electronic conductor.

Electrode Potential

The difference of potential between an electrode and the electrolyte with which it is in contact. The standard electrode potential is that developed by a metal immersed into a solu­tion of its ions of unit ionic activity. The electrochemical series is a list of elements in order of their standard electrode poten­tials.

Electrode Tip

That part of an electric con­ductor which in a resistance welding machine conveys current to, and exerts pressure on, the components to be welded. Also known as the contact point.

Electrode Wire

Wire used in many arc-welding processes that serves as the electrode and is consumed to fill the joint. The arc is struck between the electrode and the work piece, simultaneously heating the work and melting the electrode.

Electrogalvanizing

An electrolytic-deposition zinc-plating process whereby the molecules on the positively charged zinc anode attach to negatively charged steel. The thickness of the zinc coating is readily controlled by varying the electric charge or slowing the speed of the steel through the plating area.

Electrolysis

The production of chemical changes by passage of current through an electrolyte.

Electrolyte

A solution that dissociates into ions in solution or when fused, thereby becoming electrically conducting. See Electroplating.

Electrolytic Cell

A vessel equipped with electrodes and used for the conduction of electrolysis.

Electrolytic Cleaning

This process, either cathodic or anodic, is often used for treatment of metals prior to electroplating, using current to disintegrate surface film. It uses an electronic power supply and an electrically conducting solution (such as dilute acid, dilute caustic or salt water). If the work piece is connected to the negative polarity of the electronic power supply, the work-piece is considered to be the cathode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of hydrogen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). If the work-piece is connected to the positive polarity, the work piece is considered to be the anode and cleaning is achieved via the generation of oxygen gas (caused by the electrochemical hydrolysis of water). For steel, anodic cleaning is preferred to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. The solutions used do not differ substantially from those employed in non-electrolytic cleaning.

Electrolytic Copper

Copper that has been refined by electrolysis. Crude impure copper is made the anode in a bath containing copper sulfate and is deposited on the pure copper sheets known as starting sheets which act as cathodes. The refined metal contains upwards of 99.9% copper.

Electrolytic Corrosion

Corrosion by means of electrochemical erosion caused by current leakage. Such leakage can be caused by improper grounding in the circuit.

Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper

High purity copper made by electrolytic refining and containing small amounts of oxygen additions. ETP describes the method of raw copper preparation to ensure a good physical and electrical grade copper finished product containing less than 1/10 of 1% impurities. (ASTM B5 and B49). See Copper.

Electromagnet

A coil of wire, usually wound on an iron core, which produces a magnetic field when current is sent through the coil.

Electromagnetic

Pertaining to the combined electric and magnetic fields associated with movements of electrons through conductors.

Electromagnetic Compatibility

A measure of the tolerance of equipment to external magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic Coupling

Energy transfer by means of a varying magnetic field.

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