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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

PLT

All-rubber, parallel-jacketed, two-conductor, light duty cord for pendent or portable use in damp locations (with thermoplastic insulation). 300V.

Plug

The part of the two mating halves of a connector that is movable when not fastened to the other mating half.

Plugging

Breaking an induction motor by reversing the phase sequence of the power to the motor.

Ply

1) The number of individual strands or filaments twisted together to form a single thread. For example, two strands are twisted in two-ply yarns. 2) A term referring to a layer of material in a multilayer composite.

Ply Metals

Sheet consisting of bonded layers of dissimilar metals. See Cladding.

PNA/PNR/PNW

Designations for polyethylene-insulated control cables with nylon sheath on individual conductors. Cabled tape and polyvinyl chloride jacket. Dry or wet location, 600 V. 75°C.

PO

Designation for two stranded copper conductors with separator and code rubber insulation and copper braid over each. Laid parallel with cotton or rayon braid overall. For use in dry locations on small appliances, 300V, 600V.

Pock Marks

1) Irregular indentations on the surface of the cable caused by air gas entrapment or moisture in the melt. 2) Pockets or cavities created by vaporization of fluid at the point of drawing or rolling as the metal is forced to change its profile or is reduced to a different size. The vaporized bubbles deform the metal under the pressure created at the point of work.

Pohenkra

A vertical needle-type diamond die-polishing machine, best suited for profile polishing. A rotating needle provided with diamond powder performs a swinging movement to follow the shape of the die profile.

Point-to-Point Wiring

An interconnecting technique where the connections between components are made by wires routed between connecting points.

Pointing

Tapering the end of rod or wire to facilitate threading the wire through the drawing dies. For smaller wires, a point is made by pulling the wire by hand until it breaks. For larger wires, pointing machine is used.

Polar Ingredient

Any ingredient in a material or complex capable of ionization.

Polarity

1) An electrical condition determining the direction in which current tends to flow. 2) The quality of having two opposite charges.

Polarization

The orientation of a flat cable or a rectangular connector. For flat cable, the index edge is used as a reference.

Polarization Index

Ratio of insulation resistance measured after ten minutes to that measured at one minute with voltage continuously applied.

Pole

1) That portion of a device associated exclusively with one electrically separated conducting path of the main circuit of the device. 2) A supporting circular column.

Polished Surface

The finish obtained by buffing with rouge or similar fine abrasive, resulting in a high gloss or polish. This may be applied in one operation or two, commonly known as cutting and coloring operations.

Polishing

1) A mechanical finishing operation for the purpose of applying a gloss or luster to the surface of a product. 2) Smoothing the surface of a metallographic sample to a high luster in preparation for examination under the microscope.

Poly

Designation for Polyethylene.

Polyamide

A compound characterized by more than one amide group. See Nylon.
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