Technical Information
Military Shipboard Catalog
Glossary
Plastic Deformation: Change in
dimensions under load that is not
recovered when the load is removed.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): A general
purpose thermoplastic used for low
voltage wire and cable insulation, and
for jackets.
Rope Lay Conductor: A conductor
composed of a central core
surrounded by one or more layers
of helically laid groups of wires
used in portable cables.
Plasticizer: A chemical agent added to
plastics to make them softer and more
pliable.
Power Factor: The ratio of resistance to
impedance. The ratio of the actual
power of an alternating current to
apparent power. Mathematically, the
cosine of the angle between the voltage
applied and the current resulting.
Rubber: A general term used to
describe wire insulation and
Plenum Cable: Cable approved for
installation in plenums, (e.g.
suspended ceiling) without the need
for conduit.
jackets made of thermosetting
elastomers, such as natural or
synthetic rubbers, EPR, neoprene,
Hypalon, butyl rubber and others.
Primary Insulation: The first layer of non-
conductive material applied over a
conductor, whose prime function is to
act as electrical insulation.
Polyester: Polyethylene terephthalate
which is used extensively in the
production of a high strength moisture
resistant film used as a cable core
wrap (see Mylar).
SBR: A copolymer of styrene and
butadiene. Also GR-S or Buna-S.
Most commonly used type of
synthetic rubber.
Pulling Eye: A device fastened to a cable to
which a hook may be attached in order
to pull the cable.
Self Extinguishing: The characteristic
of a material whose flame is
extinguished after the igniting
flame is removed.
Polyethylene (PE): A thermoplastic
material having excellent electrical
and physical properties.
Quad: Four insulated wires of a single
circuit.
Polymer: A material of high molecular
weight formed by the chemical union
of monomers.
Semi-Conductor: In wire industry
terminology, a material possessing
electrical conductivity that falls
somewhere between that of
REA: Rural Electrification Administration.
A branch of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Polyolefin: A family of thermoplastics
based upon the unsaturated
conductors and insulators. Usually
made by adding carbon particles to
an insulator (e.g. conductor shield
and insulation shield). Not the
same as semi-conductor materials
such as silicon, germanium, etc
used for making transistors and
diodes.
Reactance: The opposition offered to the
flow of alternating current by
inductance or capacitance of a
component or circuit.
hydrocarbons know as olefins. When
combined with butylene or styrene
polymers they form compounds such
as polyethylene and polypropylene.
Reel Drum Diameter: Diameter of the
Polypropylene (PPE): A thermoplastic
similar to polyethylene but stiffer and
having a higher softening point
(temperature).
drum (or hub) of the reel.
Reel Flange Diameter (Reel Height):
Separator: Pertaining to wire and
cable, a layer of insulating
Diameter of the reel flanges.
material such as textile paper,
Mylar, etc. which is placed
between a conductor and its
dielectric, between a cable jacket
and the components it covers, or
between various components of a
multi-conductor cable. It can be
utilized to improve stripping
qualities, flexibility, or can offer
additional mechanical or electrical
protection to the components it
separates.
Polyurethane/PUR: This thermoplastic
material is used primarily as a cable
jacket material. It has excellent
oxidation, oil, and ozone resistance.
Some formulations also have good
flame resistance. It is a hard material
with excellent abrasion resistance. It
has outstanding memory properties,
making it an ideal jacket material for
retractile cords.
Reel Traverse: Width of space between reel
flanges.
Reel Width: Overall width of reel.
Ridge Marker: One or more ridges running
laterally along the outer surface of a
insulated wire or cable for purposes of
identification.
Root Mean Square (RMS): The effective
value of an alternating current or
voltage.
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