Technical Information Glossary Plasticizer: A chemical agent added in compounding plastics to make them softer and more flexible. Polyethylene: A family of insulating materials derived from polymerization of ethylene gas. They are basically pure hydrocarbon resins, with excellent dielectric properties. Polymer: A substance made of many repeating chemical units or molecules. The term polymer is often used in place of plastic, rubber, or elastomer. Polyolefin: A family of thermoplastics based upon the unsaturated hydrocarbons known as olefins. When combined with butylene or styrene polymers, they form compounds such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Polypropylene: A thermoplastic polymer of propylene. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): A thermoplastic material composed of polymers of vinyl-chloride which may be rigid or elastomeric, depending on specific formulation. Porosity: Multiple air voids in an insulation or jacket wall. 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. Pulling Eye: A device which may be fastened to the conductor or conductors of a cable or formed by or fastened to the wire armor and to which a hook or rope may be directly attached in order to pull the cable into or from a duct. Put-Up: Refers to packaging of wire and cable. The term itself refers to the packaged product that is ready to be stored or shipped. Quadruplex Cable: Assembly of four single conductors twisted together. Rated Temperature: The maximum temper-ature at which an electric component can operate for extended periods without loss of its basic properties. Rated Voltage: The maximum voltage at which an electric component can operate for extended periods without undue degradation or safety hazard. REA: Rural Electrification Administration. Reel Drum Diameter: Diameter of the drum (or hub) of the reel. Reel Flange Diameter (Reel Height): Diameter of the reel flanges. Reel Traverse: Width of space between reel flanges. Reel Width: Overall width of reel. Resistance: In D.C. circuits, the opposition a material offers to current, measured in ohms. In A.C. circuits, resistance is the real component of impedance and may be higher than the value measured at D.C. RHH: Rubber-insulated building wire, heat- and moisture-resistant, 90°C dry or 75°C wet locations. RHH-2: Rubber-insulated building wire, heat- and moisture-resistant, 90°C wet or dry locations. RHW: Rubber-insulated building wire, heat- and moisture-resistant, 90°C dry or 75°C wet locations. RHW-2: Rubber-insulated building wire, heat- and moisture-resistant, 90°C dry or wet locations. Ridge Marker: One or more ridges running laterally along the outer surface of an insulated wire or cable for purpose of identification. Ringing Out: The process of locating or identifying specific conductive paths by means of passing current through selected conductors. Rip Cord: Two or more insulated conductors in a parallel configuration which may be easily separated, leaving the insulation of each conductor intact. Rope Strand: A conductor composed of a center group of twisted strands surrounded by one or more layers of similar groups of twisted strands. Rubber: A general term used to describe wire insulation and jackets made of thermosetting elastomers, such as natural or synthetic rubbers, EPR, neoprenes, Hypalon, butyl rubber and others. RW90: Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulation (XLPE), 90°C dry and wet locations (CSA type) 600 V RWU90: Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulation (XLPE), 90°C direct burial (CSA type) 1 kV SE-R: Service Entrance Round Construction, THHN/THWN or XHHW insulation, 90°C dry and 75° wet locations 600 V SE-U: Service Entrance Uninsulated Concentric Neutral, THHN/THWN or XHHW insulation, 90°C dry and 75° wet locations 600 V Separator: Pertaining to wire and cable, a layer of insulating material such as textile, paper, 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 and/ or flexibility, or can offer additional mechanical or electrical protection to the components it separates. Serve: Any filament or group of filaments, such as wires or fibers helically wound around a central core. Service Conductors: In commercial and industrial applications, power is typically wired into the building to a main load center. Power is carried directly from a step-down transformer by a secondary service cable. Depending on the application, the step-down transformer may be mounted on a utility pole or mounted at ground level in enclosed box. Service Drop: The overhead electric service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the splices, if any connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building or other structure. SPEC A003 June, 2017 Phone: 855-720-2792 www.generalcable.com 54 Technical Information
