Glossary of Terms
Physical


Term

Definition

Abrasion Resistance

Ability of a wire, cable or material to resist surface wear.

Accelerated Aging

A test that simulates long time environmental conditions in a relatively short time.

Ambient

Conditions that exist in the environment of the cable. Conditions existing at a test or operating location prior to energizing equipment (e.g.: ambient temperature).

Cut-through Resistance

A test to determine the ability of a material to withstand the application of blades or sharp edges without being cut.

Elongation

The increase in length of a wire or cable cause by longitudinal tension.

Flex Life

The qualification of the number of times a cable may bend before breaking.

Flexibility

The ability of a cable to bend in a short radius. The ability of a cable to lay flat or conform to a surface as with microphone cables.

GOPIC

Gopher.

KPSI

Tensile strength in thousands of pounds per square inch.

Peel Strength

The force necessary to separate two adjacent conductors of a bonded or laminated flat cable.

Rated Temperature

The maximum temperature at which an electric component can operate for extended periods without loss of its basic properties.

Strain Gauge

A device for determining the amount of strain (change in dimensions) when a stress is applied.

Tear Feature

The controlled thinning of the lamination between two conductors in a flat cable to allow easy hand separation.

Temperature Rating

The maximum temperature at which the insulating material or cable may be used in continuous operation without change of its basic properties.

Tensile Strength

The pull stress required to break a bare wire.

Thermal Rating

The temperature range in which a material will perform its function without undue degradation.

Wall Thickness

The thickness of an insulation or jacket.