Term

Definition

I

Interlocked armor of aluminum, bronze or steel.

IACS

International Annealed Copper Standard.

ID

Internal Diameter

IEC

The International Eletrotechnical Commission, writes recommended safety and performance standards for electrical products.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Ignition Cable

A cable designed primarily for automotive ignition system.

Illuminated

A device that, when connected to an electrical circuit is lighted in the area of the face or handle.

Impact Strength

A test designed to ascertain the punishment a cable configuration can absorb, without physical or electrical breakdown, by impacting with a given weight, dropped a given distance, in a controlled environment.

Impedance

The ratio of the effective value of the potential difference between two terminals to the effective value of the current flow produced by that potential difference.

Incandescent

Lampholders of the threaded screw shell types for use with standard sizes of incandescent bulbs, having threaded bases.

Incandescent Lamp

A light bulb which contains a filament in a sealed vacuum. When voltage is applied to the filament, it heats, producing light.

Individual Strand Diameter

The diameter of an individual strand of a stranded wire.

Inductance

That property of an electrical circuit by virtue of which a varying current induces an electromotive force in that circuit, or in an adjacent circuit.

Induction Generator

An induction machine driven above synchronous speed, used to convert mechanical power to electrical power

Induction Motor

An alternating current motor, either single phase or polyphase, comprising independent primary and secondary windings, in which the secondary receives power from the primary by electromagnetic induction.

Inductive Load

Electrical devices made of coiled or wound wire that create a magnetic field when energized. Components such as motors, solenoids and coils are all inductive loads.

Inductor Alternator

An alternator in which both field and armature windings are stationary and in which the voltage is produced by varying the flux linking the armature winding.

Inlet (Male Base)

A plug which is intended for flush or surface mounting on an appliance or equipment and which serves to connect utilization equipment to a connector.

Instrument Transformer

A transformer (current or potential) suitable for use with measuring instruments; i.e. one in which the conditions of the current, voltage and phase angle in the primary circuit are represented with acceptable accuracy in the secondary circuit.

Insulated Conductor

A conductor to which an insulating material has been applied to withstand a predetermined voltage gradient.

Insulation

A non-conductive material usually surrounding or separating two conductive materials. Often called the dielectric in a radio frequency cable.

Insulation Class

The insulation class is a measure of the resistance of the insulation components of a motor to degradation from heat. Four major classifications of insulation are used in motors. They are, in increasing thermal capabilities, A,B,F and H.

Insulation Displacement Connection

An electrical connection made by "punching down" a wire in a terminal which cuts through the insulation to make contact with the conductor.

Insulation Resistance

That property of an insulating material which resists electrical current flow through the insulating material when a potential difference is applied.

Insulation Resistance

The resistance measured between two insulated points on a transducer when a specified DC voltage is applied.

Insulation Shield

A layer of semi-conducting material or tape applied directly over the insulation of high voltage cabes, usually on cables rated at over 5000 volts. In addition to this layer, some cable constructions include a layer of non-magnetic metal overlapping tape or a number of helically applied small wires.

Insulator

A non-conducting substance such as poreclain, plastic, glass, rubber, etc.

Integral Belt

In a cable, a layer of insulation or semi-conductive material applied usually by extrusion over two or more insulated, twisted or parallel conductors, to form a round smooth diameter

Interchangeable

A device or combination of devices, each individually housed and having common mounting dimensions and intended for field installation on a single or multiple opening mounting strap. Also known as despard.

Interconnecting Wire

A type of wire for external use in electronic equipments where exposed to physical abuse. Interconnecting wire encompasses both control and power circuits.

Intermediate Cross-Connect (IC)

The cross-connection between the first and second level of backbone cabling.

Intermediate lampholder

A lampholder with a threaded screw shell accepting intermediate size incandescent lamps with thereaded bases that are approximately 13/32" in diameter. Most often used in decorative lighting such as candle scones, etc.

Internal Diameter

The diameter of some internal part or composite of an object which in this case would pertain to wire, cable, etc.

Interrupting Rating or Capacity

Interrupting (breaking or rupturing) capacity is the hightest r.m.s. current at normal voltage which a device can interrupt under prescribed conditions.

Interstice

In cable contruction, the space, valley or void left between or around the cabled components.

Ionization

The act of splitting into or producing ions.

IP Rating

Rating system established by IEC Publications 144 and 529 which defines the degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures with respect to person, other electrical equipment and the ingress of water.

IPE

Irradiated polyethylene tape.

IPM

Inches per minute

IR

Insulation Resistance

Irradiation

The exposure of a material to high energy emissions. In insulations for the purpose of favorably altering the molecular structure.

Isolated Ground

A grounding type device in which the equipment ground contact and terminal are electrically isolated form the receptacle mounting means.

J

Asphalted jute, non-metallic armor

Jack

A device into which a plug is inserted in order to make electrical contact in a communication circuit.

Jacket

A material covering over a wire insulation or an assembly of components. An overall jacket on a complex cable grouping is also often referred to as a sheath.

Joule

The unit of work.

Joule Rating

The short duration peak energy rating of a surge supression device. The higher the joule rating the longer the expected life of the device.

Jumper Wire

A short length of twisted pair cable used to route a circuit between two cross-connect termintation points.

Junction Box

A box used in an electrical circuit to enclose and permit access to electrical connections.

K

Constant used to denote insulation resistance.

KCM

1000 circular mils

Key Lampholder

A lampholder with a flat or round "key" projecting from its side, which when turned operates an interanal switching mechanism.

Kilocycle

A term denoting one thousand cycles.

Kilovolt

A term denoting one thousand volts.

Kilowatt

A term denoting one thousand watts.

KV

1000 Volts

KVA

Kilovolt Amperes

KW

Kilowatt, 1000 watts of power

L

Denotes lead sheath

Lace

Strand of wire usually the same material as the mesh used to weave closed a split mesh.

Lacquer

The term used in cable manufacture to designate the liquid resin or compound applied to a fibrous braid to prevent fraying, wicking, moisture absorption, etc., in the braid.

Laminated Tape

A term used to describe a tape consisting of two or more layers, usually each layer being a different material, sealed or laminated together to form one tape.

Lampholder

A device that establishes mechanical and electrical connection to an inserted lamp.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network of computers and peripheral devices with a limited area such as a department, single building, or campus environment.

Lateral Approach

When the target to be detected approaches the sensing face from the side (slide-by).

Lay

A term used in cable manufacturing to denote the distance, of advance of one member of a group of spirally twisted members, in one turn, measured axially.

Lays

The twists in a twisted pair cable which, when varied, limit the potential for interference in a twisted pair cable.

Leakage Current

The amount of current that flows through, or leaks from, the output of an energized device when the device is in the OFF-STATE. Most common problem involves leakage current when a device is wired as an input to a Programmable Controller. Leakage current should be less than 1.7 mA.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Solid State device which produces visible red, green, or yellow light or invisible infrared light radiation.

LESCW

Low energy safety circuit wire.

Life Cycle

A test performed on a material or configuration to determine the length of time before failure in a controlled, usually accelerated, environment.

Light

Measured in wavelength, wavelenghts of visible light range between 400 and 700 nanometers.

Light Incident

The condition met when light from the emitter is reaching, or incident upon, the receiver.

Light Interrupted

The condition met when light from the emitter is not reaching, or incident upon, the receiver.

Light Source

Type of light used in the emitter portion of the photoelectric. Most common, pulse modulated LED or incandescent lamp.

Lighted Handle

A switch with an integral lamp in the actuator that lights when the switch is in the OFF position.

Light-on Operation

Output mode that will result in an output turning on when light from the emitter is incident upon the receiver.

Light-Powered Sensor (3 or 4-Wire)

A sensor that draws its operating current (burden current) directly from the line. Its operating current does not flow through the load, and a minimum of three connections (3-wire) are required. A 4-wire sensor has complimentary outputs and requires four connections.

Limiter

A special purpose fuse which is intended to provide short circuit protection only.

Line Voltage

The voltage existing in a phase conductor in an electrical circuit, either phase to ground (neutral) or phase to phase.

Link

The basic, permanently installed, horizontal cabling path between the work area outlet and telecommunications closet cross-connect. Often referred to as the contractor link.

Litz Wire

A conductor made up of several insulated twisted wires to reduce skin effect and lower radio and frequency losses.

LMP

Low molecular weight polyethylene.

Load

Any device which current flows through and has a voltage drop across it.

Load Factor of a Machine, Plant, or System

The ratio of the average power to the peak power during a specified period of time. In each case, the interval of maximum load and the period over which the average is taken should be definitely specified. The proper interval and period are usually dependent upon local conditions and upon the purpose for which the load factor is to be used.

Load Types

Constant Horsepower- The term is used in certain types of loads where the torque requirement is reduced as the speed is increased and vice-versa. The constant horsepower load is usually associated with metal removal applications such as drill presses, lathes, milling machines and other similar types of applications.

Constant Torque -is a term used to define a load characteristic where the amount of torque required to drive the machine is constant regardless of the speed at which it is driven. For example, the torque requirement for most conveyors is constant.

Variable Torque - Variable torque is found in loads having characteristics requiring low torque at low speeds and increasing values of torque as the speed is increased. Typical examples of varibale torque loads are centrifugal fans and centrifugal pumps.

Load-Break Switch

A switch which is designed for, and intended to open a circuit which may be under load.

Load-Powered Sensor

A sensor that draws its operating current (leakage current) through the load. The sensor is always in series with the load and only two connections are required.

Locked Rotor Amps

Also known as starting inrush, this is the amount of current the motor can be expected to draw under starting conditions when full voltage is applied.

Locking (Turnlock)

A device is designated to lock in place when it is rotated in a clockwise direction. The device can then only be removed when turned in a counterclockwise direction.

Longitudinal Wrap

A tape applied longitudinally with the axis of the core being covered, as opposed to a helical, or spiral, tape wrapped core.

Loop Resistance

The total resistance of two conductors measured round trip from one end (twisted pair, shield and conductor, etc.).

Loss Factor

The loss factor of an insulating material is equal to the product of its dissipation and dielectric constant.

Low Loss Dielectric

An insulating material such as polyethylene, that has a relatively low dielectric loss making it suitable for transmission of radio frequency energy.

Low Noise Cable

A cable configuration specially constructed to eliminate spurious electrical disturbances cause by capacitance changes or self generated noise induced by either physical abuse or adjacent circuitry.

Low Voltage Fuses

Fuses rate 600 volts and below.

Lug

A term commonly used to describe termination, usually crimped or soldered to the conductor, with provision for screwing down to a terminal.

Lumiline Lampholder

A special type of "disc" contact lampholder that only fits tubular incandescent lamps of the "lumiline" type. Commonly used in bathroom fixtures, store display case fixtures, etc.

LV

Low voltage

LW

Radio hookup wire with polyvinyl insulation. With or without nylon jacket, braid, or shielding braid. 300V