Glossary


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The Letter C

Cable
A cable may be a small number of large conductors or a large number of smaller conductors, cabled together, usually color coded and with a protective jacket.

Cathode
The negative electrode through which current leaves a nonmetallic conductor, such as a metal pipe.

Cathodic Protection
Reduction or prevention of corrosion by creating a cathode out of the metal you would like to protect, and incorporating it into a direct current circuit. See here for more.

CATV
Community Antenna TeleVision. Refers to the industry that deals with transmission of television or other signals to subscribers. See here for more.

Certificate of Compliance
A written statement - usually by the Quality Control arm of a company - which states that the product being shipped meets the customer's specifications.

Circular Mil (CM)
A term used to define the cross-sectional area of a conductor. It's an area equal to the area of a circle 1/1000 of an inch - or one mil - in diameter. As the number of circular mils increase, the size of the the wire increases.

Clad Wire
Different from coated wire, it's any metal covered with a relatively heavy coating of different metal, such as copper clad steel.

Coated Wire
Any metal covered by a relatively thin coating of a different material, such as tin or zinc. See also Tinned Wire.

Coating
A material applied to the surface of a conductor to prevent environmental deterioration, facilitate soldering or improve electrical performance.

Compound
An insulating or jacketing material made by mixing two or more ingredients.

Concentricity
The measurement of the location of the center of the conductor with respect to the geometric center of the circular insulation.

Concentric-Lay Conductor
A layer of uninsulated wires twisted around a central wire with subsequent layers spirally wrapped around the inner layers to form a single conductor.


Conductivity
Capacity of a material to carry electrical current - usually expressed as a percentage of copper conductivity (with copper being 100%).

Conductor
A material suitable for carrying an electric current.

Conductor Core
The center strand around which one or more layers of wire are laid to form a concentric-lay conductor.

Conduit
A tube or trough for protecting electrical wires or cables.

Copper-Clad Steel
Steel with a coating of copper welded to it before drawing, as oppoed to copper-plated.

Corrosion
The destruction of the surface of a metal by chemical reaction.

Cross-linked
Inter-molecular bonds created between long chain thermoplastic polymers by chemical or electron bombardment. The properties of the resulting thermosetting material are usually improved.

Cross-linked Polyethylene
A dielectric material used for insulating and jacketing. Also referred to as "XLP" or "XLPE."

CSA
Abbreviation for Canadian Standards Assocation, similar to UL in the United States. A CSA Certified product has been tested and found in compliance with the applicable Canadian Standards.

Curl
The degree to which a wire tends to form a circle after removal from a spool. A indication of the ability of the wire to be wrapped around the posts in long runs.

Current
The rate of flow of electricity in a curcuit, measured in amperes.

Current Carrying Capacity
The maximum current an insulated conductor can safely carry without exeeding its insulation and jacket temperature limitations. Same as ampacity.

Cut-Through Resistance
The ability of a material to withstand mechanical pressure without damage.