Glossary of Terms

Adapter

A cord or block style device with different ends that allows different devices to connect.

AC

Alternating Current; Electric current that rises from zero to a maximum in one direction, falls to zero and then rises to a maximum in the opposite direction, and then repeats another cycle.

Amperage

Amps/Amperes/Ampacity/Rated Amperage -measurement of the flow rate of electricity. If you think in terms of water through a hose, amperage would be a measure of water volume flowing through the hose.

AWG

American Wire Gauge; standard measuring gauge for non-ferrous conductors (i.e., non-iron and nonsteal). Lower gauge numbers indicate larger conductor size.

Cable

A cable is a set of wires, usually encased in an outer protective jacket. A “cord” would be a cable by this definition so far, but a cable is part of a permanent installation; a cord is more flexible and often has a plug end for a portable appliance or lamp.

Cable Harness

A string of cables and/or wires which transmit informational signals or operating currents (energy). The cables are bound together by clamps, cable ties, cable lacing, sleeves, electrical tape, conduit, a weave of extruded string, or a combination thereof.

Conductor

The internal material of a cord that conducts electricity. Copper is the most common material used for electrical wiring. Silver is the best conductor, but is expensive. Because it does not corrode, gold is used for high-quality surface-to-surface contacts.

Connector

A female cord mounted wiring device with the conducting elements recessed behind the mating surface. This type of device is normally wired to be live when nothing is plugged in to it. Therefore, connectors are wired to the source of power.

Current

The rate of flow of electrical energy through a conductor or wire, comparable to the amount of water flowing in a pipe. Electric current is measured in amperes or “amps”

DC

Direct Current; Current which moves in a single direction in a steady flow. Normal household electricity is alternating current (AC) which repeatedly reverses its direction. However, many electronics devices require DC, and therefore must convert the current into DC before using it.

Fuse

A safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level.

IEC

International Electrotechnical Commission; An international organization that sets standards for electrical products.

Insulation

The material that encases a conductor preventing leakage of current from a conductor.

Jacket

Outer material layer of a cord.

OD

Outer Diameter, the outer diameter of a cord.

IP Rating

Ingress Protection Rating; A two digit code, and an optional letter, specifying the level of protection from foreign objects with the first digit referring to protection from solids and the second digit referring to protection from liquids. The optional letter can be appended to classify only the level of protection against access to hazardous parts by persons or to provide additional information related to the protection of the device.

Pigtail

A very short patch cable or wiring adapter. Primarily used in the automotive industries where a longer cable assembly is not needed.

Equivalent

Eqvivalent, also called Chinese replacement, including connector, terminal, wire and cable, etc. It is produced by Chinese factory with the same specificaitons as original's. Its quality is not as good as original one that is produced by TE, Molex, JST, JAE, and so on. However,because of its low price and fast delivery,it is becoming many company's fisrt choice.