Glossary of Wire & Cable
July 10, 2018
Wire & Cable Abbreviations
S = service
J = Junior
T = Thermoplastic/Vinyl
W-A = Weather Approved
STW
Extra hard service cord. Thermoplastic constructed jacket. 600 volt, weather resistant for outdoor use.
SJTW
Hard service cord. Thermoplastic constructed jacket. 300 volt, weather resistant for outdoor use.
AWG
American Wire Gauge. A relative system for the designation of diameter.
Cord
An insulated wire (conductor) for conveying current.
Alternating Current (AC)
Or line voltage-U.S. household standard current is 110/120 volts, 60 cycle.
Direct Current (DC)
An electrical current that flows in one direction. Batteries are an example of DC current production.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride. Compound used in thermoplastic (SJTW, STW) cords.
Rated Voltage
Maximum voltage at which an electrical component can be operated for extended periods without causing a safety hazard or undue degradation.
Gauge
Term used to denote physical size of wire.
Ground
Electrical term referring to connecting to the earth