(prefix) A prefix meaning 10-9, which is 0.000000001 or one-billionths.
nanosecond
(measurement) One billionth of a second.
narrow-band EMI
(electrical) EMI generated from a device operating at a specific and limited range of frequencies. See also EMI.
Natural Rubber
(NR-isoprene) (material) Rubber by itself is lacking in many properties required of wire and cable insulating and jacketing materials. However, by proper compounding and mixing with other products, it can be converted to a material with excellent physical properties, good electrical properties, and fair to moderate ozone resistance and chemical resistance.
NBR
(abbreviation) See Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber.
NBR/PVC
(abbreviation/material) A blend of nitrile rubber and polyvinyl chloride, is recommended for oil and ozone resistant jacketing of flexible cord and fixture wires, cables, and ignition wires. NBR/PVC is said to offer toughness, smoothness, flame resistance, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion and heat deformation, and to give outstanding service when exposed to weather, light, fuel, oil, or ozone.
NC
normally closed contacts (device/circuit) See NO or NC contacts.
Near End Crosstalk (NEXT)
Signal distortion as a result of signal coupling from one pair to another at various frequencies.
NEC
(abbreviation) Abbreviation for National Electric Code.
NEMA
(organization) Abbreviation for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
neon
(general) A noble gas from Group 18 of the periodic table of elements. When under the influence of an electrical current, the element produces a bright orange-red glow.
neoprene rubber
(material) A synthetic rubber used for a wide variety of wire and cable jacketing applications. The physical properties are similar to natural rubber but with better resistance to oil, ozone, heat, weather, and aging. It does not support combustion and resists abrasion and cutting.
Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber
(NBR) (material) Specific properties depend on the actual composition but generally, this rubber offers excellent resistance to oils and solvents.
node
(electrical) – A zero point. Specifically, a current node is a point of zero current; a voltage node is a point of zero voltage.
(network) – An end point to any branch of a network or a junction common to two or more branches. Terminals and other equipment that communicate over the network are nodes in a network.
noise
(circuit/system) An extraneous signal in an electrical circuit, capable of interfering with the desired signal. Loosely, any disturbance tending to interfere with the normal operation of a device or system. Classes of noise include burst or popcorn noise, intermediate frequency noise at low audio frequencies, white (thermal) noise, etc. Signals from power supply or ground line coupled into an amplifier output may be considered noise.
NO or NC contacts
(device/circuit) Normally Open or Normally Closed, meaning the state of the contacts when the control circuit is not energized.
npn transistor
(component/circuit) A bipolar transistor having a p-type base between an n-type emitter and an n-type collector. The emitter should be negative with respect to the base, and the collector should be positive with respect to the base.
N Series
(connector) A large radio frequency connector covered by Military Specification. It has an impedance of 50ohms, and is designed to operate in the 0 to 11 GHz frequency range. It has a threaded coupling and is physically larger than a TNC connector.
ntc
(abbreviation) Negative temperature coefficient.
numerical aperture
(fiber optic) The light gathering ability of a fiber, defined as the sine of half the angle that contains 90% of the optical power that is captured by the fiber. Controlled by a specific code to cladding refractive indices.
nylon
(material) The generic name for synthetic fibers formed from polyamides. There are three forms available for wires and cables: as a yarn for wire sleeving and braids; as an extrusion material (primarily for jackets); and as a coating.
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