Glossary

S

S: Heavy duty, rubber-insulated portable cord. Standard copper conductors with separator and individual rubber insulation. Two or more color-coded conductors cabled with filler, wrapped with separator and rubber jacketed overall 600V.
safetying: (product feature) A term used to cover the use of product features designed to prevent the loosening of hardware, or other mating elements, under conditions of shock and vibration. Elements drilled for safety wiring would be an example of this type of feature.
saturation: (component/circuit) The condition in which a further increase in one variable produces no further increase in the resultant effect. The condition occurring when a transistor is driven so hard that it becomes biased in the forward direction. In a switching application, under saturation conditions the charge stored in the base region prevents the transistor from turning off quickly.
scale factor: (mathematics) One or more coefficients used to multiply or divide quantities in a problem in order to convert them to a given magnitude (eg plus one to minus one).
scanner: (circuit/system) An electromechanical or electronic device, normally cyclic in nature with N number of steps – starting at a predetermined point and returning to that same point. The word scanner is sometimes used interchangeably with multiplexer.
schematic: (circuit) A “scheme” for presenting information. Thus, a circuit schematic – in diagrammatic form – indicates the components, wiring, and connections of the circuit.
Schmitt trigger: (circuit) A bistable trigger circuit that converts an input signal into a square-wave output signal by switching action, triggered at a predetermined point in each positive and negative swing of the input signal.
Schottky TTL: (component) A type of TTL notable for faster operating speeds than standard TTL.
SCI: Scalable Coherent Interface is a point-to-point, unidirectional link for handling large amounts of data in scalable, massively parallel processors.
SCSI: Small Computer System Interface. An intelligent bus for transmitting data and commands between a variety of devices. There are many implementations of SCSI, including Fast SCSI, Wide SCSI, Fast Wide SCSI, Fast-20, and Fast-40.
SCSI-2: The second generation of SCSI; includes many improvements to SCSI-1, including Fast SCSI, Wide SCSI, and mandatory parity checking.
SCSI-3: The third generation of SCSI; introduces Fast-20 and Fast-40 as improvements to the parallel bus. The standard also includes a number of specifications for high-speed serial bus architectures such as SSA, Fibre Channel, and IEEE 1394.
screw-machine contact: (product) A contact which is machined from solid bar stock.
scribing: (process/IC) The scratching of a brittle substrate, such as alumina or silicon, to ensure cleavage along the scratch line. Wafers are scribed and then broken to produce integrated circuit chips.
SDLC: (computer) An IBM data-communication protocol.
SE: Single-Ended is a method for defining and/or measuring impedance.
sealing plug: (connector/accessory) A plug used to fill and seal an unoccupied contact cavity in a housing or insert. Its role is especially vital in environmental connectors.
selective plating: (process) A process of plating only a selected portion of a contact, usually the mating surface. Two methods can be used:; Nickel plating the entire contact, then gold plating the selected area.; Nickel plating and then gold flash over the entire contact, and finally a selective heavy gold plating in the desired contact area.
self-aligning: (product feature) Mating parts designed so that they can engage only in the proper relative position.
self-extinguishing: (property) A loosely-used term describing a material’s ability to cease burning when the source of flame is removed. See also flame resistance.
SEM: (technology) Scanning electron microscope. A type of electron microscope that works by scanning the surface of samples by using a focused beam of electrons. Reflected electrons allow for the production of an image that contains information on the topography and composition of a sample. SEM scans have been found to be very useful for material characterization.
semiconductor: (material) Materials whose electrical conductivity is between that for good conductors and that for good insulators. Their conductivity may be changed by heat, light, electric field, or magnetic field. Examples include: germanium, lead sulfide, lead telluride, selenium, silicon, and silicon carbide.; A semiconductor device, such as a transistor, is frequently referred to simply as a “semiconductor.”
semiconductor device: (component) A solid state electronic device in which conduction takes place within a semiconductor.; By careful processing, certain semiconductors (primarily germanium and silicon) can be used in these electronic devices which perform many or all of the functions of thermionic tubes (vacuum tubes). In many applications, their small size, long life, and low power requirements make them superior to tubes.
semi-rigid: (feature) A cable containing a flexible inner core and a relatively inflexible sheathing.
sensitivity: (circuit) Measure of the ability of a device or circuit to react to a change in some input. Sensitivity can also be the minimum or required level of an input necessary to obtain rated output, as in an amplifier.
sensitivity switch: (component) A switch having a snapaction, microgap mechanism which is operated directly by a defined force through a defined travel.
SEO: Same construction as STO, except insulation and jacket are made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE) 600V.
SEOW: Same construction as SEO, except suitable for outdoor use. Usually UL listed for continuous submersion in water 600V.
SEOOW: Same construction as SEOW, except with oil resistant insulation.
separable part: (general) A replaceable part, designed to be removed without risk of destroying or damaging adjacent elements.; Crimping, chemical bonding, etc preclude assurance of safe removal, and parts so attached would not be deemed separable. Protective coatings, solder, etc normally do not preclude safe removal, and parts so treated – barring other factors – may still be classified as separable.
separating force: (connector) See contact engaging and separating force.
Separator: Pertaining to wire and cable, a layer of insulating material such as textile paper, mylar, etc., which is placed between a conductor and its dielectric, between a cable jacket and the components it covers, or between various components of multiple conductor cable. It can be utilized to improve stripped qualities and/or flexibility, or can offer additional mechanical or electrical protection to the components it separates.
sequencer: (device/system) A mechanical or electronic device used to initiate and control the predetermined sequence of a series of events.
sequencing: (device/system) The process of performing a series of operations in a predetermined order.
Semi-Rigid: A cable containing a flexible
serial operation: (computer/circuit) The flow of information through a device in time sequence – using only one digit, word, line, or channel at a time. For example, all bits of an 8-bit word are transmitted one bit at a time over a single line. Much slower than parallel operation.
serial transfer: (circuit/system) Data transfer in which elements of information are transferred sequentially.
serial transmission: (circuit/system) Transmitting character bits in line sequence. Generally used in telegraphic-type operation.
series: (circuit) Connecting components in a circuit end-to-end to provide a single path for current flow.
serrations: (terminal) The small grooves or indentations within a terminal wire barrel. The serrations increase the tensile strength and improve the electrical conductivity of the crimped termination.
Sheath: The outer covering of a jacket over the insulated conductors to provide mechanical protection for the conductors. Also known as the external conduction surface of a shielded transmission line.
shelf life: (general) The length of time an item can be stored, under specified conditions, and still meet specifications.
shell: (connector) An encapsulation for inserts or modules. Mating shells usually provide proper alignment and protection for the contacts enclosed in the inserts or modules.
shf: (abbreviation) See superhigh frequency.
shield/shielding: (cable) – A conducting envelope, composed of metal strands, that encloses a wire, group of wires, or cable, so constructed that substantially every point on the surface of the underlying insulation is at ground potential or at some predetermined potential with respect to ground.; (component) – An isolation barrier placed around a circuit component to prevent interaction of its electric and/or magnetic fields with those of nearby elements.; (circuit) – The metal sleeving – surrounding one or more of the conductors – in a wire circuit to prevent interference, interaction, or current leakage. Shielding protects a circuit against crosstalk.
shielded keyboard: (keyboard) A keyboard assembly that has been designed to withstand severe EMI environments. Such shielding can also prevent noise from the keyboard from affecting nearby equipment.
shielded room: (electrical) A room, used for EMI testing, having highly conductive walls that isolate the interior from the exterior to contain energy within the room and to prevent outside energy from entering the room.
shielding effectiveness: (electrical) A measure of the performance of a shield, typically expressed in decibels as (1) the ratio of energy incident on the shield to that emerging on the other side or (2) the ratio of energy emitted from an unshielded sample to the energy emitted by the same sample when it is shielded.
shift: (circuit/system) To move information serially right or left in a register(s). Information shifted out of a register may be lost, or it may be re-entered at the other end of the register.
shift register: (circuit/system) A shift register is an electronic device which can contain several bits of information. Shift registers are normally used to collect variable input data and send this data out in a predetermined pattern.
Shock (Mechanical): (1) An abrupt impact applied to a stationary object. (2) An abrupt or nonperiodic change in position, characterized by suddenness, and by the development of substantial internal forces.
SHV: (Standard High Voltage) (connector) A quick connect/disconnect connector series employing bayonet lock coupling and designed to operate safely up to 5000 volts ac. It is the industry standard connector, specified by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) for high voltage use by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
sign bit: (computer/system) Computers generally indicate whether a number is positive or negative by a sign bit, which is usually located adjacent to the most significant numerical digit. Usually zero (0) is used for positive (+) and one (1) for negative (-).
signal-to-noise ratio: (electrical) The ratio of signal strength to noise level in an electronic system.
significant digit: (computer/system) A digit that contributes to the preciseness of a number. The number of significant digits is counted beginning with the digit contributing the most value, called the most significant digit, and ending with the one contributing the least value, called the least significant digit.
silicon: (material/component) The semiconductor material most widely used for transistors, diodes, and monolithic integrated circuits. A brittle, gray, light metal.
silicon-controlled rectifier: (SCR) (component) A semiconductor device capable of only two stable states. When “off,” it blocks the flow of electricity in either direction. A small triggering voltage to its gate turns it “on,” and allows the flow of electricity in the forward direction only. When “on,” the SCR acts just like a conventional rectifier. To turn it “off,” voltage to the anode must be removed, or reduced to a potential less than that being applied to the cathode.
silicon-controlled switch: (SCS) (component) A semiconductor device with leads to all four regions. Can be integrated with transistors in monolithic integrated circuits. Useful as a small SCR or complementary SCR.
silicon dioxide: (material/component) The result of oxidizing silicon quartz. Selectively etched silicon dioxide permits the selective doping that generates components in monolithic integrated circuits.
silicon nitride: (material/component) A silicon compound that is deposited on the surface of silicon monolithic integrated circuits to improve their stability. The nitride is relatively impervious to some ions that penetrate silicon dioxide. Best stability is obtained by a combination of silicon nitride and silicon dioxide. Charge storage at the interface of the nitride and dioxide layers has resulted in memory devices with extremely long retention times.
silicon oxide: (material/component) A generic term referring to an unspecified mixture of silicon monoxide and silicon dioxide, such as may be deposited on a silicon integrated circuit as an insulator between runs in multilevel metallization.
silo: (feature/connector) A housing construction feature which increases the electrical current creepage path for high voltage ratings. May also provide polarization for mating connectors.
Simplex: A transmission facility in which the transmission is restricted to only one direction at a time.
Sine Wave: A wave which can be expressed as the sine of a linear function of time, space or both. A waveform, often viewed on an oscilloscope, of a pure alternating current or voltage.
single mode: (fiber optic) A fiber that allows only one path for the light to take due to the fiber’s very small diameter – less than 10 microns.
single-pole: (device/circuit) A contact arrangement wherein all contacts – in one position or another – connect to one common contact.
SJ: Junior hard service rubber-insulated pendant or portable cord. Same construction as SJT except insulation and jacket is thermoset 300V.
SJE: Same construction as SJT, except insulation and jacket made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE) 300V.
SJEO: Same construction as SJO, except insulation and jacket made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE).
SJEOW: Same construction as SEOW except 300 volt rated.
SJO: Same as SJ, but oil-resistant outer jacket. Can also be made “water resistant.” 300V, 60°C, 75°C or 90°C or 105°C.
SJOOW: Same as SOOW except 300 volt rated.
SJT: Junior hard service thermoplastic conductors with overall thermoplastic jacket, 300V, 60°C, 75°C, 90°C, or 105°C.
SJTO: Same as SJT, but oil-resistant outer jacket.
Skew: A measurement of the difference in the electrical length of two conductors or pairs of conductors and generally measured in picoseconds.
Skin Effect: The tendency of alternating currents to flow near the surface of the conductor, thus being restricted to a small part of the total cross-sectional area. This effect increases the resistance and becomes more marked as the frequency rises.
SLC: Stage Lighting Cable. A 600 volt single conductor cable for use with indoor and outdoor stages, fairs and carnivals.
sleeve: (terminal) The insulated, or metallic, covering over the barrel of the terminal.
slotted tongue: (terminal) A terminal that has a slot rather than a hole in the tongue, so that the terminal can be engaged and disengaged from a stud without completely removing the nut.
SMA connector: (connector) A radio-frequency connector covered by Military Specification. It has an impedance of 50 ohms and an operating frequency range to 12.4 GHz.
SMD: (abbreviation) See surface mount device.
SNR: (abbreviation) See signal-to-noise ratio.
SO: Hard service cord. Same construction as type S, except oil-resistant jacket. 600V, 60°C to 105°C.
socket contact: (contact) A female contact designed to mate with a male contact or pin. It is normally connected to the “hot” side of the circuit because the housings that accept sockets usually fully surround, insulate, and protect the contact.
solder: (material) An alloy that can be melted at a fairly low temperature, for use in joining metals having much higher melting points. An alloy of tin and lead in approximately equal proportions is the solder most often used for making permanent joints in circuits.
solder contact: (terminal) A contact (or terminal) having a cup, hollow cylinder, eyelet, or hook to accept a wire for a conventional soldered termination.
solder-eyelet: (terminal) A solder-type terminal, having a hole at its end through which a wire can be inserted prior to being soldered. See also eyelet.
solderless: (process) Without the use of solder.
solenoid: (component/electrical) An electrical conductor wound as a coil (helix) with a small pitch. When activated with an electrical current, it draws a movable core into the coil.
solid state: (general) The use of semiconductor materials, in place of vacuum tubes, to perform the functions of amplification, rectification, or switching.
sophisticated: (general) Complex and intricate utilization of advanced art; requiring specific skills to operate.
SOW: Same as SO except suitable for outdoor use.
SOOW: Same as SOW except oil resistant.
SP-1: All rubber, parallel-jacketed, two-conductor light duty cord for pendant or portable use. 300V.
SP-2: Same as SP-1, but heavier construction, with or without third conductor for grounding purposes. 300V.
SP-3: Same as SP-2, but heavier construction for refrigerators or room air conditioners. 300V.
Spacing: Distance between the closest edges of two adjacent conductors.
spade: (terminal) A terminal with a slotted tongue that has nearly square sides.
Spark Test: A test designed to locate pin-holes in the insulation of a wire or cable by application of a voltage for a very short period of time while the wire is being drawn through a field of electrodes.
spdt: (single-pole, double-throw) (device/circuit) A three-contact switching arrangement which connects a circuit to either one of two alternate connections (called Form C).
SPE: Same construction as SP-1, except insulation and jacket made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE).
specific gravity: (property) The density (mass per unit volume) of any material divided by that of water at a standard temperature.
specs: (abbreviation) Abbreviation for specifications. A control document which establishes the parameters that a given product, or type of product, must meet. Firms use specifications for control in manufacture, Government agencies use them for control in procurement, and other bodies – such as UL – use them as a basis for approval.
spectral dispersion: (fiber optic) Due to a band of wavelengths (colors) put out by a light source. Each separate color has a different speed through the fiber causing different colors to arrive at different times, making the pulse appear longer than originally generated.
Spiral Wrap: The helical wrap of a tape or other material over a core or component.
splice: (terminal) A terminal that permanently joins two or more wires.
spring-finger action: (product feature) A type of spring design – as used in a printed circuit connector or a socket contact – which permits easy, stress-free spring action to provide contact pressure and/or retention.
spring properties: (property) The relationship between applied force and resulting deflection which characterize the potential loading conditions of a given system (ie, usually refers to the elastic properties of a system).
spst: (single-pole, single-throw) (device/circuit) A two contact switching arrangement which either opens or closes one circuit. This circuit may be normally open (NO, called Form A), or normally closed (NC, called Form B).
SPT-1: Same as SP-1, except all-thermoplastic, 300V. With or without third conductor for grounding.
SPT-2: Same as SP-2, except all-thermoplastic. 300V. With or without third conductor for grounding.
SPT-3: Same as SP-3, except all-thermoplastic. 300V. With or without third conductor for grounding.
sputtering: (process/IC) A thin film technique in which the film material is ejected from the surface by the action of ion bombardment.
SSA: Serial Storage Architecture is a serial data transfer standard (ANSI X3710.1).
SSI: (abbreviation) See small-scale integration.
ST: Hard service cord, jacketed. Same as type S, except all-plastic construction. 600V, 60°C to 105°C.
stamped and formed contact: (product) See precision formed contact.
Standing-Wave: Distribution of current and voltage on a transmission line, resulting from two sets of waves traveling in opposite directions.
Standing Wave Ratio: The ratio between maximum and minimum current or voltage along a line. It is a measure of the mismatch between the load and the line. It is equal to 1 when the line impedance is perfectly matched to the load. (In which case the maximum and minimum are the same, as current and voltage do not vary along the line). The perfect match would be a 1 to 1 ratio.
star network: (network) A network topology in which all nodes are connected at a single point.
statistical quality control: (general) The application of statistical methods to the identification, prediction, measure, and correction of problems in quality control.
stator: (component) The portion of a rotating machine that contains the stationary parts of the magnetic circuit and their associated windings.
step index: (fiber optic) A fiber construction where the core is one distinct index of refraction and the cladding a lower one causing the light to travel down a fiber by reflecting off the corecladding interface.
STO: Same as ST, but with oil-resistant outer jacket. 600V, 60°C to 105°C.
strain-relief clamp: (connector/accessory) A device used to give mechanical support for the contacts from the weight of a wire bundle or cable.
Strand: A single uninsulated wire.
Stranded Conductor: A conductor composed of groups of wires twisted together.
strip: (process) – To remove insulation from a wire or cable. (terminal) – “Strip” terminals (or contacts) are produced in continuous lengths, and placed on reels, for application in automatic or semi-automatic machines.
stud: (hardware) A metal rod or pin (bolt) projecting from a piece, for the attachment and/or support of a second piece. The projecting end of the stud most commonly has screw threads, and the second piece is secured with a nut.
stud hole: (terminal) The hole or slot in the tongue of a terminal, made to accommodate a screw, bolt, or stud of a given size.
styrene-butadiene: (material) Copolymer synthetic rubber characterized by good electrical properties and moisture resistance. Ozone resistance, physical properties, and chemical resistance are generally improved by blending with other materials.
subassembly: (component) Two or more parts which form a portion of an assembly (or a unit replaceable as a whole), but having a part or parts which are individually replaceable.
subminiaturization: (packaging) The packaging of miniaturized parts, using unusual assembly techniques to increase volumetric efficiency.
substrate: (material/component) The physical material on, or within, which the elements of an integrated circuit are fabricated. Ceramic, plastic, and glass substrates satisfy the primary functions of mechanical support and insulation, but semiconductor and ferrite substrates may also provide useful electrical functions. See also wafer.
subsystem: (circuit/system) An interconnection combination of a set of related circuits, which form a logical subdivision of an equipment or operational system.
SUPER CHAMP*: (tooling) The AMP trademark for a stamped hand tool designed to crimp 22-10 insulated terminals. This tool also cuts and strips wire and shears 4/40 through 10/32 bolts.
Super High Frequency (SHF): The Federal Communications Commission designation for the band from 3,000 to 30,000 MHz in the radio spectrum.
surface-mount device: (component) An electronic component, ranging from discrete passive components to VLSI chips, attached to the surface of a printed circuit board, either directly or through a surface-mount connector, rather than by means of holes in the board.
Surge: A temporary and relatively large increase in the voltage or current in an electric circuit or cable. Also called transient.
SV: Vacuum cleaner cord, rubber-insulated with rubber jacket rated at 300V.
SVE: Same construction as SV, except insulation and jacket made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE).
SVT: Same as SV, except all-plastic construction. With or without third conductor for grounding purposes only. 300V, 60°C to 105°C.
swedging: (process) Another term for crimping.
Sweep Test: A method to determine the frequency response of a cable by generating an RF voltage whose frequency is varied at a rapid
switch: (component/electrical) A mechanical or electronic device used to make or break an electrical circuit.
synchronize: (circuit/system) Make sure that the level or pulse is presented to the system, or subsystem, at the correct time.
synchronous: (device/system) A device or system in which all events occur in a predetermined timed sequence. Usually all parts operate to a common clock. See also asynchronous.
synchronous generator: (component) An alternator (ac generator); a synchronous alternating-current device which transforms mechanical power into electrical energy.
synchronous transmission: (electrical) Transmission in which the data characters and bits are transmitted at a fixed rate with the transmitter and receiver synchronized.
system: (equipment) – An assembly of components united by some form of regulated interaction to function as an entity.; (business) – A collection of procedures, men, and machines performing prescribed functions within business or industry.

Glossary

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