Co-Axid

A Premium line patented IDT collapsible connector of unique design. Contains two collapsible contacts, one for signals (inner contact) and one for ground (outer contact).

Co-LAN

Central Office LAN. Telephone company offering which uses small voice/data multiplexers at the customer premises to connect telephones and data terminals in a way that allows simultaneous use of an existing telephone line to the central office. The mixed signal is separated and routed at the CO.

Coat

To cover with a finishing, protecting, or enclosing layer of any compound.

Coax

See Coaxial Cable.

Coaxial Cable

  1. Also called COAX. A cable consisting of one conductor, usually a small copper tube or wire, within and insulated from another conductor of larger diameter, usually made of tubing or copper braid.
  2. A cable consisting of two cylindrical conductors with a common axis.
  3. A cylindrical transmission line comprised of a conductor centered inside a metallic tube or shield, separated by a dielectric material, and usually covered by an insulating jacket.

See also Axid.

COB

Chip on Board. A system in which semiconductor dice are mounted directly on a PC board and connected with bonded wires or solder bumps. The dice are usually mechanically protected with epoxy.

COC

See Certificate of Compliance.

Coding Keys

A polarization feature of molded keys that are placed in circuit positions on the same connector side as the locking latch (receptacle side) to assure that connector pairs mate properly.

Coefficient of Linear Expansion (CLE)

The relative change in length of a material induced by a 1 degree rise in temperature.

See also Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)

Length of volume. The linear dimensional change of material, per unit change in temperature, usually expressed as parts per million or as inch per degrees C.

Coil

An inductor. A common term for a winding in a transformer, motor, generator, solenoid, etc.

Coil Effect

The inductive effect exhibited by a spiral-wrapped shield, especially above audio frequencies.

Coil Form Terminals

Used on small transformer coils to connect coil wires. Terminals are attached to coil base or collar.

Coined Tips

Pin tips on header pins that have a smooth surface designed to eliminate the damage that can be caused by the housetop pins used by some Premium line competitors.

Cold Flow

Permanent deformation of insulation due to mechanical forces, without the aid of heat softening of the insulating material.

Cold Short

The brittle condition in a metal at temperatures below the recrystallization temperature.

Cold Weld

A weld achieved by pressure only, i.e. without electrical current or elevated temperature.

Cold Work

The phenomena of metal becoming brittle due to repeated flexing action.

Cold-Blade Stripper

Device for removing insulation utilizing a cold knife blade.

Collimated Light

In fiber optics, rays of light traveling as a parallel beam.

Color Coding

Marking a terminal or contact with color to aid in identification and selection of wire size and crimping tool.

Common

A term sometimes used as common reference point or ground (neutral) in an electrical circuit or system.

Commoning Connector

A unique Premium line product that can often replace many terminal blocks. Contains no metal parts whatsoever until terminals are inserted.

Commutator Fusing

Method of joining lead wires (which are usually magnet wires) of a universal or AC electric motor's armature to the commutator.

Comparator

A linear circuit which compares two voltage inputs and indicates a desired output.

Compat System

A Premium line PCB interconnect system for large center spacings .197" (5.9 mm); .295" (7.5mm); .295"/.l97" (7.5/5.0 mm) high current rating.

Complementary

A dual arrangement of NPN and PNP transistors or N-channel and P-channel FETs in which the conductivity of one is in the reverse direction of the other. Usually the elements of the pair have symmetrical electrical characteristics.

Complementary-Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor

Technology used to make a family of transistors and integrated circuits having extremely low power dissipation.

Complete Solder Joint

A soldered connection between a wire lead and a terminal area in which the solder wets and forms a void-free fillet between the wire lead and the complete terminal area.

Compliant Pin Press-fit Technology

A solderless termination technique for PCB connectors in which the compliant area of the pin conforms to the hole, not vice-versa; applicable on all plated through-hole PCB technologies. With this technique, completely assembled and tested connectors are electrically and mechanically mounted to the PC Board by a simple press-fit operation.

See also Non-compliant Press-fit Technology.

Component Density

The quantity of components on a PC board per unit area.

Component Hole

A hole used for the attachment and electrical connection of component terminations, including pins and wires, to the printed circuit board.

Component Lead

The solid or stranded wire of formed conductor that extends from a component and serves as a readily formable mechanical or electrical connection or both.

Compression Terminal

Terminal crimped by an externally applied force; the conductor is also crimped by such force inside the tube-like terminal body.

See also Crimp, Solderless Contact.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

The process of using computers for designing electronic products and components.

Computerized Numerical Control (CNC)

A computer program which drives a machine under numerically controlled code to accomplish a very precise operation.

See also Numerical Control.