the direction of rotation of a component of a cable in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cable NOTE - The lay is said to be right-hand when the visible portion of the helix, together with the two cross-sections limiting it, form the shape of a letter Z. and left-hand when they form the shape of a letter S.the direction of twist of a layer of wires of a stranded conductors as viewed from the end NOTE - A 'right-hand lay' is a clockwise direction and a 'left-hand lay' is an anti-clockwise direction.