In aviation Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS), the MIL-DTL-38999 is nearly synonymous with connector testing. Connectors qualified to the 38999 are considered suitable for rather extreme aviation environments, namely: high vibration areas, SWAMP environments, and even within weapons systems. Because of its robustness, the test/performance requirements of the MIL-DTL-38999 can sometimes be too restrictive for less intense aircraft environments (such as commercial or low-altitude aircraft) or for EWIS connectors that do not align with the construction of MIL-DTL-38999’s “miniature, high density, circular, environment resistant electrical” connectors. In these cases, other standards may be considered to more closely align with the anticipated needs of an aircraft’s EWIS. In this article, we will compare the well-known MIL-DTL-38999 with a much less restrictive standard, MIL-DTL-22992, and identify many similarities and gaps between the two standards. Read more