Method 4.7.11 is a high temperature aging test for flat power cables. A cable specimen 18 +/- 0.5 inches (457 +/- 13mm) in length has 0.25 +/- 0.10 inch (6.35 +/- 2.54 mm) of insulation removed from each end. The central portion of the cable is then bent at least halfway around a horizontally placed 0.25-inch (6.4mm) diameter stainless steel mandrel.
The stripped conductor ends are evenly clamped together so that the weight is suspended from conductors only, and the cable is loaded with the specified weight so that the cable is tensioned during the high temperature exposure.
This test evaluates the ability of flat power cable construction to maintain physical and electrical integrity during prolonged high-temperature aging conditions encountered in military applications.