Notch Propagation

The notch test examines the propagation of a nick in the top layer of a wire. Small notches are common during installation or maintenance of wires, and this test evaluates how well the insulation can withstand mechanical stresses after incurring a notch. A pass condition for this test is if, after notching and wrapping, the […] Read more

Insulation Resistance

This test determines the insulation resistance of a finished wire sample. Insulation resistance is of interest in high impedance circuits and as an insulation process quality control test. When used as part of a wire/cable environmental testing, prolonged thermal exposure, and/or extended high voltage testing, changes in the insulation resistance can be used as an […] Read more

Flex Life – SAE Test Method

The flexibility of a wire/cable is dependent on a combination of the conductor and insulation constructions. Conductors with more strands are often better able to endure flexing without breaking. More rigid insulations can place addition strain and also crack during flex testing. The flexibility evaluates the wire/cable’s ability to withstand flexing on a tight mandrel. […] Read more

Flexure Endurance

The flexibility of a wire/cable is dependent on a combination of the conductor and insulation constructions. Conductors with more strands are often better able to endure flexing without breaking. More rigid insulations can place additional strain and also crack during flex testing. The flexure endurance test (or cyclic bending in the ISO standard) evaluates the […] Read more

Transfer Impedance

Protecting signal cables for external interference is critical to ensuring the reliability of transmitted signals and data. This test is among the most common means to evaluate if a cable’s shield can protect the contained circuits from EMI. But not all shielding is the same. The materials and construction play an important role in the […] Read more

Bondability of Insulation to Potting Compounds

Bonding compounds are often used as a means of protecting electrical terminations from the moisture and other contaminates. Furthermore, proper adhesion of potting compounds can have a positive impact on component durability to vibration and mechanical shocks. The bondability of insulation to potting compounds test evaluates the adhesion to the wire/cable insulation. In this test, […] Read more

Contact Retention

For connectors, it is imperative that contact does not release when placed under the normal and dynamic stresses of operation. Furthermore, once engaged in a connector, the contact (pin or socket) should hold firm under simple tugging that may occur during installation or maintenance actions. This test examines the axial force necessary to displace a […] Read more

Dynamic Cut Through

One of the most common means for damage to a wire/cable on an aircraft is when the wire/cable is crushed. This may happen by a misaligned LRU, accidental contact by maintenance, or any other way that a wire/cable may be pinched when in-service. A wire/cable’s ability to withstand compression damage, particularly at elevated temperatures, will […] Read more

Dielectric Withstand Voltage

The dielectric withstand voltage (DWV), sometimes referred to as the “Voltage Proof Test” or “Wet Dielectric Test”, is perhaps one of the most referenced tests when examining wires. The reason is that the test performs the most important part in wire insulation assessment: it determines if the wire insulation is free of breaches (or has […] Read more

Forced Hydrolysis

The forced hydrolysis test places the wire/cable specimen in a high-temperature water bath for an extended duration to evaluate the durability of a wire insulation in high-humidity conditions. Depending on the particular wire specification needs, the test may be required to run for thousands of hours. After the prolonged exposure, the sample is then examined […] Read more

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