Guide To To Produce The Highest Quality Cable Assemblies: IPC 620 Standard

The international IPC/WHMA-A-620B standard is followed by businesses and their personnel to produce the best quality cable assemblies. Consumers will be aware that cable assemblies are made and checked correctly in this manner.

The specifications to build cable assemblies, as well as everything that relates to them, are described in the IPC/WHMA-A-620B. The IPC 620 standard covers the supplies, procedures, testing, and acceptability standards for making crimped, mechanically attached, or soldered connections and the related assembly processes. The acceptance criteria for this standard are categorically separated into three categories: Target, Acceptable, and Fault. A cable assembly's quality is ensured if it is made using one of the procedures mentioned. This is a reliable method.

Target

This outcome is very close to being ideal. It is desirable but not always attainable, and it might not be required to guarantee the assembly's dependability in its working environment.

Target: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3

The ends of wire conductors are cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wire.

The strand group's strands are all the same length.

There are no scrapes, nicks, cuts, flattening, scoring, or other types of damage to the wires.

Acceptable

This denotes a result that, while not necessarily perfect, ensures the assembly's quality and dependability for the intended use.

Acceptable –Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3

About perpendicular to the wire end, strand group cuts are made.

The strand group's strands are all roughly the same length.

Burrs that are affixed won't come loose during a process or operation.

Class 1 — Acceptable

Process Indicator, Classes 2, 3, and 4

If the number of broken or damaged strands in a single cable does not exceed the restrictions, strands are cut, broken, scraped, or severed.

Defect

This outcome is unacceptable and has an adverse effect on the assembly's final form, fit, or functionality. As cable assembly producers, we are responsible for recording every flaw.

Defect - Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3

The inability to install to the entire depth of the crimp contact area due to variations in strand length within a stranded group.

Oversized strands are damaged.

Important Points of Attention:

Legibility And Marking

Moreover, certain requirements must be followed while marking, including legibility, positioning, and impact on electrical properties. For instance, markers must be clear, of equal height, legible without magnification, and of coloring contrasting with the backdrop. Also, the product must not be harmed during the marking process or lose its ability to perform its intended function. A laser print just on cable sheathing, where its insulation has shrunk by more than 20% at that location, illustrates this.

Cable Stripping

Another crucial area that needs attention is the stripping of wire and cable. For instance, the insulation needs to be straightened out. Only a predetermined number of strands may be absent from the connection when using flexible wire or shielding.

Crimping Contacts

The junction between the insulate and the conductor must be positioned within the inspecting window while crimping connections, whether manually or mechanically. The strain relief perfectly grasps the insulation, and the wire fits into the contact just far enough but not too far.

There are numerous other criteria to evaluate to produce high-quality cable assemblies for long-term use. The IPC 620 standard states standards of process and assemblies as to how perfectly our cable assemblies must be produced and finished.

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