What is IPC 620 CIT Certification?

Cable and wire harness assemblies are tricky to manufacture. The OEMs must effectively meet the design specifications and thoroughly maintain high-quality standards. They must adhere to the proven documented procedures and leverage best practices for wire cutting, connections and stripping, polishing and cleaning fiber, and assembly and testing each cable harness to ensure electrical safety and align to the prescribed specifications. When it comes to the best practices for cable and wire harness assembly, IPC 620 is the go-to standard.

IPC 620 standard is recognized by ISO and supports an organization’s quality assurance initiatives. The IPC/WHMA-A-620 is a training document that documents the relevant aspects of wire and cable harness assemblies. Training and certification in the IPC 620 standard provide the candidate with hands-on training and build theoretical understanding to build the wire harness assembly.

IPC 620 CIT Certification

The IPC 620 Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) Training and Certification Program is typically a four-day course. The course consists of eight modules, and it is the industry-consensus standard that adheres to the fabrication and installation of cable and wire harness assemblies. The IPC 620 standard identifies three classes of products. It also identifies criteria for Target, Acceptable, Process Indicator, and Defect conditions that effectively support the various visual quality acceptability requirements for each of these three classes, namely.

Class 1: General Electronics Products
Class 2: Dedicated Service Electronics Products
Class 3: High-Reliability Electronics Products

The candidates who receive intensive four-day training must successfully pass the instructor exam, securing 80% or more. The course topics cover various aspects, including:

Wire Preparation
Insulation Displacement
Soldered and Crimped Terminations
Molding/ Potting
Ultrasonic Welding and Splicing
Cable Assemblies
Cable Assemblies-Coaxial & Twinaxial
Wire Bundle Securing & Shielding

Students who complete modules earn an IPC certificate that identifies them as qualified IPC wire harness operators. These certificates are serialized with a unique identification number, enabling recruiters to check the certificate for verification. IPC and WHMA take a user-centered approach to designing the modules. Each module is further divided into subsections making it easy to grasp and understand.

The program has optional hands-on activities reinforcing the theoretical understanding.

The Global Acceptance of IPC 620 Standard

Harness assemblers across 42 countries follow the A-620 standard. The IPC 620 is translated into seven languages, namely, English, German, Chinese, French, Danish, Polish and Spanish. More than 1000 companies worldwide employ at least one IPC-certified trainer to guide others in ways to use the standard. More than 100 companies employ at least one certified assembler. Globally, more than 11,000 people are certified as assemblers or trainers. The assemblers incorporate the IPC A-620 standard into the quality management systems, thus effectively supporting the ISO and regulatory requirements. It enables them to achieve operational excellence and consistently meet customer and compliance requirements.

Validity of IPC 620 Certification

IPC 620 certification is valid for two years from the day the candidate satisfactorily completes the training and is awarded the certificate. Instructor certification and re-certification training typically take place at IPC Authorized centers.

To Conclude:

IPC-a-620 is an important material, process, and inspection standard that caters to wire and cable harness assemblies. With IPC A-620 training and certification, you can gain knowledge on quality procedures to release reliable, safe, and high-quality cable and wire harness assemblies.