What's the Mil-std, guide, or HDBK for sizing wires?

[coconutalley]

Does anyone know what is the Mil-std for sizing wires for current? Does it exist?

Thanks.

 

[SomeYahoo]

MIL-HDBK-454 would be a good place to start. Don't know how detailed it would get though.

You could also look at MS90555, MS90556, and MS9557 for some AC connectors and the suggested wire sizes for them.

Should get you started anyway.

 

[coconutalley]

Thanks, I looked through Mil-HDBK-454 but the closest it gets to is Mil-W-16878 which just wire standards.
I know there is one for printed wiring board but I can't seem to find one on just ampacity and wire size.

 

[MarkRW]

Sizing depends on many things, so there is no one answer. If you're looking at transformer windings you come up with different sizes then you do when running a PCB trace.

Problem is a thermal issue: the wire will heat up. What class of insulation, how hot you can let the wire get is application dependent.

Also, if the application is heavily regulated, then there are often some additional requirement. example, Nat'l Elec Code has current capacity requirements for various types/sizes of wire

M Walter

 

[kontiki99]

I don't know your application. If your designing for use on an airframe, FAA advisory circular 43.13 -1B has an excellent section on wire ampacity, voltage drop etc.

See ->

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulator...56B4500596C4E?OpenDocument&Highlight=43.13-1b