Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/723195
34 The PCB Magazine • September 2016 Just like any other industry segment within the circuit board world, the military sector has its own share of documents…and likely many more than most! These documents have been de- veloped over the years to guide, shape, and test anything and everything that might go into a jet fighter, a radar system, a warship, a weapons sys- tem, etc. Even though military technology and equipment has certainly become more depen- dent on electronics over the more recent years, this industry has always been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs and thus their testing protocols have been around for decades. Believe it or not, for example, MIL-I-46058, men- tioned in more detail later, has been around for more than 50 years! In this column, a brief taste is supplied of the common military testing documents that guide PCBs, printed circuit assemblies, and some elec- trical components in this most complicated of industries. The summaries below give you a short description of these common documents in respect to their focus and structure. MIL-DTL-38999 This military detail specification covers four series of electrical connectors that are capable of operation from -65°C to +200°C. The series in- cludes connectors containing pin & socket con- tacts with the document providing information pertaining to orientation guides, hermetical sealing, and EMI shielding. Additionally, guid- ance is presented with respect to the various mechanical, environmental, and electrical tests that are required, including specific test require- ments for different classification ratings. MIL-I-46058 This military specification was established for the qualification of electrically insulative compounds used for coating printed circuit as- semblies. These compounds are commonly re- by Keith M. Sellers NTS-BALTIMORE Does your Product have a Military Application? FEATURE COLUMN: LET'S TALK TESTING