method wherever possible. If the wire insulation
between the two metals, an electrical differential
or outer covering won't stamp easily, stamp
exists, which produces a battery effect. This effect
lengths of insulating tubing (sleeves) with the
quickly results in corrosion.
identification marking. Then, install the sleeve on
Use the following techniques to reduce the
the wire or cable. The following types of wire
undesirable effects caused by aluminum's soft-
usually have sleeve identification markings:
ness, creep, and oxide film:
Select the proper size of wire and terminals/
1.
Unjacketed shielded wire
2.
Thermocouple wires
splices. Terminals and splices used with
3.
Multiconductor cable
aluminum wire will have an AL or ALUM
4.
High-temperature wire with insulation
stamp.
difficult to mark, such as, TFE, fiber glass,
Select the proper hand tool when crimping.
etc.
Handle aluminum wire carefully. Use the
proper assembly procedure when preparing
CAUTION
it for an electrical connection.
Thoroughly clean any terminals.
Do not use metallic markers or bands for
identification. Do not use any method of
Be careful not to scrape or nick the wire
marking that will damage or deform the
when stripping.
wire or cable.
Whatever method you use to mark the wire,
CAUTION
make sure the marking is legible and the color
Never cut aluminum wire with tools that
contrasts with wire insulation or sleeving. Use
have reciprocating motion, such as a
black stamping for light-colored backgrounds and
hacksaw. Reciprocating cutting action
white on dark-colored backgrounds. Make sure
"work hardens" aluminum. This will lead
that markings are dry so they don't smear. Stamp
to broken and torn strands.
wires and cables at intervals of not more than 15
inches along their entire lengths (fig. 2-12). Also,
WIRE IDENTIFICATION
stamp wires within 3 inches of each junction
(except permanent splices) and at each ending
Equipment contractors assign the wire identi-
fication code for wires and cables having function
letters R, S, T, and Y. The block of wire numbers
for each equipment starts with 1 and continues
for as many numbers needed to identify all wires.
For example, wires of the AN/APS-45 are
identified as APS45-1A20-APS45-975C22, those
of the AN/ARC-52A would be ARC52-1A22-
ARC52-9C22, and the MX-94 would be the
MX94-1A20, etc. If a type designation (AN
nomenclature) is not assigned for a piece of
equipment (such as commercial equipment), get
a block of numbers from the procuring activity.
You can get the wire identification code by using
that portion of the military type designation (AN
nomenclature) following the slash (/). You must
exclude the hyphen and any suffix letters.
Wire Marking
You may stamp the identification code on
wires either horizontally or vertically, as shown
in figure 2-11. The preferred method is to stamp
the identification marking directly on the wire or
Figure 2-12.-Spacing of identification stamping on wire and
cable.
cable with a hot foil stamping machine. Use this
