Electrical Measurements

The tests are performed to measure and collect data from electrical and electronic parts using various measurement methods including, but not limited, to the following: capacitance, resistance, winding resistance, insulation resistance, magnetic permeability, power input, and quality factor Q.

CAPACITANCE

The capacitance test is used to measure the capacitance of component parts. Preferred test frequencies for this measurement are 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 1 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz.

Capacitance testing is specified in the following:

MIL-T-27, MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-454, MIL-STD-750, MIL-C-11015, MIL-C-11693, MIL-C-12889, MIL-C-14409, MIL-A-23806

DC RESISTANCE

The dc resistance test is used to measure the direct-current (dc) resistance of resistors, electromagnetic windings of components, conductors, etc.

DC resistance testing is specified in the following:

MIL-T-27, MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-462, MIL-C-11693, MIL-R-12934, MIL-C-15305, MIL-R-18546

ELECTRICAL WINDING RESISTANCE

Electrical winding resistance measurements are performed on electrical machinery. These measurements are commonly used to determine temperature rises, to compare winding resistance with design data, to compare production models against the first article model, and to detect defective windings.

Electrical winding resistance testing is specified in the following:

MIL-STD-705, MIL-C-15305, TA-NWT-000487, GR-487-COR

INSULATION RESISTANCE

The insulation resistance test measures the resistance offered by the insulating members of a component part to an impressed direct voltage tending to produce a leakage or current through or on the surface of these members. The test is especially helpful in determining the extent to which insulating properties are affected by deteriorative influences, such as heat, moisture, dirt, oxidation, or loss of volatile materials.

Insulation resistance testing is specified in the following:

MIL-PRF-27, MIL-T-27, MIL-STD-202, MIL-J-641, MIL-STD-750, MIL-I-983, MIL-STD-1344, MIL-STD-3885, MIL-T-7743, MIL-C-8384, MIL-S-8805, MIL-G-10228, MIL-M-10399, MIL-C-11015, MIL-R-11050, MIL-C-11693, MIL-I-11804, MIL-C-12889, MIL-R-12934, MIL-R-13312, MIL-C-13486, MIL-C-13777, MIL-C-14409, MIL-R-15109, MIL-C-15305, MIL-C-15514, MIL-T-15514, MIL-F-15733, MIL-P-15736, MIL-S-15743, MIL-F-16377, MIL-B-16392, MIL-W-16878, MIL-S-17000, MIL-M-17059, MIL-M-17060, MIL-T-17275, MIL-T-17301, MIL-V-17361, MIL-F-18327, MIL-R-18546, MIL-M-19097, MIL-M-19160, MIL-M-19633, MIL-R-19648, MIL-H-19760, MIL-N-19900, MIL-S-20708, MIL-C-21097, MIL-R-21098, MIL-T-21609, MIL-S-22432, MIL-H-22594, MIL-B-23071, MIL-C-23200, MIL-A-23806, MIL-L-23886, MIL-P-24041, MIL-C-24095, MIL-P-24423, MIL-E-39029, SCL-7695, SCL-7722, UL-427, UL-471, UL-560, ASTM D3951-82, MIL-T-0014358

MAGNETIC PERMEABILITY

This test measures the magnetic permeability of enclosed materials and equipment. It demonstrates whether the test item meets the magnetic signature limitations.

Magnetic permeability testing is specified in the following:

RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-462, MIL-T-15514, MIL-F-16377, MIL-E-16400, MIL-T-16420, MIL-H-83511

POWER INPUT

The purpose of this test is to measure the electrical power including parameters such as voltage, current, frequency, waveform phase, etc., applied to the input terminals of equipment under various conditions of operation.

Power input testing is specified in the following:

MIL-STD-705, MIL-STD-1399, MIL-M-8609, MIL-E-16400, UL-751, UL-560, RTCA/DO-160

QUALITY FACTOR (Q)

The purpose of this test is to measure the quality factor, commonly called Q, of electronic parts such as capacitors and inductors. By definition, the factor Q expresses the ratio of reactance to effective resistance of a circuit element.

Quality factor Q testing is specified in the following:

MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-750, MIL-C-12889, MIL-C-14409

RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTIC

The resistance-temperature characteristic test measures the percentage change in direct-current (dc) ohmic resistance from the dc ohmic resistance at the reference temperature.

Resistance-temperature testing is specified in the following:

MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-705, MIL-E-5272, MIL-T-15514, MIL-P-24423, UL-427, UL-681, UL-698