MIL-C-3432 CO Cable Part Number Builder
M3432 Cables, CO Cables
MIL-DTL-3432, MIL-C-3432 (M3432)
CO Cable
Equivalent to UL 62
Power and Special Purpose Cable
300 V and 600 V
Mil-C-3432 CO Cable is a military specification covering portable power and control cable. CO Cable may be used for a broad range of electrical and electronic applications and are designed to withstand physical abuse. Heavy duty cables may be used where they could be run over by heavy vehicles and are designed to withstand severe flexing. Applications for heavy duty cables include heavy portable tools and equipment, charging cables, and power and control cords. Medium duty cables should be able to withstand the same usage except they should not be run over by vehicles or subjected to severe impacts. Light duty cables will withstand severe flexing, but should not be stepped on or subjected to severe impact. Light duty cables are mainly used on lightweight portable tools and generators. All Mil-C-3432 CO Cables resist temperature extremes.
Power cables are limited to 2, 3 & 4 conductors, 8 AWG through 500 MCM. Control cable can be shielded, unshielded or any combination. The following is a brief desciption of how to designate the cable for your requirements.
Using the part number diagram above and tables below, build the part number you
need. To request a quote for the part number, enter in the field provided and click
the 'Add to RFQ' link.
Table 1: Duty of Mil-C-3432 CO Cable
| Code |
Duty |
Voltage |
Nom. Jacket
Thickness (in) |
| L |
Light |
300 |
0.020 to 0.050 |
| M |
Medium |
600 |
0.027 to 0.172 |
| H |
Heavy |
600 |
0.035 to 0.345 |
Table 2: Mil-C-3432 CO Cable Insulation
| Code |
Class of Insulation |
Type of Insulation |
Temperature Range |
| G |
General Purpose, Med. Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-40°C to 75°C |
| O |
Oil Resistant, Med. Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-40°C to 75°C |
| L |
Heat Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-55°C to 75°C |
| D |
Heat & Oil Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-55°C to 75°C |
| H |
Heat & Weather Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-55°C to 90°C |
| B |
Oil & Weather Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermosetting |
-55°C to 80°C |
| C |
Heat & Oil Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermosetting |
-55°C to 80°C |
| K |
Oil, Heat & Weather Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-55°C to 80°C |
| N |
Heat & Oil Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermosetting |
-55°C to 90°C |
| E |
Heat, Oil, Ozone & Weather Resistant, Low Temp. |
Thermoplastic (TPE) |
-55°C to 90°C |
Table 3: Flexibility of Mil-C-3432 CO Cable
| Code |
Flexibility |
| S |
Semi-Flexible |
| F |
Flexible |
| E |
Extra-Flexible |
Table 4: Mil-C-3432 CO Cable Conductor Data
| Type |
Explanation |
Example |
| Number and Size of Individual Conductors |
The number of individual conductors of the same wire size are designated by that number, followed by a slash and a number indicating the conductor wire size. When there are multiple wire sizes, each is represented as described, separated by a dash. |
Example 1. "3/22" indicates 3 number 22 AWG conductors.
Example 2. "6/14-1/8" represents 6 number 14 AWG conductors and 1 number 8 AWG conductor. |
| Unshielded Grouped Conductors |
Desigated immediately following the wire size by "x" followed by the number of conductor groups in the cable. |
Example 1. "2/20x1" indicates 2 number 20 AWG conductors twisted together to form 1 pair.
Example 2. "3/22x4" represents 4 groups of 3 number 22 AWG conductors twisted together to form a triple. |
| Grouped Shielding |
When one or more groups of conductors have a common shield over each conductor group, the designator "Sx(number of groups)" follows the wire size.
If a single group has a common shield, the "x1" is to be omitted. |
Example 1. "2/22Sx6" indicates 6 pairs of 22 AWG conductors, with a shield over each pair.
Example 2. "2/20S" indicates 1 shielded twisted pair of 20 AWG conductors. |
| Individual Shielding |
When each conductor of the same size is individually shielded, the letter "I" follows the letter "S". A shielded individual conductor is to be designated by "S" instead of "SI". |
Example 1. "3/14SI" indicates 3 individually shielded 14 AWG conductors.
Example 2. "1/18S" indicates 1 shielded 18 AWG conductor. |
| Uninsulated Ground Drain Wires |
Desiganated by the letter "R" and are not counted in th total number of conductors. |
Example 1. "3/8R" indicates 3 number 8 AWG ground wires. |
| Parallel Configuration |
Two conductors laid parallel is desiganated by the letter "F" which is to be followed by the conductor number. |
Example 1. "2F/8" indicates 2 number 8 AWG conductors laid parallel. |
Table 5: Mil-C-3432 CO Cable Overall Shielding
| Code |
Shielding |
| N/A |
No Shield - No letters are used |
| SJ |
Single Overall Shield |
| SSJ |
Double Overall Shield |
Table 6: Outside Diameter of Mil-C-3432 CO Cable
| Code |
Shielding |
Example |
| Typical Cable |
Indicated by four significant figures expressing the diameter in mils (thousandths of an inch) to the nearest figure divisble by 5. |
"...)0640" respresents an Outer Diameter (O.D.) of 0.064 inches. |
| Tolerance Exists |
Indicated by placing the tolerance immediately after the O.D. as descibed in the typical case. |
"...)1040±.025" respresents an Outer Diameter (O.D.) of 1.04 inches and a tolerance of 0.025 inches. |
| Parallel Conductor Cables |
Designated by listing the major diameter, followed by a slant, followed by the minor diameter, all expressed as described in the typical case. |
"...)0920±.050/0510" respresents a parellel cable having a major diameter of 0.92 inches with a tolerance of 0.05 inches and a minor diameter of 0.51 inches. |