MIL-W-16878 and NEMA HP Dual Ratings

The Mil-W-16878 Military Specification covers PTFE insulated, high-temperature hook-up wire. However, it has recently been replaced by the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) HP rating. Many people in the industry still refer to these hook-up wires by their mil-spec number, so it's important to know the dual ratings for these wires. While all of these wires have M16878 slants, they are often accompanied by a Type letter. This letter refers to its NEMA HP type. Many of these wires are also UL-approved.

NEMA HP/M16878 Ratings

Hook-up wires with NEMA HP/M16878 specifications pass the UL VW-1 Flame Test and defy severe operating environments. It has outstanding characteristics such as small size, high-temperature ratings, and resistance to chemicals and flame. The NEMA HP3, HP4, HP5, HP6, and HP8 variation hook-up wires are repeatedly used in military harness applications, power supplies, and the internal wiring of computerized machinery in the aerospace, industrial, and other commercial markets. Below we break down our most requested M16878 Mil-Spec hook-up wires and explain the different Nema HP standards. If you still have questions about NEMA HP standards, please contact us.

M16878/1 Type B

The M16878/1 NEMA HP 7 Type B wire is built from stranded tinned copper and PVC Insulation. It has a NEMA temperature rating of -55°C to +105°C and is rated at 600 Volts. This enables the M16878/1 to perform appropriately for electronic equipment internal wiring and may meet UL 1061. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauge sizes 14 to 32 AWG.

M16878/2 Type C

The M16878/2 NEMA HP 7 Type C wire shares the same characteristics as Type B but has a higher voltage rating of 1000 Volts. M6878/2 Type C works well for the internal wiring of computerized equipment, electronic boards, panels, etc. It may also meet UL 1007 or UL 1569. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauge sizes 12 to 26 AWG.

M16878/3 Type D

The M16878/3 NEMA HP 7 Type D wire possesses the same features as Types B and C, but with the highest voltage rating of 3000 Volts. It is also suitable for the internal wiring computerized equipment, electronic boards, panels, etc., and may meet UL 1011 or UL 1013. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauge sizes 2 to 26 AWG.

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M16878/4 Type E

The M16878/4 NEMA HP 3 Type E wire may be UL 1213 listed. It is built with stranded silver plated copper conductor and extruded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation. It has a temperature rating of -60°C to +200°C and is rated at 600V. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauge sizes 10 to 32 AWG.

M16878/5 Type EE

The M16878/5 NEMA HP-3 Type EE wire has the same features as the M16878/4 Type E, but with a higher voltage rating of 1000 Volts. It also has thicker polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation. This wire is UL 1180 approved. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauges size 4 to 32 AWG.

M16878/6 Type ET

The M16878/6 NEMA HP-3 Type ET possesses the same features as Types E and EE. However, it has the lowest voltage rating of 250 Volts and the thinnest polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation of the three. This wire is UL 1371 approved. Available with solid or stranded conductors in gauges size 20 to 32 AWG.

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NEMA HP 3

Electrical and Electronic PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Insulated High-Temperature Hook-up Wire, Types ET (250 Volts), E (600 Volts), and EE (1000 Volts)

NEMA HP 4

Electrical and Electronic FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) Insulated High-Temperature Hook-up Wire; Types KT (250 Volts), K (600 Volts), and KK (1000 Volts), Rated to +150°C

NEMA HP 5

Electrical and Electronic Cross-linked, Modified Polyethylene (XLPE) Insulated Hook-Up Wire, Types L (600 V), LL (1000 V), and LX (3000 V), Rated to 125°C

NEMA HP 6

Electrical and Electronic Silicone and Silicone Braid Insulated High-Temperature Hook-Up Wire, Types S (600 V), ZHS (600 V), SS (1000 V), ZHSS (1000 V), and SSB Braided (1000 V)

NEMA HP 7

Electrical and Electronic PVC, PVC/Nylon, and PE/Nylon 105°C Hook-Up Wire, Types B, C, D, BN, CN, and DN (600, 1000, and 3000 V), and Types J and JN 75°C (600V)

NEMA HP 8

Electrical and Electronic Cross-Linked, Modified Low-Smoke Polyolefin (XLPO) Insulated Hook-Up Wire; Types LS (rated 105°C, 600 V), ZHDM (rated 90°C, 600 V), ZHDH (rated 90°C, 600 V), ZH (rated 125°C, 600 V), and ZHX (rated 125°C, 1000 V)

NEMA HP 9

Electrical and Electronic Ethylene-Propylene Diene Elastomer (EPDM)Insulated Hook-Up Wire, Types EP (Rated 125°C, 600 V) and EPD (Rated 125°C, 5000 V)

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