MIL-C-3432 CO Cable Part Number Builder

Mil-C-3432 CO Cable is a military specification covering portable power, control, and special purpose cables. This Mil-Spec CO Cable is equivalent to UL Style 62 and suitable for use in a broad range of electrical and electronic applications. This CO cable comes in light, medium, and heavy-duty constructions. Light-duty cables have a voltage rating of 300V, whereas medium and heavy-duty cables have a voltage rating of 600V.

Heavy-duty cables are ideal where a cable could be run over by heavy vehicles and 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 as a heavy-duty cable, except they cannot be run over by vehicles or subjected to severe impacts. Light duty cables can withstand severe flexing, but cannot be subjected to severe impact. Light duty cables are ideal for use in lightweight portable tools and generators. All Mil-C-3432 CO Cables resist temperature extremes.

These power cables are available two, three, or four conductors, 8 AWG through 500 MCM. This Control cable can be shielded, unshielded, or a combination. The following is a brief description of how to designate the cable for your requirements.

CO Cable M3432 Part Make-Up

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Table 1: Duty of M3432 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: M3432 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 M3432 CO Cable

Code Flexibility
S Semi-Flexible
F Flexible
E Extra-Flexible

 

Table 4: M3432 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: M3432 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 M3432 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.