This specification is being retained as a military detail specification because of the unique military requirements for use in systems operating in an environment from −65 °C to 260 °C. The single conductor wire covered in this specification is intended for use in lead wire and internal wiring of electrical and electronic equipment and switchboards. Note: PVC-insulated wire is not to be used in aerospace applications or aboard Navy ships.

Users should exercise caution when selecting thin wall insulated wire. Wire having thin wall insulation of .007 inch thickness or less is intended for limited low voltage applications, is relatively fragile, easily damaged, and should not be used where mechanical stress or abrasive environment may exist. Use of this wire may not be appropriate in circuits requiring the highest degree of reliability. In order to appear consistent, the temperature rating is the same as assigned to heavier walls of the same dielectric material. However, care should be taken during installation to avoid damaging the dielectric with hot soldering iron or mechanical abuse and to leave no residual physical strain on the dielectric wall, because plastic flow may result in failures.

The conductor sizes and the corresponding size designations of this specification are in accordance with established usage for stranded copper conductors for hookup wire in the electronic and aircraft industries. These sizes and size designations are not identical with AWG sizes for solid wire and stranded wire. The diameter and cross-sectional areas of the stranded conductors of this specification are, in most sizes, only roughly approximate to those of AWG solid conductors of the same numerical size designation.

The users of solid conductors are cautioned that usage should be limited to lengths of less than 10 inches and is not recommended where flexing may occur or where the wire may be subjected to different vibratory modes along its length, such as between different chassis.