scope:

This standard establishes uniform methods for testing electronic and electrical component parts, including basic environmental tests to determine resistance to deleterious effects of natural elements and conditions surrounding military operations, and physical and electrical tests. For the purpose of this standard, the term "component parts" includes such items as capacitors, resistors, switches, relays, transformers, and jacks. This standard is intended to apply only to small parts, such as transformers and inductors, weighing up to 300 pounds or having a root-mean-square test voltage up to 50,000 volts unless otherwise specifically invoked. The test methods described herein have been prepared to serve several purposes.

(a) To specify suitable conditions obtainable -in the laboratory which give test results equivalent to the actual service conditions existing in the field, and to obtain reproducibility of the results of tests. The tests described herein are not to be interpreted as an exact and conclusive representation of actual service operation in any one geographic location, since it is known that the only true test for operation in a specific location is an actual service test at that point.

(b) To describe in one standard (1) all of the test methods of a similar character which appeared in the various joint or single-service electronic and electrical component-parts specifications, (2) those newly-developed test methods which are feasible for use in several specifications, and (3), the recognized extreme environments, particularly temperatures, barometric pressures, etc., at which component parts will be tested under some of the presently-standardized testing procedures. By so consolidating, these methods may be kept uniform and thus result in conservation of equipment, man-hours, and testing facilities. In achieving these objectives, it is necessary to make each of the general tests adaptable to a broad range of electronic and electrical component parts.

(c) The test methods described herein for environmental, physical, and electrical and electronic parts shall also apply, when applicable, to parts not covered by an approved military specification, military sheet-form standard, specification sheet, or drawing.