scope:

Purpose. 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, inductors, and others. This standard is intended to apply only to small component parts, 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 that 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 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 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 tests shall also apply, when applicable, to parts not covered by an approved military specification, military sheet form standard, specification sheet, or drawing.

Test method numbering system. The test methods are designated by numbers assigned in accordance with the following system:

Class of tests. The tests are divided into three classes: Test methods numbered 101 to 199 inclusive, cover environmental tests; those numbered 201 to 299 inclusive, cover physical characteristics tests; and those numbered 301 to 399 inclusive, cover electrical characteristics tests. Within each class, test methods are serially numbered in the order in which they are introduced into this standard.

Revision of test methods. Revisions of test methods are indicated by a letter following the method number. For example, the original number assigned to the moisture resistance test method is -106; the first revision of that method "-106A", the second revision, "-106B", etc.

Method of reference. When applicable, test methods contained herein shall be referenced in the individual specification by specifying this standard with the dash number(-xxx) or this standard with the method number, and the details required in the summary paragraph of the referenced method. To avoid the necessity for changing specifications which refer to this standard, the revision letter following the method number shall not be used when referencing test methods. The preferred wording to reference a method starting with revision H is "MIL-STD-202-106"; "MIL-STD-202, method 106" is still acceptable.

intended Use: