GSFC-733-HARN-01

Rev C, July 2003

DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

STANDARD
for
ELECTRICAL HARNESSES
NASA / Goddard Space Flight Center
Engineering Directorate - Electrical Harness Working Group

REVISIONS

This log identifies those portions of this specification that have been revised since the
release of the original issue.

REVISION SECTION #
DESCRIPTION DATE APPROVAL
# AFFECTED
ADDED REVISION
APRIL Code 565 /
REV. B 1 TABLE and removed
2001 Branch Head
spaces in TOC
REPLACED APRIL Code 565 /
REV. B 4.11
NOMOGRAPH 2001 Branch Head
ADDED SECTION
JULY Code 565 /
REV. C 9.2.6 9.2.6 and made various
2003 Branch Head
layout improvements

Table of Contents
ACRONYM LIST
1.0 SCOPE
2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
3.0 DEFINITIONS
4.0 REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Design philosophy
4.2 Environmental requirements
4.3 Electrical requirements
4.4 High voltage design and construction
4.5 Pyrotechnic design and construction
4.6 EMI design and construction
4.7 Grounding
4.8 Wire and cable
4.9 Conductors
4.10 Lay of wire
4.11 Harness diameter
4.12 Harness length
4.13 Harness bend radius
4.14 Breakouts
4.15 Shielding
4.16 Shield terminations
4.17 Electrical connectors
4.18 Connector protective covers
4.19 Connector sealing grommets
4.20 Conductor terminations
4.21 Terminal size
4.22 Insulation sleeving
4.23 Terminal junctions
4.24 Wire splices
4.25 Connector potting
4.26 Connector location
4.27 Harness lacing or tying
4.28 Harness clamping
5.0 PARTS AND MATERIAL
5.1 General
5.2 Dissimilar metals
5.3 Wire and cable
5.4 Shield braid
5.5 Solder sleeves
5.6 Electrical connectors
5.7 Connector protective covers
5.8 Solder
5.9 Flux
5.10 Sleeving
5.11 Terminal junctions
5.12 Wire Splices
5.13 Connector Potting compound
5.14 Lacing tape
5.15 Convolute tubing and accessories
6.0 PROCEDURES
6.1 General
6.2 Lay of wire
6.3 Shield termination
6.4 Crimp connections
6.5 Solder connections
6.6 Connector potting
7.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE
7.1 Compliance
7.2 Visual inspection
7.3 Functional test
7.4 Continuity
7.5 Insulation resistance
7.6 Contact retention
8.0 CONTAMINATION CONTROL
9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN IMPROVED ELECTRICAL HARNESS
9.1 Connectors
9.2 General Design Practices
9.3 EMI/EMC Related Practices
9.4 Fabrication Recommendations
9.5 General Recommendations
9.6 Mock-up Recommendations

Acronym List
• ac - alternating current
• C - Celsius
• CMA - Circular Mill Area
• dc - direct current
• DSC - Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• EED - Electro-explosive Device
• EMI - Electromagnetic Interference
• ESD - Electrostatic Discharge
• ft - feet
• GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center
• HSC - High Strength Copper Alloy
• Hz - Hertz
• lb - pound
• MSFC - Marshall Space Flight Center
• NHB - NASA Handbook
• OD - Outside Diameter
• PVT - Physical Verification Test
• QCM - Quartz Crystal Microbalance
• RF - Radio Frequency
• rms - root mean square
• TFE - Polytetrafluoroethylene
• Vac - Volts alternating current
• Vdc - Volts direct current
• Zero-G - Zero Gravity

Back to TOC ...

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 The purpose of this standard can be described as two-fold. Initially, it establishes the
minimum requirements for the design of space vehicle electrical harnesses.
Additionally, in Section 9, this document provides a number of recommendations, based
upon decades of harness development experience, for the design, manufacturing,
handling, and integration of flight electrical harnesses.

1.2 Classification- Electrical harnesses shall be of the following types, styles, and
configurations.
1.2.1 Types- Harnesses shall be of four basic types depending on the intended
application as follows (see 1.3):

Type I Enclosed in fluorocarbon elastomer convolute tubing.

Type II Enclosed in a glass or other approved braid.

Type III Open bundle (not enclosed, general use).

Type IV Enclosed in a overall EMI/EMC shield.

1.2.2 Styles- The following harness securing styles are applicable to Type II and Type
III harnesses only:

Style A Continuous lace

Style B Spot tied

Style C Tie wraps

Style D Combination of any two of the above styles

1.2.3 Lay of wire configurations- Lay of wire in harnesses shall be of the following
configurations (see 4.9)

Configuration R - Random lay

Configuration T - Twisted lay

1.3 Application

1.3.1 Type I and II - These harnesses may be used in all areas where abrasion protection
is required.

1.3.2 Type III - This type of harness may be used as a "general use" harness in all areas,
where it shall not be subjected to abrasion.

Type IV - This type of harness may be used in all areas where overall harness
EMI/EMC shield is required.

Back to TOC ...

2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 The following documents form a part of this standard to the extent specified herein.

Specifications

• Federal
o QQ-B-575 - Braid, Wire Copper, Tin-Coated Tubular
 • Military
o Mil-C-17 - Cables, Radio-Frequency, Coaxial, Dual Coaxial, Twin
Conductor, and Twin Lead
o Mil-C-39012 - Connector, Coaxial, Radio-Frequency, General
Specification for
o Mil-I-22129 - Insulation Tubing, Electrical, Poly-tetrafluorethylene
Resin, nonrigid
o Mil-I-23053 - Insulation Sleeving, Electrical, Heat Shrinkable, General
Specification for
o Mil-T-43435 - Tape, Impregnated, Lacing, and Tying
o Mil-C-27500 - Cable, Electrical Shielded and Unshielded, AEROSPACE
o MIL-W-22759 - Wire, Electric, Fluoropolymer-Insulated Copper or
Copper Alloy
• Goddard Space Flight Center
o GSFC-302-S-016 - Crimping of Electrical Connections
o GSFC-S-311-P-4 - Connectors (and Contacts), Electrical Rectangular,
for Spacecraft use, General Specification for
o GSFC-S-700-42 - Connectors, Electrical, Rectangular (Power and
Coaxial Contacts) for Space Flight Use, General Specification for
o GSFC-S-313-023 - A Pressure Applied Urethane Resin Insulation for
Potting Connectors
o GSFC-S-313-025 - RF Shielding of Connectors With an Insulation and
an Electrical Conductive Polymer
• Marshall Space Flight Center
o MSFC-SPEC-101 - Flammability Requirements and Test Procedure for
Materials in Gaseous Oxygen Environment
o MSFC-SPEC-222 - Resin Compounds, Electrical and Environmental
Insulation,Epoxy, Specification for
o 40M38277 - Connectors, Electrical, Circular, Miniature, High
Density,Environmental Resisting, Specification for
o 40M38298 - Connectors, Electrical, Special, Miniature Circular,
Environment Resisting 200 C, Specification for
o 40M39569 - Connectors, Electrical, Miniature Circular, Environmental
Resisting,200 C, Specification for
o 40M39580- Connector, Electrical, Zero-G, Specification for
o 40M39589- Junctions and Junction Devises, Electrical Distribution and
Bussing, Specification for

Standards

• Military
o MIL-STD-202 - Test Methods for Electronic and Electrical Component
Parts
o MIL-STD-889 - Dissimilar Metals
o MIL-STD-975F - NASA Standard Electrical, Electronic, and
Electromechanical (EEE) Parts List
o MIL-STD-21122 - Clamp, Loop, Cushioned, Wedge,
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE, TYPE V CLASS A and B

Publications
 • NASA
o NHB 5300.4(3A-2) - Requirements for Soldering Electrical Connections
o NHB 5300.4(1D-2) - Safety, Reliability, Maintainability, and Quality
Provisions for Space Shuttle Program
o NHB 5300.4(3G) - Requirements for Interconnecting Cables, Harnesses,
and Wiring
o NHB 5300.4(3H) - Requirements for Crimping and Wire Wrap
o NHB 8060.1 - Flammability, Odor, and Offgassing Requirements and
Test Procedures for Materials in Environments Which Support
Combustion
• Goddard Space Flight Center
o Reference Publication 1124 - Outgassing Data for Selecting Spacecraft
Materials
o PPL-20 - GSFC Preferred Parts List

Back to TOC ...

3.0 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this standard, the definitions listed in this section shall apply.

3.1 Harness- One or more insulated wires or cables with or without helical twist; with
or without common covering, jacket, or braid; with or without breakouts; assembled
with two or more electrical termination devices and so arranged that as a unit, can be
assembled and handled as one assembly.

3.2 Wire- A single metallic conductor of solid, stranded, or tinsel construction, designed
to carry current in an electrical circuit. It may be bare or insulated, but does not have a
metallic covering, sheath, or shield.

3.3 Electrical cable- Two or more insulated conductors, solid or stranded, contained in
a common covering (sheath, shield, or jacket); two or more insulated conductors twisted
or molded together without common covering; or one or more insulated conductors with
a metallic covering shield or outer conductor (insulated or uninsulated).

3.4 Coaxial cable- Cable used for transmission of radio frequencies (RF), assembled or
not, with two RF (coaxial) termination devices.

3.5 Shield- A metallic cover over an insulated conductor or conductors.

3.6 Length of lay- The axial length of one complete turn of the helix.

Back to TOC ...

4.0 REQUIREMENTS

Designs shall conform to the requirements specified herein.

4.1 Design philosophy- Only parts and materials with the ability to function
satisfactorily in the environments to be encountered, and which conform to such
governmental specifications as are specifically applicable under the contract, shall be
used. Only fabrication methods and techniques adequate to assure high quality electrical
harnesses shall be used.

4.2 Environmental requirements- Electrical harnesses shall be designed to withstand the

maximum specified operational environments.

4.3 Electrical requirements- The harness assemblies shall be designed to provide

optimum power transfer from the transmitter or power supply bus to the receiver or
load. The harness assemblies shall be designed to meet total performance requirements,
to minimize susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from external sources, and to
minimize electromagnetic interference problems.

4.3.1 Electrical wire current carrying capacity- Wires shall be of such cross section as
to provide ample and safe current carrying capacity. The maximum design current in
any wire shall be limited so that "wire total temperature" will never exceed the rated
wire temperature. "Wire total temperature" is defined as maximum ambient temperature
plus temperature rise.

4.3.2 Current carrying capacity (exposed space environment)- Table 1 shows the
current carrying characteristics of wire at 28 ? 4 Vdc in an exposed space environment.
Tests were conducted at a maximum ambient temperature of 75 C.

Table 1 - Current Carrying Capacity

(exposed space environment)
Wire Maximum design current
size (amperes)
24 1.5
22 3.0
20 4.0
18 5.0
16 6.0
14 8.0
12 11.0
NOTES:

1. Column two indicates the maximum design current for any individual wire in a
bundle of the size wire specified in column one.

2. Column one is the recommended minimum wire size for the design current specified
in column two.

3. The current as specified in column two will generate a temperature rise of

approximately 50 C above ambient temperature in a vacuum environment. Precaution
should be taken so that the total temperature of the wire (ambient plus rise) does not
exceed the continuous operating temperature rating of the wire.
4.3.3 Voltage drop. - The total impedance of wires and ground return paths shall be
such that the maximum voltage drop between the power supply bus and the load does
not exceed the limits under maximum continuous load conditions specified in Table 2.
For calculating voltage drop, the resistance of wire is specified in the applicable wire
specifications.

Table 2 - Maximum Continuous Load

Conditions
Power supply bus Maximum voltage
load drop
5 Vdc 100 millivolts
28 Vdc 2 volts
56 Vdc 3 volts
115 Vac 4 volts

4.4 High voltage design and construction- Circuits carrying potentials in excess of
200Vac, rms, or 300Vdc through critical pressure environments should be terminated in
single contact high voltage connectors. If the design requires that high voltage circuits
be terminated in multicontact connectors, contacts should be selected which are the
most distant from ground potentials. Shielded wire should not be used in high voltage
circuits unless required by special designs. High voltage connectors must be kept free of
any contamination which would decrease the voltage flashover characteristics.

4.5 Pyrotechnic design and construction- The pyro bus shall be capable of supplying 5
amps minimum to the electro-explosive device (EED) over the expected temperature
and voltage range of the spacecraft.

4.6 EMI design and construction- Harness assemblies shall be so designed and
constructed as to minimize induced interference resulting from electromagnetic
coupling of signals from wire to wire within the harness assembly. Program
requirements will state relative importance of isolation in an interference control
specification.

4.6.1 Isolation of Signals- Separate connectors can be used to isolate signals in radio
frequency, audio frequency, and power circuits; ac signals can be separated from dc
signals; high from medium from low level signals; pulse from continuous wave signals.
Where a combination of signals circuits are terminated in a single connector, like
grouping of signal wires can be brought out and laced separately in the harness bundle.

4.6.2 Wire and cable types- for specific applications, the following types of wire or
cable should be considered to minimize EMI:

(a) Single conductor shielded- For sensitive signals and to minimize crosstalk between
wires.

(b) Twisted pair- For audio frequency circuits grounded at a single point and for
balanced signal and power circuits.
(c) Single or double shielded coaxial cables or triax cables- For high frequency pulses
over long cable runs.

4.6.3 RF signal cables- All RF signal cables should be shielded and their shields
electrically continuous. Shields should be carried through a connector by electrically
connecting the shield to the connector shell, portion of the connector shell, or through a
connector contact. To avoid discontinuity, RF signal cables should be terminated in
coaxial contacts. The shields of RF cables being used to transmit RF signals should be
grounded at both the sending and receiving ends.

4.6.4 External shielding of harness assemblies- Copper braid is most effective for
electrostatic shielding of harnesses carrying higher frequency circuits. Steel braid or
steel tapes should be used in providing electromagnetic shielding for low frequency
circuits, specifically, the dc and ac power circuits. The copper and steel braids and tapes
may be used in combination. Shielding should be of the type that provides maximum
coverage, with 85 percent as a minimum cover limit.

4.6.5 Isolation of harnesses- Harness assemblies carrying high level impulse signal, low
level signal, and power circuits should be physically separated from each other by the
maximum distance available under the design and space requirements. As a design
objective, a minimum spacing of two inches should separate harnesses carrying circuits
of varying signal levels. Where practicable, only those harnesses or harness segments
carrying circuits of the same signal level group should be clamped under the same cable
clamp. Only one end of the external shielding applied to the harness assembly should be
grounded.

4.7 Grounding- The chassis of all electronic modules, major assemblies and instruments
shall be electrically bonded to the structure. The resistance between any two assemblies
is nominally less than 2.5 milliohm, and may be established by use of ground straps or
wire between the assembly and structure.

4.8 Wire and cable- Wire and cable, as specified in 5.3, shall be used. The size of
individual wires shall be a minimum of 24. Exceptions include power harnesses where
the size of individual wires shall be a minimum of 22, and thermistor wiring where wire
sizes smaller that 24 may be considered for use.

4.9 Conductors

4.9.1 Wire and cable- Wire and cable conductors shall be high conductive stranded
copper or copper alloy. Wire sizes 22 and larger shall be constructed of copper. Wire
size 24 and smaller shall be high strength copper alloy (HSC), for adequate termination
strength and flex life. HSC wire should be checked for magnetic cleanliness.

4.9.2 Coaxial- Coaxial conductors shall be high conductive copper, copper alloy, or
copper weld.

4.10 Lay of wire

4.10.1 Configuration R- Random lay has no pattern. The wires run at random, weaving
in and out. Random lay is used when normal flexibility is required.
4.10.2 Configuration T- Twisted lay shall be employed where maximum flexibility is
required.

4.11 Harness diameter- The diameter of the main body of a harness assembly shall be
kept to a minimum, consistent with the requirements for routing, installation, and ease
of handling. As a design objective, the maximum harness diameter should be limited to
one inch.

4.11.1 Estimating harness diameter- This method of estimating harness size is based
upon determining the units required for the number of wires of each diameter used,
adding the number of units, then converting the total units to harness diameter. Using
the nomographs included below, use these steps to estimate harness diameter:

(a) Determine nominal diameter of insulated wires or the average diameter of multiple
shielded or twisted conductors.

(b) One of the nomographs converts wire diameter or average outside diameter to units
for 10 wires; conversion to more or less than 10 is linear.

(c) The other nomograph converts total units to harness diameter.

An example is shown in Table 3.

 Harness Diameter Nomographs

Table 3 - Example
Wire Diameter Number of Wires Units for 10 Wires Units
0.080 15 1.36 2.04
 0.120 8 3.10 2.48
0.150 20 4.80 9.60
Total Units in Bundle: 14.12
14.12 units = 0.940 inch diameter harness

4.12 Harness length- Harness length shall provide enough additional wire length for
reworking the connection at least one time. Conductors connecting contacts within the
same connector shall extend one to two inches from the rear of the connector.

4.13 Harness bend radius

4.13.1 Optimum bend radius- The optimum bend radius for harness Type I through
Type IV should approach 10 times the outside diameter (OD) of the harness.

4.13.2 Minimum bend radius

4.13.2.1 Coaxial cable- The minimum bend radius for coaxial radio frequency cable or
harness assemblies containing such cable shall not be less than six times the OD of the
cable or harness.

4.13.2.2 Wire size larger than 10- The minimum bend radius for harness assemblies
containing wire larger than size 10 shall not be less than six times the OD of the
harness.

4.13.2.3 Wire size 10 or smaller- The minimum bend radius for harness assemblies
containing only wire size 10 or smaller shall not be less than 3 times the OD of the
harness.

4.14 Breakouts- The location of breakouts shall be specified on the design

documentation.

4.14.1 Bend radius at breakout- Breakouts shall meet the bend radius requirements as
specified in 4.13.

4.14.2 Support- Breakouts shall be secured immediately prior to their emergence from
the bundle. Breakouts shall be long enough to provide proper support at installation.
Breakouts shall be secured by connector backshells or clamps as close to the connector
as practical.

4.15 Shielding- Shield braid constructed of copper, as specified in 5.4, or knitted wire
mesh shall be used for custom shielding applications.

4.16 Shield terminations- Shields are normally terminated at only one end of the
harness; however, an overall shield encompassing individual shields is usually
terminated at both ends. Shields may be terminated with solder sleeves, or hand
soldered.
4.16.1 Shields terminating in connector contacts- Shields that terminate in connector
contacts using solder sleeves, or hand soldered with jumper wires, will use a 22awg
jumper wire. If the connector contact size does not permit use of the recommended wire
size, the jumper wire size shall be selected to accommodate the connector contact.

4.16.2 Shields terminating at connector shell- Shields should terminate to the connector
shell through special connector adapters. Continuity to the connector shell is made by
either screwing the adapter to the back end of the connector, or soldering the braid to
the backshell.

4.17 Electrical connectors

4.17.1 General purpose connectors- Connectors not required to be mated or demated in

space shall be as specified in 5.6.1.

4.17.2 Zero-G connectors- Connectors requiring mating and demating by an astronaut

in space shall be as specified in 5.6.2.

4.17.3 Coaxial connectors- Coaxial connectors specified in 5.6.3 shall be used for
terminating coaxial cables.

4.17.4 Special purpose connectors- Connectors to be used for Pyrotechnics shall be as

specified in 5.6.4.

4.18 Connector protective covers

4.18.1 General purpose connector covers- All demated connectors shall have the
mating surfaces protected by covers (see 5.7.1) during storage, handling, and
installation of harnesses.

4.18.2 Zero-G connector covers- Zero-G connector covers shall be as specified in 5.7.2.

4.19 Connector sealing grommets- Wire sealing grommets on connectors and terminal
junctions shall accommodate only one wire per grommet hole to ensure proper moisture
sealing. If the wire diameter is smaller than the grommet hole was designed for, the wire
OD shall be built-up by installing heat reactive tubing as required. Caution, the OD of
the wire and shrink tubing must not exceed the capacity of the extraction tool.

4.20 Conductor terminations- The preferred method of terminating conductors is with a

crimp termination. However, where necessary, solder terminations are acceptable.
Conductor size shall not exceed the size of the terminal, contact, solder cup, crimp
barrel, etc. Furthermore, conductors shall not be modified (reduced in size) to permit the
use of undersized terminations.

4.21 Contact size- Contact size is determined by the connector body (shell) and shall not
be modified in any way to accept oversized conductors.

4.22 Insulation sleeving- Unless insulation is integral with the termination, all
terminations except those potted shall be covered with insulation as specified in 5.10.
4.23 Terminal junctions- Terminal junction devices specified in 5.11. may be utilized as
electrical distribution and busing junctions.

4.24 Wire splices- Use of electrical wire splices for initial design and harness
modifications shall be held to an absolute minimum. Splices shall not be located within
three inches of a connector, and shall be staggered along the length of the harness.
Splices shall not be located in the harness where undue stresses may be placed upon the
wires terminated in the splice or adjoining wires upon installation of the harness
assembly.

4.25 Connector potting- Connectors not having environmental sealing grommets shall
be potted as specified in 6.6. Connectors with sealing grommets shall not be potted.

4.26 Connector location- Where practicable, connectors shall be so located as to permit

visual inspection for proper mating and lock after installation.

4.27 Harness lacing or tying- Harnesses shall be secured with lacing tape or tie wraps.

4.28 Harness clamping- Harness movement shall be controlled by means of cable

clamps or tie wraps and bases.

Back to TOC ...

5.0 PARTS AND MATERIAL

5.1 General- Only the parts and materials specified herein shall be used.

5.2 Dissimilar metals- Dissimilar metals shall be defined and classified in accordance
with MIL-STD-889. The joints of dissimilar metals in contact with each other shall be
protected against electrolytic corrosion.

5.3 Wire and cable

5.3.1 Wire (unshielded)- Wire shall be in accordance with Specification MIL-W-22759,

and GSFC Publication PPL-20.

5.3.2 Cable (shielded wire)- Cable shall be in accordance with Specifications MIL-C-
27500 and MIL-STD-975F.

5.3.3 Coaxial cable- Coaxial cable shall be in accordance with the specification and RG
numbers shown in GSFC PPL-20, except where special design considerations
necessitate more stringent environmental or performance requirements. Where other
cable is used, as a minimum, it shall comply with the environmental and performance
requirements of specification MIL-C-17.

5.4 Shield braid- Copper shield braid for custom applications shall be in accordance
with Specification QQ-B-575.

5.5 Solder sleeves- Solder sleeves shall be in accordance with Drawing MSFC-DWG-
50M02239.
5.6 Electrical connectors

5.6.1 General purpose electrical connectors- General purpose connectors shall be in

accordance with Specifications MSFC 40M39569, 40M38277, and GSFC S-311-P-4.

5.6.2 Zero-G electrical connectors- Zero-G electrical connectors shall be in accordance

with Specification 40M39580.

5.6.3 Coaxial connectors- Coaxial connectors shall be in accordance with Specification

MIL-C-39012, except where special design considerations necessitate more stringent
environmental or performance requirements. When other connectors are used, as a
minimum, they shall comply with the environmental and performance requirements of
Specification MIL-C-39012.

5.6.4 Special purpose connectors- Connectors to be used in pyrotechnic circuits mating

to the EED will be in accordance with Specification MSFC 40M38298.

5.7 Connector protective covers

5.7.1 General purpose connector covers- General purpose circular connector protective
covers shall be in accordance with Specification 40M39569 and 40M38277. GSFC S-
311-P-4 connectors shall use an ESD compatible, non-carbon filled protective cover.

Zero-G connector protective covers- Zero-G connector protective covers shall be in

accordance with Specification 40M39580.

5.8 Solder- Solder shall be as specified in NHB 5300.4 (3A).

5.9 Flux- Flux shall be as specified in NHB 5300.4(3A-2).

5.10 Sleeving

5.10.1 General purpose insulation sleeving- Insulation sleeving shall be in accordance

with Specification MIL-I-22129 or NASA Reference Publication 1124 rev 2.

5.10.2 Heat reactive insulation sleeving- Heat reactive insulation sleeving shall be in
accordance with Specifications MIL-I-23053/ and meet the contamination requirements
of the project.

5.11 Terminal junctions- Terminal junctions shall be in accordance with Specification

40M39589.

5.12 Wire Splices- Wires shall be spliced with single junction devices, or a male/female
connector contact pair held together with shrink tubing.

5.13 Connector Potting compound- Potting compound shall be in accordance with

Materials Processing Document S-313-023.

5.14 Lacing tape- Lacing tape shall be in accordance with Specification MIL-T-43435,
and GSFC Reference Publication 1124.
5.15 Convolute tubing and accessories- Convolute tubing and termination hardware
shall be in accordance with MSFC Specification 40M51284.

Back to TOC ...

6.0 PROCEDURES

6.1 General- Procedures specified herein are only to be used for design, and are not
intended to be used as detailed manufacturing procedures.

6.2 Lay of wire

6.2.1 Twisted lay- When twisting is specified, it shall begin as close to the termination
as practical without causing undue stress on the connector. All breakouts shall be
twisted at least one and a half turns over its length, or it shall not be twisted.

6.2.2 Length of lay- The length of lay shall be 8 to 16 times the OD of the harness.

6.3 Shield termination- Shields shall be terminated by one of the following classes:

Class 1 - Solder, pig tail, nominal shield coverage

Class 2 - Solder, pig tail, maximum shield coverage

6.3.1 Class 1 - Shield termination- The outer insulation and shield shall be removed
approximately two inches from the end of the wire. The outer jacket shall have an
opening made by cutting the jacket radially and sliding the jacket towards the end of the
wire. An opening of approximately 1/4 to 5/16 inch shall be made, staggering the
openings on adjacent wires from 1 inch to 4 inches from the ends of their shields. The
shield shall be terminated by soldering a wire to the exposed braid. The braid opening
and shield termination shall than be cleaned and insulated by used of heat reactive
tubing.

6.3.2 Class 2 - Shield termination- Shall be terminated as in Class 1, except the shield
will extend to within 1/4 inch of the connector back. The shield termination will be
from 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the end of the shield. Shield termination wire length shall be
kept to a minimum, with the absolute maximum length of 2 inches.

6.3.3 Shield Jumper Wire Termination- Jumper wires may be carried through a
connector contact individually or gathered in stub splices and connected to a contact or
to the connector backshell hardware.

6.3.3.1 Stub splice common jumper wire termination- Jumper wires of individual cable
shields of a harness shall be terminated in stub splices. Not more than five wires,
including jumper wires, shall be terminated in one stub splice.

6.3.4 Floating shields- The shields shall be floated by folding back over the conductor
insulation and covered by heat shrink tubing.
6.4 Crimp connections- Crimping shall comply with the requirements of NHB
5300.4(3H).

6.5 Solder connections- Soldering shall be in accordance with NHB 5300.4(3A-2).

6.6 Connector potting- Connector potting shall be in accordance with Document GSFC
S-313-023.

Back to TOC ...

7.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

7.1 Compliance- The supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection
requirements as specified herein. GSFC reserves the right to monitor fabrication and
inspection of harness assemblies to insure compliance with the requirements of this
standard. Inspection records of the tests shall be kept complete and available to GSFC.

7.2 Visual inspection- Harnesses shall be visually inspected to insure compliance with
the following requirements:

(a) Applicable harness design documentation

(b) Materials

(c) Design and construction

(d) Identification of component

(e) Workmanship

7.3 Functional test- The following test shall be conducted on each harness assembly
manufactured to this specification prior to submission for GSFC inspection and
acceptance. In conducting functional test on harness assemblies, hand probes shall not
be used directly in harness connectors. Adapter cables or breakout boxes shall be used.
On potted connectors the functional test shall be performed prior to connector potting.

7.4 Continuity- Harness assemblies shall be tested for point to point electrical continuity
in accordance with the applicable wiring diagrams or wire lists. Measurements shall be
taken with a milliohm meter and recorded on either the wiring diagrams or wire lists.
Values, within a connector bundle of the same conductor size and wire length, shall be
consistent within 10%.

7.5 Insulation resistance- The insulation resistance between each conductor and every
other conductor, each conductor and shields, and between each conductor and connector
shell shall be greater than 100 megohms at an applied voltage of 500Vdc for a
maximum of one minute.

7.6 Contact retention- Every contact of every connector shall be push tested to verify
that the contact is fully seated and locked into the connector. The contacts should be
pushed to a minimum value of 6.5 lbs but not to exceed 7.0 lbs for the 22 and 20 awg
contacts. Larger contacts should be tested to the value specified in table 9.1 of NHB
5300.4(3G).

Back to TOC ...

8.0 CONTAMINATION CONTROL

8.1 Fabrication- All braid will be ultrasonically cleaned with an approved solvent
before being incorporated into the harness. All wire and cable will be wiped with a
clean lint free cloth and an approved solvent before being incorporated into the harness.

8.2 Certification- After harness fabrication is complete and certified, the complete
harness will be cleaned with an approved solvent, inspected with both black and white
light and vacuum baked at a temperature of 20 C above maximum environmental test
temperature. The bakeout will continue until a chamber pressure of 1X10-6 Torr is
reached and the QCM requirements have been fulfilled.

Back to TOC ...

9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN IMPROVED ELECTRICAL

HARNESS

There are a variety of harness design and fabrication practices that are deemed
extremely appropriate for flight harnesses, but lie outside of what are considered
minimum requirements (as defined in sections 1 through 8). This section serves to
encapsulate these practices, which have been learned through the experiences of many
individuals over many years. It is expected that this section, more so than any other in
this standard, will be a "living" section.

9.1 Connectors

9.1.1 When selecting connectors for bulkhead use and where access and visibility is
limited, connectors that can be mated and locked without additional hardware are
preferred.

9.1.2 When "D" type connectors have been selected for use between major module
assemblies and applications such as; turn-on connectors, arming connectors, etc., screw
retaining hardware should be replaced, torqued, and staked at the time of the final
mating. This should help prevent hardware loss and major schedule impacts while
disassembling the spacecraft to retrieve hardware.

9.1.3 When selecting "D" type connectors, shell size 4 is the least preferred due to the
long profile and tendency to roll during demating.

9.2 General Design Practices

9.2.1 Harness securing style A (continuous lace), as noted in section 1.2.2, is not an
often practiced method due to the slippage that can occur in the lacing.
9.2.2 When a single connector is to be used for more than one type of signal, or for both
power and signals, separate the signal types as far apart from each other and the power
as possible.

9.2.3 Try to influence the subsystem engineer during package design and connector
layout so that the used pins are equally distributed across the connector. If necessary,
use unwired contacts to balance the contact density. This is to help prevent the tendency
for the connector to roll during demating, bending the male contacts at the wired end of
the connector.

9.2.4 Female connectors should be used in any application that could have a significant
voltage on any contact when the connector is demated.

9.2.5 For calculating harness weight, a one inch diameter unshielded cable will weigh
approximately one lb/ft. Furthermore, a two inch diameter cable will weigh
approximately 4.25 lbs/ft, and a three inch diameter cable will weigh approximately
10.5 lbs/ft.

9.2.6 The preferred practice is to fabricate electrical harnessing on an accurate

representation of the mechanical assembly onto which the harness will ultimately be
integrated. This is done to ascertain correct cable lengths as well as to establish the
routing of the harness. As an absolute minimum, the mock-up should provide accurate
locations of all connectors, as well as identifying any obstacles or keep-out zones along
the proposed harness route.

Establishing the harness routing is often a highly iterative process due to frequently
conflicting electrical, thermal, optical, and mechanical requirements. The mock-up
serves multiple purposes in that it aids in resolving interference problems, helps identify
and resolve Integration & Test difficulties, and often the mock-up in conjunction with
the harness provides an expeditious resolution for flight systems issues. Mechanical
engineering personnel must verify the accuracy of the mock-up.

These meetings also help to identify interference issues and allow for resolution in a
timely manner. Close communication between the Harness design lead and various
other design leads is essential, and the harness routing is to be approved before
fabrication begins.

Care must be taken to plan so that the harness allows for assembly, removal, and testing
of all system assemblies and harnesses. Spare connectors and wire should be purchased
concurrent with harness connector purchases.

The required accuracy of the mock-up is variable, with certain areas requiring a higher
fidelity representation of the mechanical structure than others. The overall accuracy of
the mock-up is to be commensurate with the scale of the harness being fabricated.

Frequently project schedule constraints do not allow the low risk serial process of the
structure being completely designed and finalized but require more risky concurrent
processes. The risk becomes greater as the schedule is compressed and as the
mechanical design has not been frozen. Risk associated with these factors must be
conveyed to the project so that appropriate decisions are made commensurate with
realistic expectations. It is the product design leads responsibility to make the customer
aware of the risks (cost and schedule), assumed when the harness is fabricated on an
inadequate mock-up.

The mock-up should be a controlled configuration item. Any changes in the mechanical
design would therefore require a re-evaluation of the accuracy of the mock-up by
mechanical engineering personnel, with corrective action taken as necessary.

9.3 EMI/EMC Related Practices

9.3.1 Although it is normally stated that shields are terminated at the source end only, it
is easier at time of fabrication to terminate both ends and then disconnect one end if
noise problems dictate. However, this is an electrical systems issue, and harness
designers need to adhere to the overall electrical system design guidelines, if any, as
provided by the appropriate system engineers.

9.3.2 Source end only shield termination is normally used to reduce low frequency noise
interference. Terminating both ends of a shield is normally used to reduce higher
frequency (RF) interference.

9.3.3 If Ferrite beads are used on the harness for RF noise reduction, they should be
potted or staked to prevent damage to the harness insulation.

9.3.4 Penetrations into an RF tight Spacecraft should be made by means of filter pin
connectors or braided cable with RF backshells.

9.4 Fabrication Recommendations

9.4.1 Do not load up the unused cavities of the larger sizes of the high density
connectors with contacts. The insertion/extraction force of a connector contact pair can
vary between 2.5 and 12 oz. The mating/demating force for a pair of 104 pin connectors
could be as high as 75 lbs. Packages must be designed to handle these forces or contacts
screened and selected to fall in the low end of the insertion/extraction force curve.

9.4.2 If a contact will not fully seat into the connector try using the contact extraction
tool without a contact to size the retaining clip.

9.4.3 When trying to remove a contact with a shielded wire or coax attached and the
amount of wire is too short to allow the tool to be "backed" on, cut a small V in the tip
of the plastic tool. This will allow the tool to be directly inserted on the contact.

9.4.4 After torquing, connector hardware should be staked with an approved epoxy. The
staking will be an indication that the hardware was torqued and that it has not been
disturbed.

9.4.5 When potting non-environmental type connectors, mating connectors must be

used to maintain pin alignment.

9.4.6 When potting non-environmental type connectors, the potting material must be
thick enough to prevent it from flowing into the connector pin cavity.
9.4.7 When crimping a wire whose gauge is smaller than the connector contact is rated
for, find the CMA for the contact and the wire to be used. Subtract the wire CMA from
the contact CMA, find a wire or wires from Table 4 that matches the difference and use
this combination of wires as a "slug" to crimp with the wire to be used. Once the "slug"
and wire have been crimped, the slug and wire must be covered with shrink tubing. Test
samples should be pulled and inspected before doing the actual flight operation.

9.4.8 For applications where disconnects are useful, such as thermistors and heaters, a
mating pair of connector contacts, crimped and insulated with Kynar shrink tubing, may
be used. Pull tests should be performed on equivalent samples to verify the wire breaks
before the pins separate.

Table 4 - Wire Specifications

Coated Copper High Strength
Circular
Mil Ohms / 1000 ft Break Ohms Break
AWG Strands OD /
Area Strength Strength
Nickel 1000
(CMA) Tinned (lbs) (lbs)
Plated ft
32 7/40 .0093 67.3 157 165 1.8 176 3.4
30 7/38 .012 112 95.4 97.4 3.0 107 5.6
28 7/36 .015 175 60.9 61.9 4.7 68.5 8.4
7/34 .019 278 38.2 38.7 7.0 43.2 14.0
26
19/38 .020 304 35.3 36.1 8.2 39.6 15.2
7/32 .024 441 23.7 23.9 11.9 25.8 21.7
24
19/36 .025 475 22.5 22.9 12.7 25.4 22.8
22 19/34 .032 754 14.2 14.3 19.0 16.0 38.0
20 19/32 .040 1216 8.76 8.85 32.0 9.5 58.9
18 19/30 .050 1900 5.60 5.64 51.0 - -
16 19/29 .057 2426 4.38 4.41 65.0 - -
14 19/27 .070 3830 2.77 2.79 103 - -
19/25 .090 5088 1.74 1.75 153 - -
12
37/28 .088 5874 1.81 1.83 155 - -
10 37/26 .111 9354 1.14 1.14 250 - -
8 133/29 .169 16983 .634 .663 450 - -
6 133/27 .213 26918 .401 .425 720 - -
4 133/25 .255 42615 .252 .263 1140 - -

*Note: Selecting wire with the largest number of strands provides the greatest
flexibility.
9.4.9 Crimp schedules should be generated for every wire/contact combination. All
crimp tools being used for that program should be verified against the crimp schedule.

9.4.10 When using High Strength Copper Alloy wire, crimp schedules must be
generated since the wire is of a much harder material.

9.4.11 To generate a crimp schedule, make 5 samples of a wire/contact combination at

the number specified on the contact positioner. Additionally, make 5 samples each at
one number above and one number below the number specified on the contact
positioner. Pull each sample, keeping a record of each pull value and whether the wire
broke or pulled out. Plot each of the crimp settings and select the one that is most
consistent and where the wires broke outside of the crimp area, or pulled out of the
contact.

9.4.12 Teflon wire must be screened before use. As a minimum a Physical Verification
Test (PVT) and a Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) test must be performed. The
DSC, although not normally performed by the manufacturer, will indicate whether the
insulation material was fully sinitered during manufacturing. This test measures the
melting point of the insulation. If the wire has not been fully sinitered, the insulation
will show two melting points rather than one. Oversinitering, curing the insulation at too
high of a temperature, will show only one melting point but at a temperature higher than
a properly sinitered wire. Undersinitering and oversinitering has been shown to be a
factor in insulation cracking. DSC will only show if a wire has been undersinitered. In
order to show oversinitering, additional testing such as wrap back and spark testing are
necessary.

9.4.13 When terminating Gore coax using the window technique, the center conductor
and insulator are so limp they must be supported with shrink tubing. A technique
successfully used is to cut and remove the outer jacket and shield approximately 1/2
inch from the end of the wire. Push back the center insulator or heat the end of the
insulation with a heat gun which will cause the insulation to shrink allowing the contact
to be crimped on the exposed wire. Cover the center insulator with Kynar shrink tubing.
This will provide support preventing the center conductor and insulator from collapsing.
Cut the outer jacket between 1/2 and one inch from the end of the jacket/braid, slide the
outer jacket over the shrink tubing opening a window of approximately 1/4 inch.
Terminate the shield, keeping the shield wire to the shortest length possible, and
insulate the shield termination with shrink tubing.

9.4.14 After cleaning the shield terminations of Gore coax cables that have a wrapped
inner insulation, make sure that the alcohol has dried before performing insulation
resistance tests. If the alcohol has not dried, leakage will be indicated by the test.

9.4.15 Use of tie wraps with plastic locking features is not recommended due to
slippage that can be caused by thermal relaxation. Tie wraps with metal locking features
have proven to be more reliable.

9.5 General Recommendations

9.5.1 Connector savers should be installed on every package connector, and not
removed until the package has been integrated and ready for final mate to the flight
harness.

9.5.2 Never probe directly on a flight connector. Use a connector saver or a breakout
box.

9.5.3 A mate/demate log should be maintained once the harness has been delivered to
I&T. Connector inspections should be instituted once the connector mate/demate count
reaches 15, and reinspected every 10 mate/demates thereafter. These inspections should
be performed by Quality Assurance personnel.

9.5.4 When demating "D" connectors, a demating tool or other mechanical aid should
be used to insure the connectors remain parallel during demating.

9.5.5 Circular connector backshells should be torqued to the values shown in Table 5.

*Note: The information in the table below is based upon data in MIL-C-85049,
Paragraph 4.6.12, Table 3, as well as applicable M85049 slash (/) sheets covering self-
locking coupling nuts. The values in the table apply to lubricated threads tightened
properly without excessive pressure to squeeze them out of round

Table 5 - Accessory Coupling Nut Torque Values

ACCESSORY THREAD TORQUE (+/- 5 IN-LBS)
SHELL SIZE Heavy Duty Medium & Light Duty
non-locking self-locking non-locking self-locking
8, 9 75 60 50 40
3, 10, 10SL, 11 100 80 50 40
7, 12, 12S, 13 140 112 50 40
14, 14S, 15 150 120 50 40
16, 16S, 17 150 120 50 40
18, 19, 27 150 120 100 80
20, 21, 37 170 140 100 80
22, 23 170 140 100 80
24, 25, 26 175 140 100 80
28 190 152 N/A N/A
32 190 152 N/A N/A
36 190 152 N/A N/A
40 210 168 N/A N/A
44 210 168 N/A N/A
48 210 168 N/A N/A
(Self-locking torque values are 80% of non-locking.)

Back to TOC ...