Although cables and wiring harnesses serve as the circulatory and nervous systems for countless electrical and electronic systems, these components are often overlooked in terms of their importance.
Any professional seeking to enter the electrical manufacturing industry must have a basic understanding of how cables and wiring harnesses operate. These components deliver energy, convey commands, and gather sensory data describing the electrical system’s status and health.
Formation of the WHMA and Partnership with the IPC
The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) oversees all regulations regarding the manufacture of cables and wiring harnesses. It was established in 1993 but didn’t achieve much industrial authority in its first decade of existence.
In 2002, the organization was struggling with the aftermath of 9/11. Manufacturers of cables and wiring harness needed direction and order. That’s when the WHMA decided to partner with the IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) and launch the IPC/WHMA-A-620.
In February 2020, the WHMA celebrated its 27th anniversary. In this event, industry leaders discussed the importance of IPC’s cable & wire harness standards, mainly the IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard. The launch of the IPC/WHMA-A-620 was seen as a pivotal moment in the cables and wiring harnesses manufacturing industry.
Understanding the IPC/WHMA-A-620 Standard
The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard, commonly referred to as the IPC 620 Standard, fulfils a lot of responsibilities –
It prescribes practices and conditions for the production of cable, wire, and harness assemblies.
It describes which materials, tests, and production methods are acceptable as per industry standards. All manufacturers of electric assemblies involving wires/cables must conform to the acceptability requirements of the IPC 620.
The standard sets clear expectations for manufacturing companies and industry professionals. WHMA members and their partners at the IPC regularly update the standard to meet evolving industry demands.
To master this standard, students must get the official copies of the IPC/WHMA-A-620 document and all the revised versions from a licensed provider of PCB IPC Standards. Then, they can apply for official certification courses.
Revisions to the Standard
The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard has been revised three times -
In November 2012, ‘Revision B’ was published by the IPC and the WHMA.
In January 2017, another 428-page revision was released. ‘Revision C’ is now adopted by all cables and wiring harnesses manufacturers in North America and beyond.
The ‘D’ revision called the IPC/WHMA-A-620D was released in January 2020. It is 420 pages long. Its global adoption is still underway.
Classification of Products as per the IPC 620
The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard asks manufacturers to label the products they manufacture into three categories -
Class 1 General Electronic Products: Covers all basic consumer appliances meant for day-to-day use.
Class 2 Dedicated Service Products: Covers products that need to have long lives and exemplary performances. Uninterrupted functioning of these products is critical, and end- failures are not allowed. For instance, computing systems.
Class 3 High-Performance Products: Covers products that need to perform without fail on-demand. No downtime is tolerated, irrespective of how many external disturbances the equipment experiences. For instance, military devices.
Since its release in 2002, the IPC 620 Standard has become the yardstick of quality for all cables, and wiring harnesses manufacturers. WHMA relies on the global reach of the IPC to ensure manufacturers across the world follow acceptable quality standards.