Standard Wire & Cable Co.

MIL-DTL-27500 (NEMA WC27500) Cable Designation

All MIL-DTL-27500 cables are designated by a combination of digits and letters (not to exceed 16) which indi-
cates the exact construction of each cable. Please note the following example of a MIL-DTL-27500 cable.

Cable Description: M27500A 22 SB 3 T 23

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Classification: The cable will be of the following types and will be furnished in the basic wire size, type, num-
ber of wires, and shield and jacket styles, as specified.
• Unjacketed: 2 to 15 color coded wires, spirally laid without an overall outer jacket.
• Jacketed: 2 to 15 color coded wires, spirally laid with an overall outer jacket.
• Shielded: A single wire, or 2 to 15 color coded wires spirally laid, with one or two overall shields.
• Shielded and Jacketed: A single wire, or 2 to 15 color coded wires spirally laid, with one or two
shields and one or two jackets.

Specification Number (1): All cables will carry this prefix.

Identification Method (2):

When 85% minimum shield coverage is required:
"-" designates the preferred identification method (white wire with colored stripes) using Table IIIA;
"F" designates the preferred identification method (white wire with colored stripes) using Table IIIB;
"A" designates optional identification method A (solid colored wires) using Table IIIA;
"G" designates optional identification method A (solid colored wires) using Table IIIB;
"B" designates optional identification method B using Table IIIC;
"K" designates optional identification method C;
"L" designates optional identification method D (see mil spec for band marking specification).
When 90% minimum shield coverage is required:
"C" designates the preferred identification method (white wire with colored stripes) using Table IIIA;
"H" designates the preferred identification method (white wire with colored stripes) using Table IIIB;
"D" designates optional identification method A (solid colored wires) using Table IIIA;
"J" designates optional identification method A (solid colored wires) using Table IIIB;
"E" designates optional identification method B using Table IIIC;
"M" designates optional identification method C;
"N" designates optional identification method D (see mil spec for band marking specification).

Conductor Size (3): This position identifies the wire size. Wire size depends upon the basic wire specification
(see 4).

Basic Wire Specification (4): The component wires are identified by a one or two letter code. A listing of the
basic wire specifications can be found in Table I.

Number of Conductors (5): M27500 currently specifies from 1 to 15 conductors for shielded or shielded and
jacketed cables, and from 2 to 15 for unshielded unjacketed or unshielded jacketed cables. Cables with 10
to 15 conductors are limited to 12 AWG and smaller.

Shield (6): The specific shield style and material are designated by a single letter code and are detailed in-
Table I A.

Jacket (7): Cable jacketing materials are specified by a two digit code and are detailed in Table I B.

Rancho Dominguez Phoenix

2050 E. Vista Bella Way, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 3120 West Thomas Road, Bldg. #801, Phoenix, AZ 85017
(310) 609-1811 (800) 326-0006 FAX: (310) 609-1862 (602) 269-2501 (800) 325-6478 FAX: (602) 278-7134
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]
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Table I - Basic Wire Specifications
A MIL-DTL-5086/11 CA MIL-DTL-22759/13 SP MIL-DTL-22759/43 MF MIL-DTL-81044/7
1,2
B MIL-DTL-5086/2 CB MIL-DTL-22759/14 SR MIL-DTL-22759/44 MG MIL-DTL-81044/82
1,2
C MIL-DTL-5086/3 CC MIL-DTL-22759/15 SS MIL-DTL-22759/45 MH MIL-DTL-81044/9
1
P MIL-DTL-5086/4 TE MIL-DTL-22759/16 ST MIL-DTL-22759/46 MJ MIL-DTL-81044/10
1 3 2
AA MIL-DTL-5086/5 TF MIL-DTL-22759/17 WB MIL-DTL-22759/80 MK MIL-DTL-81044/11
AB MIL-DTL-5086/61 TG MIL-DTL-22759/18 WC MIL-DTL-22759/813 ML MIL-DTL-81044/12
1 3
AD MIL-DTL-5086/7 TH MIL-DTL-22759/19 WE MIL-DTL-22759/82 MM MIL-DTL-81044/13
3
H MIL-DTL-8777, MS 25471 TK MIL-DTL-22759/20 WF MIL-DTL-22759/83 MR MIL-DTL-81381/73
3
F MIL-DTL-8777, MS 27110 TL MIL-DTL-22759/21 WG MIL-DTL-22759/84 MS MIL-DTL-81381/83
3
EA MIL-DTL-22759/1 TM MIL-DTL-22759/22 WH MIL-DTL-22759/85 MT MIL-DTL-81381/93
E MIL-DTL-22759/2 TN MIL-DTL-22759/23 WJ MIL-DTL-22759/863 MV MIL-DTL-81381/103
3
RA MIL-DTL-22759/3 JB MIL-DTL-22759/28 WK MIL-DTL-22759/87 MW MIL-DTL-81381/113
RB MIL-DTL-22759/4 JC MIL-DTL-22759/29 WL MIL-DTL-22759/883 MY MIL-DTL-81381/123
3
VA MIL-DTL-22759/5 JD MIL-DTL-22759/30 WM MIL-DTL-22759/89 NA MIL-DTL-81381/133
WA MIL-DTL-22759/6 JE MIL-DTL-22759/31 WN MIL-DTL-22759/903 NB MIL-DTL-81381/143
3
SA MIL-DTL-22759/7 SB MIL-DTL-22759/32 WP MIL-DTL-22759/91 NE MIL-DTL-81381/173
TA MIL-DTL-22759/8 SC MIL-DTL-22759/33 WR MIL-DTL-22759/923 NF MIL-DTL-81381/183
LE MIL-DTL-22759/9 SD MIL-DTL-22759/34 JA MIL-DTL-25038/1 NG MIL-DTL-81381/193
LH MIL-DTL-22759/10 SE MIL-DTL-22759/35 JF MIL-DTL-25038/3 NH MIL-DTL-81381/203
2
RC MIL-DTL-22759/11 SM MIL-DTL-22759/41 MD MIL-DTL-81044/5 NK MIL-DTL-81381/213
RE MIL-DTL-22759/12 SN MIL-DTL-22759/42 ME MIL-DTL-81044/6 NL MIL-DTL-81381/223
1
Not for use in aerospace applications. 2
Inactive for new design. ³ Not for Naval Air Systems Command usage.

Table I A - Shield Material

Letter Code
Maximum temperature
Single Double Description limit for shield material
Shield Shield °C °F

U --- No shield N/A N/A

T V Round, tin-coated copper 150 302
S W Round, silver-coated copper 200 392
N Y Round, nickel-coated copper 260 500
F Z Round, stainless steel 400 752
C R Round, heavy nickel-coated copper 400 752
M K Round, silver-coated high strength copper alloy 200 392
P L Round, nickel-coated high strength copper alloy 260 500
G A Flat, silver-coated copper 200 392
H B Flat, silver-coated high strength copper alloy 200 392
* # Flat, nickel-coated copper 260 500
J D Flat, tin-coated copper 150 302
E X Flat, nickel-coated high strength copper alloy 260 500
I Q Flat, nickel-chromium alloy 400 752

Rancho Dominguez Phoenix

2050 E. Vista Bella Way, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 3120 West Thomas Road, Bldg. #801, Phoenix, AZ 85017
(310) 609-1811 (800) 326-0006 FAX: (310) 609-1862 (602) 269-2501 (800) 325-6478 FAX: (602) 278-7134
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]
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Table I B - Jacket Material and Color
Numeric Code
Temperature Limit for
Single Double Description Jacket Material
Jacket Jacket °C °F

00 00 No jacket N/A N/A

01 511 Extruded white polyvinylchloride (PVC) 90 194

022 522 Extruded clear polyamide in accordance with ASTM-D-4066 105 221

03 53 White polyamide braid impregnated with clear polyamide finisher over a polyester tape 105 221

04 54 Polyester braid impregnated with high temperature finishers over polyester tape 150 302

05 55 Extruded clear fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) 200 392

06 56 Extruded or taped and heat sealed white polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 260 500

White polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) treated glass braid impregnated and coated with
07 57 260 500
polytetrafluoroethylene finisher over presintered polytetrafluoroethylene tape

083 583 Cross-linked white extruded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF ) 2 150 302

09 59 Extruded white fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) 200 392

103 603 Extruded clear polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 2 125 257

Tape of natural polyimide combined with clear fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) wrapped and
114 614 200 392
heat sealed with (FEP) outer surface
Tape of natural polyimide combined with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) wrapped and heat
124 624 200 392
sealed with polyimide outer surface

14 64 Extruded white ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) 150 302

15 65 Extruded clear ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) 150 302

Braid of aromatic polyamide with high temperature finisher over presintered

16 66 200 392
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape

175 675 Extruded white ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) 150 302

185 685 Extruded clear ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) 150 302

20 70 Extruded white perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) 260 500

21 71 Extruded clear perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) 260 500

Tape of polyimide combined with clear fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) wrapped and heat
22 72 200 392
sealed with opaque polyimide outer surface

23 73 Extruded white cross-linked modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (XLETFE) 200 392

Tape layer of white polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wrapped over a tape layer of natural polyimide
24 74 200 392
combined with FEP and heat sealed

1
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) materials shall not be used for aerospace applications.
2
Jacket material 02/52 is not to be used for cables having a diameter of 0.251 in (6.38 mm) or greater.
3
Jacket materials 08, 10, 58, and 60 are not to be used for cables having a diameter of 0.401 in (10.19 mm) or greater.
4
Not for Naval Air Systems Command usage.
5
Inactive for new design.

Rancho Dominguez Phoenix

2050 E. Vista Bella Way, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 3120 West Thomas Road, Bldg. #801, Phoenix, AZ 85017
(310) 609-1811 (800) 326-0006 FAX: (310) 609-1862 (602) 269-2501 (800) 325-6478 FAX: (602) 278-7134
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]
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Table II - Allowable Shield and Jacket Materials for Each Basic Type Wire

Cable Type
Shielded Jacketed Shielded and Jacketed
Basic Wire
Specification Shield Jacket Shield Jacket Shield Jacket
1 1
Material Material Material Material Material Material

MIL-DTL-5086 T 00 Unshielded 01, 02, 03, 10 T 01, 02, 03, 10

MIL-DTL-8777 S 00 Unshielded 4 S 4

MIL-DTL-22759
04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09,
slash sheets T, S, N 00 Unshielded T, S, N
14-18, 20, 21 14-18, 20, 21
1-12,20-23, 28-31

MIL-DTL-22759
04, 05, 09, 14-18, 04, 05, 09, 14-18, 20,
slash sheets T, S, N 00 Unshielded T, S, N
20, 21 21
13-19

MIL-DTL-22759
04, 05, 08, 09, 14-18, 04, 05, 08, 09, 14-18,
slash sheets T, S, N 00 Unshielded T, S, N
20, 21, 23, 24 20, 21, 23, 24
32-35, 41-46

MIL-DTL-22759 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09,
slash sheets T, S, N 00 Unshielded 11, 12, 14-18, 20, T, S, N 11, 12, 14-18, 20,
80-92 21, 22, 24 21, 22, 24

MIL-DTL-25038/1 & /3 F, C 00 Unshielded 06, 07 F, C 06, 07

MIL-DTL-81044 T,S 00 Unshielded 04, 08, 09, 14, 16, 23 T,S 04, 08, 09, 14, 16, 23

MIL-DTL-81381 T, S, N 00 Unshielded 05, 09, 11, 12, 22 T, S, N 05, 09, 11, 12, 22

See Table I A and Table I B for jacket material cross-reference.

1
T = Tin, S = Silver, N = Nickel, F = Stainless steel, C = Heavy coated nickel

Table III C - Color of Insulation for Identification of Wire Sizes

in accordance with MIL-STD-686

Wire Size 261 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 1/0 2/0

Insulation
Color Black Blue Green Red White2 Blue Green Yellow Brown Red Blue Yellow Red White Blue Green
(solid)

1
26 AWG is inactive for new design.
2
For MIL-DTL-81381 basic wire, the insulation color may be opaque dark yellow or unpigmented polyimide resin color.

Rancho Dominguez Phoenix

2050 E. Vista Bella Way, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 3120 West Thomas Road, Bldg. #801, Phoenix, AZ 85017
(310) 609-1811 (800) 326-0006 FAX: (310) 609-1862 (602) 269-2501 (800) 325-6478 FAX: (602) 278-7134
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]
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 Standard Wire & Cable Co.
Table III A - Circuit Identification Colors for Basic Wires in Cable
in accordance with MIL-DTL-22759, MIL-DTL-25038, MIL-DTL-81044, or MIL-DTL-81381
No. of
Wires Wire Number
in
Cable
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Basic
1
(white)
2 White1 Blue
1
3 White Blue Orange
1
4 White Blue Orange Green
1
5 White Blue Orange Green Red
1
6 White Blue Orange Green Red Black
1
7 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2
1
8 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet
1
9 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray
1
10 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3
4 1
11 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3 Blue/Blue
4 1
12 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3 Blue/Blue Orange/Orange
4 1
13 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3 Blue/Blue Orange/Orange Green/Green
4 1
14 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3 Blue/Blue Orange/Orange Green/Green Red/Red
4 1
15 White Blue Orange Green Red Black Yellow2 Violet Gray Brown3 Blue/Blue Orange/Orange Green/Green Red/Red Black/Black

1
Except where preferred color on basic wire specification sheet is not white.
2
Where basic wire is MIL-DTL-81381, a brown helical stripe shall be used.
3
Where basic wire is MIL-DTL-81381, a brown and white helical stripes shall be used.
4
For cables having more than 10 conductors, the wires shall be a white base identified by double color tracers as indicated.

Table III B - Circuit Identification Colors for Basic Wires in Cable

in accordance with MIL-DTL-5086 1, MIL-DTL-8777, MIL-DTL-22759, MIL-DTL-25038, MIL-DTL-81044, or
MIL-DTL-81381
No. of
Wires
Identification Colors for Respective Wires in Cable
in
Cable
1 Basic (white)
2 Red, blue
3 Red, blue, yellow
4 Red, blue, yellow, green
5 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic
6 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black
7 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown
8 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange
9 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet
10 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray
11 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray, red/white2
12 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray, red/white2, blue/white2
13 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray, red/white2, blue/white2, yellow/white2
14 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray, red/white2, blue/white2, yellow/white2, green/white2
15 Red, blue, yellow, green, basic, black, brown, orange, violet, gray, red/white2, blue/white2, yellow/white2, green/white2, black/white
1
Inactive for new design for MIL-DTL-5086.
2
Color designation indicates a solid color with stripe, e.g., red/white - solid red insulation with a white stripe.

Rancho Dominguez Phoenix

2050 E. Vista Bella Way, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 3120 West Thomas Road, Bldg. #801, Phoenix, AZ 85017
(310) 609-1811 (800) 326-0006 FAX: (310) 609-1862 (602) 269-2501 (800) 325-6478 FAX: (602) 278-7134
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]
100 Web Page: www.std-wire.com