,tm~,

MIL-STD-686C
28 September 1990
SUPERSEDING
MIL-S'l'Ir686B
23 January 1984

MILITARY ST AND ARD

CABLE AND CORD, ELECTRICAL;

IDENTIFICATION MARKING AND
COLOR CODING OF

AMSC/NA FSC 6145

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENI' A. Approved for public release; distribution is W1limited.

 MIL-'.,TD-686C

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301

Cable and Cord, Electrical; Identification Marking and Color Coding of.

MIL-STD-686C

1. This Military Standard is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies
of the Department of Defense.

2. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent

data which may be of us~ in improving this document should be addressed to:
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, ATTN: AMSEL-ED-TO, Fort Monmouth,
NJ 07703, by using the Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form
142b) appearing at the end of this document or by letter.

ii
 MIL-STD-686C

Page
Paragraph 1. SC()PE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1

2. ~PLICAl3LE ~r-l'I'S • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2

3. DE:F'INITI~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3

4. GE?QA.L ~I~ •• •• ••••••• •• •• ••• •••• ••• •• •• •••• • 4

4.1 Electrical [Link] • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4

4.2 Electrical oords ••••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••• 4
4.3 Color limits........................................ 5
s. DmAIIED ~I~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • 6

5.1 Multioonductor electrical cables.................... 6

5.2 Identification marking.............................. 14
5.3 Arnored cables and single oooouctor unarnored wires.. 18

5.4 Striping or banding................................. 19

6. OOI'E.S ............................................... 20
FIGJRES
Figure 1. Examples of identification marking and color coding of
haoogeneous multioonductor electrical cables •••••••••• 7

2. Examples of identification marking and color coding of

heterogeneous multiconductor cables which oo not oontain
telephone or coaxial oonductors ••••••••••••••••••.••••• 15
3. Example of identification marking and oolor coding of
heterogeneous multiconductor cables which oontain
teleplx>ne or coaxial conductors ••••••••••••••••••••••• 16
TABLES

Table I. Color code for electrical oords ....................... 5

IIA. Identification code for electrical cables 8

IIB. Identification code for electrical cables for shipboard

use by the Deparbnent of the Navy··•··•····~·········· 10
III. Printing type/size of identification marking •••••••••• 17

iii
 MIL-STD-686C

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This standard establishes a uniform identification oode of all

electrical cables and cords used by the DepartnEnts of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force, except for the following.
a. High-tension and low-tension cables for vehicular use covered by
MIL-C-3702 and MIL-C-13486.
b. Cables used for construction.
c. Cables and cords for transmission of teleph::>ne, telegraph, and
teletype signals covered by MIL-STD-685.
d. Flexible coaxial cables.

1
 MIL-S'I'Ir686C

2. APPLICABLE J::XX:[Link]'S

* 2.1 Government documents.

* 2.1.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following specifications,

standards, aoo handbooks form a part of this docurrent to the extent specified
herein. Unless specified, the issues of these oocu111:mts are tb:>se listed in
the issue of the Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards
(OODISS) and supplement thereto, cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).

MILITARY

MIL-STI:>-104 - Limits for Electrical Insulatioo Color.

* (Unless otherwise indicat"'Ci, copies of the federal

and military specificatioos,
standards, aoo handbooks ar~ available from the standardization documents order
desk, Building 4D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094).

* 2.2 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of

this document aoo the references cited herein, the text of this document takes
precedence. Nothing in this oocument, however, supersedes applicable laws and
regulations tmless a specific exemption has been obtained.

2
 MIL-STD-686C

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Aroorican wire gage (A~). A system for describing the size of wires
used for electrical purp::>ses.

3. 2 Cable, multiconductor, electrical. Tl«> or ioore insulated conductors

(solid or stranded) contained in a camon covering or jacket.
3. 3 COrd, electrical. 'I'-'o or oore insulated tinsel conductors contained in
a c:cmn:,n covering, or twisted or oolded together without a cannon covering; or
two or nore stranded conductors wound in a specifically-designed spiral
construction for extra flexibility.
3.4 Conductor. Wire {solid or stranded) with insulation covering, suitable
for carrying an electric current.
3.5 Eguipnent ground. An insulated conductor intended for grouming non­
current-carrying metal parts of equipEnt.
3.6 Haoogeneous cable. cable canposed of identical insulated conductors.
3. 7 Heterogeneous cable. Cable <Xllp)sed of dissimilar insulated conductors.
These differences may be due to physical canposition, voltage rating, tempera­
ture rating, types of conductors, (e.g.,) audiofrequency or radiofreguency), or
use of oore than ooe size of conductor.
3.8 Insulatioo. A material, such as natural or synthetic rubber or a
thernoplastic caupouoo having high electrical resistance, which is suitable for
separating adjacent conductors in an electric circuit and preventing possible
future contact between the oonductors.
3. 9 Jacket. The outer sheath or covering material, such as natural or
synthetic rubber, lead sheath, steel tape, or a thermplastic canpolllld, applied
over a single-insulated conductor or over an assembly of insulated conductors
for protection against crushing, cutting, am abrasion of the oonductors and
their insulatioo.
3.10 Portable-power cable. Portable cable consisting of three, four, or
five insulated cooouctors (one of which serves as an equipEnt ground) used to
transmit power fran a ~ r source to equipnent such as portable-electrical
tools.

3
 MIL-S"l'Ir-68EiC

4. GENERAL RE)JUIREMENTS

4.1 Electrical cables.

4.1.1 Multiconductor cables. Multioonductor-electrical cables shall be

identified in accordance with the applicable p::,rtions of the detailed
requirements of this standard.
4 .1. 2 Single-conductor cables. Single-conductor cables shall be identified
in accordance with [Link].
* [Link] Data to be marked on cable jacket. The following data shall be
marked along one side of the entire length of the cable jacket with one foot or
less separations, in accordance with 5.2.

a. Government-specification number and government-type designation,

if one exists. (The [Link] rated w:>rking voltage and size
(~) of the ccnductor shall be added when this data is not
incorp::,rated in the governnent-type designation.)

or
b. Manufacturer's name, camercial-type designation, [Link] rated
~rking voltage, and size ~ ) of the conductor when there is
no existing government specification.
4.2 Electrical oords. Electrical cords shall be color coded in accordance
with table I.

4
 MIL-S'ID-686C

TABLE I • Color code for electrical cords. y y y

Conductor No. Insulation color
1 Black
2 White y
3 Green y
4 Red

s Blue
6 Orange

7 Brc::M'l

8 Gray
i
i 9 Yellow
1
l 10 Purple
.Y When electrical oords are caaposed of conductors of
miscellaneous sizes, the oolor code specified above shall
be followed consecutively starting with the cxnductor
having the largest circular mil area am extending through
the conductors having the snallest circular mil area.

y The white conductor shall always be used as the neutral

conductor am shall be insulated fran the equipment chassis/
connector.

~/ To be used as equipment groum only (see 3.5). Green

or green with yellow stripe is acceptable.

4.3 Color limits. The colors specified in this standard shall fall within
the limits of the standard oolor chips of MIL-STD-104.

5
 MIL-STD-686C

5. DETAILED ~IREH!N'I'S

5.1 Multiconductor electrical cables. Multiconductor electrical cables

shall be identified at the tiire of manufacture in accordance with the following
paragraphs.

5.1.1 Hooogeneous cables. The identification of hooogeneous cables is

illustrated in figure 1.
[Link] Data to be marked on cable jacket. Except as specified in 5.3, the
following data shall be marked along ooe side of the entire length of the cable
jacket with one foot or less separatioos, in acoordance with 5.2.
a. Governnent-specification number and governnent-type designation,
if one exists. (The maxinurn rated w:>rking voltage and number and
size (A~) of oonductors shall be added when this data is not
incorporated in the government-type designation.)
or
b. ~1anufacturer's na?OC!, ocmrercial-type designation, maxinum rated
working voltage, and number and size (~) of conductors when
there is no existing government specification.
[Link] Data to be marked on insulation of individual ex>nductors.
[Link].1 Designatioos. The ccoductor number and ex>lor designation as
indicated in table IIA or table IIB (for Navy shipboard use), aoo as illus­
trated in figure 1, example (a) shall be marked oo the insulatioo of each
oonductor with an outside diameter of O. 065 inch (including insulation) , or
larger, in acoordance with 5.2, except for p:>rtable-power cables, which shall
be identified as specified in [Link].2. The oonductor number and oolor
designation for each conductor shall be marked on the side of the conductor at
intervals of 2 inches throughout the length of the conductor, except for Navy
shipboard applicatioos the interval shall be 3 inches [Link] with alternate
legeoos inverted so that the information can be read from either side of the
cable. The individual conductors of 2- through 6-ccnductor cables may be color
coded as specified in [Link].3, in lieu of marking with the conductor nllllber
and oolor designatioo.
* [Link].2 Portable-po\ller cables. Portable-po\ller cables shall be oolor coded
as follows:
a. T\M:l conductor cables - one black, one white. 11
b. Three conductor cables - one black, one white, arrl one green,
with green conductor used for grounding.
y Color code black and red is inactive for new design.

6
 MIL-STD-686C

MIL-C 0000 TYPE 00 MIL-C

-RE

(a) COoouctors with outer diameter • 065 inch or larger.

MIL•C 0000 440V 'J/ 26 AWG Ml

(b) Conductors with outer diameter smaller than .065 inch.

LEGEND
BLACIC
'MilTE
GRECH
RED
BLUE

FIQJRE 1. Exanples of identification marking and color coding of haoogeneous

multioonductor electrical cables.

7
 MIL-S'ID-680C

* c. Four oorxluctor cables - one black, c:ne white, one red, arxl one
green, with green CX>nductor used for grounding.

d. Five corxluctor cables - one black, one white, one green, one red,
ooe blue, with green conductor used for grounding.

[Link].3 Sma.11-diazreter conductors. Except as specified in [Link].2,

insulated oonductors with an outside diameter of less than 0.065 inch (incloo­
ing insulation) shall be color coded in accordance with table IIA and table rm
(for Navy shipooard use) •

5.1.2 Heterogeneous cables.

[Link] Data to be marked on cable jacket. Except as specified in 5.3 the

following data shall be marked along one side of the entire length of the cable
jacket with one foot or less separations, in acoordanoe with 5.2.

a. Government-specification number am government-type designation,

if one exists. (The maxinum rated working voltage and number of
oonductors of each~ size shall be added when not inoorporated
in a government-type designation.)

b. Manufacturer's name, coomercial-type designation, maximum rated

v.10rking voltage, and m1nber of oonductors of each Aw:; size when
there is no existing government specification.

TABLE IIA. Identification code for electrical cables. .V

Color designation Color designation

Conductor Conductor
Single narrow Y
No. Body
band or stripe l It>. Body Single narrow
baoo or stripe

1
2
Black
White
-- 26
27
Blue
Black
Green
Orange
3
4
Green
Red
-- 28
29
White
Red
Orange
Orange
5
6
Blue
Orange
-
-
30
31
Green
Blue
Orange
Orange
7 White Black 32 Black Blue
8 Red Black 33 White Blue
9 Green Black 34 :Eed Blue

See footnotes at errl of table.

8
 MIL-STD-686C

TABLE IIA. Identification oode for electrical cables. ]I- Continued

Color designation Color designation
Conductor Conductor
No. Body Single narrow y No. Body Single narrow
band or stripe band or stripe

10 Orange Black 35 Green Blue

11 Blue Black 36 Orange Blue
12
13
Black
Red
White
White
37
38
Yellow
Yellow
-
Black
14 Green White 39 Yellow White
15 Blue White 40 Yel1ow Red
16 Black Red 41 Yellow Green
17 White Red 42 Yellow Orange
18 Orange zed 43 Yellow Blue
19 Blue Red 44 Black Yellow
20 led Green 45 White Yellow
21 Orange Green 46 Red Yellow
22 Orange White 47 Green Yellow
23 Green Red 48 Orange Yellow
24 Black Green 49 Blue Yellow
25 White Green 50 Violet

]/ For cables canposed of RDre than 50 cxmductors, the alx>ve

color designations shall be repeated in sequence with
appropriate subgroupings to the extent necessary to provide
identification of all conductors. The secxmd sequence shall
start with No. 51.
y When a braid covering is specified, a colored thread may be
used in lieu of the colored band or stripe.

9
 ?-UL-STI>-68(,C

TABLE Im. Identificatioo code for electrical cables for shipt:oard

use by the Department of the Navy.
Conductor Base color First tracer Second tracer
tb. color color
1
2
Black
White -
- --
---
3 Green - --
4 Red -- --
---
5 Blue
6
7
Orange
White
-
Black
8
9
Red
Green
Black
Black
--
10
11
Orange
Blue
Black
Black
--
12 Black White -
13
14
led
Green
White
White -
-
15
16
Blue
Black
White
Red
-
-
17
18
White
Orange
~
Red
-
--
19
20
Blue
Red
Red
Green
--
21
22
Orange
Black
Green
White
-
Red
23 White Black Red
24 Red Black White
25 Green Black White
26 Orange Black White
27 Blue Black White
28 Black Red Green
29 White Ped Green
30 .Red Black Green
31 Green Black Orange
32 Orange Black Green
33 Blue White Orar¥3e
34 Black White Orange
35 White Red Orange
36 Orange White Blue
37 White Ped Blue
38
39
Brown
Brown
-
Black
--
40 Brown White ---
41 Brown led -

10
 MIL-S'ro-68f,C

TABLE IIB. Identification code for electrical cables for shipboard

use by the Deparbnent of the Navy. - Continued
Conductor Base color First tracer Secx:md tracer
No. oolor color
42
43
Brown
Br0\r4'1
Green
Orange
--
44
45
Brown
White
Blue
Black
-
Blue
46 Red White Blue
47 Green Orange Red
48 Orange led Blue
49 Blue led Orange
50 Black Orange Red
51 White Black Orange
52 Bed Orange Black
53 Green led Blue
54 Orange Black Blue
55 Blue Black Orange
56 Black Orange Green
57 White Orange Green
58 Red Orange Green
59 Green Black Blue
60 Orange Green Blue
61 Blue Green Orange
62 Black Red Blue
63 White Orange Blue
64 Red Black Blue
65 Green Orange Blue
66 Orange White Red
67 Blue White Red
68 Black Green Blue
69 White Green Blue
70 Red Green Blue
71 Green White Red
72 OraD;e Red Black
73 Blue led Black
74 Black Orange Blue
75 Red Orange Blue
76 Green Red Black
77 Orange White Green
78 Blue White Green
79 Red White Orange
80 Green White Orange
81 Blue Black Green
82 Orange White --

11
 MIL-S'l'D-686C

TABLE IIB. Identification code for electrical cables for shiptx>ard

use by the Departnent of the Navy. - Cootinued
Conductor Base color First tracer Secx>rrl tracer
lb. color oolor
83 Green Red --
84 Black Green --
85
86
White
Blue
Green
Green
--
-
87 Black Orange --
88 White Orange -
89 Red Orange -
---
90 Green Orange
91 Blue Orange
92 Black Blue
93
94
White
Red
Blue
Blue
--
95 Green Blue ---
96 Orange Blue -
97 Yellow - ---
98 Yellow Black -
99 Yellow
Yellow
White --
-
100 led
101 [Link] Green -
---
102 Yellow Orange
103 Yellow Blue
104 Black Yellow
105 White Yellow -
106
107
Red
Green
Yellow
Yellow
-
--
108 Orange Yellow -
109 Blue
Black
Yellow
Yellow
-
led
110
111 White Yellow .Red
112 Green Yellow Red
113 Orange Yellow led
114 Blue Yellow led
115 Black Yellow White
116 Red Yellow White
117 Green Yellow White
118 Orange Yellow White

12
 MIL-STir686C

TABLE IIB. Identification code for electrical cables for shipboard

use by the Departnent of the Navy. - Continued
Conductor Base color First tracer Secom tracer
N:i. oolor color
119 Blue Yellow White
120 Black Yellow Green
121 White Yellow Green
122 led Yellow Green
123 Orange Yellow Green
124 Blue Yellow Green
125 Black YellcM Blue
126 White Yellow Blue
127 Red Yellow Blue

Note: In the case of cables having nore than one layer of corxiuctors,
the numbering sl:nwn ab:>ve shall be fran the innernost to the
outernost, i.e., the No. 1 conductor shall be tbF! center conductor
(or one of the center conductors where t~ or nore are used as a
center} of the concentric lay.
[Link] Data to be marked on insulation of individual conductors.
[Link].1 cables without telephone or ex>axial conductors. Heterogeneous
cables which do not contain telephooe or coaxial corxiuctors (see figure 2)
shall be identified as follows:
a. Conductors with an outside diameter of 0.065 inch or larger
(including insulation) shall be identified in acoordance with
[Link].1. When these conductors are of mixed-gage sizes, the
identification code given in [Link].1 shall be followed con­
secutively starting with the largest circular mil area conductor.
b. Conductors with an outside diameter of less than 0.065 inch
{including insulation) shall be identified in acoordanoe with
[Link].3. When these oonductors are of mixed-gage sizes, the
color cn1e given in [Link].3 shall be followed oonsecutively
starting with the largest circular mil area conductor am
oontinuing through the smallest circular mil area conductor.
c. In any cable containing less than 51 conductors, no two
CXXlductors shall be designated the same, whether identified by
printed markings or by color coding. When corxluctors with out­
side dianeters of less than 0.065 inch (inclooing insulation) are
included in cables which also contain conductors with outside
dianeters larger than 0.065 inch (inclooing insulation} the
sequence given in tables IIA and llB (for Navy shipboard use)

13
 MIL-S'ID-686C

shall start with the conductor having the largest circular mil
area as No. 1, and continue uninterrupted through the oooouctor
having the snallest circular mil area, regardless of whether the
individual conductors are identified by printing or by color
coding.

[Link].2 Cables with telephone or ooaxial conductors. When telephone con­

ductors or coaxial cables are included in heterogeneous cables, they shall be
identified in accordance with the a~licable codes for telephone or cx>axial
cables, and the jackets shall be numbered sequentially with the other conduc­
tors in the cable (see figure 3).
5.1.3 Cables having unshielded and shielded mnductors. Within a group of
conductors of the same size, unshielded mnductors shall be coded first,
followed by individually shielded conductors. carm:xtl.y shielded conductors
shall be coded after individually shielded mnductors.
5.1.4 Cables with pairs or triples. Cables having pairs or triples shall be
color coded according to table IIA, except toose for Navy shipboard use (see
5. l. 4 .1) • Pairs shall be color coded in sequence - black and white for the
first pair; green aoo red for the secooo pair. Triples shall be color coded in
sequence - black, white, and green for the first triple; red, blue, and orange
for the secooo triple.
[Link] Cables with pairs or triples for Navy shipboard use. [Link] pair
shall consist of one black am one white oonductor. Each triple shall consist
of one black, one white, and one green conductor. Identification (see table
rm) shall be applied to the overall shield of each shielded pair or triple.
Unshielded pairs or triples shall be identified similarly by coding the overall
covering of each pair or triple.
5.1.S Cables with singles, pairs, and triples. Cables having singles,
pairs, aoo triples shall be color coded in a oontinuing color sequence, with
singles first, pairs second, and triples third (see table IIA or rm).
5.2 Identification marking.
5.2.1 Types of marking. cable jackets aoo insulated conductors shall be
marked at the time of manufacture by means of surface printing or stanping.
5.2.2 Size of marking. The size of marking shall be in accordance with
Table III.
5.2.3 Marking oolors. Characters to be inprinted on the cable jacket or
c:x>nductor insulation shall be marked in either black or white to provide the
best contrast with the color of the jacket or insulation.

14
 MIL-S'l'D-686C

MIL-C-0000440V 2/BAWG 2/IOAWG

(a) Cable containing conductors with outside diameters .065 inch or larger.

M IL-C 0000 TYPE 00 MIL- C 000

(b) Cable containing conductors with outside diameters snaller than .065 inch.

(c) Cable containing conductors with outside diameters .065 [Link]:h or larger
and conductors with outside diameters smaller than • 065 inch.

LEGEND

=
BLACK RED
WHITE BLUE
GREEN ORANG£
• WHITE WITH BLACK STRIPE

FIQJRE: 2. Examples of identification marking and color ooding of heterogeneous

multiconductor cables which oo not contain telephone or coaxial con­
ductors.

15
 MIL-S'ID-686C

* OOI'E:
Jacket designated nlnber 6 is a shielded teleph:ne pair.
Jacket designated number 7 is an r-f coaxial cable.

FIQJRE 3. Examples of identification marking and rolor roding heterogeneous

multiconductor cables which rontain telephone or coaxial oonductors.

16
 MIL-STD-686C

TABLE III. Pr intinq type/size of identification marking. y

Pr inting type
Insulation
diaireter y
lleight of type Radius of curvature Reading direction
face l/ Y · of type face (±.001) ~
(.±_.001)

For insulating materials that are not flattened during the pr in ting operation,
the following curved and flat faoe type shall be used:

.030 - .038 .012 .020 Vertical

.039 - .048 .020 .025 Vertical
.049 - .060 .025 .031 Vertical
• 061 - .090 .025/.031 .046 Horiz . or Vert.
.091 - • 122 .031/.046 .062 Horiz • or Vert.
.123 - ,154 .046 .078 Horizontal

.155 - .184 .062 ,093 Horizontal

.185 - .248 .078 .125 Horizontal
,249 - .310 .093 .156 Horizontal

.311 - .374 .093/.125 .187 Horizontal

.375 - .436 .125 .218 Horizontal

.437 - .498 .125 .250 Horizontal

.499 - .560 .125 .281 Hor i:zon tal

.561 - 1.000 .125 Flat Horizontal

over 1.000 .187 Flat Horizontal

For an insulating tubing that is flattened during the printing operation, the
following flat fac-e type shall be used:

.035 to .060 .065 Flat face Vertical

.052 to .068 .050 Flat face Horizontal
.069 to • 096 .062 Flat face Horizontal
.097 to .166 .078 Flat face Horizontal
.167 to .624 .109 Flat face Hor iZ10ntal
.625 to 1.000 .125 Flat face Horizontal
over 1.000 .187 Flat face Horizontal

1/ Dinl!nsions are in inches.

y For heat shrinkable tubing, the height of the type face shall be
governed by the •as supplied• insulation diameter.

y Other type face heights may be used only when approved by the
contracting activity.

y r'or horizontal lettering, this quantity is the actual height. For

vertical lettering, this quantity is the width of the letter. The
letter height would be approximately 3 tines this quantity •

.2/ All industry standard sizes.

17
 MIL-STir686C

5.2.4 Identification CX>ding.

a. The standard rreans of coding shall be as follows:
1. Solid-colored insulation, with colored-stripe tracer, when
required.
2. Color-CX>ded 1/2 to l mil polyester tape, with or without 1/2
to 1 mil heat-sealable adhesive.

3. Color-cxx:led 1 mil polyester tape with 1/2 to 1 mil heat­

sealable adhesive in 8 AW3 or larger, when tracers are
required.
4. Color-<X>ded filled tapes in 8 ~ and larger, when tracers
are not required.
5. Cooing by marking.
6. Color code by green braid (uninsulated grouoo wires ooly).
b. Color shall be in accordance with MIL-ST!rl04, class 1 for
plastics and elastaners, class 2 for thermosetting oompounds.
Where black, blue, brown, purple, and/or red (i.e., two or m::>re
of these colors) are used in the same cable, the oolors (other
than black) shall be light to naninal. Gray shall be dark (or
slate) when in the same cable with white.
[Link] Stripe tracers. The tracers shall be either of the same material as
the insulation or permanent-colored ink. The colors shall be easily dis­
tinguishable. All. materials used for striping shall be nonconductive. Length
of lay and stripe width of colored stripes shall be in acoordance with 5.4.
5.2.5 Permanence and legibility. 'lbe marking shall be legible and durable
am shall not rub off or be otherwise made illegible by exposure to its
envirorunent or by contact incident to normal handling, shii;xrent, and storage.
The marking shall be accx:mplished in a manner which will not adversely affect
the cable characteristics, and shall remain legible after being subjected to
the applicable specification marking tests.

* 5.3 Armored cables. When aaoor is used as an outer cable oovering, the data
specified in s.1.1.1 and [Link] shall be printed on a marker tape with durable
ink in capital characters at least 0.062 inch high. The marking shall be
repeated throughout the length of the marker tape with separations of not m::>re
than one foot. The tape shall be located im::ier the jacket or between the arnor

18
 MIL-STD-686C

and jacket, unless otherwise specified by the procuring activity. As an

alternate, when applicable, the data specified in [Link] and 5.1.2.l may be
printed on the jacket prior to installation of the arnor. For Navy
* application, the cable shall conform to the marking reguirenents of the cable
procurerrent specification.
5.4 Striping or banding.
5.4.1 Colored stripes or circumferential bands. Stripes and bands shall
be applied in the same direction if helical, and shall conform to the color
code designated in tables IIA and IIB. Insulation material stripes (per
[Link]) are injection-extruded longitudinally, and hence, have no lay
direction.
5.4.2 Sequence. In the sequence of applying helical stripes or circumfer­
ential bands on a wire, the first stripe or band shall be distinguishably
wider than the second band within the group. Helical or longitudinal if
using colored insulation material stripes shall run parallel to each other
and shall be continuous, clearly defined and constant in width and spacing
throughout the length of the wire. Circumferential bands shall be parallel
to each other aroun:3 the circumference of the wire, shall be clearly defined,
shall be constant in width and spacing, and shall be continuous in repeated
oolor groupings for the length of the wire unless otherwise specified.
5.4.2.l Stripe or band width. The width of the stripe or bands shall be
measured perpendicular to the centerline of the stripe or band. The width of
the wide (first) stripe or band shall be oot less than 0.040 inch when the
diameter over the marked surface exceeds 0.047 inch; when the diameter over
the surface on which the stripe or band is applied is less than O. 047 inch,
then the width of the first stripe or ham shall be not less than two-thirds
(2/3) the nc:rninal diameter of the surface. The narrow (second) stripe or
barx3 shallbe not less than one-half (1/2) oor nore than three-quarters {3/4)
the width of the wide (first) stripe or band.

[Link] Stripe or band spacing. en single stripe or band coloring, the

spacing between each stripe or baIXI shall be not less than twice the width of
the individual stripe or band. On multiple stripe or band coloring, the
spacing between stripes or bands within a grouping shall be not less than the
width of the narrow stripe or band.
[Link] Length of lay (spacing between groups). The length of lay of each
stripe shall not exceed 1. 25 inches (unless using colored insulation material
for striping).

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 MIL-STI>-686C

OOI'E: Length of lay is defined as the longitudinal distance along a

wire from the starting p:,int of one grouping of stripes to the
starting point of the next repetition of the grouping.
[Link] Spacing between groups of bands. The spacing between groups of
J:::arrls shall be at regular intervals along the wire. The spacing separating a
group of bands from the next grouping shall be greater than the spacing between
the bands within a group, but shall not exceed 3 inches.
6. NOI'ES

{This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that

may be helpful, but is not mandatory.)

* 6.1 Intended use. Documents conforming to the requirements of this standard

are intended for use as military standardization docunents and are listed in
the DODISS. The purpose of this standard is to standardize the preparation of
military standards, handbooks, and bulletins to ensure the inclusion of data
and descriptions essential to the selection and application of items and
processes, aoo to aid in the use aoo analysis of DoD standardization docunents.

* 6.2 Issue of OODISS. When this standard is used in acquisition, the appli­
cable issue of the OODISS must be cited in the solicitation (see 2.1.1).
6.3 No deliverable data required by this docunent.
6.4 Subject term (key word) listing.
N6C N/A
Haoogeneous cable
Heterogeneous cable
Insulation material
Multiconductor cable
Jacket material
* 6.5 Changes from previous issue. The nargins of this specification are
marked with asterisks (*) to indicate where changes fran the previous issue
were made. This is done as a convenience only and the Governrrent assumes no
liability whatsoever for any inaccuracies in these notations. Bidders am
contractors are cautioned to evaluate the requireirents of this document based
on the entire content irrespective of the marginal notations aoo relationship
to the last previous anendnent.

20
 MIL-STir686C

Custodians: Preparing activity:

Army - CR Army - CR
Navy - AS
Air Force - 85 Agent:
DLA - IS
Review activities:
Army - MI (Project 6145-1167)
Navy - EC
Air Force - 99
DIA - IS

User activities:
Navy - SH, IC

21