IPC/WHMA-A-620 Certification for Specialist, Space, Hands-on

The IPC/WHMA-A-620 Space Addendum Training Program provides individuals with the application of the specification on building wire and cable harnesses for space applications as well as the practical knowledge and skills to build wire and cable harnesses. Wire and cable designed to withstand the vibration and thermal conditions in space must survive the vibration and thermal cycling that goes on in those environments. Once candidates pass they pass the requirements for accreditation they will receive a  portable credential that recognizes their understanding of the Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies as outlined in the IPC/WHMA-A-620 Space addendum .

This class teaches the practical aspects of building and outfitting cable and wire harness assemblies built for space applications. Actual cable building exercises and a qualifying test need to demonstrate competence in these areas. . The majority of the class time is spent in developing practical skills.

In order to sit for the IPC-A-620 Space Addendum course, the student must have already to have been certified in  IPC/WHMA-A-620 as a CIS. 

Students will learn how to build and install cables. Skills such as soldering, attaching  soldering to cup terminals, crimping machine contacts, crimping insulated lugs, wire splices, coax connectors, wires to IDC connections, shield terminations, including routing using ty-raps/lacing cord, shielding–braid and shrink-tubing, and testing of the final product are all skills which will be demonstrated and be taught as part of the class instruction.

Upon successful completion of this course, students are certified for 24 months.

In-process quality inspectors, assembly technicians, incoming quality inspectors, and wire and cable harness fabricators are the targeted participants for this class.

Course Outline

Measure and cut wire/cables, strip, and tin wires

Sizing, cutting,  application and shrinking of shrink tubing

Assemble and solder terminals, crimp formed contacts (insulated and non-insulated), crimp stamped/machine contacts.

Assemble BNC connectors to coaxial cable, RJ45 plugs, and ribbon cable

Coaxial wire terminations

Bundle wires and cables using tie wraps, spot ties and continuous lacing

Attaching wires to IDC connectors

Wire splicing

Routing of wires using ty-wraps

Documentation of wire and cable harness assemblies-reading, interpretation

How long does IPC-A-620 specialist training take?

5 days or less