Rosslyn, VA, May 14, 2003 -- NEMA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, has released standards publication MW 1000-2003, Magnet Wire, which has been reformatted for improved accuracy and ease of use.

Segmented into four major sections, the standard presents all NEMA standards for magnet wire in a single and convenient binder. Part 1 provides general requirements common to all types of magnet wire, including ordering information, general material requirements, general test conditions, definitions, and manufacturing data in support of thermal rating, as well as dimensions with metric equivalents for all bare, minimum insulation increase, and overall dimensions. Part 2 consists of product specification requirements (other than dimensions) for magnet wire with different types of coatings or coverings. Part 3 contains the test procedures to be followed and corresponding tables of specific test values to be attained in determining compliance with the requirements given in Part 2. MW 1000-2003 also includes Appendix B, which consists of definitions, requirements, and recommended test procedures for reusable magnet wire packaging, standardized dimensions for spools and reels, and formatting for the labeling of magnet wire products.

The repetitive data tables, previously in the Part 2 product specification section, have been replaced by master tables in Parts 1 and 3 of the standard. With few exceptions, all Part 2 specifications are now consolidated on one page to include requirements for all insulation builds, and refer to master general requirement tables in Part 1 and test requirement tables in Part 3.

"The reason we made changes is to improve the accuracy of the standard," said Don Barta, chairman of the NEMA Magnet Wire Technical Committee. "Among other things, MW 1000-2003 has been revised to include the addition of dimensional requirements for 14 and 15 AWG self-bonding wire, changes to the dissipation factor procedure to harmonize with the IEC method, and increases in dimension tables to standardize quad build dimensions."

MW 1000-2003 may be purchased for $134 by contacting Global Engineering Documents at 800- 854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or on the Internet at www.global.ihs.com. A version on CD-ROM will be available soon.