Ipc-a-620 Training For Wires And Cables

By Author: Bob Wettermann
Total Articles: 4
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IPC A-620 Training

The IPC-A-620 training (also known to the wire harness industry as WHMA-A-620) is the pre-eminent training program on wire harness and cable industry standards worldwide. This certification is based on the IPC/WHMA-A-620 , Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies standard which is an industry consensus document describing the acceptability requirements related to wire harness and cable assemblies and their installation and testing. Users, industry consultants, electronics manufacturing service providers and wire harness suppliers all had and are continuing to have input in to this standard. The standard breaks the assemblies down in to a variety of classes based on the end use operating environment. The IPC-A-620 certification program is based on knowing, using and applying this standard.

The IPC-A-620 training program teaches students on numerous topics on wire harnesses and cables. The program teaches the students about the criteria for stamped and formed as well as machined contacts. Also covered in the IPC-A-620 training program are mechanically-secured and soldered ...
... interconnections. There are sections on the topics of IDC connections, various types of splicing, how wires are prepped and how they are cut. In addition, the testing of cables and wire harnesses standards are explained and discussed including but not limited to the electrical, mechanical and functional testing requirements.

The IPC-A-620 training program is targeted at a variety of groups within an organization. QC inspectors having cable and wire harness or box build responsibility are primary candidates for going through the IPC-A-620 certification program. Other participants include personnel from the quality assurance or incoming inspection departments. Sales and program managers also need to know what they are selling or what the customer is expecting in the end product.

The IPC-A-620 certification program, like other IPC certification programs, works on a multi-tiered model. IPC verifies the credentials of various training centers and sells licenses to them. These training center licenses allow the certified master instructors at the centers to train both operators and trainers interested in being credentialed in the IPC-A-620 certification. The credentialed trainers can then go out and teach others in their respective companies about the IPC Training standards further credentialing them in the IPC-A-620 program. The certification has a two year validity period of time with re-certifications taking place. This program has the accredited party owning the certification credentials individually (and not the company employing them).

The IPC-A-620 training is broken up in to several modules. While there are some basic requirements for all holding the IPC-A-620 certification credential, the program becomes modularized inside of companies based on the specific requirements of the company. The following are the optional IPC-A-620 certification training modules:

Wire preparation
Soldered terminations
Crimp terminations
Insulation displacement (IDC)

Ultrasonic welding
Splices
Connectorization
Moulding and potting

Cable assembly and wires
Marking and labelling
Coaxial assembly
Wire bundle securing
Shielding
Cable/Wire protective coverings
Installation
Solderless wrap

This means that the company can pick and choose what is most appropriate for their business with respect to their and their customer’s requirements. The IPC-A-620 certification program for wire and cable harnesses is truly a flexible program for each company.

In addition to the IPC-A-620 certification training, augmenting this knowledge with that of practical hands-on training in wire and cable harness training is advantageous. In such a class the knowledge of the standard is developed out further practical wire harness building training. This hands-on training should include some or all of the following elements:

Stamped and formed terminations

Machined terminations

Wire routing and cable tying

Blueprint reading

Cable and wire preparation

Splicing

IDC terminations

Coax cable terminations

The above skills, combined with some hands-on time in measuring crimp heights and performing pull strength testing, will bolster the knowledge gained in the IPC-A-620 training program.

IPC A-620 training in IPC Certification demonstrates to your end customers your desire to follow the “best in class” practices with respect to wire and cable harness assembly. By credentialing your associates and staff costs will be reduced as they become more proficient in their jobs, quality scores will increase thereby keeping your end customers coming back and the job satisfaction of your associates will improve making them more productive and better performing workers.

I am the principal of BEST Inc and I have the passion for teaching in a variety of life skills as well as in soldering and PCB repair as well in Social Media Marketing.