MIL-PRF-15160K
6.1.5.1 Low voltage applications. Problems can arise when fuses are used at voltages considerably lower than
their rated voltage. Due to the increase of the voltage drop when the element of a fuse approaches its melting point,
care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient circuit voltage available to cause the fuse to interrupt the
current when an electrical fault occurs. Furthermore, fuses of the same type and rating may, due to difference in
design or element material, have different voltage drops and may therefore not be interchangeable in practice when
used in applications with low circuit voltages. A minimum low voltage test (3.10.1) is specified (see 3.1) for those
fuses which are most likely to be effected when used in very low voltage circuits. However, caution should be used in
applying a fuse in any circuit with a voltage considerably lower than the fuse voltage rating.
6.1.5.2 Selected items. Equipment designers should refer to SAE-ARP1199 for possible selection of fuse types
preferred for use in new equipment design.
6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents must specify the following:
a. Title, number, and date of this specification.
b. ASSIST Online database should be cited in the solicitation, and if required, the specific issue of individual
documents referenced (see 2.1).
c. Title, number, and date of the applicable specification sheet or detail specification with the fuse type
d. Style (see 1.2.1.1).
e. Characteristic (see 1.2.1.2).
f. Voltage rating (see 1.2.1.3).
g. Current rating (see 1.2.1.4).
h. When silver plating is required (see 1.2.1.5).
i. Whether first article inspection is required (see 3.3).
j. Requirements for packaging (see 5.1).
k. Special marking, if required (see 3.14.3).
6.3 Finishes and material.
6.3.1 Tin-plated finish. Pure tin plating is prohibited (see 3.5.4) since it may result in tin whisker growth. The use
of alloys with tin content greater than 97 percent, by mass, may exhibit tin whisker growth problems after
manufacture. Tin whiskers may occur anytime from a day to years after manufacture and can develop under typical
operating conditions, on products that use such materials. Conformal coatings applied over the top of a whisker-
prone surface will not prevent the formation of tin whiskers. Alloys of 3 percent lead, by mass, have been shown to
inhibit the growth of tin whiskers. For additional information on tin finish, refer to ASTM-B545 (Standard Specification
for Electrodeposited Coatings of Tin), or for tin plating see ASTM-B545 and ASTM-B339.
6.3.2 Silver-plated finish. Users may consult ASTM-B700 for further information on silver plating.
6.3.3 Gold plated finish. Users may consult SAE-AMS2422 for further information on gold plating. Based on past
experience, gold plating of 99.0 percent gold, 0.00005 inch (0.00127 mm) minimum thick, with Knoop hardness ≥ 91,
has been used successfully to meet the performance requirements of this specification.
6.3.4 Nickel plated finish. Based on past experience, nickel plating in accordance with SAE-AMS-QQ-N-290,
.00008 inch (0.0020 mm) thick over brass and .0002 inch (0.0051 mm) thick over copper, has been used successfully
to meet the performance requirements of this specification.
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