Stranded Wire Failure Analysis

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received to MR16 sockets for a comparison between the current model and a new candidate. The MR16s are a type of bi-pin lamp fitting. Bi-pin lamp fittings are for use in incandescent (especially halogen) and some fluorescent lights. Gideon Analytical Laboratories not only helps companies identify the causes of failures in the manufacturing process and the field but in this case, can help identify positives and negatives about a type of design or types of materials.

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received two 42-inch cables. One cable labeled with a mark where an intermittent open occurred and the other a new cable for comparison. Radiography cannot reveal any anomalies. Resistive measurements were taken along the wire to determine the location of the high resistance. The polypropylene was removed and several wires were inspected for holes or mechanical damage (kinks, exceeding bend radius, cuts, scoring, etc.) to the outer insulation.