MIL-DTL-23659 Initiators, Electric, General Design Specification ForThis specification furnishes general requirements for design and establishes uniform methods for testing electric initiators and electric initiator subassemblies. The purpose of the testing program is to determine the electric characteristics, soundness of mechanical design, output, and resistance to deleterious service environments. For purposes of this specification the term electric initiator includes items classified in FSC 1377 such as hot wire initiators, exploding bridgewire initiators, exploding foil initiators, conductive mix initiators, etc. Electric primers are not covered in this specification. All requirements for in-line initiators used in safety sensitive, non-interrupted energetic materials train applications are contained in Appendix A. Requirements for all other initiators are in the main body of this document.

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MIL-DTL-23659F

3.3.8. Bridge Circuit Insulation and Insulation Barrier. The bridge circuit shall be

electrically insulated from the case except in those instances where an insulated bridge initiator is

not compatible with the device of intended application. A continuous insulation barrier shall be

provided between the case and any explosive, propellant or pyrotechnic material which is in

contact with the bridge circuit. The barrier shall be of a material having high electric resistivity

and dielectric strength.

3.3.9. Bridge Circuit Resistance, Bridge Circuit Continuity or Dielectric Withstanding

Voltage. The initiator shall be designed such that the measurement of bridge circuit resistance,

bridge circuit continuity, or application of dielectric withstanding voltage when tested as

specified in 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 will not dud, adversely affect, or cause the initiator to fire.

3.3.10. Explosive, Propellant, Delay Composition, or Pyrotechnic Material. Any

explosive, propellant, delay composition, or pyrotechnic material used in an initiator shall be

approved by the cognizant Safety Authority.

3.3.11. Marking. Marking, where applicable, shall be non-defaceable (normally stamp or

etch) through normal handling and use and shall include designation, lot number, date of

manufacture, and manufacturer's identification.

3.3.12. Radiographic Examination. Each initiator shall be subjected to radiographic

examination such as X-ray, neutron bombardment, gamma rays etc. as specified in 4.1.2.2.

Radiographic plates shall be identified by date, initiator part number, lot number and serial

number.

3.3.13. Performance Reliability. The initiators shall meet all performance requirements

at a reliability of not less than 99 percent at a confidence level of 95 percent. The method of

analysis shall be in accordance with 4.1.4.

3.3.14. Leakage. The initiators shall pass a dry gas leak test. Initiators which exhibit a

leak rate in excess of 10-5cc per second of air at a pressure differential of 1 � 0.1 atmosphere

shall be considered defective. The leak test shall be conducted as specified in 4.1.2.3.

3.4. Electrical Characteristics.

3.4.1. Dielectric Withstanding, Voltage. Each initiator produced under a contract shall be

subjected to a dielectric withstanding voltage of 500 volts DC for 60 seconds. The leakage

current shall not exceed 0.1 milliampere. The test shall be conducted as specified in 4.4.1.

Initiators which exhibit a leakage current in excess of that stated above shall be considered

defective and discarded.

3.4.2. Bridge Circuit Resistance or Bridge Circuit Continuity.

3.4.2.1. Initiators with or without Bridge Circuit Gap. For each initiator produced under

a contract the bridge circuit resistance or bridge circuit continuity (whichever is applicable) of

each bridge circuit shall be as specified in 4.4.2.

3.4.2.2. Initiators with Conductive Mix Materials. If conductive mix materials are used,

the conductive mix resistance measurement requirement shall be as specified by the cognizant

Safety Authority.

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