Magnet Wire Section Scope
- All insulated conductors of the types generally used in the creation of an electromagnetic field
- Excluded are bare electrical conductors of all shapes
What is Magnet Wire?
Magnet wire is an insulated electrical conductor, usually copper or aluminum that when wound into a coil and energized creates a useful electrical field. Electricity is essentially useless without magnet wire. 90% of all electrical energy requires modification through the use of a magnet to be of use.
The primary end users of magnet wire products include the automotive, ballast, motor, generator, and transformer industries.
Technical Activities
The primary driver of the Magnet Wire Section is its technical work. The Section's Technical Committee is responsible for the publication and maintenance of ANSI/NEMA MW 1000-2008, Magnet Wire. Committee members strive to make NEMA MW 1000 technically accurate, editorially error free, and recognized throughout the world as the premier standard for the construction and testing of magnet wire and magnet wire packaging.
A wealth of information on this standard can be found at the MW 1000 homepage, including how to best use it, and a list of revisions that have been made to the current edition and their rationale.
MW 1000-2008 is available for purchase in hard copy or on CD-ROM. The first set of amendments (Revision 1) will be published in late November.
Relevant Standards and Publications:
Standards and publications relevant to the magnet wire industry include:
ANSI/MW 1000-2008
Magnet Wire
MW 785-2001 (Reaffirmed until 2011)
Simulated Insertion Test for Film Insulated Round Magnet Wire
MW 765-2003
Reclaiming of Magnet Wire Packaging
MW 750-2009
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Film Insulated Magnet Wire
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
The Magnet Wire Section is actively involved in IEC activity. Technical Committee No. 55, Winding wires, is responsible for publication and maintenance of all IEC winding wire specifications and test methods.
TC 55 met most recently on October 15, 2009 conjunction with the IEC General Meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel. TC 55 Working Group 1, Specification sheets, also met in Tel Aviv. TC 55 Working Group 2, Winding wire spools, is responsible for developing and maintaining specifications for winding wire delivery spool dimensions and test methods.
Currently, the United States National Committee (USNC) to the IEC holds the Secretariat for TC 55. The Section sponsors the funding of NEMA staff to fulfill the Secretarial responsibilities. The Section also funds U.S. Delegate participation.
NEMA also holds the function of USNC Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Secretary to TC 55. This TAG serves as the mechanism for establishing U.S. positions on TC 55 standardization actions.
Liaisons with outside organizations
American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
The Technical Committee is continually engaged with the work of ASTM Subcommittee D 9.10, Magnet Wire Insulation. It is this subcommittee that develops and maintains numerous standardized test procedures critical for determining compliance with magnet wire product performance requirements.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
The Technical Committee has established a longstanding dialogue with UL to help meet the need for safe operating magnet wire products and insulation systems. This liaison has also ensured that requirements and administrative procedures associated with UL Component Recognition of magnet wire enamels are not overburdening to magnet wire manufacturers. The Committee is also kept abreast of maintenance activity for UL Standard 1446, Systems of Insulation Materials-General.
Go here for UL Guide Card information on UL Recognized magnet wire-component.
For questions on NEMA MW 1000 or any magnet wire technical subject or activity, e-mail these to:
Mike Leibowitz
Program Manager
Safety, Health and Environment
The Magnet Wire Section maintains a very active Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Committee that is focused on several key issues including the effort to de-list copper from the Toxic Inventory of Solid Waste, Clean Air Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standard, and evaluating a number of other EPA and DOE legislation and its impact on the industry.
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Marketing Economics
Through NEMA, member companies are able to develop and implement tailored, industry-specific market and statistical programs that benefit participating companies.
NEMA also conducts economic analyses on the impact of legislation and regulations on member products, and monitors and reports on key industry market indicators. All programs comply with NEMA statistical confidentiality policies.
For more information, contact Kristin Hershberger at (703) 841-3293.
Industry Activities
The Section has been a co-sponsor of the biennial Electrical Insulation Conference (EIC)/Electrical Manufacturing Exposition (EME) (the largest insulation materials industry trade show and technical forum in North America).
The EIC/EMCW Exposition was last held in June 2009 in Montreal, Canada
For questions on the Expo, contact Mr. John Marcario at (703) 841-3266.
Government Affairs
Through NEMA, the section develops industry positions on legislative and regulatory initiatives that may affect member products, markets, and customers. NEMA's work has resulted in contributions to public policy development and in promoting competitiveness, technological progress, and public safety. On the Government Affairs homepage members can search for and e-mail federal representatives to convey opinions regarding energy policy or other issues related to the electroindustry.
NEMA Government Affairs provides specific services to its members and information in the areas of Environment, Health & Safety; Energy; and International Trade & Commerce.
Membership
Membership in the NEMA Magnet Wire Section is currently open to any firm actively engaged in the manufacture of magnet wire in North America.
NEMA operates on a fee-for-service basis. The Magnet Wire Section therefore, establishes its projects and activities and approves an annual operating budget.
