Product Overview
MIL-W-16878/27 is a 260°C high temperature wire rated for 1000V AC, featuring extruded PTFE insulation and a nickel-plated copper conductor. Compliant with NEMA HP-3 Type EE, this heavy-wall cable delivers superior abrasion resistance and moisture protection through its monolithic insulation wall — making it the go-to industrial equipment wiring solution for oil & gas, power generation, and harsh process environments where dielectric integrity must be maintained over decades.
Available in 32–10 AWG with solid and stranded conductor options, M16878/27 combines the voltage headroom of a 1000V class with the thermal endurance of nickel plating, filling a critical niche between 600V medium-wall types and lower-rated mili-tary specifications.
Key Features
260°C high-temperature rating — nickel-plated copper conductor remains stable at temperatures where silver plating oxidizes and degrades
1000V AC heavy-wall dielectric strength — extruded PTFE provides robust insulation for high-voltage power distribution and instrument wiring
Monolithic extruded wall — seamless insulation layer delivers superior abrasion resistance and a continuous moisture barrier, outperforming tape-wrapped constructions in rugged environments
Solder-iron resistant — PTFE insulation survives soldering temperatures without melting, shrinking, or losing dielectric strength for reliable field terminations
Chemical inertness — resistant to drilling fluids, hydraulic oils, fuels, acids, solvents, and hydrocarbons commonly found in energy sector and industrial applications
Broad AWG range — 32–10 AWG covers everything from delicate sensor leads to high-current power feeds, with multi-strand configurations available
M16878/27 vs M16878/28:Selection Guide
Both types share the same nickel-plated copper conductor, 260°C rating, 1000V class, and heavy-wall profile — the insulation method determines which one fits your application:
| Selection Factor |
M16878/27 (Extruded) |
M16878/28 (Tape-Wrapped) |
| Insulation Build |
Extruded PTFE (monolithic) |
PTFE tape-wrapped & sintered |
| Flexibility |
Moderate — stiffer profile |
Excellent — conforms to tight bends |
| Bend Recovery |
Fair — retains bend shape |
Superior — springs back after flexing |
| Abrasion Resistance |
Excellent — solid wall shields conductor |
Good — layered construction |
| Moisture Barrier |
Superior — monolithic seal |
Effective — sintered tape barrier |
| Vibration Tolerance |
Good — rigid wall |
High — layers dampen mechanical energy |
| Ideal Use Case |
Fixed installs, abrasive environments, subsea |
Dynamic routing, tight spaces, vibration-heavy |
Available Configurations
| Part Number |
AWG |
Stranding |
Con. Dia. (mm) |
Ins. Dia. Min. (mm) |
Ins. Dia. Max. (mm) |
Resistance (ohm/km) |
| M16878/27-32-7 |
32 |
7/40 |
0.31 |
0.91 |
1.12 |
2.03 |
| M16878/27-30-7 |
30 |
7/38 |
0.31 |
0.97 |
1.17 |
2.35 |
| M16878/27-30-19 |
30 |
19/42 |
0.31 |
0.97 |
1.17 |
2.34 |
| M16878/27-28-7 |
28 |
7/36 |
0.38 |
0.99 |
1.24 |
2.62 |
| M16878/27-28-19 |
28 |
19/40 |
0.38 |
1.04 |
1.24 |
2.88 |
| M16878/27-26-7 |
26 |
7/34 |
0.48 |
1.14 |
1.35 |
3.54 |
| M16878/27-26-19 |
26 |
19/38 |
0.48 |
1.14 |
1.35 |
3.70 |
| M16878/27-24-7 |
24 |
7/32 |
0.61 |
1.27 |
1.47 |
4.62 |
| M16878/27-24-19 |
24 |
19/36 |
0.61 |
1.27 |
1.47 |
4.78 |
| M16878/27-22-7 |
22 |
7/30 |
0.76 |
1.42 |
1.63 |
6.19 |
| M16878/27-22-19 |
22 |
19/34 |
0.76 |
1.42 |
1.63 |
6.55 |
| M16878/27-20-7 |
20 |
7/28 |
0.97 |
1.63 |
1.82 |
8.65 |
| M16878/27-20-19 |
20 |
19/32 |
0.97 |
1.63 |
1.83 |
9.18 |
| M16878/27-18-7 |
18 |
7/26 |
1.22 |
1.88 |
2.13 |
12.36 |
| M16878/27-18-19 |
18 |
19/30 |
1.19 |
1.88 |
2.13 |
12.65 |
| M16878/27-16-19 |
16 |
19/29 |
1.35 |
2.11 |
2.41 |
16.26 |
| M16878/27-14-19 |
14 |
19/27 |
1.70 |
2.49 |
2.90 |
24.19 |
| M16878/27-12-19 |
12 |
19/25 |
2.13 |
2.97 |
3.38 |
36.72 |
| M16878/27-10-37 |
10 |
37/26 |
2.74 |
3.48 |
3.89 |
54.52 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is MIL-W-16878/27 wire used for?A: MIL-W-16878/27 is a 260°C high temperature wire with extruded PTFE insulation and nickel-plated copper conductor, rated for 1000V AC. Equivalent to NEMA HP-3 Type EE, it is designed for high-voltage, high-temperature applications in oil & gas, power generation, and industrial processing where abrasion resistance and moisture protection are critical.
Q: How does M16878/27 differ from M16878/28?A: Both are 1000V heavy-wall types with nickel-plated copper conductors and 260°C ratings. The difference is insulation method: M16878/27 uses extruded PTFE (better abrasion resistance, superior moisture barrier, stiffer), while M16878/28 uses tape-wrapped PTFE (better flexibility, superior bend recovery, more vibration resistant). Select based on your mechanical routing requirements.
Q: Can M16878/27 replace M16878/25?A: Both use nickel-plated copper conductors and extruded PTFE insulation at 260°C. However, M16878/27 is heavy-wall rated for 1000V, while M16878/25 is medium-wall rated for 600V. They serve different voltage classes and are not direct substitutes unless your system voltage is 600V or below.
Q: What AWG sizes are available for M16878/27?A: MIL-W-16878/27 is available in 32–10 AWG with solid and stranded conductor options, including specialized multi-strand constructions such as 37/26 for the 10 AWG size. Specific strand configurations can be quoted on request.
Q: Can I solder terminations directly to M16878/27?A: Yes. The extruded PTFE insulation withstands soldering iron temperatures without melting, shrinking, or deforming, ensuring clean and reliable terminations even in remote field conditions.
Q: What makes nickel-plated copper better than silver-plated copper for high temperature?A: Nickel plating remains stable at temperatures up to 260°C, whereas silver plating can degrade, oxidize, or migrate at elevated temperatures, leading to increased contact resistance and potential failure. For applications running above 200°C, nickel plating is the preferred conductor finish.
Q: Is M16878/27 RoHS compliant?A: RoHS-compliant options are available. Please confirm your requirement when requesting a quote.
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