Interpretation ID: nht78-2.24

DATE: 07/27/78

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; M. M. Finkelstein; NHTSA

TO: Niles Parts Company, Ltd.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: We refer to your letter of March 15, 1978, concerning the testing of hazard warning and turn signal operating units (switches) in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.

The purpose of requiring 3-inch wire leads on any operating unit during testing is to permit the measurement of any voltage drop across a connector in the circuit. Since the connector is an integral part of your type of operating unit with its "terminal-direct" connection system, the wire leads are not necessary. We, therefore, interpret the society of Automotive Engineers Standards J589 and J910, covering Hazard Warning and Turn Signal Operating Units respectively, to require 3-inch wire test leads only on those units that are supplied with integral wire leads. During the prescribed tests, voltage measurements on units such as those that you provide shall be made at the electrical contacts on the units.