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Specifications subject to change.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CONTACT SIZE - This usually relates to the maximum size
wire this contact can nominally accommodate. It is based
on that AWG size most closely corresponding to the circular
mil area of the engaging end of a pin contact. For example,
a size 16 contact can accommodate a size 16 AWG wire
maximum and the pin corresponds to the CMA of a size 16
AWG. Note, however, that oversized crimp pots are available
for some crimp contacts which will allow, for example, a size
16 contact to accommodate a size 14 AWG wire.
CONTACT SPACING - The distance between two centers
of adjacent contacts.
CONTINUITY – An unbroken conductive path for electrical
energy.
COUPLING – There are three common methods of
mechanically coupling circular connectors, all three are
represented in this catalog. Coupling can be made with
threads (as in the CT series), three pin bayonet (as in
TRIDENT and KPT/ KPSE) or ramps (as in the CB and
CR series).
COUPLING NUT – The rotating ring on plug style
connectors which mechanically locks the two connector
halves together. Coupling nuts may function by means of
internal threads, roller wheels, pins, or internal bayonet
ramps. Also known as a coupling ring.
COUPLING RING – See COUPLING NUT.
COUPLING TORQUE – Torque is rotational force, usually
stated in Newton-meters or Foot-pounds. In the coupling
of connectors it is normally used to give the maximum or
minimum force which should be applied to the coupling nut
when mating and unmating the two connector halves.
CPS – Cycles per second.
CREEPAGE – The conduction of electricity across the
surface of an insulator.
CREEPAGE DISTANCE – The shortest distance between
contacts of opposite polarities, or between a live contact and
ground, measured over the surface of the insulator.
CREEPAGE PATH – A path across the surface of the
insulator between two conductors. Lengthening the path
reduces the possibility of arc damage.
CRIMP – A method of attaching a contact to a wire through
the application of pressure.
CRIMP CONTACT – A contact which is terminated to a
wire by means of crimping with an appropriate die and tool.
After termination, an insertion tool is normally used to insert
the crimped contact into the connector. Removable crimp
contacts can be FRONT RELEASE or REAR RELEASE. A
removal tool is usually required to remove the contact.
CSA – Abbreviation for Canadian Standards Association.
CURRENT – The movement of electrons through a
conductor. Current is measured in amperes. It’s symbol is I.
CURRENT RATING – The maximum current that a
particular wire, contact, or connector can accommodate.
NOTE: When several wires are used in a single connector or
elevated temperature or altitude is involved, derating curves
must be applied to these ratings. A typical derating system is
MIL-W-5088 which allows the user to calculate the derating
effects of current, ambient temperature, number of wires in
the bundle, and altitude.
DB – Abbreviation for DECIBEL.
DEAD FACE - See DEAD FRONT.
DEAD FRONT – The mating surface of a connector which
is designed so that the conductive elements, such as the
contacts, are physically recessed in the insulator to avoid
shorting or shock hazard.
DECIBEL – A standard unit of measure for transmission
gain or loss. It expresses the ratio of power input to power
output. Abbreviated DB. The term DBm is used when 1
milliwatt is the reference level.
DERATING – To reduce the voltage, current, or power
rating of a connector to improve its reliability or to permit
operation at high ambient temperatures or altitudes.
DERATING CURVE – A graph of the change in power
handling capability of a connector as a function of ambient
temperature or altitude. Typically the graphed function is
curved, hence the name.
DIALLYL PHTHALATE – A thermosetting plastic used for
insulators and some types of connector housings. It has
outstanding resistance to chemicals, excellent dimensional
stability, and superior electrical insulating properties.
DIELECTRIC – An insulator used to isolate two conductors.
DIN - Abbreviation for DEUTSCHe Industrie Norm, a German
standards organization.
DIRECT CURRENT – An essentially constant value of
current that flows in only one direction. Abbreviated dc.
DRAIN WIRE – In a foil shielded cable, the drain wire is an
uninsulated wire which runs the length of the cable making
intimate electrical contact with the inside of the foil. Since it
would be difficult to directly terminate the fragile foil shield,
the drain wire is used to terminate the shield by either
soldering or crimping the drain wire to a ground termination.
DUMMY RECEPTACLE – A receptacle shell which takes
the place of a working receptacle and is used to fill an empty
connector mounting hole or to provide a location to mate
an unused connector. A dummy receptacle has no contacts
and no insulator and thus provides no electrical function.
DUST CAP – A cover used in place of a mating connector
to seal it against dirt and moisture. Usually secured to the
connector by a captive chain, wire, or rope.
DYNE – The standard centimeter-gram-second unit of force,
equal to the force that produces an acceleration of one
centimeter per second per second on a mass of one gram.
Its abbreviation is dyn.
ELECTROPLATNG – To deposit a metal on the surface of a
conductor using electrolysis.
EMI/RFI – Electro-Magnetic Interference and Radio
Frequency Interference. This is unwanted stray electronic
radiation which may enter, and/or be emitted by a
electronic system. The most common method of shielding
interconnections against this radiation is to use wires with
a metallic braided shield and a connector system which
will extend the shield through the interconnection. This type
of design will keep radiation from entering, or being emitted
by the system. Endbells for shielded cable and connectors
with threads or grounding fingers are typically used for this
purpose. Call for the specific EMI/RFI accommodations of
the connectors in this catalog.
EN – Abbreviation for Euro Norm. A European
market-wide product standard.
ENDBELL (also known as BACKSHELL) – The outer rear
end of the connector which is attached by means of internal
threads or screws. It adapts the connector to its wire
connections in a variety of ways. Typical endbells might have
cable clamps to secure a wire bundle, ridges for heat shrink
tubing, pipe threads, or shield termination mechanisms.
Endbells may be straight, right angle, or 45 degree.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SEALED – A connector which uses
seals, gaskets, O-rings, potting, or other devices to prevent
moisture, dirt, air, or other contaminants from entering and
degrading its performance.
ETSI – Abbreviation for European Telecommunications
Standards Institute. A group which deals with
telecommunications standards at the European level,
corresponding to the ITU at the international level.
EU – Abbreviation for European Union. A group of European
community nations. In practice, they typically adopt
standards set by the ISO, IEC, and ITU.
EX APPROVAL – Symbol to identify approval by the
ATEX directive.
EXTRACTION TOOL – A device used to remove a
(removable) contact from a connector insulator. The
extraction tool may be inserted into the mating face of
the insulator (FRONT RELEASE) or the wire side (REAR
RELEASE). In either case, the contact comes out the rear,
or wire side, of the connector.
F – Abbreviation for Fahrenheit.
FAHRENHEIT – A temperature scale in which the freezing
point of water is defined as 32 degrees and the boiling point
is 212 degrees at normal atmospheric pressure. See the
conversion tables for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius.
FAILURE MODE – The manner in which a failure occurs,
including the operating conditions of the connector at the
time of failure.
FEMALE CONTACT – See SOCKET CONTACT.
FERRULE – A bell shaped ring which is placed over a WIRE
SEALING GROMMET to provide uniform axial compression
of the grommet and to minimize the transmission of torque to
the grommet when the endbell is screwed on to the rear of
the connector. Ferrules are a part of the sealing mechanism
at the rear of a connector. Ferrules are normally a separate
component part of the connector although some endbells
have integrated ferrules. Ferrules are usually made from a
thermoplastic material, but occasionally ferrules are made
of metal.
FINISH – See PLATING.
FIRST-MATE LAST-BREAK CONTACT – A contact
which is longer than a standard contact or which sits in
the insulator in such a way that it mates with the opposing
connector half before any of the other contacts. Used to
insure that a ground connection between the connector
halves mates before, and breaks after, any of the other
contacts.
FLANGE – A square mounting flange with four mounting
holes for bolting the connector to a panel. The mounting
holes may be clearance holes or threaded.
FLANGED RECEPTACLE – The shell of this connector
has a square flange with mounting holes at each corner.
Mounting holes are usually clearance holes, but may be
threaded. Flanged receptacles can usually be front or rear
panel mounted depending upon panel thickness. Some
connectors have two different versions, one for front
mounting, and one for rear panel mounting. As known
as a Box Mount or Wall Mount.
FLASH – 1. As commonly used in connector terminology,
flash refers to extremely thin platings of metal, for example:
gold flash is a very thin plating of gold. So thin, that the
thickness is generally not specified. 2. A defect in the
molding process or omission of a secondary operation
such that undesirable rough edges remain on the connector
from the mold gate or seam.
FLASH PLATING – See FLASH (1).
FOLLOWER – See FERRULE.
FOOT-POUND – A unit of measurement equivalent to the
work of raising one pound vertically a distance of one foot.
FRONT MOUNTING – A receptacle that can only be
mounted to the front of a panel with it’s mounting FLANGE
outside the equipment.
FRONT RELEASE - For crimp type removable contacts,
front release means that the appropriate extraction tool is
inserted from the front, or mating face, of the connector.
The contact is then pushed out the rear (wire side) of
the connector.
g – The international unit for the acceleration of a falling body
in the earth’s gravitational field, inversely proportional to the
square of the distance from the body to the center of the
earth. 1g = 32.17 feet per second per second. Connectors
are frequently tested by subjecting them to very short
duration shocks which are several times the force of gravity
while simultaneously confirming electrical continuity.
GAS TIGHT – The mating of two contact surfaces which
are so tight that corrosive gasses can not enter the joint.
GEESC – General Electrotechnical Engineering Standards
Committee. A European organization which sets standards
for electrical devices.
GLAND SEAL – Usually part of an endbell, a gland seal
is a resilient element which is compressed around a cable
jacket by means of a compression ring. When the proper
diameter wire is used and the compression ring is tightened
to specifications, the gland creates an air and moisture tight
seal around the cable jacket.
GOLD – A precious metal which is more conductive than
silver or copper. Because it does not corrode and is highly
conductive, it is used as a plating for contacts. It’s chemical
symbol is Au.
GROMMET – See WIRE SEALING GROMMET.
GROMMET CAVITY – A defined hole in the WIRE SEALING
GROMMET through which the wires are passed. The cavities
are generally marked with a unique designation or number
for ease of use.
GROMMET SEAL – See WIRE SEALING GROMMET.