CONNECTOR
ADAPTER:
An intermediate device to provide for attaching special accessories or to
provide special mounting means.*
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE:
The temperature of the environment, usually air, surrounding a connector.*
ANTI-ROTATION, CONNECTOR:
A cylindrical connector design which provides keying or locking provisions to
maintain positive orientation for accessory hardware.
AWG:
In the American Wire Gauge (AWG) Diameters can be calculated
by applying the formula D(AWG)=.005·92((36-AWG)/39) inch. For the
00, 000, 0000 etc. gauges you use -1, -2, -3, which makes more sense that
"double nought."
AXIAL DISPLACEMENT:
The incremental difference between an initial position and a final position
resulting from a force applied along the axis of a component.
BACK-MOUNTED:
A connector mounted from the inside of a panel or box with its mounting flange
inside the equipment.*
BARREL, CONDUCTOR:
The section of the terminal, splice or contact that accommodates the stripped
conductor.*
BARREL, INSULATION:
The section of the terminal, splice or contact that accommodates the conductor
insulation.*
BARREL CHAMFER:
Bevel at the end of the conductor barrel for easier entry of the conductor.*
BARRIER:
A partition of electrically nonconductive material which increases the
electrical path between adjacent electrical circuits or an electrical circuit
from ground.
BASIS METAL:
Metal from which the connector components are made and on which one or more
metals or coatings may be deposited.
BAYONET COUPLING, ROTARY:
A quick coupling device for mating connectors utilizing pins on a connector and
ramps on the mating connector. Mating and unmating is accomplished by rotating
the coupling ring.*
BELLED MOUTH (BELLMOUTH):
The flared or wide entrance of a terminal splice or contact barrel to permit
easier insertion of the conductor.*
BODY, CONNECTOR:
The main portion of a connector to which contacts and other components are
attached. This term is not used with connectors incorporating nonintegral
shells in their construction.*
BOOT:
A form placed around the wire terminations of a multiple contact connector as a
protective housing or as a container for potting compound.*
BRAID:
Flexible conductor made of a woven or braided assembly of fine wires.*
BUNDLE:
A group of wires fastened or held together by an auxiliary means such as
straps, ties, clamps or flexible wrappings (jackets) or sheaths. Also called
"cable".
BUSING:
The joining of two or more circuits.*
BUTTING DIES:
Crimping dies so designed that the nest and indentor touch at the end of the
crimping cycle. (Also called bottoming dies.)*
CABLE ADAPTER:
(See ADAPTER.)*
CABLE CLAMP:
A mechanical clamp attached to the cable side of the connector to support the
cable or wire bundle, provide strain relief, and absorb vibration and shock
otherwise transmitted by the cable to the contact/wire connection.*
CABLE SEALING CLAMP:
A device consisting of a gland nut and sealing member designed to seal around a
single jacket cable.*
CABLE SHIELDING CLAMP:
A device consisting of a sealing member and cable support designed to terminate
the screen (shield) of an electrical cable.*
CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRIMP:
The type of crimp where the crimping dies completely surround a barrel
resulting in symmetrical indentations in the barrel.*
CLOSED ENTRY:
A contact or contact cavity design in the insert or body of the connector which
limits the size or position of the mating contact or printed circuit board to a
predetermined dimension.*
COLOR CODING:
A system of identification of terminals and related devices.*
CONDUCTOR:
An electric current-carrying material; the conductive element in an electrical
wire.
CONDUCTOR STOP:
A device on a terminal, splice, contact or tool used to prevent excessive extension
of the conductor barrel.*
CONNECTOR, ELECTRICAL:
A device, either a plug or a receptacle, used to terminate or connect the
conductors of individual wires or in cables and which provides a means to
continue the conductors to a mating connector or printed circuit board.*
CONNECTOR SET, ELECTRICAL:
Two or more separate connectors, plug connector and receptacle connector,
designed to be mated together. The set may include mixed connectors mated
together, such as one connector plug and one dummy connector receptacle,
connector receptacle and one dummy electrical plug.*
CONTACT:
The conductive element in a connector which makes actual contact for the
purpose of transferring electrical energy.*
CONTACT AREA:
The area in contact between two conductors, two contacts, or a conductor and a
contact permitting the flow of electricity.*
CONTACT ARRANGEMENT:
The number, spacing and arrangement of contacts in a connector.*
CONTACT ENGAGING AND SEPARATING FORCE:
Force needed to either engage or separate mating contacts.*
CONTACT, FEMALE:
(See SOCKET CONTACT)
CONTACT, FLOAT:
The overall side play and/or angular displacement of contacts within the insert
cavity.*
CONTACT, HERMAPHRODITIC:
(See HERMAPHRODITIC CONTACT)
CONTACT, MALE:
(See PIN CONTACT)
CONTACT RESISTANCE:
Electrical resistance of a pair of engaged contacts. Resistance may be measured
in ohms or millivolt drop at a specified current over the engaged contacts.*
CONTACT RETAINER:
A device either on the contact or in the insert to retain the contact in an
insert or body.*
CONTACT RETENTION:
The axial load in either direction which a contact can withstand without being
dislodged from its normal position within an insert or body.*
CONTACT SEPARATION FORCE:
The force required to separate a pair of fully mated contacts.
CONTACT SIZE:
An assigned number denoting the size of the contact engaging end.*
CONTACT WIPE:
The distance of travel (electrical engagement) made by one contact with another
during its engagement or separation or during mating or unmating of the
connector halves.*
COUPLING NUT:
(See COUPLING RING)*
COUPLING RING:
That portion of a plug which aids in the mating or unmating of a plug and
receptacle and holds the plug to the receptacle.
COUPLING TORQUE:
The force required to rotate a coupling ring or jackscrew to fully engage a
mating pair of connectors.
COVER, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR:
An item which is specifically designed to cover the mating end of a connector
for mechanical and/or environmental protection.*
CREEP DISTANCE:
The shortest distance on the surface of an insulator separating two
electrically conductive surfaces.*
CRIMP:
The physical compression (deformation) of a contact barrel around a conductor
in order to make an electrical connection.*
CRIMPING:
A pressure method of mechanically securing a terminal, splice or contact to a
conductor.*
CRIMPING DIES:
Portion of the crimping tool that shapes the crimp.*
CRIMPING TOOL:
Mechanism used for crimping.*
CUTOUT, CONNECTOR:
The hole, usually round or rectangular, cut in a metal panel for mounting a
connector. May include holes for mounting screws or bolts.*
DEPTH OF CRIMP:
The distance the indentor penetrates into the barrel.*
DIELECTRIC:
A material having electrical insulating properties.*
DISCONNECT:
A reusable conductive device designed to be separated from its mated part.
DUMMY CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL:
Two or more electrical dummy connectors having a common mounting or mounted on
each other, each one capable of being independently replaced. Excludes items
which are furnished as mated pairs or sets.*
DUMMY CONNECTOR, PLUG:
A connector device designed to mate with a receptacle connector to perform
protective, environmental and/or electrical shorting functions.
DUMMY CONNECTOR, RECEPTACLE:
A connector receptacle which does not have provisions for attaching conductors.
It is generally used for storage of a cable assembly connector plug.*
DUST COVER:
(See COVER, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR).*
ENVIRONMENTALLY SEALED:
A device that is provided with gaskets, seals, grommets, potting or other means
to keep out moisture, dirt, air or dust which might reduce its performance.
Does not include nonphysical environments such as RF and radiation.*
EXTRACTION TOOL:
A device used for removing removable contacts from a connector. A device used
for removing taper pins from taper pin receptacles.*
FERRULE:
A short tube. Used to make connections to shielded or coaxial cables. Also used
in connectors to reduce transmission of torque to grommet.*
FLANGE, CONNECTOR:
A projection extending from or around the periphery of a connector with
provisions to permit mounting the connector to a panel.*
FRONT MOUNTED:
A connector mounted on the outside of a panel or box with its mounting flange
outside the equipment.*
FULL CYCLING CONTROL:
Controls placed on the crimping cycle of crimping tools forcing the tool to be
closed to its fullest extent completing the crimping cycle before the tool can
be opened.*
GANG DISCONNECT:
A connector that permits the rapid and simultaneous connection and
disconnection of two or more electrical circuits.*
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR:
A conductor which provides a current return path from an electrical device to
ground.
GRID SPACED:
When contacts in a multiple contact connector are spaced in a geometric
pattern.*
GROMMET, CONNECTOR:
An elastomeric seal used on the cable side of a connector to seal the connector
against moisture, dirt and air.*
HARNESS:
A group of wires or cables routed together with attached connectors and
components and secured in a manner to provide a preshaped electrical wire or
cable assembly.
HERMAPHRODITIC CONNECTOR:
A connector design which utilizes pin and socket contact in a balanced
arrangement such that both mating connectors are identical. The contacts may
also be hermaphroditic, and may be arranged as male and female contacts as for
pins and sockets. Hermaphroditic contacts may also be used in a manner such
that one half of each contact mating surface protrudes beyond the connector
interface and both mating connectors are identical.*
HERMAPHRODITIC CONTACT:
A contact design which is neither pin or socket and which mates with other
contact of the same design.*
HOUSING, CONNECTOR:
Connector less insert, but with insert-retaining and positioning hardware
required by standard construction.*
INDENTOR:
That part of a crimping die, usually the moving part, which indents or
compresses the contact barrel.*
INSERT, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR:
An insulating element with or without contact(s), designed to position and
support contacts in a connector.*
INSERT RETENTION FORCE:
The maximum allowable force which, if applied to the mating face of a connector
insert, does not displace the insert permanently from its normal position in
the connector housing or jeopardize or damage the insert or connector housing
retention provision.
INSERTION TOOL:
A device used to insert contacts into a connector. A device used to insert
taper pins into taper pin receptacles.*
INSPECTION HOLE:
A hole placed at one end of a barrel to permit visual inspection to see that
the conductor has been inserted to the proper depth in the barrel prior to
crimping.*
INSULATION SUPPORT:
The portion of a barrel similar to an insulation grip except that it is not
compressed around the conductor insulation.*
INTERFACE:
The two surfaces on the contact side of mating connectors or plug-in component
(e.g., relay) and receptacle, which face each other when mated.*
INTERFACE SEAL:
A sealing of mated connectors over the whole area of the interface to provide
sealing around each contact.*
JACKET:
The outermost layer of insulating material of a cable or wire.*
JACKSCREW (SCREWLOCK):
A screw attached to one half of a two piece multiple contact connector used to
draw and hold both halves together and to separate them.*
KEY:
A short pin or other projection which slides in a mating slot, hole, groove, or
keyway to guide two parts being assembled. Generally used in shell-enclosed
connectors to obtain polarization.*
KEYWAY:
A slot or groove in which a key slides.*
LOCATOR:
(See STOP PLATE) Device for positioning terminals, splices or contacts in
crimping dies.*
LOCKING SPRING:
(See CONTACT RETAINER.)*
MATE:
The joining of two connectors.*
MOLD, POTTING, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR:
An item, solid or split, designed to be used as a hollow form into which
potting compound is injected and allowed to cure or set to seal the back of an
electrical connector. The potting may eliminate the need for a back shell of
the connector. The form may or may not be removable after potting.*
NEST:
The portion of a crimping die which supports the barrel during crimping.*
NICK (NOTCH):
A cut or notch in conductor strands or insulation.*
OPERATING TEMPERATURE:
The maximum internal temperature resistant capabilities of a connector in
continuous service.*
PANEL:
The side or front of a piece of equipment, usually metal, on which connectors
are mounted.*
PERIPHERAL SEAL:
A seal provided around the periphery of connector inserts to prevent the
ingress of fluids or contaminants at the perimeter of mated connectors.
Pigtail:
A short wire extending from an electric or electronic device to serve as a
jumper or ground connection.*
PIN CONTACT:
A contact having an engagement end that enters the socket contact.*
PLATING:
The overlaying of a thin coating of metal on metallic components to improve
conductivity, provide for easy soldering or prevent rusting or corrosion.*
PLUG CONNECTOR:
An electrical fitting with pin, socket, or pin and socket contacts, constructed
to be affixed to the end of a cable, conduit, coaxial line, cord, or wire for
convenience in joining with another electrical connector(s), and not designed
to be mounted on a bulkhead, chassis or panel.*
POLARIZE:
The arrangement of mating connectors such that the connector can be mated in
only one way.*
POLARIZING PIN, KEY OR KEYWAY:
A device incorporated in a connector to accomplish polarization.*
POST INSULATE:
To insulate a connection after assembly.*
POTTING:
The permanent sealing of the cable end of a connector with a compound or
material to exclude moisture and/or to provide a strain relief.*
POTTING FORM:
(Not preferred -- see MOLD, POTTING, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.)*
PRE-INSULATE:
The insulation of a connector prior to assembly of the contact or terminal on
the conductor.*
PRE-TINNED:
Solder applied to either or both the contact and conductor prior to soldering.*
PULL-OUT FORCE:
Force necessary to separate a conductor from a contact or terminal, or a
contact from a connector, by exerting a tensile pull.*
QUICK DISCONNECT:
A type of connector or splice which permits relatively rapid locking and
unlocking of mating parts.*
RACK:
A type of structure used to house electronic components which permits
convenient removal of portions of equipment.*
RAM:
The moving portion of the head of a crimping tool.*
RANGE, WIRE:
The sizes of conductors accommodated by a particular barrel. Also the diameters
of wires accommodated by a sealing grommet.*
RATCHET CONTROL:
A device to ensure the full crimping cycle of a crimping tool.*
RECEPTACLE, CONNECTOR:
An electrical fitting with contacts constructed to be electrically connected to
a cable, coaxial line, cord, or wire to join with another electrical
connector(s), and is designed to be mounted on a bulkhead, wall, chassis, or
panel.*
SCOOP-PROOF:
Scoop-proof means that because of the connector long shell design, it is
impossible for the mating plug connector to inadvertently be cocked into the mating
receptacle and damage the pins or electrically short the contacts.*
SCREWLOCK:
(See JACKSCREW).*
SEALING PLUG:
An accessory used to fill open, nonwired cavities in a connector grommet to
prevent the entry of moisture or fluids or foreign particulate contaminants
into the connector.
SERRATIONS:
Deformation of the inside surface of a conductor barrel to provide better
gripping of the conductor or on the outside of the connector body to provide
better gripping of the connector.*
SERVICE LIFE:
A period of time which a device is expected to perform satisfactorily.*
SERVICE RATING:
The maximum voltage or current which a connector is designed to carry
continuously.*
SHELL, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR:
The outside case of a connector into which the dielectric material and contacts
are assembled.*
SHIELD, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR:
An item especially designed to be placed around that portion of a connector
which contains the facilities for attaching wires or cables. It is used for
shielding against electrical interference or mechanical injury and usually has
provisions for passage of the wire or cable.*
SHIELDED CABLE:
A cable or group of wires enclosed within a conductive shield to minimize the
interference effects of internal or external circuits.
SHROUD, INSULATION:
(See INSULATION SUPPORT.)*
SOCKET CONTACT:
A contact having an engagement end that will accept entry of a pin contact.*
SOLDER CUP:
The end of a terminal or contact in which the conductor is inserted prior to
being soldered.*
SOLDER EYE:
A solder type contact provided with a hole at its end through which a wire can
be inserted prior to being soldered.*
SOLDERLESS CONNECTION:
The joining of two metals by pressure means without the use of solder, braze or
any method requiring heat.*
STOP PLATE (See LOCATOR):
A device attached to a crimping tool to properly locate a terminal, splice or
contact in the tool prior to crimping.*
STRAIN RELIEF:
A technique involving devices or methods of termination or installation which
reduce mechanical stresses from being transmitted to the conductor termination.
STRAIN RELIEF CLAMP:
(See CABLE CLAMP).*
STRIP:
To remove insulation from a conductor.*
STRIPPER:
A tool or chemical used to remove insulation material from wire or cable.
THREADED COUPLING:
A means of coupling mating connectors by engaging threads in a coupling ring
with threads on a receptacle shell.*
UMBILICAL CONNECTOR:
A connector used to connect cables to a rocket or missile prior to launching
and which is unmated from the missile at the time of launching.*
WIPING ACTION (See CONTACT WIPE):
Action of two electrical contacts which come in contact by sliding against each
other.*
WIRE SIZE:
A numerical designation for a conductor, usually expressed in terms of American
Wire Gage (AWG), based on the approximate circular mil area of the conductor.
WORK CURVE: A graph which plots the pull out force, indent force and
relative conductivity of a crimp joint as a function of various depths of
crimping.*
WORKING VOLTAGE (See SERVICE RATING): Maximum voltage at which a
connector is rated to operate.*
* The definition here is for reference purpose only.