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Glossary of Terms
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coupling and locking the connectors together.
polarization Also known as clocking or keying – the
mechanical arrangement of inserts or rectangular keys
(projections) and keyways (slots) to ensure proper mating.
It eliminates errors when mating identical connectors
mounted beside each other.
positioner Locator or Turret head – a device attached to a
crimp tool with multiple locators to position different size
contacts for crimping. It is indexed to a proper position by
rotating.
potting The permanent sealing of the back of a connector,
after the wires have been inserted, with a material to keep
out the contaminants and/or provide strain relief.
potting boot a form fitted onto the potting ring , which is
threaded onto the back of connector, to environmentally
seal/strain relive a cable assembly.
pull out force The force necessary to separate a wire from
the contact crimped to it or the force necessary to pull a
properly seated contact from a connector by pulling.
pull test Tensile test – a controlled pull test on the contact
crimp joint to determine its mechanical strength.
R
range Wire range – the acceptable sizes of wires
accommodated by a particular contact wire barrel size.
Also the acceptable diameter of wires accommodated by a
sealing grommet.
rear accessories Referred to as backshells, they are
mechanical devices that screw onto the accessory threads on
the rear of the connector. Includes strain reliefs, clamps,
adapters, potting boots, etc.
rear mounted Back mounted – a connector with its
mounting flange mounted inside of a panel or box.
rear release A term indicating the direction the contact
removal tool must enter the connector to allow removal of
the contacts. On a rear release connector the contact
removal tool must be inserted into the contact cavity from
the back or rear of the connector to release the contact
retention clip. Whether rear release or front release, contacts
are inserted through the rear of the connector.
receptacle The fixed or mounted member of a mated pair
of connectors designed to be mounted to a box, panel or
bulkhead.
removal tool A device used to remove contacts from a
connector.
S
safety wire A means of putting wire through holes drilled
in the coupling ring/nut of a connector plug, and securing
the wire to a panel of bulkhead to prevent the plug from loos-
ening or decoupling from the receptacle during vibration.
scoop proof A term to describe a longer shell design on
the pin half (plug or receptacle) of a connector. The longer
shell allows the pin contacts, which protrude from the face
of the connector, to be recessed sufficiently so as not to be
damaged if the mating shell is “scooped” into it during mating
process. This prevents pins from being bent and/or contacts
from being electrically shorted during mating. This is espe-
cially important when using size 22 contacts, which because
of their small size, bend easily.
sealing plug A small plastic plug (MS27488-**-1, head first)
inserted into the rear grommet of a connector, especially an
environmental connector, to seal and prevent the entry of
contaminants into any unused (unwired) cavities.
selective plating The applying of plating material to a
limited area of a contact, especially areas susceptible to wear.
service rating The maximum amount of voltage or current
a connector is designed to continuously carry.
shell The outside case of a connector which holds the
dielectric insert and contacts.
shielded contact A contact shielded from unwanted signals
(EMI/RFI) by one or more outer (protective) conductors.
These contacts are not generally matched to the impedance
of the cable they terminate.
socket contactA contact whose engaging end is designed
to accept the entry of a pin contact.
solder contactA pin or socket contact that accepts a
conductor (wire) which is soldered onto the “solder cup,”
not crimped into the wire barrel.
spliceWire splice – a device used to join two or more
conductors (wires).
strip To remove insulation from a conductor. Generally for
inserting the conductor into the wire barrel/solder cup of a
contact for a crimping/soldering operation.
T
tensile test Pull test – a controlled pull test on the contact
crimp joint to determine its mechanical strength.
thermocouple contact A contact made of special material,
used in connectors in high temperature applications as a
means of measuring temperature electrically. Materials often
used for these contacts are alumel, chromel, constantan,
iron and copper.
threaded coupling A means of coupling a mating pair of
connectors by engaging threads on the exterior of a receptacle
with interior threads of the plug.
turret head Locator or Positioner - a device attached to a
crimp tool with multiple locators to position different size
contacts for crimping. It is indexed to a proper position by
rotating.