1055497-1 Datasheet, PDF (301/320 Pages) Tyco Electronics – RF Coax Products

RF Coax Connectors
Appendix G - Glossary of Terms
A
ambient The atmospheric conditions surrounding a given item. Normally in
terms of factors which influence or modify, such as temperature, humidity, etc.
amplitude The magnitude of variation in a changing quantity from its zero
value. The word requires modification - as with adjectives such as peak,
maximum, rms, etc. - to designate the specific amplitude in question.
arc voltage voltage that continues to pass through a surge protector dur-
ing activation of GDT(approx. 20 volts )
attenuation A reduction in power. It occurs naturally during wave travel
through lines, waveguides, space or a medium such as water. It may be pro-
duced intentionally by placing an attenuator in a circuit. The amount of
attenuation is generally expressed in decibels per unit of length.
B
back mounted A connector attached to the inside of a panel or box with
its mounting flanges inside the equipment.
bayonet coupling A quick coupling device for plug and receptacle con-
nectors. Pins projecting from the outside of the cylindrical receptacle
engage with corresponding cam slots in the bayonet plug.
bellmouth Flared at the mouth. The rear of a properly crimped wire barrel
will have a slight flare (bellmouth) to relieve the strain on the wire strands
as they leave the area of high compression and take their natural “lay”. A
bellmouth condition may also be present in front of the wire barrel.
black box A term used to refer to any assembly or subassembly, usually
electronic, that can readily be installed or removed from a larger system.
BNC Connector A radio frequency connector covered by Military
Specification. It has an impedance of 50 or 75 ohms, and is designed to
operate in the 0 to 4 GHz frequency range. It features quick connect/discon-
nect by pin and cam bayonet coupling.
body Main or largest portion of a connector to which other portions are
attached.
braid A weave of metal fibers used as a shield covering for an insulated
conductor or group of insulated conductors. When flattened it may be used
as a grounding strap.
broad-band E Interference generated over a wide range of frequencies
(e.g., automotive ignition noise).
bulkhead A term used to define a mounting style of connectors. Bulkhead
connectors are designed to be inserted into a panel cutout from the rear
(component side) of the panel.
C
cable Either a standard conductor, with or without insulation and other
coverings, or a combination of conductors insulated from each other.
cable assembly A completed cable and its associated hardware.
capacitance The property of an electrical conductor (dielectric in a
capacitor) that permits the storage of energy as a result of electrical dis-
placement. The basic unit of capacitance is the farad, however, measure-
ment is more commonly in microfarads or picofarads.
cavity A metallic enclosure in some types of tubes and circuits within
which resonant fields may be excited at the microwave frequency to which
the cavity is tuned. Usually referred to as resonant cavity. See also: contact
cavity.
characteristic impedance The ratio of voltage to current at any point
along a transmission line on which there are no standing waves.
circular mil area (CMA) A unit of area equal to the area of a circle
whose diameter is 1 mil (0.001 inch). Used chiefly in specifying cross-
sectional areas of conductors. (See Tyco Electronics Brochure No. 4402-8,
Computing Circular Mil Area for Tyco Electronics Terminals and Splices).
closed entry contact A female contact designed to prevent the entry of a
pin or probing device having a cross-sectional dimension (diameter) greater
than the mating pin.
coaxial cable A transmission line consisting of two conductors concen-
tric with and insulated from each other. In its flexible form it consists of
either a solid or stranded center conductor surrounded by a dielectric. A
braid is then woven over the dielectric to form an outer conductor. A weath-
erproof plastic covering, usually vinyl, is placed on top of the braid.
connector A coupling device employed to connect conductors to one cir-
cuit with those of another circuit. Used to provide rapid connect/disconnect
mating with pc boards, posts or another connector.
connector assembly Includes housing and contact plus additional com-
ponents such as hardware used to hold the assembly together and/or make
the assembly a functional connector.
contact An electrically conductive component designed for use in a multi-
circuit connector.
contact cavity A defined hole in the connector insert or housing into
which the contact must fit. See also: cavity.
contact durability The number of insertion and withdrawal cycles that a
connector must be capable of withstanding while remaining within the per-
formance levels of the applicable specification.
contact engaging and separating force Force required to either
engage or separate contacts. Values are generally established for maximum
and minimum forces.
contact inspection hole A hole, perpendicular to the cylindrical rear
portion of screw machined contacts, used to check the depth to which wire
has been inserted into the barrel.
contact resistance Measurement of electrical resistance of mated con-
tacts when assembled in a connector under typical service use. Electrical
resistance is determined by measuring from the rear of the electrical area of
one contact to the rear of the contact area of the mating contact (excluding
both crimps) while carrying a specified test current.
contact shoulder The flanged or enlarged portion of a contact that pre-
vents it from being over-inserted into the appropriate contact cavity. The
shoulder may also contribute to proper orientation and stability with the
connector housing.
contact, two-piece A contact made of two separate parts joined by
swedging, brazing or other means of fastening to form a single contact.
While this provides the mechanical advantages of two metals, it also has the
inherent electrical disadvantage of difference in conductivity.
corona A discharge of electricity appearing as a bluish-purple glow on the
surface of, and adjacent to, a conductor when the voltage gradient exceeds a
certain critical value. It is caused by the ionization of surrounding air by
high voltage.
crimp The final configuration of a terminal barrel after the necessary com-
pression forces have been applied to cause a functional union between the
terminal barrel and the wire.
crimp height A top to bottom measurement of the crimped barrel, using a
crimp height comparator in the prescribed manner. (Refer to
Tyco Electronics Instruction Sheet 7424).
crimping dies A term used to identify the shaping tools that, when
moved toward each other, produce a certain desirable shape to the barrel of
the terminal or contact that has been placed between them. Crimping dies
are often referred to as die sets or as die inserts.
Catalog 1307191
Revised 3-07
www.tycoelectronics.com
Dimensions are in millimeters
and inches unless otherwise
specified. Values in brackets
are standard equivalents.
Dimensions are shown for
reference purposes only.
Specifications subject
to change.
USA: 1-800-522-6752
Canada: 1-905-470-4425
Mexico: 01-800-733-8926
C. America: 52-55-1106-0803
301
South America: 55-11-2103-6000
Hong Kong: 852-2735-1628
Japan: 81-44-844-8013
UK: 44-8706-080-208