1055497-1 Datasheet, PDF (6/320 Pages) Tyco Electronics – RF Coax Products

RF Coax Connectors
Connector Selection (Continued)
Method of Termination
Tyco Electronics provides connectors that can be termi-
nated to coaxial cable, printed circuit boards or other con-
nector interfaces.
Selection of the proper connector to terminate to an RG
cable is simplified by using the format of this catalog.
Experience has proven that certain connector types lend
themselves to termination of particular coax cable sizes.
For example, miniature cables such as RG 188 are most
practically terminated to subminiature connectors such
as SMB and SMC styles. Figure 3 illustrates the interface
diameters of each connector type and the dielectric out-
side diameter (DOD) of popular RG cables. It is most eco-
nomical to select a connector that terminates to a cable
with a dielectric diameter close in size to the connector’s
interface diameter. The product information sections of this
catalog have been organized so that all connector con-
struction types are grouped together by cable size. This
allows easy selection of the connector construction best
suited for the application.
Tyco Electronics continually looks at new cable types
and will release new part numbers based upon general
market or specific customer needs. If you cannot find a
Tyco Electronics part number for a specific cable type,
please contact one of our sales locations or your local
distributor to make an inquiry.
Tyco Electronics offers a wide range of connector configu-
rations for terminating to printed circuit boards. Also avail-
able are connectors which allow the interconnection of one
interface type to another.
RG-8
RG-6
N
RG-59/62
RG-58/142
BNC/TNC
SMA
RG-180
SMB/C
RG-188
RG-178
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Diameter (Inches)
Cable Type
Connector
Figure 3
By reviewing this catalog, a connector can be found to
match most any application. Since the RF connector is a
part of a transmission line system, make sure when select-
ing a new connector design, that it is compatible with the
overall system’s performance.
Construction
The construction of a connector will greatly affect the
purchase price. The connector tables in this catalog
include construction details that allow you to select con-
nectors that meet your requirements at the lowest price.
Commercial designs use lower cost materials, such as zinc
diecast bodies, polypropylene insulators and silver-plated
contacts. Specific details of connector construction are
listed in each product section of this catalog.
The materials used affect both performance and cost.
Common base metals include brass, beryllium copper and
stainless steel. The most common plating used for the cen-
ter contact is gold because of its low contact resistance,
superior mating properties and corrosion resistance.
TEFLON, polypropylene and polymethylpentene (TPX) are
the most common connector dielectrics. TEFLON offers the
lowest loss, the most stable electrical properties and high-
est operating temperature. But since it cannot be injection
molded, manufacturing is more costly than other materials.
Be certain, when specifying connectors, that the tempera-
ture and voltage limitations are taken into consideration.
Assembly
There are several methods of assembly or termination, but
they can be categorized into two major areas: (1) Solder
center conductor and clamp braid (Category A) and (2)
Crimp center conductor and crimp braid. Other methods
are derived from combinations of the above, (e.g., solder
center conductor and crimp braid. Method (1) (Category
A) is generally used where no specialized tools are avail-
able, such as with field installations. With the development
of low cost assembly tools, method (2) is becoming more
popular for field installation.
Crimping is preferred in most manufacturing environments
where assembly tooling is available because terminations
can be made in the least amount of time and with the
greatest reliability. The design of crimp tools assures that
every termination is made the same; this cannot be done
with a clamp design without further testing or inspection.
Figure 4 illustrates the difference between braid crimping
using AMP “O” crimp and the industry-standard hex crimp.
The AMP “O” crimp gives a more consistent pressure on
the outer collar. In addition, the crimp of the center con-
ductor provides superior VSWR as shown in Figure 5.
Benefits derived by using AMP “O” crimp:
■ No soldering of center contact is required. This allevi-
ates all prospective problems associated with the sol-
dering process such as excess solder, cold solder
joints and overheating the dielectric.
■ Fewer parts resulting in less assembly errors
■ Braid crimping which eliminates the need for the
combing, screwing and torquing associated with the
braid clamp.
TEFLON is a trademark of E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company.
TPX is a trademark of Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc.
6
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
South America: 55-11-2103-6000
Hong Kong: 852-2735-1628
Japan: 81-44-844-8013
UK: 44-8706-080-208