Dr Bob on Acceleration Factors and Connector Testing The first article in this series on connector testing programs, “The How and Why of Connector Testing,” included the following comments: Moving to “why,” there are several reasons for testing connectors. They include: Design verification Qualification/specification Performance verification Reliability assessment Each of these purposes uses the sameRead More

More on Supplementary Testing – Now, what else do I want to do? In the prior articles of this series, the test groups described were for the determination or susceptibility of connectors to basic failure mechanisms: Vibration/Shock—Fretting Corrosion Discontinuity or Nanosecond Events Mechanical Integrity Humidity/Thermal Cycling—Fretting Corrosion Wet Oxidation Process Degradation of Plastic Housing MixedRead More

Supplementary Tests – Oh yeah, I need this too! EIA 364D Test Group 5, or Supplementary Tests, covers a variety of testing purposes and procedures. There are many reasons supplementary tests may be necessary, and EIA 364D contains several tables (tables 4 through 7) that define some categories of supplemental tests. Many supplemental tests doRead More

Dr. Bob on Test Group 5: Stress Relaxation EIA364D Test Group 5 is a “temperature life” test. The complete generic test sequence for EIA 364D was shown in the first article in this series. “Temperature life” refers to an exposure of mated connectors to an elevated temperature for a specific amount of time. The intentionRead More

MFG—A Corrosion Oriented Test Dr. Bob outlined a harsh environment test called mixed flowing gas (MFG) in his last article. Here’s my take on that subject. The MFG test was a sponsored program initiated by the Battelle Institute and funded by over 70 companies from the private sector. Interest in this topic was high. ThisRead More

Dr. Bob on Test Group 4: Let’s Not Be Too Harsh Test group 4 of EIA364D includes testing in a harsh environment, or corrosion based on exposure. The complete generic test sequence for EIA 364D was shown in the first article in this series. Test group 4 calls out a “harsh environment,” and that descriptionRead More

Group 2A Tests – Supplementary Connector Housing Testing Options The test sequence Dr. Bob outlined in his last article is a supplementary sequence of tests performed at the same time as Group 2 tests. The basic difference is that the Group 2 variable measurements concentrate on measuring low-level circuit resistance (LLCR) or contact resistance (CR),Read More

Connector Testing EIA 364D Test Group 3 – The house is only as strong as the foundation Test group 3 of the EIA 364D test sequence is intended to directly assess the stability of the polymer used in the manufacture of the connector housing. The development of so-called engineering polymers over the past few decadesRead More

Dr. Bob on Comparison and Performance: EIA 364D Test Group 2 This test group is the longest of the groups in the EIA 364D generic test sequence. A copy of the test group is attached for your convenience. The entire test sequence can also be found in the first article in this series. Test groupRead More

Vibration Testing: Shake, Rattle, and Roll—No Shock! Vibration testing is one of the key tests that is required in qualification testing. The basic purpose of this test is as follows: The purpose of vibration testing is: To determine the effects of vibration within the predominant vibration frequency range and magnitudes that may be encountered duringRead More

Shock, Rattle, and Vibrate with the EIA 364D – Group 1 Test per Dr. Bob  This article will begin the discussion of the generic test groups identified in EIA 364D: Electrical Connector/Socket Test Procedures Including Environmental Classifications. For reference, you can find the 364D generic test program in the first article in this series, “TheRead More

Measure Twice, Test Once In the first article in this series on connector testing, I stated that a test is a combination of conditioning/exposures and measurements. All test sequences begin with a measurement to establish the baseline for the parameter of interest, e.g. electrical resistance, prior to a conditioning or an exposure intended to simulateRead More