Glossary of Terms Used in the Industry when referring to Connectors or Connector Applications

Every industry or profession has its own lingo, which to the outsiders sound like an alien language. The connector industry is no exception.

Listed below are some of the terms widely used and understood by those who have been in this industry and are useful to the new-comers who would wish to make a career in this industry.

No list is ever comprehensive, neither is this one. We have compiled this list using in part our own research but have added terms used or published by others which we consider to be of interest to those who work in this industry.

Our special thanks to ITT Cannon who have allowed us to publish their own glossary.

We will be pleased to receive any contribution to add to this list.

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Accelerated Aging - A test in which temperature, voltage, current or other parameters are increased beyond the specified operating values of the connector to observe deterioration in performance over a relatively short period of time.

Accessories - Any devices such as cable clamps, end bells, gaskets, or mechanical hardware, designed to be added to a connector.

Alloy - A term used to describe the composition of the metal (i.e. Copper, Brass etc.)

Angle Spill - Term used to describe the Right Angle PCB contact termination

Attenuation - Loss of power in an electrical system, expressed in decibels.

AWG - (American Wire Gauge) A standard for wire diameters based on the approximate diameter of the wire. As the numbers get larger, wire diameters decrease in size (for example a 16 AWG wire has a larger diameter than a size 22 AWG).

Back Shell - (Hood, Cover). Fitted behind the connector mainly to protect the cable connections to the connector and generally support the bundle of cable by means of a cable clamp attached. Back shells may have straight, 90, or 45 cable entry hole

Body - Refers to the main portion of the connector that holds the insulator, and contacts.

Breakdown Voltage - The voltage at which an insulator ruptures.

BS - British Standards

BZ4 - Terms used to describe one of the material used to manufacture the connector contacts

Cable Clamp - An accessory attached to the connector or a cover of the connector at the rear that holds the cable or a bundle of cable to provide strain relief to the cable. The cable clamp may be part of a more elaborate system or it may be used alone.

CECC - Abbreviation for Electronic Components Committee of CENELEC. The European committee for Electro mechanical Standardization CECC uses the IEC test methods, and thus is based upon worldwide standards.

CEN - Abbreviation for European Committee for Standardization. A European standards group corresponding to the ISO at the European level

CENELEC - Abbreviation for European Committee for Electrical Standardization, A European standards group corresponding to the IEC at the European level.

Clearance Hole - See Through Hole

Closed Entry - A design that limits the entry of a larger diameter of the mating contacts.

Closed Entry Socket Contact - A socket contact in which the mating cavity limits the entry of a contact or probe with a diameter larger than the mating pin.

Coax - Abbreviation for coaxial

Coaxial Cable - A cable that comprising a single copper wire surrounded by insulating material, wire shielding or mesh, and a protective sheath.

Contact - Referred to the conductive element in a connector that facilitates the transferring of the electrical energy form one side to the other. Ideally the contact should add nothing to the circuit. In the real world, however, contacts typically have a small CONTACT RESISTANCE and associated potential drop.

Contact Alignment - The overall play that a contact has in the insulator cavity to allow the mating contacts to self align. Also called contact float.

Contact Arrangement - See LAYOUT

Contact Cavity - A defined hole in the insulator that accommodates the contact. The cavities are generally marked with a unique designation or number for ease of identification.

Contact Resistance - The measured value of the loss of current when introduced into the connection carrying a specified current (usually stated in milliohms)
Contact Retention - The maximum specified axial load, which can be applied to a contact from either direction without it being dislodged from the insulator. Usually stated in Newton's

Contact Separation Force - The force required to separate a pair of mated contacts. Usually stated in Newton's

Contact Size - This usually relates to the maximum size of the wire that the contact can nominally accommodate. It is based on that AWG size

Contact Spacing - The distance between the centers of adjacent contacts.

Cover - (See Back Shell)

Creepage - The conduction of electricity across the surface of an insulator.

Crimp - A method of attaching wire to the contact through pressure usually with a tool.

Crimp Contact - A contact, which by design is suitable to be connected to the wire through pressure. (Suitable crimping tools and dies are available for the purpose.)

DAP - (See Diallyl Phthalate)

Diallyl Phthalate - A thermosetting plastic. It has outstanding resistance to chemicals, excellent dimensional stability, and superior electrical insulating properties.

Dielectric - An insulator used to isolate two conductors. The air (Vacuum) is a perfect insulator.

DIN - (German standards) Abbreviation for Deutsche Industrie Norm

Dust Cap - A cover used on the mating face of a connector to protect dust or moisture getting in.

EMI/RFI - Electro-Magnetic Interference

EN - A European market-wide product standard.

End-bell - A device fitted at the rear of the connector (Usually a Circular Connector)

Extraction Tool - A small device (Metal or Plastic) used to remove contact/s from a connector insulator.

Female Contact - See SOCKET CONTACT

Finish - Refers to the metallic or precious metal coating deposited on the metal body or the contacts.

Front Mounting - Term used for a connector (Usually a Panel Mounting Connector), which can only be fitted on to the panel from the front.

Front Release - A mechanism in the insulator of the connector which is so designed that the contacts can only be removed from the insulator with a use of the extraction tool inserted from the front of the insulator to release the contact from the mechanism.

Gold Flash - A term commonly used to describe the gold plating thickness on the contacts. The gold deposit on the contact is so thin that it cannot be specified.

HE - European Standards for connectors

Hood - See Back - Shell

IDC - (Insulation Displacement Connector) A type connector attached to a flat ribbon cable

I/O - Input/output

Insert - See INSULATOR.

Insert Arrangement - See LAYOUT

Insert Retention Force - The maximum specified pressure / force, which can be applied to the insulator without dislodging it from the shell or damaging the performance of the connector Usually stated in Newton's

Insertion Force - The force, required to engage two contacts or connector usually stated in Newton's

Insertion Tool - A small device (Metal or Plastic) used to insert contact/s into a connector insulator.

Insulation Support - A term used for the extended portion at the rear of a crimp contact that is crimped around the insulation to provide extra support to the cable.

Insulator - A component designed to hold the contacts, which is fixed in body of the connector. (For material See Connector Specification)

Interchangeable - The design and characteristic of a connectors manufactured by different manufacturers which are replaceable with each other to perform the same function The connectors are generally manufactured to an internationally recognised standard

Intermateable - The two halves of the connectors (Male / Female) manufactured by different manufacturers mate with each other

IP (n) Rating - Index Protection (The first number refers to the dust and the second to the liquid)

ISO - Abbreviation for the International Standards Organization.

Jackscrew - A long post with threaded front attached to a cover or a hood that enables the two halves of the connectors to be drawn together and locked in place.

Jack Post - Opposite half of the Jackscrew that is fitted on the connector to receive the threaded portion of the jackscrew.

Junction Shell - (See Back - Shell)

Key - A mechanism used to ensure that two halves of the connector mate in the same position every time.

Layout - Referred to the configuration of the contact cavities in the insulator of the connector. (For example one shell size could accommodate insulator with totally different contact cavities)

LIF - (Low insertion Force) Used to describe a connector where two halves of a connector can be mated with very low force / pressure.

Male Contact - See PIN CONTACT

Mating Life - The minimum number of times a connector can be mated and unmated without deterioration in the performance as laid down in its design specification.

Mil-Spec - Abbreviation for Military Specification

NF - French Standards (Norm France)

Newton - An acceleration of the relative force to measure the travel of the force to a set distance. For Example one Newton is the force capable of accelerating 1 kilogram to one meter per second. 1 kilogram = I Newton Abbreviated (n).

Orientation - Position of the insulator in the connector

Panel Mount - A connector designed to fit on to a plate (Panel) with screws or a Nut.

PCB - Abbreviation for Printed Circuit Boards.

Performance Class 1 - Specifying contact performance to 500 mating cycles, followed by testing For details See European Specification DIN 41652 & DIN 41640, Part 21.

Performance Class 2 - Specifying contact performance to 200 mating cycles, followed by testing For details See European Specification DIN 41652 & DIN 41640, Part 21.

Performance Class 3 - Specifying contact performance to 50 mating cycles, followed by testing For details See European Specification DIN 41652 & DIN 41640, Part 21.

Pin - A male contact. See PIN CONTACT.

Plating - See FINISH.

Plug - The male portion of a connector pair. A plug may have either pin or socket contacts.

Polarization - A mechanical design that ensure that two halves of the connectors mate in the same position. See Key, Orientation

Pre-Tin - To apply tin-lead solder to the contact termination.

Rear Mounting - A Connector that is designed to fit the panel from the rear (Opposite to Front Mounting)

Rear Release - A mechanism in the insulator of the connector, which is so designed that the contacts can only be removed from the insulator with a use of the extraction tool inserted from the rear of the insulator to release the contact from the mechanism.

Receptacle - The connector half that is designed to mates with the plug half.

Removable Contact - Contact designed to be inserted or removed from the insulator by the user, with the aid of a tool

Removal Tool - See EXTRACTION TOOL

RFI - Radio Frequency Interference.

Screw Machine Contact - A contact machined to its shape / design from a solid bar of the material.

Selective Plating - A term generally used in electro plating process where the precious metal is deposited on to the selective / specific area of the male / female contact subject to ware.

Shell - The outside case of a connector into which the insulator and contacts are held.

Shell Size - A standard system developed for circular / rectangular connectors for indicating the size of the outer shell of the connector.

Socket - A female contact. See SOCKET CONTACT.

Socket Contact - A contact with an opening to accept a plug / Male contact.

Solder Contact - A contact which has a bucket shape termination where the wire is soldered to the contact.

Solder Cup or Solder Bucket - The termination side of the contact is shaped like a bucket or a cup.

Solder Spill - Often referred to Straight PCB Termination.

Stamped and Formed Contact - The contact is formed into its shape from the sheet of material by using a press tool.

Star Clip - A design of a socket contact where a small clip is inserted into a hollow tube that creates a multi-point area of mechanical and electrical continuity between the mated contacts.

UL - Abbreviation for Underwriter's Laboratories

UL 94V-O - A flammability performance rating set by Underwriter's Laboratories for plastics.

Wire Wrap Contact - A type of contact termination where the cable is attached to the contact by wrapping wire around the termination post of the contact.

ZIF - Zero Insertion Force