Definition :A connector allows electrical current going from one conductor to another. A connector can be likened to an outlet with a male part and a female part, which is also called the base (fixed) and the plug (moving part).
see below :
Record is the movable part of the connector. It consists of a body (plug body), wherein the insulation is placed the insulating female or male, and a locking ring which permits the continuation of the plug to the socket.
The fixed portion is the base of the connector. It is distinguished by the collar that allows its attachment to a support. It is also composed of a base body and a male or female insulating.
The contacts inside the connector are constituted by two parts, a male part called pin, and a female part, known sleeve. These two parts taken together form a contact that is in the interior that circulate electrical current.
The manufacture of a connector involves four steps :
molding
machining
protection
assembly
The molding is done by plastic injection. The case and the connector insert are called thermoplastic or thermosetting. Before its final form, the polymer is in the form of granules or powder, and is then injected into molds is heated in order to take the desired shape.
Machining can be done in two ways. The body plugs and sockets are metal. Depending on the metal used can make a machining hydraulic feeder or machining after cold forming.
Electroplating and surface treatment, is by electrolysis to deposit gold, for example, on the surface of boxes or to protect contacts.
The assembly is the last step of the manufacturing process. We will assemble the different parts of the insert them, the body plugs and sockets with their respective inserts etc.
These procedures will be further detailed in the annexes to the report.
c) Contacts
A contact may be simply defined by a metallic conductor transmitting a signal to another driver. Consists of a female part called socket and a male named party pin. The active part of the contact is the one that constitutes the contact surface between the pin and the sleeve. It is at this level that the temperature is higher during the passage of current.
This will be one of my areas of training, he will be in action during the heating of the connector of the current flow has different intensities, this heating is mainly produced at the contact.
here is the principle:
The passage of a current heats the connector. The connectors are rated at a certain temperature. It is therefore necessary to measure these connectors to a current for an ambient temperature data.
This is the source of many requests ...
You can download here a PDF document summarizing the procedure for measuring heat.
There are many models of contact for many types of connectors. Changing parameters are mainly their size, constituent materials, and chemical treatment during assembly (Electroplating).
d) Laboratory equipment
The company has a laboratory test, this allows it to perform tests required by other services (quality, BE (Design Office)) and even by the customer.
Example : If the service quality, customer has a return for a given connector, which has a leak, will perform the laboratory tests against the connector for reproducing the particular fault, to check whether the connector has a manufacturing defect or not.
(see my report for more details).
The laboratory has many machines to perform its measurements, as a sealing machine ovens (+300 ° C -65 ° C), a warm bed, a tensile testing machine, compression, and more .
