A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Accessories
Mechanical devices, such as cable clamps, added to connector shells and other such hardware, which is attachable to connectors to make up the total connector configuration.

Accordian
A type of connector contact where a flat spring is given a “Z” shape to permit high deflection without overstress.

Adapter
An intermediate device to provide for attaching special accessories or to provide special mounting means.

Ambient Temperature
The temperature of the environment, usually air, surrounding a connector.

Angle Connector
A connector, which joins two conductors end to end at a specified angle.

Angle of a Connector
1. In the case of an angle connector, the deflected angle.
2. In the case of a branch connector, the least angle between the branch and the main conductor.

Arc Resistance
The Characteristic of insulating materials to resist breakdown by passage of current on the surface between contacts or between contacts and ground.

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B

Back Mounted
A connector mounted from the inside of a panel or box with its mounting flange inside the equipment.

Bail
Loop of a wire used to prevent permanent separation of two or more parts assembled together. Example: the bail holding dustcaps on round connectors.

Barrel
Cylindrical portion or portions of a terminal, splice or contact accommodating the conductor or conductors.

Conductor Barrel
The section of the terminal, splice or contact that accommodates the stripped conductor.

Insulation Barrel
The section of the terminal, splice, or contact that accommodates the conductor insulation.

Barrel Chamfer
Beveled at the end of the conductor barrel for easier entry of the conductor.

Base Metal
Metal from which the connector components are made and on which one or more metals or coatings may be deposited.

Bayonet Coupling
A quick coupling device for mating connectors utilizing pins on one connector and a cam track in the coupling ring of the mating connector. Mating and unmating is accomplished by rotating the coupling ring.

Belled Mouth
The flared or wide entrance of a terminal, splice or contact barrel to permit easier insertion of the conductor.

Bifurcate
Describes lengthwise slotting of a flat spring contact as used in a printed circuit edge connector.

Body, Connector
The main portion of a connector comprising the shell and insert to which other components are attached.

Bolted-Type Connector
A connector in which the contact between the conductor and the connector is made by pressure exerted by one or more clamping bolts.

Bonded Assembly (Electrical)
An assembly whose supporting frame and metallic non-circuit elements are connected so as to be electrically shorted together.

Boot
A protective covering over any portion of a cable, wire or connector in addition to normal jacketing or insulation.

Braid
Flexible conductor made of a woven or braided assembly of fine wires.

Branch Connector
A connector which joins a branch conductor to the main conductor at a specified angle.

Bussing
The joining of two or more circuits together.

Butt Splice
Device for joining conductors (butted end to end).

Butting Dies
Crimping dies so designed that the nest and indentor touch at the end of the crimping cycle. (Also called bottoming dies.)

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C

Cable Clamp
A device used to give mechanical support to the wire bundle, or cable, at the rear of a plug or receptacle.

Cable Clamp Adapter
A mechanical adapter that attaches to the rear of a plug or receptacle to allow the attachment of a cable clamp.

Chamfer
Angle on the inside edge of the barrel entrance of a connector which permits easier insertion of the cable into the barrel.

Circumferential Crimp
The type of crimp where the crimping dies completely surround a barrel resulting in symmetrical indentations in the barrel.

Color Coding
A system of identifying terminals and related devices.

Conductor
A body so constructed from conducting material that it may be used as a carrier of electric current.

Conductor Stop
A device on a terminal, splice, contact or tool used to prevent excessive extension of the conductor beyond the conductor barrel.

Configuration
Specific pattern or arrangement of contacts in a multiple-contact connector.

Connector
A plug or receptacle which can be easily joined to or separated from its mate. Multiple contact connectors join two or more conductors with others in one mechanical assembly.

Connector Assembly, Electrical
A plug connector and Receptacle Connector, designed to be mated together.

Contact
The conductive element in a connector which makes actual contact for the purpose of transferring electrical energy and also for opening and closing circuits.

Bellow Contact
A contact in which a multileaf spring is folded. This type provides more uniform spring rate over the full tolerance range of the mating unit.

Bifurcated Contact
A contact (usually flat spring) which is slotted lengthwise to provide additional independently operating points of contact.

Butt Contact
A mating contact configuration in which the mating surface engage end-to-end without overlap and with their axis in line. This engagement is usually under spring pressure with the ends designed to provide optimum surface contact.

Button-Hook Contact
A contact wit a curved, hooklike termination often located at the rear of hermetic headers to facilitate soldering or de-soldering of leads.

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.

Crimp Contact
A contact whose terminating portion is formed to allow it to accept a wire. After a bared wire is inserted, a swaging tool is applied to crimp the contact metal firmly against the wire. A crimp contact often is referred to as a solderless contact.

Dressed Contact
A contact with a permanently attached locking spring member.

Fixed Contact
A contact which is permanently included in the insert material. It is permanently locked, cemented or imbedded in the insert during molding.

Nude Contact
A contact with a locking member that remains in the insert at all times.

Open Entry Contact
A female-opening contact unprotected from possible damage or distortion from a test probe or other wedging device.

Pin Contact
Male-type contact, usually designed to mate with a socket or female contact. It is normally connected to the “dead” side of a circuit.

Removable Contact
A contact that can be mechanically joined to or removed from an insert. Usually, special tools are required to lock the contact in place or remove it for repair or replacement.

Sheet Metal Contacts
Contacts made by stamping and bending sheet metal rather than by the machining of metal stock. They are available in a wide variety of configurations and are usually less expensive than machined contacts.

Socket Contact
A female contact designed to mate with a male contact. It is normally connected to “live” side of a circuit.

Solder Contact
A contact having a cup, hollow cylinder, eyelet or hook to accept a wire for a conventional soldered termination.

Spade Contact
Male flat blade type contact. Alignment in this type of connection is very critical if good conductivity is to be achieved.

Two-Piece Contact
A contact made of two or more separate parts joined by swage brazing, or other means of fastening to form a single contact. This type provides the mechanical advantages of two metals but also has the inherent electrical disadvantage of difference in conductivity.

Contact Alignment
Defines the overall side play which contacts shall have within the insert cavity so as to permit self-alignment of mate contacts. Sometimes referred to as amount of contact float.

Contact Area
Area in contact between two conductors, two contacts, or a conductor and a contact permitting flow of electrical current.

Contact Arrangement
The number, spacing and pattern of contacts in a connector.

Contact Cavity
A defined hole in the connector insert into which the contacts must fit.

Contact Engaging & Separating Force
Force needed to either engage or separate mating contacts when they are in and out of connector inserts. Values are generally established for maximum and minimum forces. Performance acceptance levels vary by specification and/or customer requirements. Sometimes contact engaging and separating force is not only measured initially nut also after a specified number of engagements and separations.

Contact Female
A contact located in an insert or body in such a manner that the mating contact is inserted into the unit. This is similar in function to a socket contact.

Contact Float
The overall side play and/or angular displacement of contacts within the insert cavity.

Contact Inspection Hole
A hole placed at one end of a barrel to permit visual inspection to see that the conductor has been inserted to the proper depth in the barrel prior to crimping.

Contact Length
The overall length of a contact in contact with another during assembly or disassembly of a connector. Also see Wiping Action.

Contact Male
A contact located in an insert or body in such a manner that the mating portion extends into the female contact. This is similar in function to a pin contact.

Contact Resistance
Electrical resistance of a pair of engaged contacts. Resistance may be measured in ohms or mill volt drop at a specified current over the engaged contacts.

Contact Retainer
A device either on the contact or in the insert to retain the contact in an insert or body.

Contact Retention
The axial load in either direction which a contact can withstand without being dislodged from its normal position within an insert or body.

Contact Shoulder
The flanged portion of the contact which limits its travel into the insert.

Contact Size
By specification dimensioning it defines the diameter of the engagement end of the pin. Also defines the largest size wire which can be used with the specific contact.

Contact Spacing
The distance between the centers of contacts within an insert.

Contact Spring
The spring placed inside the socket-type contact to force the pin into a position of positive intimate contact. Depending on the application, various types are used, including leaf, cantilever, napkin ring, squirrel cage, hyperbolic and “chinese-finger” springs. All perform the function of wiping and establishing good contact. Various metal alloys are used. For example, beryllium copper is used where high conductivity and long life are required. Stainless steel, while its conductivity is only about two percent, it used in high temperature applications.

Contact Wipe
The distance of travel (electrical engagement) made by one contact with another during its engagement of separation or during mating or unmating of the connector halves.

Continuous Current Rating
The designated rms alternating or direct current which the connector can carry continuously under specified conditions.

Corona Voltage Level
The  voltage at which corona discharge does not exceed a specified level, following the application of a specified higher voltage.

Coupling Ring
That portion of a plug which aids in the mating or unmating of a plug and receptacle and holds the plug to the receptacle.

Cover, Electrical Connector
An item which is specifically designed to cover the mating end of a connector for mechanical and/or environmental protection.

Creepage
The conduction of electricity across the surface of a dielectric.

Creepage Path
The path across the surface of a dielectric between two conductors. Lengthening the creepage path reduces the possibility of arc damage or tracking.

Creep Distance
The shortest distance on the surface of an insulator separating two electrically conductive surfaces.

Crimp
The physical compression (deformation) of a contact barrel around a conductor in order to make an electrical connection.

Crimping
A pressure method of mechanically securing a terminal, splice or contact to a conductor.

Crimping Dies
Portion of the crimping tool that shapes the crimp.

Crimping Tool
Mechanism used for crimping.

Cross Connector
A connector which joins two branch conductors to the main conductor. The branch conductors are opposite to each other and perpendicular to the main conductor.

Cutout, Connector
The hole, usually round or rectangular, cut in a metal panel for mounting a connector. May include holes for mounting screws or bolts.

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D

Dead Face
The term which describes the various methods used to protect contacts when not engaged. The most common method uses a cover on the mating ends of connectors which automatically covers the contacts when the connectors are separated. Typical is a spring-powered cover which automatically flips over the faces of the plug and/or receptacle when the two are separated.

Dead Front
Mating surface of a connector designed so that the contacts are recessed below the surface of the connector insulator body to prevent accidental short-circuiting of the contacts.

Depth of Crimp
The distance the indentor penetrates into the barrel. It is measured by gauging thickness of the crimped portion of a contact between two opposite points on the crimped surface. Also see “T” dimension.

Design Tests
Design tests are those tests which are made on the completion of the development of a new design to establish representative performance data and need not be repeated unless the design is changed so as to modify its performance.

Detent
That which locks or unlocks a movement.

Dip Soldered
Process of making electrical connections, usually to a printed circuit board, by the use of dipping one side of the board in molten solder, thus soldering the projecting component leads to the circuitry, printed on the board.

Dummy Connector, Plug
An item specifically designed to mate with another connector to perform one or more special functions. It is not designed to attach directly to a cable, and cannot be used as a connector plug, electrical. Normally a shorting plug is supplied which performs electrical circuit functions within itself and affects the circuits of the receptacle into which it is plugged.

Dummy Connector, Receptacle
An item specifically designed to mate with a plug connector to perform one or more special functions. It does not have provisions for attaching a cable. This is frequently called a stowage plug and is used to provide a station on a piece of equipment into which a plug can be attached maintaining the environmental integrity when not in use. These dummy receptacles normally have no inserts or contacts present and are usually simple receptacle shells.

Dust Cover
(See Cover, Electrical Connector)

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E

End Bell
An accessory similar to a cable clamp which attaches to the back of a plug or receptacle. It serves as an adaptor for the rear of connectors. Some angular end bells have built-in cable clamps.  Angular end bells up to 90 degrees are available.

Environmentally Sealed
A device that is provided with gaskets, seals, grommets, potting or other devices to keep out moisture, dirt, air or dist which might reduce its performance. Does not include non-physical environments such as RF and radiation.

Expansion Connector
A connector which provides a flexible connection between rigid conductors or between a rigid conductor and electrical apparatus.

Extraction Tool
A device used for removing removable contacts from a connector. A device used for removing taper pins from taper pin receptacles.

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F

Face-Seal
That design feature which fills the voids between the faces of Plug and Receptacle when they are fully engaged. This provides an environmental seal between the faces of the Plug and Receptacle and also increases the dielectric between contacts which can increase the service rating of the connector.

Fault-Closure Current Rating
The designated rms fault current which a loadbreak connector can close under specified conditions.

Feed Through
A connector or terminal block, usually having double-ended terminals which permit simple distribution and bussing of electrical circuits. Also used to describe a bushing in a wall or bulkhead separating compartments at different pressure levels, with terminations on both sides.

Ferrule
A short tube or bushing. Ferrules are used to make connections to shielded or coaxial cable in addition to terminating flexible conduit. They are also molded into the plastic inserts of multiple contact connectors to provide strong, wear-resistant shoulders on which contact retaining springs can bear.

Flag Terminal
A type of terminal where the tongue projects out from the side of the terminal barrel rather than the end of the barrel.

Flange, Connector
A projection extending from or around the periphery of a connector with provision to permit mounting the connector to a panel.

Flanged Spade Terminal
Having the ends of the tongue turned up to the plane of the tongue.

Flash
A thin film of material formed at the sides of a forging, casting or molded part where some of the material is forced between the faces of the forging dies or the mold halves. Also, the excess metal extruded between both halves of crimping dies when making certain circumferential or symmetrical crimps. Also would include a thin deposit of plastic material usually at the base of molded-in pins. Flash is also used to describe an extremely thin deposit of plating metal usually under 10M of an inch used as a barrier plating or for adhesion.

Floating Bushing
A design feature which aids in the alignment of connector half and Receptacle shells during engagement. The Floating Bushing generally is an eyelet-type bushing which is fitted into the connector half mounting holes so that there is freedom of motion in all directions between the connector half and receptacle.

Flux
A material used to promote fusion or joining of metals in soldering, brazing or welding.

Follower
A sleeve used to compress the grommet, thus tightening the seal around the wires entering the connector.

Frame
In the case of a multiple contact connector having a removable body or insert, the frame is the surrounding portion (usually metal) which supports the insert and permits a method for mounting the connector to a panel or a mating connector half.

Front Mounted
A connector is front mounted when it is attached to the outside or mating side of a panel. A front mounted connector can only be installed or removed from the outside of the equipment.

Full Cycling Control
Controls placed on the crimping cycle of crimping tools forcing the tool to be closed to its fullest extent completing the crimping cycle before the tool can be opened.

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G

“G” Dimension
See “T” Dimension

Gang Disconnect
A connector that permits the rapid and simultaneous connection and disconnection of two or more electrical circuits.

Grid Spaced
When contacts in a multiple contact connector are spaced equally in a geometric pattern.

Grommet
An insulator, usually of elastomer material, that covers the rear portion of the contacts and a short length of the incoming wire.

Groove
Slot or cavity in a connector which bears directly on the cable. Also,  the depression in a crimping die which holds the connector during crimping.

Guide Pin
A pin or rod extending beyond the mating faces of a connector designed to guide the closing or assembly of the connector to ensure proper mating of contacts.

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H

Hardware
Hardware usually means shells, guide pins, polarizing pins, strain relief clamps, mounting screws, etc.

Header
A feedthrough device which introduces a conductive path through an insulating plate.

Hermaphroditic Connector
A connector in which both mating members are exactly alike at their mating face. There are no male or female members, but provisions have been made to maintain correct polarity, hot lead protection, sealing and coupling.

Hermaphroditic Contact
A contact design which is neither pin nor socket and which mates with another contact of the same kind.

Hermetic Seal
Hermetically sealed connectors are usually multiple contact connectors where the contacts are bonded to the connector by glass or other materials and permit a maximum leakage rate of gas through the connector of 1.0 micron ft/hr at one atmosphere pressure for special applications, maximum leakage rates below 1.0 can be specified.

Holding Strength
Ability of a connector to remain assembled to a cable when under tension.

Hook Terminal
Terminal with a hook shaped tongue.

Hot-Line Clamp (Live-Line Connector)
A connector which may be installed or removed by means of an insulated stick while the conductor is energized.

Housing, Connector, Electrical
Connector less insert, but with insert-retaining and p0ositioning hardware required by standard construction.

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I

Indentor
That part of a crimping die, usually the moving part, which indents or compresses the contact barrel.
Inhibitor
A corrosion inhibitor is a material which prevents or delays oxidation and galvanic action on a connector surface or the interface of different conductors.

Insert
That part which holds the contacts in their proper arrangement and electrically insulates them from each other and from the shell.

Insert Arrangement
The number, spacing and arrangement of contacts in a connector.

Insert Retention
Axial load in either direction which an insert must withstand without being dislocated from its normal position in the connector shell.

Insertion Tool
A small, hand-held tool used to insert contacts into a connector.

Inspection Hole
A hole placed at one end of a barrel to permit visual inspection to see that the conductor has been inserted to the proper depth in the barrel prior to crimping.

Insulated Terminal
Terminal having its barrel and insulation support or grip, if used, covered with a dielectric material.

Insulation Crimp
Shape combination of insulation sleeve to terminal or splice and wire insulation after crimping.

Insulation Grip
The portion of the barrel which is closed or compressed around the conductor insulation.

Insulation Piercing Terminal
A terminal having a device which cuts through the insulation of the wire and makes contact with or enters into the conductor.

Insulation Resistance
Minimum electrical resistance permitted when this resistance is measured between any pair of contacts and between conductors and grounding devices of the connectors in various combinations.

Insulation Support
And extension of the rear portion of the contact which gives the wire side support but not longitudinal support. This section is not crimped as is the insulation grip.

Interface
The two surfaces on the contact side of both halves of a multiple-contact connector which face each other when the connector is assembled.

Interfacial Compression
The compression of the resilient material faces of mating inserts that provides positive sealing and insulation when plug and receptacle are locked together.

Interfacial Gap
Any gap between the faces of mated inserts.

Interfacial Junction
The junction that is formed by the faces of the two mating halves of a connector. This junction can be tightly compressed  or loose, depending upon the requirements of the application of the connector.

Interfacial Seal
Sealing of a two piece, multiple contact connector over the whole area of the interface to provide sealing around each contact. This is usually done by providing a soft insert material on one of both halves of the connector which are in compression when mated.

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J

Jacket
The outermost layer of insulating material of a cable or wire.

Jackscrew
A screw attached to one half of a two piece multiple contact connector used to draw and hold both halves together and to separate them.

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K

Key
A short pin or other projection which slides in a mating slot, hole groove or keyway to guide two parts being assembled. Generally used in shell-enclosed connectors to obtain polarization.

Keyway
The slot or groove in which a key slides.

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L

Lanyard
A device attached to certain quick-disconnect connectors which permits uncoupling and separation of connector halves by a pull on a wire or cable.

Lap Joint
(See Parallel Splice). Two conductors joined by placing them side by side so that they overlap.

Loadbreak Connector
A connector designed to close and interrupt current on energized circuits.

Locator
(See Stop Plate). Device for positioning terminals, splices or contacts in crimping dies.

Locking Spring
(See Contact Retainer)

Longitudinal Indent
An indent shape where the longest dimension is in line with the connector barrel.

Lug
A wire termianal.

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M

Mate
The joining of two connectors.

Mastered Solder Cup
This term is used when the cylindrical portion of the contact (to which the wire is inserted) is partially filled with a specific amount of solder before assembly of the connector. Thus the wire can be soldered into the contact by the simple addition of heat and without additional solder.

Migration
The movement of some metals notably silver, from one location to another.

Modular
A modular connector is one in which similar or identical sections can be assembled together to provide the best connector type or size for the application.

Mold, Potting, Electrical Connector
An item, solid or split, designed to be used as a hollow form into which potting compound is injected and allowed to cure or set to seal the back of an electrical connector. The potting may eliminate the need for a back shell of the connector. The form may or may not be removable after potting.

Mouth
Cable entrance of a connector barrel. (See Belled Mouth)

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N

Nest
The portion of a crimping die which supports the barrel during crimping.

Nick
A small cut or notch in conductor strands or insulation.

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O

Offset Terminal
Terminal whose tongue is forward of and whose stud hole is offset from centerline of terminal barrel.

Operating Interface
The surfaces at which a connector is normally separated.

Operating Temperature
The maximum internal temperature resistant capabilities of a connector in continuous service.

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P

Pad (Solid or Laminated Block) Terminal Connector
A connector which joins a conductor to the terminal pad (solid or laminated block) of electrical apparatus.

Panel
The side or front of a piece of equipment, usually metal, on which connectors are mounted.

Parallel Splice (See Lap Joint)
A device for joining two or more conductors in which the conductors lie parallel and adjacent.

Pendant
The type of plug and/or receptacle that is not mounted in a fixed position or attached to a panel or side of equipment.

Peripheral Seal
A design feature which provides an environmental seal between the forward end of plug and forward end of the receptacle even though they are not fully engaged. It generally consists of a piece of rubber fastened around the inner sidewall of the receptacle front opening skirt or around the outer sidewall of the plug, engagement section.

Pigtail
A short wire extending from an electric or electronic device to serve as s jumper or ground connection.

Plating
The overlaying of a thin coating of metal on metallic components to improve conductivity, provide for easy soldering or prevent rusting or corrosion.

Plug
The part of the two mating halves of a connector which is free to move when not fastened to the other mating half. The plug is usually thought of as the male portion of the connector. This is not always the case. The plug may have female contacts if it is the “free to move” member.

Polarization
A mechanical arrangement of inserts and/or shell configuration (referred to as clocking in some instances) which prohibits the mating of mismatched plugs and receptacles. This is to allow connectors of the same size to be lined up, side by side with no danger of making the wrong connection. Coded arrangements of contact, keys, keyways, and insert position are used. In rectangular connectors, the shells are so designed that mating usually is possible only in one way.

Polarizing Pin
A pin located on one half of a two-piece connector in such a position that by mating with an appropriate hole on the other half during assembly of the connector it will assure that only related connector halves can be assembled. Also known as polarizing keys when applied to Edge on printed circuit connectors.

Positive Lock
A type of latch or locking mechanism used to hold a die set in an installation tool, or an insert inn a connector shell, in such a way that the parts cannot be unlocked accidentally. Also describes retention of certain wire terminating contacts (tabs) used with Edge on printed circuit connectors.

Post Insulate
To insulate a connection after assembly.

Potting
The permanent sealing of the cable end of a connector with a compound or materials to exclude moisture and/or to provide a strain relief.

Potting Cup
An accessory which, when attached to the rear of a plug or receptacle, provides a pouring form for potting the wires and the wire entry end of the assembly.

Potting Form
(Not preferred – See Mold, Potting, Electrical Connector)

Pre-Insulate
The insulation of a connector prior to assembly of the contact or terminal on the conductor.

Pressed-Tube Terminal Connector
A terminal connector which is fabricated or pressed form copper or similar tubing.

Pressure Differential
The difference in pressure between one side of a connector and the other as in a bulkhead mounting, or the pressure difference between the inside and outside of a sealed connector.

Pressure-Type Connector
A connector in which the pressure to fix the connector to the electrical conductor is applied by integral screw, cone, or other mechanical parts.

Pre-Tinned
Solder applied to an electrical component prior to soldering.

Pre-Tinned Solder Cup
Solder cups whose inner surfaces have been precoated with a small amount of  tin-lead solder.

Programming
Ability to select various circuit patterns by interconnecting or “jumping” appropriate contacts on one side of a connector plug or panel.

Pull-Out Force
Force necessary to separate a conductor from a contact or terminal, or a contact from a connector, by exerting a tensile pull.

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Q

Quad-Indent
An indentor configuration of a crimp tool producing four closely grouped indents on the connector barrel.

Quick Disconnect
A type of connector shell which permits rapid locking and unlocking of two connector halves.

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R

Rack
A frame cabinet used to house components which permits convenient removal of portions of the equipment for repair or examination. A rack and panel connector is one which connects the inside back end of the cabinet (rack) with the drawer containing the equipment when it is fully inserted.

Rack and Panel
The type of connector that is attached to a panel or side of equipment so that when these members are brought together, the connector is engaged.

Ram
The moving portion in the head of a crimping tool.

Range
Number of sizes of connectors or cables of a particular type.

Range, Wire
The sizes of conductors accommodated by a particular barrel. Also the diameters of wires accommodated by a sealing grommet.

Ratchet Control
A device to ensure the full crimping cycle of a crimping tool.

Ratchet Hand Tool
Tool designed with ratchet device to insure completion of the crimping cycle.

Read Out
A term used with printed circuit boards and printed circuit connectors, meaning the ability to make contact with certain circuits. Example: a double read out printed  circuit connector will permit two wires to be connected to any one circuit on the printed circuit board.

Rear Seal
That design feature which provides an environmental seal at the rear of a Plug or Receptacle. It generally consists of rubber grommets which fit between the wire and sidewall of the insert cavities or consists of a flat sheet of rubber which fits between the back-up of plate and insert of Plug and Receptacle. This flat sheet of rubber is sometimes called Family or Group Seal since it contains the same number of holes as the insert has cavities. It is through these holes that wires are threaded to the Connector Contacts.

Receptacle
Usually the fixed or stationary half of a two-piece, multiple contact connector. Also the connector half usually mounted on a panel and containing socket contacts.

Rectangular Terminal
Terminal whose tongue is rectangular in shape.

Removal Tool

1. A device used for removing removable contacts from a connector.
2. A device used for removing taper pins from taper pin receptacles.

Right Angle Edge Connector
One wherein the plug is mounted to a chassis or back panel and the receptacle is mounted along an edge of and soldered to the circuits of a printed circuit board. Pins of the receptacle generally are simple rod stock bent at tight angles and molded in the receptacle insert. Board and receptacle assembly is inserted into the plug to complete circuit wiring.

Ring Tongue Terminal
Round-End tongue terminal with hole to accommodate screw or stud.

Routine Tests
Routine tests are those tests made to verify the quality and uniformity of the workmanship and materials used in the manufacture of electric power connectors.

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S

Safetying
That feature of connector design which permits safety wiring of plug and/or receptacle to prevent the loosening or vibrating free of plug from receptacle.

Sealing Plug
A plug, which is inserted to fill an unoccupied contact aperture in a connector insert. Its function is to seal all unoccupied apertures in the insert, especially in environmental connectors.

Seamless Terminal or Splice
Terminal or splice conductor barrel made without an open seam.

Self-Align
Design of two mating parts so that they will engage in the proper relative position.

Separable Insulated Connector
A system for terminating and electrically connecting an insulated power cable to electrical apparams and/or other power cables, so designed that the electrical connection can be readily established or broken by engaging or separating mating parts of the connector at the operating interface.

Serrations
Deformation of the inside surface of a conductor barrel to provide better gripping of the conductor or on the outside of the conductor body to provide better gripping of the connector.

Service Connector
A service connector is a parallel connection which joins conductors in which the contact between the conductors is obtained by means of mechanically applied pressure.

Service Life
A period of time during which a device is expected to perform satisfactory.

Service Rating
The maximum voltage or current which a connector is designed to carry continuously.

Shank
Cylindrical or rod-like portion of a connector or contact.

Shell
Outside case into which the insert and contacts are assembled. Shells of mating connectors usually also provide proper alignment and protection of projecting contacts.

Shielding
The metal sleeving surrounding one or more of the conductors, in a wire circuit to prevent interference, interaction or current leakage. Usually grounded the shielding is carried through the connector shell or through a special internal shell in the case of individual coaxial contacts.

Shorting Plug
(See Dummy Connector Plug)

Short-Time Current Rating
The designated rms current which a connector can carry for a specified time under specified conditions.

Shrink-Fit-Type Connector
A connector in which the contact between the conductor and the connector is made by a shrink fit.

Shroud, Insulation
(See Insulation Support)

Slotted Tongue
A slotted ring tongue for sliding onto the screw or stud so that neither screw nor nut need removing.

Snap-On
Used to describe the easy removal or assembly of one part to another. Example: certain connectors are provided with snap-on plastic covers to permit quick and convenient installation.

Socket Connector
A connector containing socket contacts into which a plug connector having male contacts is inserted.

Socket Contact Sleeve
A sleeve that holds the contact spring in the correct position within the socket contact.

Solder Cup
The hollow cylinder at the rear of a solder contact where a wire is inserted and soldered in place.

Solder Eyelet
An eyelet, or hole, in a contact through which a wire may be mechanically connected to the contact prior to soldering.

Soldered-Type Connector
A connector in which the contact between the conductor and the connector is made by a soldered joint.

Solderless Connection
The joining of two metals by pressure means without the use of solder, braze or any method requiring heat.

Solderless Wrap
A technique of connecting stripped solid wire to a terminal post containing a series of sharp edges by winding the wire around the terminal.

Spacer
A metal piece placed between two conductors in a connector. Example: most aluminum to copper connectors use a space located between the dissimilar cable to reduce galvanic corrosion.

Spade Tongue Terminal
Slotted tongue terminal designed to slip around a screw or stud without removing the nut.

Splice
Device used to join two or more conductors to each other.

Spring-Finger Action
Design of a contact, as used in a printed circuit connector or a socket contact, permitting easy, stress-free spring action to provide contact pressure and/or retention.

Stop Plate
(See Locator) A device attached to a crimping tool to properly locate a terminal, splice or contact in the tool prior to crimping.

Straight Adapter Connector
A straight connector which joins two conductors of different shapes end to end in a straight line.

Straight Connector
A which joins two lengths of conductor end to end in a straight line.

Straight Coupler Connector
A straight connector which joins two conductors of equal sizes end to end in a straight line.

Straight Reducer Connecter
A straight connector which joins two conductors of unequal sizes end to end in a straight line.

Strain Relief Clamp
(See Cable Clamp)

Streamlined
Design of high-voltage connectors to eliminate sharp points or corners and to recess all hardware to reduce corona discharge.

Strip
To remove insulation from a cable. Also “strip contacts,” a continuous length of formed contacts for use in an automatic installation machine.

Stud Angle Terminal Connector
A connector which joins a conductor to the round terminal stud of electrical apparatus at a specified angle.

Stud Hole
The hole or opening in the tongue of a terminal to accommodate screw or stud.

Stud Terminal Connector
A connector which joins a conductor to the round terminal stud of electrical apparatus.

Switching Current Rating
The designated rms current which a loadbreak connector can connect and disconnect for a specified number of times under specified conditions.

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T

“T” Connector
A branch connector which joins a branch conductor to the main conductor at an angle of 90 degrees.

“T” Dimension
Dimension of the crimped portion of a connector measured between two opposite points on the crimped surface. Also called “G” Dimension.

Tap Conductor
A conductor which Branches off form a main conductor.

Tape Cable
A form of multiple conductor consisting of parallel metal strips imbedded in insulating material. Also called Flat Flexible Cable.

Taper Pin
A pin-type contact having a tapered end designed to be impacted into a tapered hole.

Terminal
A device designed to terminate a conductor to affixed to a post, stud, chassis or another conductor or the like in order to establish an electrical connection.

Terminal Connector
A connector which joins a conductor to a lead, terminal pad (solid or laminated block) or round terminal stud of electrical apparatus.

Terminal Lug
A terminal designed to be affixed, usually at one end, to a post, stud chassis or the like, and with provision for attachment of a wire(s) or similar electrical conductor(s) in order to establish an electrical connection.

Terminal Style
Refers to the tongue design of the terminal.

Thermal Shock
The effect of heat or cold applied at such a rate that non-uniform thermal expansion or contraction occurs within a given material or combination of material. In connectors, the effect can cause inserts and other insulation materials to pull away from metal parts.

Thermocouple Contact
Contact of special material used in connectors employed in thermocouple applications. Materials often used are iron, constantan, copper, chromel, alumel and others.

Thermoplastic
A type of plastic which can be remelted a number of times without any important change in properties. Example: Nylon, Lexan, and PVC are thermoplastic plastics. Such plastics are resilient after molding.

Thermosetting Plastic
A type of plastic in which an irreversible chemical reaction takes place while it is being molded under heat and pressure. This type of plastic cannot be reheated or softened. Example: Melamine, Diallvl Pthalate are thermosetting plastics.

Threaded Coupling
A means of coupling mating connectors by engaging threads in a coupling ring with threads on a receptacle shell.

Threaded-Type Connector
A connector in which the contact between the conductor and the connector  is made by pressure exerted on a threaded part.

Tracking
The formation of contaminants on the surface of insulating materials due to arcing. Tracking can be either a conducting or non-conducting path left after the arcing stops.

Tubular Adapter
An accessory attached to the rear of a connector, usually metallic, used to extend the shell far enough to support a sealing gland or to give mechanical support for a cable or wire harness.

Twisted Sleeve Connector
A parallel connector in which the contact between the conductors is obtained by forming a spiral twist in the connector and conductors after they are assembled.

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U

Umbilical Connector
A connector used to connect cables to a rocket or missile prior to launching and which is unmated from the missile at the time of launching.

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V

“V” Connector
A connector which joins two branch conductors to a main conductor.

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W

Wedge-Type Connector
A connector in which the contact between the conductor and the connector is made by pressure exerted by a wedge.

Wiping Action
The action which occurs when contacts are mated with a sliding action. Wiping has the effect of removing small amounts of contamination from the contact surfaces, thus establishing better conductivity.

Wire Wrap
A technique of connecting solid wire to a square, rectangular, or V –shaped terminal by winding the wire around the terminal.

Withstanding Voltage
Test voltage which an electrical connector shall withstand for one minute without showing evidence of electrical breakdown when the voltage  is applied between conductors and grounding devices of the connectors in various combinations.

Work Curve
A graph which plots the pull out force, indent force and relative conductivity of a crimp joint as a function  of various depths of crimping.

Working Voltage
(See Service Rating) Voltage at which a connector normally operates.

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X

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Y

“Y” Connector
A connector which joins two branch conductors to the main conductor at an angle. The three conductors  are in the same plane.

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Z