Staying connected

Some of the most important aspects of connector designs are discussed. IEC60664-1 'Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems' is the safety standard to achieve insulation coordination specifying clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation, taking into account the voltage stress and surge, together with the expected degree of pollution. For optimum results 360° shielding is required and, as shielding attenuation in dB is dependent on frequency, such connectors will have a high attenuation over a large frequency band. Gold plating also provides a contact resistance of 3mω or less, making the connectors particularly suitable for low voltage applications in the mA range. To reduce cost and weight of a connector, die-cast zinc or an aluminum alloy are becoming more commonly used, while for corrosion resistance and aesthetics, metal parts can be nickel, chromium plated or anodized.