What should I look for when choosing an aerospace connector?

　　Connector is an indispensable part of electronic equipment, if you observe along the path of current flow, you will always find the existence of one or more connectors.

　　It is a coupling device that connects electrical terminals to form a circuit, which can realise the connection between wires, cables, printed circuit boards and electronic components, and is therefore widely used in electronic equipment.

　　With the application object, application environment, frequency, power of different, the connector form and structure is also varied. The types of common connectors are more and more, that we choose the connector, what should pay attention to the problem?

　　1, humidity

　　Long-term in a high humidity environment, will cause water vapour absorption and diffusion on the surface of the insulator, easy to reduce the insulation resistance to also cause physical deformation, resulting in electrolysis, corrosion and cracking. Connector on the outside of the equipment, often have to consider the humidity, water seepage and pollution of the environmental conditions, in this case should be used to seal the connector. For watertight, dust-tight connector, generally used GB4208 shell protection level to indicate.

　　2, electrical parameters

　　Connectors are mostly connected to electrical components, used to transmit current or signal, so the electrical parameters have more stringent requirements, including rated voltage, rated current and so on.

　　Rated voltage, also known as the operating voltage, which depends on the connector used in the insulating material and the size of the distance between the contact pair. Theoretically, the rated voltage of the connector should be the highest working voltage recommended by the manufacturer, but in fact, the connector can work properly below the rated voltage.

　　Rated current is also known as the working current. The same as the rated voltage, below the rated current, the connector can generally work properly. When there is current passing through the contact pair of a connector, due to the existence of conductor resistance and contact resistance, the contact pair will heat up, and failure will occur when the temperature exceeds the limit. Therefore, to limit the rated current, that is, to limit the temperature rise inside the connector does not exceed the design of the specified value.

　　3, the ambient temperature

　　Connector metal materials and insulating materials determine the connector's operating environment temperature. High temperatures will destroy the edge of the material, causing insulation resistance and voltage performance reduction; for metals, high temperatures can make contact with the loss of elasticity, accelerate the oxidation and deterioration of the plating.

　　4, corrosive environment

　　According to different corrosive environments, should be selected accordingly metal, plastic, plating structure of the connector. Such as salt spray environment using the connector, if there is no anti-corrosion metal surface will make the performance deteriorate rapidly. And in the environment containing a considerable concentration of SO2, it is not suitable to use silver-plated contacts on the connector.

　　5, environmental parameters

　　Environmental parameters are mainly ambient temperature, humidity, rapid changes in temperature, corrosive environments. Connector in the use, transport and storage in the process of the environment has a significant impact on its performance, so it must be based on the actual environmental conditions to choose the appropriate connector.

　　6, connection mode

　　Termination refers to the connector contact with the wire or cable connection. At present, the main connection methods are crimping, welding, winding, piercing connection, screw connection. Reasonable choice of termination method and the correct use of termination technology is also an important aspect of the use and selection of connectors.

　　Environmental parameters, electrical parameters and connection methods all affect connector performance. Understanding your application requirements and selecting the correct connector can increase the reliability of your project engineering and go a long way towards improving the quality and service life of your products.