There are two primary inspection methods for RF coaxial connectors: contact resistance testing and insulation resistance testing. Contact resistance comprises constriction resistance, film resistance, and conductor resistance; in practice, a contact resistance tester (milliohmmeter) based on the Kelvin four-terminal bridge principle is commonly used. Insulation resistance is primarily influenced by factors such as insulating materials, temperature, humidity, contamination, test voltage, and the duration of continuous voltage application.
Key performance tests include Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), insertion loss, return loss, power handling capability, mechanical performance, and environmental performance.
Testing equipment typically includes network analyzers, power meters, environmental test chambers, vibration tables, and shock testing machines.
Inspections must adhere to relevant national, industry, and international standards to ensure connector reliability under conditions such as mechanical shock, vibration, and temperature fluctuations. For instance, the national standard GB/T 12272-1990 specifies the "Test method for RF high-potential voltage withstand of RF coaxial connectors." Additionally, international standards organizations such as IEC/TC46 actively advance standardization efforts in the field of RF connectors.
In practical applications, performance issues-such as a VSWR exceeding limits-may stem from poor impedance matching, improper assembly, or interface contamination, while signal attenuation may be linked to insertion loss or poor contact. Standardized testing is a critical step in ensuring the quality of RF signal transmission.