Operating Environmental Conditions
Ambient Temperature: The product must be used within its specified ambient temperature range. Even if the external ambient temperature is moderate, operating the product inside an enclosure with poor heat dissipation-combined with heat generated by other components-can cause the product's internal operating temperature to rise significantly above the external ambient temperature. Exceeding the specified temperature limits can damage metal platings or insulation materials.
Humidity or Water: Moisture or water can form a film on the insulator surface, reducing insulation performance and potentially causing unintended electrical conduction between adjacent contacts. Connectors intended for long-term use in high-humidity or wet environments should feature sealing capabilities.
Low Air Pressure: Air pressure drops at high altitudes (except within hermetically sealed, constant-pressure chambers). Under low-pressure conditions, the product's dielectric withstanding voltage decreases; if the transmitted voltage exceeds the product's technical specifications, electrical breakdown and subsequent failure may occur.
Corrosive Environments: This refers to the atmosphere surrounding the product during operation-such as salt spray in marine environments or exposure to acids and alkalis in chemical storage facilities. These conditions can corrode or erode the connector's metal parts and insulators. When selecting connectors, users should specify special requirements to the manufacturer or choose products designed to withstand such conditions.
Mechanical Conditions: This refers to mechanical stresses such as vibration, shock, and acceleration; selection should be based on the parameters listed in the micro-rectangular connector catalog. In actual application, cables crimped to contacts should also be secured using cable clamps or other methods. Cables that are excessively long and unsecured are vulnerable to external forces like vibration or shock, which can compromise cable safety and-in severe cases-lead to cable breakage or damage to the micro-rectangular connector.
Wiring Methods
Wiring methods refer to how cables are connected to the micro-rectangular connector:
Crimp Termination: Offers high mechanical strength, excellent electrical performance, and high reliability.
Solder Termination: Offers the advantage of simple operation. However, factors such as the soldering technique or limited workspace can lead to "cold joints" (poor solder connections) that are difficult to detect.
Electrical Performance
Contact Resistance: Micro-rectangular connectors utilizing "twist-pin" contacts provide multi-point contact, effectively ensuring reliable electrical connection. Rated Voltage: Also known as rated operating voltage, this refers to the voltage that can be continuously applied between mutually insulated components. If a micro-rectangular connector operates for an extended period at a voltage exceeding its rating, the insulation material may fail, resulting in damage to the connector.
Rated Current: Also known as rated operating current, this value is established during product design. Excessive current causes overheating, which can damage the insulator and lead to malfunctions; the operating current should not be arbitrarily increased. To ensure high reliability, derating is recommended-typically by limiting the current to 75–85% of the rated value.
Insulation Resistance: This refers to the resistance value measured across the surface or through the body of an insulator when voltage is applied. Insulation resistance depends on the materials used and the operating environment; it generally decreases under conditions such as high temperature or humidity. Usage should comply with the specifications provided by the micro-rectangular connector manufacturer.
Dielectric Withstand Voltage: This refers to the ability of the connector to withstand instantaneous peak voltages-such as those caused by transient surges or interruptions-between mutually insulated contacts or between contacts and components like the housing. This capability depends on insulator material, ambient temperature (high temperatures are detrimental), humidity (high humidity is detrimental), and atmospheric pressure (low pressure is detrimental). Usage should comply with the specifications provided by the micro-rectangular connector manufacturer.
