ZIF Connectors
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms
In every job speciality there are certain words and Derating — To reduce the voltage, current, or D Subminiature connector, insulator rotation,
phrases used by the ‘‘insiders’’ which after a time power rating of a connector to improve its keys, keyways, ramps, or other means. Polar-
become almost a language unique to that reliability or to permit operation at high ambient ization prevents connectors of the same size and/
speciality. DL Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) temperatures or altitudes.
technology is a typical example of that condition.
or same layout from intermating when this is
undesirable, such as when two otherwise identical
Derating Curve — A graph of the change in power connectors are used on the same panel.
This page provides some explanations, in an handling capability of a connector as a function of Polarization is typically done by the assembler and
attempt to clarify some of the terms that are ambient temperature or altitude. Typically the cannot be changed by the user, while keying is
commonly used by engineers and sales staff at graphed function is curved, hence the name.
typically done by the user with an auxiliary keying
device.
Cannon.
EMI/RFI — Electro-Magnetic Interference and
The list is not comprehensive, but highlights many Radio Frequency Interference. This is unwanted Removable Contact — A contact which can be
of the expressions commonly used. Should you stray electronic radiation which may enter, and/or inserted and removed from the insulator by the
have any comments or additions please contact be emitted by an electronic system. The most user. An insertion tool and extraction tool are
us. Feedback will be appreciated.
common method of shielding interconnections normally required to insert and remove the contact.
against this radiation is to use wires with a metallic
AWG — American Wire Gauge. A standard for wire braided shield and a connector system which will Selective Plating — The application of metal
diameters based on the approximate circular mil extend the shield through the interconnection. This PLATING to selective areas of the contact,
area of the wire. As numbers get larger, wire type of design will keep radiation from entering, or particularly those areas subject to wear. Precious
diameters decrease in size (a size 16 AWG wire being emitted by the system. Endbells for shielded metal platings may be applied selectively to those
has a larger diameter than a size 22 AWG).
cable and connectors with threads or grounding contact surfaces responsible for the electrical
fingers are typically used for this purpose. Call for connection, reducing the contact cost without
Beryllium Copper — An alloy of copper used to the specific EMI/RFI accommodations of the sacrificing electrical performance.
make contacts. It is relatively expensive, but has connectors in this catalog.
superior spring qualities, is resistant to fatigue, and
Thermoplastic — A plastic material that can be
can operate at higher temperatures than other Extraction Tool — A device used to remove a softened by heat and rehardened into a solid state
materials such as phosphor bronze. It is used (removable) contact from a connector insulator. by cooling. This process can be accomplished
when numerous insertion and extraction cycles The extraction tool may be inserted into the mating using a variety of techniques.
are required.
face of the insulator (FRONT RELEASE) or the wire
side (REAR RELEASE). In either case, the contact UL — Abbreviation for Underwriter’s Laboratories,
Cable Clamp — A rear connector clamping comes out the rear, or wire side, of the connector. a corporation supported by a group of underwriters
accessory which tightens over a cable or wire
for the purpose of establishing safety standards
bundle to provide strain relief to the cable. The Flash Plating — As commonly used in connector covering certain types of equipment and
cable clamp may be part of a more elaborate terminology, flash refers to extremely thin platings components in the United States.
endbell or it may be used alone.
of metal, for example: gold flash is a very thin
plating of gold. So thin, that the thickness is UL 94V-O — A flammability performance rating
Contact Retention — The maximum allowable generally not specified.
axial load which can be applied to a contact from
set by Underwriter’s Laboratories for plastics.
either direction without it being dislodged from the Insertion Tool — A small, handheld tool used to Wire Size — The numerical designation for
insulator. Usually stated in Newtons or pounds of insert contacts into a connector.
force.
conductor diameter. This catalog uses American
Wire Gauge (AWG) which is based on the
Mating Life — The minimum number of times a approximate circular mil area of the wire. Also see
Contact Spacing — The distance between the connector can be mated and unmated and still AWG.
centers of adjacent contacts.
meet all of its design specifications. The maximum
life may be much higher than this figure.
Wrap Post Contact — A type of contact which is
terminated by wrapping wire around a post in a
Crimp — A method of attaching a contact to a wire
through the application of pressure.
Operating Temperature — The range of manner that deforms the wire and creates a gas-
AMBIENT TEMPERATURES over which the tight connection between the wire and the post.
Crimp Contact — A contact which is terminated to connector can operate and still meet all of its This method is slow and labor intensive. If used at
a wire by means of crimping with an appropriate design specifications.
die and tool. After termination, an insertion tool is
all, it is used in prototype work.
normally used to insert the crimped contact into PC Contact — A pin or socket contact that has a Zero Insertion Force Connector (ZIF) — A
the connector. Removable crimp contacts can be post opposite the mating end which is intended to connector designed in such a way that the
FRONT RELEASE or REAR RELEASE. An be soldered directly to a printed circuit (PC) board contacts do not mechanically touch until the two
extraction tool is usually required to remove the instead of being terminated to a wire. The solder connector halves have been jointed and a
contact.
post may come in square post and or round pin compression mechanism has joined the contacts
configurations.
together. A ZIF connector has extremely low
insertion and removal forces making it possible to
Cross Talk — Undesired electrical currents in
conductors caused by electromagnetic or Polarization
—
A
mechanism that allows easily mate very large numbers of contacts with
electrostatic coupling from other conductors or connector halves to intermate in only one specific virtually no wear.
from external sources. Also, leakage of optical orientation. This can be accomplished by
power from one optical conductor to another.
asymmetrical shapes of the two halves as in a
Dimensions are shown in mm (inch)
Dimensions subject to change
71
ITT [ ITT Cannon ]
