One of the relatively scarce and valuable metals, such as gold, silver, and the platinum group metals.
An electromechanical switch that has predetermined and accurately controlled characteristics, and that has a spring-loaded quick make-a-break contact action.
The insulation of a connector prior to assembly of the contact or terminal on the conductor.
An overmolding process prior to a continuity test and shielding operation by "copper foil" or "metal shell" in connector overmolding.
Cable that has had some of the insulation/webbing removed (notched) between conductors.
Pressed-tube Terminal Connector
A terminal connector that is fabricated or pressed from copper or similar tubing.
An electrical contact that can be pressed into a hole in an insulator, PCB with plated through-holes, or a metal plate.
Pegs that friction lock a header into a PCB to secure it prior to wave soldering.
A connection that uses a resilient member to provide a continuous pressure between the flat cable conductor and its connecting member.
A basic connector type that includes bolted-type, compression, self-tapping, and twist-on connectors. Pressure types products establish a connection by means of mechanical pressure and without the use of solder.
A process by which solder (or tin) is applied to an electrical component prior to soldering.
Solder cups that have inner surfaces pre-coated with a small amount of solder.
The distance between the free position and the operating point in a switch.
A cell (battery) that cannot be recharged to its initial state.
The layer of insulation material that is usually the first layer, applied directly over the conductor. Also known as the Dielectric Core of a wire / cable design; and usually is first layer of material applied over the signal or power conductor.
Devices designed to protect against lightning strikes, other high-level voltage surges, and current overloads. Used to protect people and equipment from these dangers, and to prevent fires.
See also Secondary Protection.
The winding of a transformer that is connected to the input.
See also Transformers.
Common usage of this term includes:
See PCB.
A portion of a conductive pattern, formed by printing, that serves as a contact surface for a connector. Also called terminal area or pad.
Conductive pattern within or bonded to the surface of a base material intended for point-to-point connection of separate components and not containing printed components.
An insulating board that serves as a base for printed wiring and consists almost entirely of point-to-point connectors and shielding.
See also PCB.
Product Related Efficiency Factor
The efficiency factor that relates to that product only and not to all products made on that machine.
The height of a connector, when mated to its header, that is above the PCB.
Programmable Logic Array (PLA)
Metal oxide semiconductor read only memory used as a network of logic gates.
Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)
Read-only memory made so its information content may be placed in it by the user instead of the manufacturer.
Method by which conductors are attached to a multi-contact termination panel by a programmable machine.
In connector technology, a circuit pattern from the variety of circuit options offered by a given device. Programmable devices include pin boards, modules, programming systems, and various switches.
See Programmable Read Only Memory.
To move through a transmission medium; used to describe the movement of waves.
Time of propagation of a signal normalized to length of travel and a property of the material's dielectric constant. Also known as propagation delay, a property of the material medium.
In data transmission, a set rules that specifies the timing, format, sequencing, and error control of transmitted signals.
A diagnostic tool designed to determine whether the packets that LANs and interconnected LANs are transmitting are without errors and are correct for the protocols that are being run. Some intelligent hubs are capable of conducting their own elementary protocol tests. Others allow testers to be plugged into them. Still others are capable of running some tests from remote sites.
The positively charged nucleon in the nucleus of an atom.
Pounds Per Square Inch
See Plated Through-Hole.
Pin Through-Hole Edge Card. A method by which a connector is assembled on the circuit board using through-hole technology.
Post, Telephone, and Telegraph Administration. The primary provider of telephone services in many countries outside of the U.S. In many cases, government owned entities.
Force required to separate a cable from a connector by pulling them apart.
Feature on a connector used for pulling the two connector halves apart.
A resistor connected to negative voltage or ground.
A resistor connected to a positive voltage supply.
A varying direct current that periodically changes from a maximum level to a value close to zero.
A current or voltage that changes abruptly from one value to another and back to the original value in a finite length of time. Specifically, describes one particular variation in a series of wave motions. A pulse typically starts at 0 volts and rises to a maximum voltage, such as 3.5 or 5 volts. After remaining at the high, it falls to 0 volts. In digital transmissions, 0 volts equals binary 0 and 5 volts equals binary 1.
An ideal pulse rises immediately from 0 volts to a maximum. In reality, pulses are irregular.
A switch that provides a single pulse of current for each cycle of operation.
Desoldering method that utilizes either a soldering iron plus a pulse vacuum device, such as a squeeze bulb or plunger, or a combination unit in which a soldering iron has a pulse vacuum device attached. The iron melts the solder first, then the squeezed bulb (or plunger) is released to draw in the solder. Also called solder sucker method.
A male or female contact to which a wire has been permanently affixed prior to the assembly of the contact into insert. The contact is then "pushed home" into the insert and retained.
See Polyvinyl Chloride.
Moisture proof, reinforced, portable cord with two or more rubber insulated conductors. Individual cotton braid. Moisture resistant cotton braid finish over rubber jacket, 300-600 in. Canadian Designations.
A thermometer for measuring very high temperature.