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Appendix E. Connector Care and Handling
Follow the precautions listed below when handling or connecting cables. Complying with
these precautions will guarantee longer component life and less equipment down time due
to connector or device failure. Also, such compliance will ensure that
Beware of destructive pin depth mating connectors
Destructive pin depth of mating connectors is the major cause of failure in the field. When
an RF component is mated with a connector having a destructive pin depth, damage will
usually occur to the RF component connector. A destructive pin depth is one that is too
long in respect to the reference plane of the connector (see figure below).
N connector pin depth definition
The center pin of a precision RF component connector has a precision tolerance. The
mating connectors of various RF components may not be precision types.
Consequently, the center pins of these devices may not have the proper pin depth.
The pin depth of DUT connectors should be measured to assure compatibility before
attempting to mate them with Power Sensor connectors. An Anritsu Pin Depth Gauge
or equivalent can be used for this purpose.
Pin depth gauge
If the measured connector is out of tolerance in the "+" region, the center pin is too
long (see Allowable DUT connector pin depth table below). Mating under this
condition will likely damage the precision RF component connector. If the test device
connector measures out of tolerance in the "-" region, the center pin is too short. This
should not cause damage, but it will result in a poor connection and a consequent
degradation in performance.
13000-000109 E-1
June 2003