The basic performance of connectors can be divided into three categories: mechanical performance, electrical performance, and environmental performance.
In terms of connection function, insertion and extraction force is an important mechanical performance. Insertion and extraction forces are divided into insertion force and extraction force (also known as separation force), with different requirements. In relevant standards, there are provisions for maximum insertion force and minimum separation force, which indicates that from a usage perspective, the insertion force should be very small (resulting in low insertion force LIF and no insertion force ZIF in the structure). If the separation force is too small, it will affect the reliability of contact.
Another important mechanical performance is the mechanical lifespan of the connector. Mechanical lifespan is actually a durability indicator, referred to as mechanical operation in the national standard GB5095. It is evaluated based on whether the connector can complete its connection function (such as contact resistance value) after a specified insertion and extraction cycle, with one insertion and one extraction cycle.
The insertion and extraction forces of connectors, as well as their mechanical lifespan, are related to the accuracy of the contact structure (positive pressure), coating quality in the contact area (sliding friction coefficient), and contact arrangement dimensions (alignment).
The main electrical properties of connectors include contact resistance, insulation resistance, and electrical strength.
① High quality electrical connectors with contact resistance should have low and stable contact resistance. The contact resistance of the connector varies from a few milliohms to several tens of milliohms.
② Insulation resistance is an indicator that measures the insulation performance between electrical connector contacts and between contacts and the casing, with a range of several hundred to several thousand megaohms.
③ Electrical strength, also known as withstand voltage or dielectric withstand voltage, refers to the ability to withstand the rated test voltage between connector contacts or between contacts and the housing.
④ Other electrical performance.
Electromagnetic interference leakage attenuation is an evaluation of the electromagnetic interference shielding effect of connectors. Electromagnetic interference leakage attenuation is an evaluation of the electromagnetic interference shielding effect of connectors, usually tested in the frequency range of 100MHz to 10GHz.
For RF coaxial connectors, there are also electrical indicators such as characteristic impedance, insertion loss, reflection coefficient, and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). With the development of digital technology, a new type of connector, namely the high-speed signal connector, has emerged for connecting and transmitting high-speed digital pulse signals. Correspondingly, in terms of electrical performance, in addition to characteristic impedance, some new electrical indicators have emerged, such as crosstalk, transmission delay, and delay.

3. Common environmental performance includes temperature resistance, humidity resistance, salt spray resistance, vibration resistance, and impact resistance.
① The maximum working temperature of the current connector is 200 ℃ (except for a few high-temperature dedicated connectors), and the minimum temperature is -65 ℃. Due to the heat generated by the current at the contact point during the operation of the connector, the temperature rises. It is generally believed that the working temperature should be equal to the sum of the ambient temperature and the increase in contact temperature. In certain specifications, the maximum allowable temperature rise of connectors at rated operating current is clearly specified.
② The intrusion of moisture resistance can affect the insulation performance of the connection and corrode metal components. The constant humidity test conditions are a relative humidity of 90% to 95% (up to 98% according to product specifications), a temperature of+40 ± 20 ℃, and a test time of at least 96 hours according to product specifications. The alternating humidity and heat test is more stringent.
③ When salt spray resistant connectors work in environments containing moisture and salt, the surface treatment layer of their metal structural components and contact parts may produce electrochemical corrosion, which can affect the physical and electrical performance of the connectors. In order to evaluate the ability of electrical connectors to withstand this environment, salt spray testing is required. It hangs the connector in a temperature controlled test chamber and sprays a specified concentration of sodium chloride solution with compressed air to form a salt spray atmosphere. The exposure time is specified by the product specifications and should be at least 48 hours.
④ Vibration and shock resistance are important characteristics of electricity