TD;
Well, that's hard to say-- there's no industry- standard definition that
I know of but my guess is that a circuit putting out less than 10V
(peak) and 10mA is a good candidate for gold-plated connector pins and
switches or relays with gold contacts.
The problem with just measuring resistance is that this contact problem
usually develops after some time.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: todd [mailto:todd@twinjugs.com]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 11:23 AM
To: Albaugh, Neil; todd; List Land Speed
Subject: RE: Weather-Pack and Deutsch connectors
Sure does, thank you. I guess I knew this for small computer systems and
vital circuitry conections, but wasn't thinking about data-aq and
such(po-boy
here-lol). What voltage and/or amperage draw would you consider a
realistic
cut off point(as in a definition of "low-voltage, low- current") for
standard
contacts? I imagine we're talking m-amps and m-volts here? And is simply
getting zero resitance or inifinite continuity through the circuit good
enough diagnostics for all applications in your opinion?
TD
> TD;
>
> Some time ago I pontificated on the various types of switch contacts-
> - ones that were suitable for power and those suitable for low-
> voltage, low- current (so-called "dry circuit") applications.
> Connector pin contacts are similar.
>
> At very low voltages & low- currents a contact will develop a thin
oxide
> on its surface that acts as an insulator. Higher voltages & currents
> can punch through this oxide and make good contact but for dry
> circuit applications such as data logging sensors, etc., a plating
> of gold on the pins is necessary to prevent the oxide growth.
>
> Hope this explains the basic problem.
>
> Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
|