C-4 Visual Inspection Appendix C — Connector Care
C-2 PN: 13000-00164 Rev. K ML248xx, ML249xA MM
C-4 Visual Inspection
To ensure a long and reliable connector life, careful visual inspection should be performed on the connectors
before they are used on a particular job at a minimum of once per day when the item is being used. A “good”
connector may get damaged if it is mated with a “bad” one.
The minimum magnification for connector inspection for damage varies with the connector:
• 7X for K and V connectors
• 2X for N connectors
• 10X for W1 connectors
Any connector with the following defects should be repaired or discarded:
• Plating
• Deep scratches showing bare metal on the mating plane
• Bubbles and blisters
• The connectors may lose some gloss over time due to usage. Light scratches, marks and other
cosmetic imperfections can be found on the mating plane surfaces. These should be of no cause for
concern.
• Threads
• Damaged threads. Don’t force the connectors to mate with each other.
• Center conductors
• Bent, broken or damaged contacts.
C-5 Connector Pin Depth Precautions
A connector should be checked before it is used at a minimum of once per day when in use. If the connector is to
be used on another item of equipment, the connector on the equipment to be tested should also be gauged.
Connectors should never be forced together when making a connection since forcing often indicates
incorrectness and incompatibility. There are some dimensions that are critical for the mechanical integrity,
non-destructive mating and electrical performance of the connector. Connector gauge kits are available for
many connector types. Please refer to Anritsu Application Note 10200-00040. The mechanical gauging of
coaxial connectors will detect and prevent the following problems:
Positive Pin Depth
Positive pin depth can result in buckling of the fingers of the female center conductor or damage to the
internal structure of a device due to the axial forces generated.
Negative Pin Depth
Negative pin depth can result in poor return loss, possibly unreliable connections, and could even cause
breakdown under peak power conditions.
Checking Pin Depth Gage
Pin depth gages should be checked for cleanliness before they are used at a minimum of once per month.
Connector cleaning procedures (refer to Section C-6) can also be used to clean the pin depth gauges.
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