And the winner is...
Jason C. Yung, test lab technician, Cinch Connectors Inc., Lombard, Ill., U.S. Thanks and congratulations!

Question: EIA 364D cites Low-Level Contact Resistance (LLCR) as a method of resistance measurement. LLCR is sometimes called a “dry circuit” resistance measurement. What does dry circuit mean?

Answer: It means a test that requires limited current and voltage levels to minimize any physical and electrical changes in the contact junction. Limiting the voltage in the measuring circuit will leave the resistive surface films [that are] built up on the contacts undisturbed.

Some dry circuit background from Dr. Bob... 

Dry circuit and wet circuit terminology originated in the relay world when mercury-wetted relays were used to improve the reliability of relay contacts. A mercury blob was moved into a position to complete a circuit and provide a larger contact area. Relays without mercury, therefore, were dry circuit and had to establish a contact interface directly, i.e. without any means of disrupting or avoiding surface film effects.

Trivia Question for ConnectorSupplier.com Volume 4, Issue 14: What are tin whiskers?

This issue’s question was provided by John Hohenberg, regional sales manager, JST Sales America Inc. John also receives $50 for sending us the question.

When ConnectorSupplier.com presents a trivia question, you can win $50 for providing us with the right answer! You can also win $50 for providing us with a trivia question to use in future issues.

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● Yamaichi Hires Sackett as Regional Sales Manager more
● TLC to Carry Bulgin Line of Interconnects more
● AVX Honored by Arrow at EDS 2008 more
● BICSI Establishes Training Program for Cabling Installers more
● Ethernet Alliance Program Announces 2009 White Paper Challenge more

● Molex Launches a Line of Extra Rugged Sealed Circular Connectors more
● Samtec Adds Rugged, Power and I/O Interconnect Products more
● ITT Develops Long-Life, High-Temp RF Connector System more
● Souriau Overmolded Connector for Field Application more
● Binder Shieldable M8 Angled Connectors with Solder Termination more
● Amphenol 451/PT Connector Range is Revised more
● Compel Electronics’ Coaxial Connectors with Solderless System more
● ODU Fluid Coupling Module Expands MAC Series more
● JST Introduces ZE Series for High-Density Wire-to-Board Use more
● ERNI Enhances Right Angled Female DIN Connector Features more
● Fortress Introduces Dustcovers to Protect Its Interlocks more

Connector Fundamentals

October 20 and 21

and

Power Connector/Contact Fundamentals
October 22

Fall Seminars

Location
Colonel Blackinton Inn
Attleboro, Mass.
 

Attleboro, Massachusetts Tom Peel, of Contech Research Inc., and Dr. Bob Mroczkowski, of connNtext associates, announce their Fall Connector Seminar Series. Two seminars will be presented, Connector Fundamentals and Power Connector/Contact Fundamentals. Connector Fundamentals will be offered October 20 and 21, and Power Connector/Contact Fundamentals on October 22. For further information on the seminar content, contact:

Tom Peel
Contech Research Inc.
tpeel@contechresearch.com or CONRESTFP@aol.com
Tel: 508.226.4800

The International Wire and Cable Symposium (IWCS) will host its 57^th Annual Conference in Providence, RI, November 9-12, 2008, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. During the 2008 Conference, IWCS will launch a cooperative effort with the International Institute for Connector and Interconnect Technology (IICIT) to provide a broader, solutions-based program for attendees. Several papers on connector and interconnect technology will be included at the Symposium in a special track open to all attendees.

IWCS Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the exchange of information among suppliers, manufacturers, and users on advancements in materials, processes, and products for transmission systems of voice, data, video signal, and electrical current. The IWCS/Focus™ Conference is organized by the IWCS, and it contains four major components: an Executive Forum, the IWCS™ Technical Symposium, a Suppliers Exhibition, and Professional Development Courses. Held annually, it is the world’s premiere venue for the presentation of new and original wire and cable technologies and trends related to designing, manufacturing, processing, and using products in the communications, data, electronics, power, industrial, automotive/aerospace, and specialty wire and cable segments.

For more information, visit www.iwcs.org or call +1 732.389.0990.

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