Testing Equipment for Insertion and Extraction Force
Insertion and extraction force testing involves evaluating both the force required to insert and remove terminals and connectors.
- Equipment: The test equipment must have fixtures capable of moving at a consistent speed and accurately reading the insertion/extraction force, with a minimum precision of 0.01 N.
- Fixtures: Specialized fixtures should be designed to securely hold the terminal. It’s preferable for the fixture to be axially adjustable to accommodate different types of terminals and connectors.
Procedure for Testing Insertion and Extraction Force
- Testing Method: One end of the inserted terminal or connector is fixed in place with a fixture, while the other end is connected to a fixture that moves axially at a speed of 100 mm/min. The force measured along the axial direction is the insertion/extraction force.
- Different Terminals: For various terminals, the number of force measurements can vary, and therefore the standard values differ. For instance, for terminals 177915-2 and 177917-2, the pull-out force measurements taken during the first and 25th operations are 0.58 N (1st) and 0.39 N (25th), respectively.
Precautions for Testing the Insertion and Extraction Force
- Connectors with Locking Mechanisms: If the connector has a locking mechanism, this feature must be removed before measuring the extraction force. Otherwise, the measured force will include both the locking force and the extraction force.
- Connectors or Terminals with Wires: When testing connectors or terminals connected to wires, ensure the fixture holds the terminal or housing, not the wire, to avoid incorrect measurements.
Units of Measurement
The pull-out force is usually expressed in newtons (N) or kilograms (kg). Note that 1 kg equals 9.8 N, so it is important not to confuse these units.