Glossary
Accessories
Mechanical devices, such as cable clamps, added to connector shells and other such hardware which is attachable to connectors to make up the total connector configuration.
Ambient
The atmospheric conditions surrounding a given item. Normally in terms of factors which influence or modify, such as temperature, humidity, etc.
Amplitude
The magnitude of variation in a changing quantity from its zero value. The word requires modification – as with adjectives such as peak, maximum, rms, etc. – to designate the specific amplitude in question.
Alloy
A mixture of two or more metals combined to achieve properties, such as a lower melting point or greater strength, that the individual metals do not possess.
Attenuation (a)
The decrease of a signal with the distance in the direction of propagation. Attenuation may be expressed as the scalar ratio of the input power to the output power, or as the ratio of the input signal voltage to the output signal voltage.
Back Mounted (rear mounting)
When a connector is mounted from the inside of a panel or box with its mounting flange inside the equipment.
Backplane Panels
An interconnection panel into which PC cards or other panels can be plugged. These panels come in a variety of designs ranging from a PC motherboard to individual connectors mounted in a metal frame. Panels lend themselves to automated wiring.
Bandwidth
The range of frequencies for which performance falls within specified limits.
Barrier Seal
A barrier seal is a seal preventing the passage of moisture or gases through the insulator and the gap between insulator and centre conductor or outer conductor of a connector or adapter.
Base Material
Metal from which the connector, contact, or other piece part accessory is made and on which one or more metals or coatings may be deposited.
Bayonet Coupling
A quick coupling device for plug and receptacle connectors, accomplished by rotation of a cam operating device designed to bring the connector halves together.
Bending Radius:
Minimum static: The minimum permissible radius for fixed installation of the cable. This radius is mainly used in climatic tests.Minimum dynamic: The minimum permissible radius for flexible applications of the cable.
BMA
SUHNER BMA blind mate connectors for microwave applications where radial and axial misalignement is a normal matter. (modules to motherboard etc.)
BNC (Bayonet Navy Connector)
Coaxial connector with bayonet coupling mechanism. Available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm versions. Frequency range DC – 4 GHz (50 Ohm) and 1 GHz (75 Ohm), respectively.
BNO
Connector with bayonet coupling mechanism suitable for shielded twin-axial cables.
BNT
Connector with bayonet coupling mechanism suitable for triaxial cables.
Body
Main, or largest, portion of a connector to which other portions are attached.
Bonded Assembly
A connector assembly in which the components are bonded together using an electrically appropriate adhesive in a sandwich like structure to provide sealing against moisture and other environment which weaken electrical insulating properties.
Braid
Woven wire used as shielding for insulated wires and cables. Also, a woven fibrous protective outer covering over a conductor or cable.
Bulkhead
A term used to define a mounting style of connectors. Bulkhead connectors are designed to be inserted into a panel cutout from the rear (component side) or front side of the panel.
Butted Contact
When two conductors come together end-to-end, but do not overlap, with their axis in line.
Cable Assembly
A completed cable and its associated hardware (e.g. connector).
Capacitance
The property of an electrical conductor (dielectric in a capacitor) that permits the storage of energy as a result of electrical displacement. The basic unit of capacitance is the Farad, however, measurement is more commonly in microfarads or picofarads.
Capillary Action
The effect of surface tension that draws a liquid into a small opening.
Closed Entry Contact
A female contact designed to prevent the entry of a pin or probing device having a cross-sectional dimension (diameter) greater than the mating pin.
Coaxial Cable
A transmission line consisting of two concentric conductors insulated from each other. In its flexible form it consists of either a solid or stranded centre conductor surrounded by a dielectric. A braid is then woven over the dielectric to form an outer conductor. A weatherproof plastic covering is placed on top of the braid.
Conductivity
A measure of the ability of a material to conduct electric current under a given electric field. Resistivity is the reciprocal of conductivity.
Connector
Used generally to describe all devices used to provide rapid connect/disconnect service for electrical cable and wire terminations or pc boards.
Contact
The conducting part of an interconnect at the interface between the connector and the lead on the device being connected.
Contact Alignment
Defines the overall radial play which contacts shall have within the insert cavity so as to permit self-alignment of mated contacts. Sometimes referred to as amount of contact float.
Contact Cavity
A defined hole in the connector insert or housing into which the contact must fit.
Contact Durability
The number of insertion and withdrawal cycles that a connector must be capable of withstanding while remaining within the performance levels of the applicable specification.
Contact Engaging & Separating Force
Force needed to either engage or separate pins and socket contacts when they are in and out of connector inserts. Values are generally established for maximum and minimum forces. Performance acceptance levels vary by specification and/or customer requirements.
Contact Plating
Deposited metal applied to the basic contact metal to provide the required contact – resistance and/or wear-resistance.
Contact Pressure
Force which mating surfaces exert against one another.
Contact Resistance
Measurement of electrical resistance of mated contacts when assembled in a connector under typical service use. Electrical resistance is determined by measuring from the rear of the electrical area of one contact to the rear of the electrical area of one contact to the rear of the contact area of the mating contact (excluding both crimps) while carrying a specified test current.
Contact Retention
Defines minimum axial load in either direction which a contact must withstand while remaining firmly fixed in its normal position within an insert.
Convection
The transfer of heat by movement of hot air. Often used in conjunction with infrared radiation to reduce the effect of IR shadowing.
Coplanarity
The distance between the lowest and highest lead when the connector is laying in its seating plane.
Corona
A luminous discharge due to ionization of the air surrounding a conductor caused by a voltage gradient exceeding a certain critical value.
Coverage
A calculated percentage which defines the completeness with which a braid or shield covers the surface of the underlying component.
Crimp
Act of compressing (deforming) a connector ferrule around a cable in order to make an electrical connection.
Crimping Dies (Inserts)
A term used to identify the shaping tools that, when moved toward each other, produce a certain desirable shape to the barrel of the terminal or contact that has been placed between them. Crimping dies are often referred to as die sets or as die inserts.
Crimping Termination
Connection in which a metal sleeve is secured to a conductor by mechanically crimping the sleeve with pliers, presses or crimp dies.
Crimping Tool
A term commonly used to identify a hand held mechanical device or table press that is used to crimp a contact, terminal or splice.
Cross Talk
A magnetic or electrostatic coupling which causes the unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit (disturbing circuit) to another circuit (disturbed circuit)
CT
Cable terminators for connection between cable and printed circuit board. Available for flexible and Semi-Rigid cables with crimp respectively soldered cable entry.
Cut-off Frequency (fc)
The frequency, above which other than the TEM mode may occur. The transmission characteristics of cables above their cutoff frequency may be unstable.
Cycle
One complete sequence of values of an alternating quantity, including a rise to maximum in one direction and return to zero; a rise to maximum in the opposite direction and return to Zero. The number of cycles occurring in one second is called the frequency.
dBm
Relative measure of signal power where the reference O dBm is equal to one milliwatt. See also decibel.
Decibel, dB
A relative, dimensionless unit calculated as ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of a power ratio or as twenty times the logarithm to the base 10 of a voltage ratio.
Delay line
A cable that delays electrical signals by a specified amount of time.
Dewetting
A situation where a lead or pad was at one point in the soldering process wetted by the solder, but due to extended time or temperature, the presence of intermetallics, volatiles or other causes, has become withdrawn from the wetted surface.
Dielectric
In a coaxial cable, the insulation between inner and outer conductor. It significantly influences the electrical characteristics such as impedance, capacitance, and velocity of propagation.
Dielectric Constant (Permittivity)
Basic electrical property of a material that describes its behaviour in an electric field. The dielectric constant of the dielectric is the most important design parameter for coaxial cables and determines dimensions, losses and propagation characteristics.
Dielectric loss
In a coaxial cable, the losses caused by the transformation of electromagnetic energy into heat within the dielectric material.
Dielectric Strength
The voltage which an insulating material can withstand before breakdown occurs.
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage
The maximum potential gradient that a dielectric material can withstand without failure.
DIN 7/16
50 ohm coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Suitable for medium to high power applications. Frequency range DC – 7.5 GHz
Dip Solder Terminal
The terminals on a connector which are inserted into holes in the PC board and then soldered in place.
Direct Current (DC)
An electric current which flows in only one direction.
Dissipation
Unusable or lost energy, such as the production of unused heat in a circuit.
Distortion
An unwanted change or addition to a signal or waveform when it is amplified. This definition excludes noise which is an extraneous signal superimposed on the desired signal.
Eccentricity
A measure of a conductor’s location with respect to the circular cross section of the insulation. Expressed as a percentage of centre displacement of one circle within the other.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
EMC describes the ability of an electrical system to avoid electromagnetic interference with the environment.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Unwanted electrical or electromagnetic energy that causes undesirable responses, degrading performance or complete malfunctions in electronic equipment. See also: Noise
Electroplating
A method of electrically depositing metals of very precise compositions and thickness onto a base metal.
Eutectic Solder
The most common solder alloy because of its low melting point (183 C/361 F) composed of 63% Tin and 37% Lead.
Feed-through
A connector or terminal block, usually having double-ended terminals which permit simple distribution and bussing of electrical circuits. Also used to describe a bushing in a wall or bulkhead separating compartments at different pressure levels, with terminations on both sides.
Ferrule
A short tube. Used to make solderless connections to shielded or coaxial cable (e.g. as in crimping)
Flange
A projection extending from, or around the periphery of, a connector and provided with holes to permit mounting the connector to a panel, or to another mating connector half.
Footprint
The pattern on the printed circuit board to which the leads on a surface mount component are mated. Also called a land or a pad.
Frequency Modulation (fm)
A scheme for modulating a carrier frequency in which the amplitude remains constant but the carrier frequency is displaced in frequency proportionally to the amplitude of the modulating signal. An fm broadcast is practically immune to atmospheric and man-made interference.
Fretting Corrosion
A form of accelerated oxidation that appears at the interface of contacting materials undergoing slight cyclic relative motion. All non-nobel metals (tin) are susceptible to some degree of fretting corrosion and will suffer contact resistance increases.
Front Mounted (front mounting)
A connector is front mounted when it is attached to the outside or mating side of a panel. A front mounted connector can only be installed or removed from the outside of the equipment.
GHz
See Gigahertz
Gigahertz (GHz)
One billion cycles per second (10 9 cps)
Guide Pin
A pin or rod extending beyond the mating face of a two-piece connector and designed to guide the closing or assembly of the connector to assure proper mating of contacts, and to prevent damage to these contacts caused by mismating of the connector halves.
Heat Shock
Test to determine the stability of a material when exposed to a sudden high temperature change for a short period of time.
Heat Treating
A process that uses precise heating and tooling of metals after stamping and forming in order to optimize internal stresses and spring properties
Hermetic Seal
Hermetically sealed connectors are usually multiple contact connectors where the contacts are bonded to the connector by glass or other materials and permits maximum leakage rate of gas through the connector of 1.0 micron ft./hr. at one atmosphere pressure for special applications.
Hermaphroditic Connector
A connector in which both mating members are exactly alike at their mating face. There are no male or female members, but provisions have been made to maintain correct polarity, hot lead protection, sealing and coupling.
Hermaphroditic Contacts
Contacts in which both mating elements are precisely alike at their mating face.
Hertz (Hz)
International standard term for cycles per second. Named after the German physicist Heinrich R. Hertz (e.g. 60 cycles per second is equal to 60 hertz or 60 Hz).
IEC
Abbreviation for International Electrotechnical Commission.
IEEE
Abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
IM / PIM (Passive Intermodulation)
The generation of new (and in the case of cable assemblies undesirable) signals (intermodulation products) at the non-linear characteristics of transmission elements ( for more information please refer to Appendix page 419)
Impedance (characteristic, Z0)
Characteristic property of a transmission line describing the ratio between electric and magnetic fields.
Impedance Match
A condition in which the impedance of a component or circuit is equal to the internal impedance of the source, or the surge impedance of a transmission line. This gives maximum transfer of energy from the source to the load, as well as minimum reflection and distortion.
Inductance
The property of a circuit or circuit element that opposes a change in current flow, thus causing current changes to lag behind voltage changes. It is measured in Henrys.
Insert
That part which holds the contacts in their proper arrangement and electrically insulates them from each other and from the shell.
Insertion loss
The loss in load power due to the insertion of a component, connector or device at some point in a transmissions system. Generally expressed in decibels as the ratio of the power received at the load before insertion of the apparatus, to the power received at the load after insertion( for more information please refer to Appendix page 421)
Insulation
A material having high resistance to the flow of electric current. Often called a dielectric in RF cable.
Insulation Resistance
The electrical resistance of the insulating material (determined under specified conditions) between any pair of contacts, conductors, or grounding device in various combinations.
Interconnection
Mechanically joining assemblies together to complete electrical circuits.
Interface
The two surfaces on the contact side of both halves of a multiple-contact connector which face each other when the connector is assembled.
Interference
An electrical or electromagnetic disturbance that causes undesirable response in electronic equipment.
Intermetallic
Chemical compounds formed between the metals present in the solder, base metal and protective platings. Intermetallic formation is necessary for good solder joints, but excessive intermetallics can cause brittleness.
IR Shadowing
When connector bodies or other components prevent the infrared energy from directly striking some solder joints, causing non-uniform heating.
IR Reflow
A soldering process that uses infrared (IR) light with a wavelength between visible light and microwave radiation as its energy source.
ISO
Abbreviation for International Standards Organization.
Jacket
An outer non-metallic protective cover applied over an insulated wire or cable.
J-lead
A surface mount lead configuration where leads are bent into curves. Infrequently used on interconnects.
LAN
Abbreviation for Local Area Network. A data communications network confined to a limited geographic area (up to 6 miles or about 10 kilometers).
Land
The metal portion of a printed circuit board where the pads on a surface mount component are mated. Also called a footprint or a pad.
Leaching
The movement of metal atoms from the lead base metal into liquid solder. This is prevented by nickel plating. May also refer to alloying of a gold protective plating into the solder.
Levels of Interconnection
Device to board or chassis. The connection point between components (tubes, transistors, IC packages) and the PC board or chassis. Board to motherboard or backplane.The connection point between PC boards or sub-circuit modules and the motherboard or backplane board.Backplane wiring.Connections between levels to each other and to other sub-circuits.Input/Output.Connections for power and signals into and out of a system. Connections may be between subassemblies within the same enclosure or between individual units. (See other explanations in chapter 2 "Connection Types”) of the SUHNER RF-Guide.
Line Impedance
Impedance as measured across the terminals of a transmission line; frequently the characteristic impedance of the line.
Low Noise Cable
Cable specially constructed to avoid spurious electrical disturbances caused by mechanical movements.
LSOH
Abbreviation for Low Smoke Zero Halogene.
Mating Face Seal
A mating face seal is a seal preventing the passage of moisture or gases into or out of the connecting interface of two connectors in mated condition.
MCX (MICROAX)
Micro coaxial connector with snap-on coupling mechanism. Available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm versions. Frequency range DC-6 GHz.
MHV (H4) (Miniature High Voltage)
Coaxial connector with bayonet coupling mechanism. Working voltage 2.2 kV DC.
Microstrip
A type of transmission line configuration which consists of a conductor over a parallel ground plane, and separated by a dielectric.
Microwave
That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum lying between the far infared and conventional radio frequency range. The microwave frequency range extends from 1 GHz to 300 GHz. Microwaves are usually used in point-to-point communications because they are easily concentrated into a beam.
MIL
Abbreviation for military (e.g. as in Military Standards.)
Mismatch (Connector Impedance or Line Impedance)
The condition in which the impedance of a source does not match or equal the impedance of the connected load. This reduces power transfer by causing reflection.
MMBX
Micro Miniature Board Connector for vertical direct Board to Board as well as for "Sandwich” interconnection. 50 Ohm impedance. For applications from DC to 6 GHz.
MMCX
Miniature Microax connector with snap-on coupling mechanism. Available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm versions. Frequency range DC-6 GHz
Moisture Resistance
The ability of a material to resist absorbing moisture from the air or when immersed in water.
Motherboard
A printed board used for interconnecting arrays of plug-in electronic modules.
N (Navy Connector)
Coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm versions. Frequency range DC-18 GHz (50 Ohm) and 1 GHz (75 Ohm), respectively.
Noise
Random electrical signals, generated by circuit components or by natural disturbances.
Pad
The metal portion of a printed circuit board where the leads on a surface mount component are mated. Also called a footprint or a land.
Panel Seal
A panel seal is a seal preventing the passage of moisture or gases through the gap between the mounting hole of the panel and the connector body of the fixed connector.
Permeability (magnetic)
The measure of how much better a material is than air as a path for magnetic lines of force. Air is assumed to have a permeability of 1.
Permittivity Relative
Synonym term for relative dielectric constant er.
Phase Shift
Change in phase of a voltage or current after passing through a circuit or cable.
Phase Stability
Variation of the electrical length of a cable as a function of – example- the temperature or mechanical stressing such as bending or torsion.
PIM
See IM
Pin Contact
A male type contact, usually designed to mate with a socket or female contact. It is normally connected to the "dead” side of a circuit.
Plated Through-Hole
A hole through a Printed Circuit Board that has been electroplated and into which a lead is placed and soldered for electrical and mechanical connection.
Press-Fit Contact
An electrical contact which can be pressed into a hole in an insulator, printed board (with or without plated-through holes,) or a metal plate.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
An epoxy glass and metal composite on which circuits are etched and to which active, passive and hardware components are attached. Also called a PCB or PC Board.
Propagation delay
Time required for an electronic digital device, or transmission network to transfer information from its input to its output.
Prototype
A model suitable for use in the complete evaluation of form, design and performance.
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
The thermally most stable and chemically most resistant carbonaceous compound. It is unaffected by sunlight, moisture and virtually all chemicals. Temperature range is -200 C to +260 C/-328 F to +500 F. Electrical properties are very constant over temperature and a wide range of frequencies.
Pulse
A change in the level, over a relatively short period of time, of a signal whose value is normally constant.
Pulse Width
The length of time that the pulse voltage is at the transient level. Electronic pulse widths are usually in the millisecond (10-3), microsecond (10-6) or nanosecond (10-9) range.
QLA
50 Ohm subminiature Connector with quick latch coupling mechanism.
Quick-Lock
A new snap-lock mechanism for fast and easy mating and de-mating. Used in the connector series QMA and QN.
QMA
Based on series SMA dimensions, but instead of a threaded coupling mechanism a snap-lock (QUICK-LOCK) mechanism is used. Frequency range DC-18GHz. Series QMA is not intermateable with Series SMA.
QN
Based on N dimensions, but instead of a threaded coupling mechanism a snap-lock (QUICK-LOCK) mechanism is used. Frequency range DC-11GHz. Series QN is not intermateable with Series N
QUICK-MATE
Adaptors pluggable without coupling nut (allows quick connection and disconnection) For Test & Measurment applications.
QUICK-FIT
SUHNER QUICK-FIT connectors are world wide approved N and 7/16 connectors for foam dielectric corrugated copper tube cables.
Range
Number of sizes of connectors or cables of a particular type.
Receptacle
Usually the fixed or stationary half of a two-piece multiple contact connector. Also the connector half usually mounted on a panel and containing socket contacts.
Reflection
SEE VSWR
Reflection Loss
The part of a signal which is lost due to reflection of power at a line discontinuity.
Reflow Soldering
The process of screen printing solder past and then heating it to cause it to melt, or "reflow” , to wet the leads and pads around it.
RF
Abbreviation for radio frequency.
RG/U
Symbol used to designate coaxial cables that are made to Government Specification (e.g. , RG-58U; in this designation the "R” means radio frequency, the "G” means Government, the "58” is the number assigned to the government approval, and the "U” means it is an universal specification).
Rise Time
The time required for a component or logic circuit to change from the quiescent to the transient state when an input is applied, (e.g. elapsed time
Rms
Abbreviation for root mean square.
Root Mean Square
The effective value of an alternating current, corresponding to the direct current value that will produce the same heating effect.
Screening Effectiveness
Ratio of the power fed into a coaxial cable to the power transmitted by the cable through the outer conductor.
Screw Machine Contact
A contact which is machined from solid bar stock.
Self-Align
Design of two mating parts so that they will engage in the proper relative position.
Self Alignment
The tendency of leads to centre themselves on solder pads due to the surface tension of the liquid solder.
Semi-Rigid
A cable containing a flexible inner core and a relatively inflexible sheathing.
Shield
(1) A conducting housing or screen that substantially reduces the effect of electric or magnetic fields on one side thereof, upon devices or circuits on the other side. Cable shields may be solid, braided, or taped (longitudinally or spirally). (2) In cables, a metallic layer placed around a conductor or group of conductors to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic interference between the enclosed wires and external fields.
Shielding
The metal sleeving surrounding one or more of the conductors, in a wire circuit to prevent interference, interaction or current leakage.
Shock
(1) An abrupt impact applied to a stationary object. (2) An abrupt or non-periodic change in position, characterized by suddenness, and by the development of substantial internal forces.
SHV (Safe High Voltage)
Coaxial connector with bayonet coupling mechanism. Working voltage 5 kV DC.
Skin Effect
The phenomenon wherein the depth of penetration of electric currents into a conductor decreases as the frequency of the current increases.
SMA (Subminiature A)
50 Ohm- Subminiature coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Frequency range DC-18 GHz.
SMB (Subminiature B)
Subminiature coaxial connector with snap-on coupling mechanism. Frequency range DC-4 GHz.
SMC (Subminiature C)
Subminiature coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Frequency range DC-10 GHz.
SMS
Subminiature coaxial connector with slide-on coupling mechanism. Frequency range DC-4 GHz.
Snap-on
Used to describe the easy removal of assembly of one part to another. A connector containing socket contacts into which a plug connector having male contacts is inserted.
Solder Contact
A contact or terminal having a cup, hollow cylinder, eyelet or hook to accept a wire for a conventional soldered termination.
Solder Paste
A mixture of solder powder, flux, solvents and binder that is screen printed onto the printed circuit board and then reflowed to form the solder joints.
Spring-Finger Action
Design of a contact, as used in a printed circuit connector or a socket contact, permitting easy, stress-free spring action to provide contact pressure and / or retention.
Standing-Wave
Distribution of current and voltage on a transmission line, resulting from two sets of waves travelling in opposite directions.
Stripline
A type of transmission line configuration which consists of a single narrow conductor parallel and equidistant to two parallel ground planes.
SUCOPLATE®
A plating material made out of a combination of copper, tin and zinc. Good corrosion and abrasion resistance. Non magnetic. Registered mark of HUBER+SUHNER AG.
SUCOPRO
Plating material with a thin layer of gold over a layer of Nickel-Phosphorus-Alloy. It combines the excellent corrosion and wear protection characteristics if Nickel-Phosphorus with the perfect solder-ability of the gold layer.
SUCOREX ®
Plating material with a thin layer of gold over a layer of SUCOPLATE. It combines the good corrosion and wear protection characteristics of SUCOPLATE with the excellent solderability of the gold layer.
Surface Mount Device (SMD)
An active or passive device designed to be soldered to the surface of the printed circuit board.
Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
The process of assembling printed circuit boards with components soldered to the surface rather than to plated through-holes.
Thermal Shock
The effect of heat or cold applied at such a rate that non-uniform thermal expansion or contraction occurs within a given material or combination materials The effect can cause inserts and other insulation materials to pull away from metal parts.
TNC (Threaded Navy Connector)
Coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Available in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm versions. Frequency range DC-11 GHz (50 Ohm) and DC-1 GHz (75 Ohm), respectively.
Transmission Line
A signal-carrying circuit composed of conductors and dielectric material with controlled electrical characteristics used for the transmission of high-frequency or narrow-pulse type signals.
Transmission Loss
The decrease or loss in power during transmission of energy from one point to another. Usually expressed in decibels.
Triaxial Cable
A cable consisting of one centre conductor and two outer concentric conductors (with an insulating layer separating them). Notable for increased shielding efficiency.
Twinaxial Cable
Two conductors that are insulated from one another, twisted together and surrounded by a common shield.
UHF
Coaxial connector with screw type coupling mechanism. Non-defined impedance. Frequency range DC-200 MHz.
Vapor Phase Soldering
A soldering process that uses the latent heat of vaporization of a liquid as its energy source.
Velocity of propagation
The speed of an electrical signal down a length of cable compared to speed in free space expressed as a percentage.
VSWR
Abbreviation for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio. The ratio of the maximum to mimimum voltage set up along a transmission line by reflections.
Wave Length
The distance, measured in the direction of propagation, of a repetitive electrical pulse or waveform between two successive points that are characterized by the same phase of vibration.
Wave Soldering
The most widely used mass soldering process, primarily for through-hole boards, where the board is passed over a wave of solder which laps against the bottom of the board to wet the metal surfaces to be joined.
Wetting
The ability of liquid solder to attach itself to the surfaces being joined through the formation of intermetallic bonds.
Wiping Action
The action which occurs when contacts are mated with a sliding action. Wiping has the effect of removing small amounts of contamination from the contact surfaces, thus establishing better conductivity.
