Visual Inspection; Obvious Defects And Damage; Mating Plane Surfaces - Agilent Technologies 346A Operating And Service Manual

Caring for Connectors

Visual Inspection

Visual Inspection
Visual inspection and, if necessary, cleaning should be done every time a
connection is made.
Metal and metal by-product particles from the connector threads often
find their way onto the mating plane surfaces when a connection is
disconnected and even one connection made with a dirty or damaged
connector can damage both connectors beyond repair.
Magnification is helpful when inspecting connectors, but it is not
required and may actually be misleading. Defects and damage that
cannot be seen without magnification generally have no effect on
electrical or mechanical performance. Magnification is of great use in
analyzing the nature and cause of damage and in cleaning connectors,
but it is not required for inspection.

Obvious Defects and Damage

Examine the connectors first for obvious defects or damage: badly worn
plating, deformed threads or bent, broken, or misaligned center
conductors. Connector nuts should move smoothly and be free of burrs,
loose metal particles, and rough spots.
Immediately discard, or mark for identification and send away for repair,
any connector that has obvious defects like these.

Mating Plane Surfaces

Flat contact between the connectors at all points on their mating plane
surfaces is required for a good connection. Therefore, particular attention
should be paid to deep scratches or dents, and to dirt and metal or metal
by-product particles on the connector mating plane surfaces.
Also look for bent or rounded edges on the mating plane surfaces of the
center and outer conductors and for any signs of damage due to excessive
or uneven wear or misalignment.
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