Final Connection Using A Torque Wrench - Keysight NFA Series Performance Verification And Calibration Manual

Caring for Connectors
Making Connections

Final Connection Using a Torque Wrench

When the preliminary connection has been made, use a torque wrench to
make the final connection. Tighten the connection only until the "break"
point of the wrench is reached, when the wrench handle gives way at its
internal pivot point. Do not tighten the connection further.
Also make sure that torque actually is being applied to the connection
through the torque wrench, not only to the wrench handle or in any way
that prevents the break point of the wrench from controlling the torque
applied to the connection. Suggestions to ensure that torque is actually
being applied are given in Table E-2 on page 175.
Using a torque wrench guarantees that the connection will not be too
tight, thus preventing possible damage to the connectors and impaired
electrical performance. It also guarantees that all connections will be
made with the same degree of tightness every time they are made.
Torque wrenches pre-set to the correct value for each connector type are
included in many Agilent calibration kits, and they are also available
separately. Torque settings are detailed in Table E-2.
When using a torque wrench, prevent rotation of anything other than the
connector nut that is being tightened with the torque wrench. Generally
this is easy to do by hand (all the more so if one of the connectors is fixed)
as on a test port. In other situations, an open-end wrench can be used to
keep the bodies of the connectors from turning.
Hold the torque wrench lightly by the knurled end of the handle only.
Apply force at the end of the torque wrench only, perpendicular to the
wrench and always in a plane parallel to the outer conductor mating
planes. This will result in torque being applied to the connection through
the wrench until the break point of the wrench is reached.
Avoid pivoting the wrench handle on the thumb or other fingers. This
results in an unknown amount of torque being applied to the connection
when the break point of the wrench is reached. Avoid twisting the head
of the wrench relative to the outer conductor mating plane. This results
in applying more than the recommended torque.
174 Appendix E