As electronics have become increasingly pervasive, the importance
of electrical connectors has increased dramatically.1
Quality connectors are vital to ensuring overall product reliability
in applications ranging from motor vehicles to transatlantic
telecom systems. The degree and type of electrical testing that
connectors undergo typically depends on how crucial they are to
the overall performance of the systems in which they are
installed. Stringent electrical tests are often specified when high
reliability is required. Isolation and continuity are the two most
commonly measured parameters in connector testing. Isolation
measurements are usually performed between each of the connector
pins or between the pins and the outer shell of the connector.
Isolation measurements are used to verify that signals are not
misdirected and insulation is sufficient under the operating conditions
of the connector. Continuity is measured between pins to
ensure that once the connector is installed, the electrical signals
will be transmitted properly.