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85036B/E 3-3
Use, Maintenance, and Care of the Devices
Visual Inspection
Visual Inspection
Visual inspection and, if necessary, cleaning should be done every time a connection is
made. Metal particles from the connector threads may fall into the connector when it is
disconnected. One connection made with a dirty or damaged connector can damage both
connectors beyond repair.
In some cases, magnification is necessary to see damage on a connector; a magnifying
device with a magnification of ≥10× is recommended. However, not all defects that are
visible only under magnification will affect the electrical performance of the connector. Use
the following guidelines when evaluating the integrity of a connector.
Look for Obvious Defects and Damage First
Examine the connectors first for obvious defects and damage: badly worn plating on the
connector interface, 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.
What Causes Connector Wear?
Connector wear is caused by connecting and disconnecting the devices. The more use a
connector gets, the faster it wears and degrades. The wear is greatly accelerated when
connectors are not kept clean, or are connected incorrectly.
Connector wear eventually degrades performance of the device. Calibration devices should
have a long life if their use is on the order of a few times per week. Replace devices with
worn connectors.
The test port connectors on the network analyzer test set may have many connections each
day, and are therefore more subject to wear. It is recommended that an adapter be used as
a test port saver to minimize the wear on the test set’s test port connectors.
Inspect the Mating Plane Surfaces
Flat contact between the connectors at all points on their mating plane surfaces is required
for a good connection. Look especially for deep scratches or dents, and for dirt and metal
particles on the connector mating plane surfaces. Also look for signs of damage due to
excessive or uneven wear or misalignment.
Light burnishing of the mating plane surfaces is normal, and is evident as light scratches
or shallow circular marks distributed more or less uniformly over the mating plane
surface. Other small defects and cosmetic imperfections are also normal. None of these
affect electrical or mechanical performance.
If a connector shows deep scratches or dents, particles clinging to the mating plane
surfaces, or uneven wear, clean and inspect it again. Devices with damaged connectors
should be discarded. Determine the cause of damage before connecting a new, undamaged
connector in the same configuration.