They say, “a diamond is forever,” but did they really test that or is it just a marketing statement? No need to search for that answer because we all know they didn’t. However, in our industry it is important to know what to expect out of a connector, and that is why Extended Life Testing exists.
Extended Life Testing tells a system designer what they need to know about a connector set that will be heavily used. This test throws everything but the kitchen sink at it, and who knows, maybe that will be in the next revision of this test.
What is Extended Life Testing?
Extended Life Testing is the closest test that Samtec conducts for a simulated lifetime use of a product. The test measures the change in Low Level Contact Resistance (LLCR) before and after the parts have been cycled and exposed to various environmental conditions.
Under this test, several groups are tested using predetermined cycle numbers of 250, 500, 1000, and 2500. This method is used to determine the number of cycles to which the product can be rated.
Each connector is first checked for a plating thickness verification. LLCR is then performed on the connector set to show the base line performance. Thermal Shock testing is then performed on the connector set and followed by another round of LLCR.
The parts are then exposed to humidity (25°C – 65°C at 90% – 98% relative humidity for 10 days) and final round of LLCR. Assuming the parts pass the last round of LLCR, then they are considered to have passed Extended Life Testing for that number of cycles.
Why is Extended Life Testing Important?
This test puts the connector set through common conditions that it may be exposed to under normal operation, and then takes those conditions to the extreme. It is important for system designers to have confidence in the components that they select, and Samtec provides this data to ensure they have the information they need.
If your application requires a product that can take a large number of cycles and environmental abuse, then Samtec has just the place for you to look. The Extended Life Products page lists all of the product series that have been tested and passed the extended life test and the 10 year mixed flowing gas test.
Make sure to check out the recent blog “A Day in the (Extended) Life: Extended Life Products” for more information regarding Samtec’s extended life products.
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