APPENDIX A
CARE AND HANDLING OF MICROWAVE COAXIAL ASSEMBLIES
APPENDIX A
CARE AND HANDLING OF MICROWAVE COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES
CARE AND HANDLING OF ASSEMBLIES
To ensure accurate measurements and optimal performance ofTEGAM products, the
microwave coaxial cable assemblies used in system and test setups must be properly
used and maintained. Proper connections, routine inspection of all cables, and cleaning
of the connectors are extremely important procedures which can prolong the longevity
and accuracy of equipment.
CABLE INSPECTION
Routinely check external cables for signs of cracked insulation, dents, twists, flattening,
signs of jacket abrasion, or other signs of abuse. Wrinkles in the jacket indicate that the
minimum bend radius has been exceeded. Most often, this occurs near the marker
tubes and connectors. Also inspect the connector interfaces for the following:
• Bent pins (male)
• Bent or missing tines (female)
• Worn or chipped plating
• Damaged or displaced dielectric inserts
• Thread damage
• Folded or mushroomed outer interface rims
• Mushroomed pin shoulders (male) or tine ends (female)
• Score lines on pins and outer interface rims visible to the unaided eye
• Recessed or protruding pins
It is advisable to clean the connectors prior to inspection to make subtle damage more
apparent. If any of the above is noted, replace the assembly before its further use
results in equipment damage. Also inspect the mating connectors for similar damage.
Table A -1 provides both TEGAM specifications and MIL-C39012C data for the pin
height of the various types of connectors. Pin height is defined as the vectorial distance
along a horizontal axis of the pin shoulder from the electrical/mechanical reference
plane.
Table A-1 Pin Height Specifications
Inspect the connector interface for signs of debris. Debris may be in the form of:
• Plating chips or other metal particles
• Dust or dirt
• Oily films
• Other miscellaneous foreign particles
A-1
