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Section V– Maintenance and Servicing
Mating Connectors
Gently mate the connectors by hand, taking care not to force the coupling nut at the slightest resistance.
It is often possible to feel whether or not the pins are mated. If the coupling nut is difficult to turn, either
the pins are not mated, the coupling nut is cross-threaded, or one of the connectors has been damaged by
excess torque.
Never hold a male connector coupling nut stationary while screwing a female connector into it. This
rotation can erode the plating and damage both the outer interface rim as well as the pin. If the pins
become locked, serious damage can result to both the equipment and the cable assembly.
Over-Torque
Once connectors have been properly mated, apply only the proper amount of torque. Over-torque
damages both connectors involved. Also, a connector which has been damaged by over-torque, in turn,
damages every connector to which it is subsequently mated. It usually leads to poor system performance
as well. Over-torque can cause:
•
Bent pins.
•
Recessed or protruding pins.
•
Recessed or protruding dielectrics.
•
Chipped plating.
•
Damaged coupling threads.
•
Coupling nut retaining ring damage.
•
Mushroomed outer interface shells.
•
Mushroomed pin shoulders.
Proper Torque of a APC Type N Connector Hex Nut
To mate a connector of the hex-nut type, always use a torque wrench set to the correct torque value.
Tighten the connector slowly until the wrench snaps. Tightening too quickly can cause the wrench to
exceed its set limit. Do not snap the wrench more than once as this also causes over-torque.
CONNECTOR
RECOMMENDED TORQUE
Type N Connector
12.0 in/lbs
Figure 6.1 Recommended APC Type N Connector Torque