A Standardized Reliability Evaluation Framework for Connectors - Stress Levels and Test Recommendations

The iNEMI Connector Reliability Test Recommendations Project was organized to address the need for standardized reliability qualification methods for connectors. In previous work, the team reviewed current standards and defined connector interconnect tiers. Using existing standards as a basis, a generalized protocol for evaluating connector reliability based on the defined connector interconnect tiers and stresses expected in use was proposed.In the current work, the team makes recommendations for specific stress level definitions for connectors used in office/consumer, high-end systems, portable, wireless, and industrial applications. The stress levels are mapped to those expected for connector tier 4. Recommendations are made for test conditions associated with each of the stress levels. In addition, the project group concluded that with some modifications, the EIA 364-1000 standard, Environmental Test Methodology for Assessing Performance of Electrical Connectors and Sockets used in Controlled Environment Applications, can be extended to connectors intended for use in uncontrolled environments. These modifications include adding dust preconditioning, thermal shock preconditioning, and mechanical shock to the test sequences. The group also identified gaps in current standards/knowledge to help guide future improvement in the recommended testing.