Conflict between IEEE 386 and ASTM F855, the connector manufacturer's perspective-separable connectors used as grounding devices

The apparent conflict between the requirements in IEEE 386 and ASTM F855 may not be easy to resolve in terms of providing a separable connector product that meets the requirements of both standards in their current form. The separable connector interface provides interchangeability between products from different manufacturers, a feature that has lead to the successful application of the device. Design constraints placed by the interface and the need for easy operability under typical field conditions will not allow the separable connector to achieve the ratings required in ASTM F855, the technology is currently not available. A solution will have to come from changes in the standards that take into consideration what is technologically feasible.