[mythtv-users] Off topic - can someone identify this connector please, I think it's US standard.

[Andre]

On 18 Mar 2011, at 07:48, Simon Hobson wrote:
> 
> Jean-Yves Avenard wrote:
> 
>> And I've crimped heaps of those lately :)
> 
> What's the secret ?

There is a trick, with all crimps.

You need to remove the insulation for the length of the ferrule (bit you crimp) and with some nasty F's they use the center as the pin, so you need to strip the dielectric too for those although that ends up being lower loss than a proper pin. So you need to strip back insulation, screen, foil and dielectric (plastic insulator) for the pin, it's best to strip back lots more than you need and trim the pin after. Don't nick the center, if you do, start again, use a sharp scalpel, those automatic strippers are hopeless, you can cut almost all the way through the plastic and the last bit will break away cleanly with good cable.

Put the the ferrule on now or you will forget ;-)

The real trick is to ease the back of the crimp inside the braid and foil a little then gently swirl the connector around by about 1cm at 15 degrees, then it gently eases under the braid without bunching or separating, then you can crimp evenly and it's a solid connection. If the braid bunches up it will never be any good so start again.

I used to have the speed record at my first TV job, 27sec per crimp including stripping, had to be tested by supporting your own weight to get the prize :-)

The biggest thing is to have the correct crimp connector for the cable and the correct crimp jaws for that cable in that connector, if anything is not right you don't get a reliable connection.

Any good TV studio wireman will happily spend 20 mins showing you the "one true way" to fit a crimp, it's a bit of an art and point of pride for them.


> I've tried crimp F connectors but found them 
> really hard to do. I *think* I have the right size connector for the 
> cable (at least that's what I was specifically told to use when I 
> asked). It's been a while now, but IIRC the dimensions suggested that 
> I shouldn't strip back the sheath but crimp the ring over the sheath. 
> That means forcing the spigot on the connector up between the screen 
> and the outer sheath which just wanted to push the screening back 

You always want the screen on the outside of the connector or strands of screen can short inside the connector.

Andre