I'm curious... How is in-rush current handled for these connectors?
Seems like it would be somewhat easy to specify that a connector is good for hot swapping a device that draws "X" Amps of current. It's the in-rush that would be hard to quantify. One device that draws "X" Amps of current could draw "2X" in-rush current, while another device that draws "X" Amps of current could draw "50X" in-rush current. I have seen instances where large in-rush currents can burn connector contacts or even weld relay contacts together. Are the connectors rated for steady state only? Are they rated for steady state and maximum in-rush? If they are rated for steady state, is a maximum in-rush assumed? Or, alternatively are the power supplies already required to be in-rush limited. I know curiosity killed the cat, but it also improved its quality of life. Chris > -----Original Message----- > From: Tania Grant [SMTP:[email protected]] > Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:59 AM > To: Gary McInturff; '[email protected]'; [email protected] > Subject: Re: Hot Swappable Power Supplies ? > > Gary, and all, > > In my experience, the only sure way is to request the UL Report and read > the Conditions of Acceptability very carefully, as well as the connector > rating. I have seen connectors derated by UL and the company never > changed their spec sheets or catalog (well, maybe now, after 7 years, they > have changed them!). Also, some companies are sloppy with their > specifications;-- not every connector or pin is rated for "current > interruption" even while their page seems to imply that the whole series > is so rated. Guess what, just a handful are rated for current > interruption. > > My best advise is, if you like what you see, call the manufacturer and pin > them down. Then, when they tell you which parts are rated for current > interruption, and you still like what you see, then you have them send you > the UL report. Absolutely required, or you may be sorry. (You guys > don't want to hear another story how I was almost sorry, but because of > sheer luck managed to stumble on the fact that the connector that was > being designed in was NOT rated for current interruption. I emerged a > hero, but I was quacking in my sandals how close I came to blowing the > whole thing!) > > Tania Grant > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > > ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Michael Garretson: [email protected] Dave Heald [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.rcic.com/ click on "Virtual Conference Hall,"
