The ground connection must be robust, uniform and consistent. The connector to cable connection is the third important element in low PIM performance. Most braided cables will not qualify as low PIM. The connector and cable must be designed and manufactured to exhibit low PIM performance. There are three elements to cable assemblies for low PIM performance. Installing low PIM components can avoid this problem. Some wireless networks like LTE are more susceptible to PIM. Passive Intermodulation (PIM) is essentially interference caused by unwanted signals mixing in the passive components of a wireless network. Higher connector cost compared to crimp or solder.Specialized tooling required for cable preparation and connector attachment.Piece connector with no components to lose or improperly install.Superior pull strength compared to crimp or solder.Simple and fast field installation using hand tools with little experience needed. ![]() As with crimp or solder connector attachment, there are pros and cons to compression connector attachment. Like the solder method, it can be used on solid or stranded conductors, and provides a good mechanical and electrical connection.Īlthough relatively new to wireless communications, compression connector attachment was developed and predominantly used by the cable TV industry. If you are precutting for very large commercial jobs, substantial savings can be gained by having your supplier prepare your cables in advance.Ĭrimped connections, done correctly, can be superior to soldered connections.Ī good crimped connection deforms the metal sufficiently past the yield point, but not too much, so that the “spring back” keeps the connection secure, even under thermal cycling (the coefficient of expansion of the two metals might be different) and vibration.Ī good crimp connection is gas tight and won’t wick: it is sometimes referred to as a “cold weld”. Digital video, computer and network cabling is almost universally crimped today. This is very important in today’s cabling market where time is of the essence and fewer technicians are being asked to maintain more and more equipment. It takes an experienced technician about 15 seconds to install a crimp-crimp connector, thereby greatly reducing the time required to create cable assemblies. There is no need for soldering therefore, installation time is reduced. Whichever method is used, the cable must first be carefully prepared and stripped according to installation instructions for the connector. Never crimp a soldered joint! Solder has no compression strength. Although a technique that can be difficult to master, it creates a connection that will never fail except under conditions of extreme mechanical damage or heat. The contact connection is first carefully crimped and then solder is flowed into it. Some technicians prefer a combination of the two contact installation methods where an assembly will be used in rough conditions or when assembling test probes. Push-on, twist-on or wire-wrap methods can be very problematical and should not be considered for any assembly needed to perform over 1 GHz.īoth crimp and solder types of connection, properly executed, produce solid mechanical and electrical connections. ![]() Installing the connector’s center contact to the cable’s center conductor is reliably achieved using either solder or crimp methods. ![]() The proper instruments and components, along with the knowledge gained from training and experience, set the stage for success in field and bench installations. First of all, whether using solder or crimp as your attachment method, you must bring the right tools and skills to the table.
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