The Effect of Vibration Induced Fretting on Contact Failure in the Coaxial Connector

Vibration induced fretting is one of the major causes of failure in electrical contacts. Accordingly, a better understanding of the influence of contact failure caused by fretting on coaxial connectors is of substantial value. In the present work, the effects of fretting on contact failure for coaxial connectors were investigated through experimental testing, simulation modeling, and analysis. A series of experimental measurements were performed to measure the high frequency parameters of fresh and degraded connectors using a Network Analyzer. An equivalent model was developed and analyzed based on transmission line theory and electrical contact theory, which provided insight into the behavior of connectors exposed to vibration environments. The high frequency parameters were measured and compared with simulation results, with good correlation. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the physical mechanism of the vibration induced fretting in coaxial connectors.