ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with electrical contacts of the separable type such as the male and female terminals in connection systems. It examines the semi-permanent type of crimp and insulation displacement connections because they are intimately related to connectors and are subject to similar physical principles. The chapter addresses connectors, their function, design, subcomponents, and assembly. It focuses on the electrical contact terminals of the electrical connections. The chapter reviews the types of contacts and the associated connection systems in low-power commercial, automotive, and appliance circuits. In the commercial, appliance, and automotive connections, tin coating is widely used. The chapter also focuses on how to avoid excessive film growth and how to permit current flow in the presence of films under the operating conditions of the type of circuits. It provides the examples of automotive connectors as applied to the challenging automotive environment.
