Mating connectors for adapters are also available. The following connectors are the most common types:

A. CKT Modular Adapter Connector (MAC) Interface System

The CKT MAC interface system was developed by CKT in 1992 to provide Users of cable / harness test systems a much more flexible, effective and cost-effective means of designing, manufacturing, using and maintaining adapter cables.

The basis of the MAC system is a 500-contact (other sizes available) female connector as the test system front-face connector. It is made up of 50 ten-contact inserts equally spaced across the connector. Male MAC connectors are available in 10-contact increments, from 10 -

500-Contact Female CKT MAC Interface Connector

250 contacts. Insertion of the connector is extremely easy (even one having 250 contacts) due to the engagement method. The proprietary contact design and plating process ensures for the thousands of engage / disengage cycles, while maintaining very low contact resistance.

20-Contact Male MAC

30-Contact Male MAC

50-Contact Male MAC

70-Contact Male MAC

CKT would like to point out that the "octopus" method of adapter cable build is old technology mandated by the use of 60-contact and 100-contact connectors (primarily found on Dit-Mco equipment) at the analyzer interface. In addition, these connectors are difficult to connect and inherently unreliable.

The CKT MAC interface system virtually never requires fanned-out or "octopus" adapter cables. Instead, since the MAC's are available in 10-contact increments, adapters can be designed and built with a single connector at each end, while still manufacturing a high test system test point utilization percentage.

The following benefits will be realized by utilizing the MAC interface system:

• Thousands of mating / demating cycles without contact problems.
• Excellent wiping action during mating results in a contact resistance that is constant and typically < 5 milliohms, even when test currents are in the microamp range .
• Low insertion force design. Even a 250 contact connector is easy to engage.
• Quick connect / disconnect, with each action requiring only 2 - 3 seconds.
• Rugged and easy to maintain.
• One-to-one adapter cables can be easily modified as product designs change; "octopus" cables are normally very difficult and expensive to modify.

The CKT male MAC is also available with the CKT electronic cable identifier.

Download Data Sheet: CKT MAC Interface

B. DL1 and DL3 Connectors

The DL series connectors appear on numerous systems installed world-wide. Both the DL1 (normally fitted with 150 contacts) and the DL3 (normally fitted with 50 contacts) are normally available from CKT stock.

C. PDD 100-Contact Connector

The PDD connector has been, and still is, supplied as the standard connector on many test systems. Since these systems are still relatively widely used, mating adapter cables must be built using the PDD connector. Cable stubs, complete adapters or just the connector can be supplied by CKT.

D. FACT II Connector

This connector was, for years, the standard connector used with FACT II systems (now obsolete). This 60-contact connector uses a card-edge connector housed in a stainless-steel enclosure. A strong cable clamp ensures that the cable is securely captivated.

E. NE Connector

The NE connector is a 60 contact connector used with many CKT and FACT systems. Even though obsolete it can still be obtained by contacting CKT.

F. Others

CKT will install virtually any customer specified connector on our systems.

About CK Technologies, Inc.

CK Technologies, Inc. (CKT) was founded in 1987 by a group of engineers with many years experience designing and manufacturing interconnection test systems for the aerospace, printed circuit board and telecom industries.

For more information, contact CK Technologies, Inc.