Sensors have been with us ever since the days when Watt invented the flyball governor for steam engine speed regulation. While we are seeing an increase in optically-encoded outputs suitable for optical-fiber cable use, most sensors we encounter today use electrical signals to transmit their output back to the controlling device With the increase in microprocessor-controlled signal processing the signal levels in the wiring harnesses have generally dropped to TrL/MOS levels, that is, voltage under 5 volts and with correspondingly low currents.
Unfortunately for the reliability of equipment whose operation is controlled by sensors, connector reliability at these voltage sorts and power levels has lagged behind the demands placed upon them and the consequences are, for example, that it is estimated that 10% of all automobiles stalled on the roadside are suffering from a electrical connector failure of somesort.
The same conditions exist in many other areas, be it untimely landing-gear retraction caused by "squat-switch" failure to unnecessary rejections of IC's during the final acceptance tests caused by improperly functioning test fixture connectors.
Where "sensor-failures" occur, the lost-of-time and loss-of-product can be expensive The cost of replacing perfectly-good sensors because of the malfunction of a connector (whose cost is generally only a fraction of the cost of the sensor itself) can really hit a service group in the pocketbook. Normally, reimbursement of the service group for labor and parts costs are dependent upon testing by the manufacturer to verify that the assembly is actually at-fault. The problem is that a simple disconnect an reconnect cycle will usually clear up the connector problem (for a short time anyway) and thus the faulty connector may perform flawlessly under the manufacturer's testing conditions. Not only is the customer annoyed by the original down time, but the service group is out-of-pocket. Another problem is the potential for loss of goo relations between the dealer and customer, and between the manufacturer an dealer.
Often the long-term duty cycle of the equipment can increase the problem. For example, in the agricultural implement field, the situation can be aggravated by the that the equipment is usually laid-up for the major part of the year and then is called upon to function perfectly during several weeks of intensive use. It is not unusual f farmers to run their combines on a multiple-shift basis to bring in the crop as soon a the grain ripens, thus any worst-case down-time can increase the potential for major financial loss to the farmer due to adverse weather conditions.
Yes, the Stabilants have proven to be very effective in improving the reliability of connectors in general and are developing a reputation for ease and speed of use under field conditions. Not only are many OEM's pre-treating sensor connectors during manufacture, many are providing the Stabilants to their service technicians either as Standard Store items, or recommending them for field procurement.
The Stabilants are presently used in applications ranging from Avionics through Process control, including such critical fields as Bio-medical electronics, Air-Traffic Control, Police & Emergency communications and the like.
The application of the Stabilants is exceptionally easy. Just use a drop of two of Stabilant 22A, for example, on one of the sensor connectors and any other in-signal-path connector in the wiring harness, and reconnect the system.
Not only are they are easy to use but they have so many potential applications in industry, automotive, farm and even in the home (on everything from Computers, C4 TV, & Stereo Systems) that they should be in everyone's tool-kit!
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Stabilants are a product of Dayton Wright research & development and are made in Canada
NATO Supply Code 38948
15 mL of S22A has NATO Part # 5999-21-900-6937
The Stabilants are patented in Canada - 1987; US Patent number 4696832. World-wide patents pending. Because the patents cover contacts treated with the material, a Point-of-sale License is granted with each sale of the material.
Stabilant, Stabilant 22, and product type variations thereof are Trade Marks of D.W. Electrochemicals Ltd.
© Copyright 1987, '88. '89, '90 - D.W. Electrochemicals Ltd. This note may be reproduced or copied, provided its content is not altered. The term "contact enhancer", © 1983 Wright Electroacoustics.
NOTICE: This Application Note is based on customer-supplied information, and D.W. Electrochemicals is publishing it for information purposes only. In the event of a conflict between the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the equipment on which the Stabilant material was used, and the service procedure employed by our customer, we recommend that the manufacturer be contacted to make sure that warranties will not be voided by the procedures.
While to our knowledge the information is accurate, prospective users of the material should determine the suitability of the Stabilant materials for their application by running their own tests. Neither D.W. Electrochemicals Ltd., their distributors, or their dealers assume any responsibility or liability for damages to equipment and/or any consequent damages, howsoever caused, based on the use of this information.
Stabilant, Stabilant 22, and product type variations thereof are Trade Marks of D.W Electrochemicals Ltd.