

Automotive Standards in Electronic Components These tests aim to ensure that automotive components will generally last for 200,000 miles of hard use and will include millions of bumps, vibrations, and temperature variations along the way.

These components experience the constant road vibrations that are nearly eliminated by a proper suspension. V5 ratings might apply to unsprung components attached directly to an automobile’s wheel.

Vibration ratings range from a similar light-duty V1 specification, all the way to V5 automotive connectors. Higher rankings will apply to in-engine compartment connectors and the like, where extremes of temperature and moisture will occur. Lower rankings apply to components used in a car’s passenger areas, where excessive moisture is generally not a concern. For this purpose, component manufacturers define classes for the following variables:Ī component with a high ranking will need to pass much more extensive testing than one with a lower ranking. It’s important to have some context about each connector’s specific application to ensure that each part undergoes adequate testing. Presumably, manufacturers could refer to this information before choosing to accept the components. It is this person’s responsibility to record any modifications to normal procedures. In these circumstances, an Authorized Person steps in as the final authority. The document notes that many cases require a different testing regiment, which could be more or less stringent than what the specification prescribes. Of course, even an extensive and detailed document like USCAR2-7 can’t cover every situation. To pass this test, a connector must exhibit a 500 M Ohm resistance between connector sections at an applied voltage of 500 VDC. The connector may perform as expected at room temperature, but these tests evaluate whether the device will function over extreme temperatures.Įlectrical resistance. The specific solution would depend on whether the connector is sealed. Subjecting the components to immersion in automotive fluids and even salt water. Systematically stressing the connector mechanically This nearly 80-page document gives extensive – and precise – test information. To learn more about general requirements for connectors approved for automotive use, a great place to start is the USCAR2-7 specification by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the United States Council for Automotive Research. This advantage lets companies like Toyota hold their suppliers to stringent quality standards. While these manufacturers are technically dependent on suppliers to maintain their reputations, the manufacturers make up a massive amount of the market share.

Manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, GM, and many others “make” cars by gathering parts from a wide variety of suppliers and assembling them into a finished product. Maintaining Quality Automotive Components It’s no surprise that the electronics that make up your vehicle require extensive testing, including the connectors and cables that snake unseen through modern vehicles. Given their critical responsibility for our safety and overall well being, all automotive electrical components must be able to withstand freezing cold, blazing heat, and uneven terrain. Automotive Grade Electrical Connectors: Unseen but Critical to a Car's Function
