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1.1 This practice provides a method of specifying performance requirements for (or reporting test results of) electrical contact and connection systems. Both conductor and connector system performance may be specified by this practice, separately or in combination.

1.2 This practice may be used for separable or permanent contacts employing metallic conducting components.

1.3 This practice is applicable to both signal and power applications.

1.4 This practice is intended to be used for specifying performance of connectors and connection systems that are marketed for general public and trade application, as for instance for use in building wiring, electronics, and vehicles.

1.5 This practice is not intended to be used to specifying the performance of connection systems for specialized applications, such as military, industrial, aircraft, power distribution, and medical apparatus.

1.6 This practice does not specify the sample preparation or test sequences required for determining contact performance. It is the responsibility of the user of this practice to determine the applied test sequence(s) appropriate for the application.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provide by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

5.1 This practice is based on the use of electrical resistance as an indicator of contact performance. This is the fundamental physical attribute that reflects the condition of the electrical contact interface(s) within a connection. For practical current-carrying electrical connections, resistance may be calculated from potential drop measurements, as described, for example, in Test Method B539 and B812.

5.2 This practice accommodates the use of multiple test methods, as may be required to predict performance in a given application.

5.3 This practice applies only to the performance of the current-carrying contact interface(s). It does not characterize the performance of insulating materials or other components of a complete connection system.

5.4 Specifiers may use the performance classification as a requirement for a given application.

5.5 Manufacturers may use the performance classification to reflect the relative quality of their products.