Color Coded Connectors

1
Color CodedConnectors

• Urgent Need
• Standardized Method to Rapidly Identify High
  Frequency Coaxial Connectors

2
High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Difficulty in distinguishing between coaxial
  connector types results in
• Damaged equipment
• Degraded equipment reliability
• Degraded performance
• Degraded mission readiness
• Increasing maintenance time / maintenance
  actions.
• Previously damaged connectors cause damage to
  mating connectors they are mated with.
• Metal particles from connector threads can lodge
  themselves on or between conduction surfaces.
• Damaged connectors need to be discarded to avoid
  propagation of damage.

3
High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Why color code?
• Just because connectors can mechanically mate
  together doesn't mean they have the same
  frequency capabilities.
• Difficulty in distinguishing between different
  coaxial connector types due to the design of high
  frequency connectors - Resulting in serious risk
  of damaged equipment, degraded equipment
  reliability, degraded performance, reduced
  mission readiness, and lost efficiency.

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification
Slotless Connectors

• Sloted Connectors

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Damaged Connectors

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification
Why is this important?

• Why is this important?
• A few things to consider
• Greater Confidence in Connector Identification?
• Savings in labor and training costs?
• Cost savings (if any) might continue to increase
  as the use of higher frequencies become more
  popular?
• Efficiency, Reliability and Readiness Improved?
• Improved mission readiness?
• Improved personnel safety? (i.e. Aircraft Radar
  etc.)
• Simplified writing of procedures involving
  connectors?

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Connectors Identified and Colors Chosen
• Black - 0 18 GHz - N Type connector
• Brown - 1 18 GHz - SMA connector
• Red - 2 20.0 GHz - Precision N Type
  connector
• Orange - 3 26.5 GHz - 3.5MM connector
• Yellow - 4 40 GHz - 2.92mm (K connector )
• Green - 5 50 GHz - 2.4mm connector
• Blue - 6 67 GHz - 1.85mm ( V connector )
• Violet - 7 18 GHz - GPC-7 connector
• Gray - 8 lt Reserved for future usegt
• White - 9 110 GHz - 1.0mm ( W connector )

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification
Connectors can be difficult to distinguish
without the addition of color
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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• What has been done?
• IEEE Coaxial Connector Rapid ID Working Group
  established June 2008
• Proposed Color Code Schema Developed. Aug 2008
• IEEE Project Authorization Request P1802
  submitted for review January 2009 approved May
  2009.

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Contact Information
• John Bies
• Senior Engineer, Contractor, Analytical Services
  Inc.
• CALSETS, TMDE Product Management Office Bldg 3651
  
• Army TACMS Road
• Redstone Arsenal, Alabama 35898
• Office 256-955-6869
• Cell 256-508-0632
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail John.bies_at_us.army.mil

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High Frequency Coaxial Connector Rapid
Identification

• Website
• Microwaves101.com
• http//microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/Connector_co
  lor_code.cfm