5.1 This test method establishes the requirements for a standardized method of evaluating the performance of crimped-type electrical connections having solid or stranded conductors.

5.2 In order to achieve a successful crimped connection, the crimping tool must deform the material of the crimp barrel or barrel tab(s) around the conductor. As a consequence, the conductor surfaces are placed under compression by the crimp terminal and areas of contact are established between the conductor and the crimp barrel. These areas provide the desired electrical connection. A reliable crimped connection is one that is capable of maintaining the contact between the conductor and crimp barrel so that a stable electrical connection is maintained when it is exposed to the conditions it was designed to endure during its useful life.

5.3 Evaluation testing is designed to ensure that a particular design crimped connection system consisting of conductor and component and associated tooling is capable of achieving a reliable electrical and mechanical connection. After the evaluation is completed, if any change in the system parts is made, the system should be reevaluated using the same procedures.

5.4 After completion of the evaluation test, the tensile pull strength results may be used to develop acceptance requirements to be used in inspection of subsequent production lots of crimped connections. An example of such an acceptance requirement is shown in Appendix X1.

5.5 The aging test, 33 days exposure at 118°C, has been used in the telecommunications industry to simulate 40 years of service at a moderately elevated temperature of 50°C, an environment that components experience within large banks of telephone equipment. This environment is similar to that seen in a wide range of electronic systems operating indoors containing active components that dissipate power. The test is designed to reproduce the stress relaxation of copper alloys in such service and has been used extensively in evaluating wire wrap connections. It also accelerates other thermally activated processes such as oxidation although their acceleration factors may be different from that of copper stress relaxation.

5.6 The aging test accelerates stress relaxation processes and other thermally activated processes but does not address some other possible hazards such as corrosion. Additional testing may be appropriate if the intended service environment presents such hazards.