Cable Testing Glossary
Term |
Definition |
| connections | The continuous electrical path between 2 or more points wherein current flows. The path is constructed with metal parts, such as copper wire, contacts, terminations, splices, and mating contacts of connectors. |
| device-under-test (DUT) | The cable, harness, or other assembly that is being tested by the cable tester. |
| dielectric breakdown (DWV) | The insulation barrier is insufficient and only a small air gap keeps metal conductors from shorting. When high voltage is applied, the tester detects the weak insulation through an electrical arc (electricity flowing through the insulation). |
| fixturing | The wires and connectors that connect the device-under-test to the tester. |
| high wire resistance | The expected connection is established but the current is weak due to current being limited as it runs through the connection. |
| insulation | The connector housings, outside coverings of wire, and air gaps that keep metal components separated. Insulation prevents electricity from flowing between connections that were not intended to connect. |
| insulation resistance (IR) failure | Insulation fails to properly separate points at a required level. The insulation resistance is sufficient to prevent a short, yet is not high enough to meet the insulation resistance specification. |
| intermittent open | The intended electrical path contains an unintended gap that appears and disappears when the assembly is flexed. |
| intermittent short | An unintended connection between 2 or more parts which appears and disappears when the assembly is flexed. |
| mating connector | A connector on the test fixturing that connects, or mates, to a connector on the device-under-test. |
| miswire | An unintended connection which is the result of a misplaced contact within a connector. |
| net | Two or more interconnected points in a cable or harness. * |
| open | The intended electrical path contains a gap, across which, electric current cannot pass. |
| point | An electrical contact used for testing. Each pin of the test connectors of the tester can be considered a point. Likewise each connector pin on the DUT or mating connectors can be considered a point. |
| short | An unintended connection between 2 or more parts. This failure indicates insufficient insulation between metal conductors which were not intended to be connected. |
| testing | The electrical test of an assembly to verify all expected connections; and to verify insulation prevents unexpected connections. |
* Cirris testers apply hipot to nets and to single unconnected connector pins when the setting “Apply Hipot to All Adapter Pins” is turned on.