Relationship Between The Mechanical Contact Area Of The Conductor And The Insulation Piercing Connector

Next, we'll analyze the operating principle of the ipc electrical connectors from the perspective of current conduction between conductors. Current conduction between conductors can be analyzed from two perspectives: the conductors' mechanical contact area and the current conduction path.

Conductor Mechanical Contact Area

Microscopically, a conductor's surface is composed of countless uneven peaks and valleys. The smoother the conductor's surface, the smaller the height difference between the peaks and valleys. When two conductors are brought into contact by external force, the contact occurs primarily in the form of peak-to-peak contact. Therefore, the actual mechanical contact area is far smaller than the nominal contact area specified in the cable piercing connector design. Literature analysis suggests that the actual mechanical contact area is approximately 7% of the nominal contact surface.