Piezoelectric Gauge for Measurement of Pin and Socket Connector Contact Forces

The need for a convenient means of measurement of the actual contact force for a pin and socket connector is outlined and the design of a piezoelectric strain gauge suitable for use with in-line connectors is described. PZT is used for the strain sensitive element of the gauge, and the relatively large electric charges produced by small strains permit the use of a very simple electrical circuit. With sufficient experimental care, variations in contact force for different sockets of a given type may be correlated with variations in contact resistance.