[TowerTalk] N connector, Re: UHF (PL259) soldered center with braid

[jimlux]

On 6/26/18 6:37 AM, Zivney, Terry wrote:
> Jim Lux said:
> 
> The UHF connector has a larger diameter center pin (0.156") than the N (0.1197"), so its current handling capability is (slightly) higher.
> 
> Actually, the current handling interface of the N connector is a BNC pin, which is much smaller
> than the UHF connector.  In fact, an N male connector will plug perfectly into a BNC female
> tee connector - done many times in a lab setting.

Actually not - the center conductor in an N is 0.120" - you might be 
thinking of the pointy locator pin in the middle (0.063"), but in a 
"properly mated" N connector, that's not carrying any power.

In a BNC plug, the center pin is 0.053" in diameter (slightly smaller 
than the locator on an N) although i confess, having just looked through 
a variety of drawings on google (BNC dimension image), there is a HUGE 
variation. Just like in an N connector, you're counting on the mating 
surface at the shoulder of that pin to carry the RF current (and set the 
impedance) (typically 0.081 to 0.087")  and that's about 70% of the size 
of  the N connector's center pin

http://www.rfacsolutions.com/rf-connectors/bnc/ has a drawing

Interestingly, the Amphenol drawing at
https://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html
doesn't even show the diameter of the center pin (or the socket)


So the N plug will "sort of" mate with a BNC jack - it's obviously not 
constant impedance, and the large N locator pin might bend your BNC jack 
springs.

Adapters are cheap - a lot cheaper than replacing the connector on your 
test equipment, probably.

(and let's not get into mismating K and SMA)



> 
> How do you feel about high power in BNC connectors?  8^)
> 
> Terry N4TZ
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