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Connector voltage ratings
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Gibson486:
I was looking at this connector:

https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=showdoc&DocId=Specification+Or+Standard%7F108-40018%7FF%7Fpdf%7FEnglish%7FENG_SS_108-40018_F.pdf%7F5499923-9

It says it has a voltage rating of 250VAC (which I assume is 0 to pk). However, it also has a series of tests done that are in excess of that voltage. The insulation resistance is a certain value....but I am guessing they are using air as the insulator? The next value is withstanding voltage, but from what I read, that is more to do with high voltages due to lightening strikes or inrush currents.

So, my question is what happens when I exceed the 250VAC rating? I am guessing that it begins to conduct to a neighboring pin? Or is this more a function of creepage and clearance, so the distance between pins determines the rating?
Zero999:
Any mains rated connector has to pass certain insulation tests to comply with the standards. No doubt it will work at much higher voltages, than 250V with no problems, but it isn't certified to be safe, at such voltages.
David Hess:
The voltage rating also assumes a level of contamination commensurate with the connector's intended environment.
vk6zgo:

--- Quote from: Gibson486 on April 07, 2020, 04:32:34 pm ---I was looking at this connector:

https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=showdoc&DocId=Specification+Or+Standard%7F108-40018%7FF%7Fpdf%7FEnglish%7FENG_SS_108-40018_F.pdf%7F5499923-9

It says it has a voltage rating of 250VAC (which I assume is 0 to pk). However, it also has a series of tests done that are in excess of that voltage. The insulation resistance is a certain value....but I am guessing they are using air as the insulator? The next value is withstanding voltage, but from what I read, that is more to do with high voltages due to lightening strikes or inrush currents.

So, my question is what happens when I exceed the 250VAC rating? I am guessing that it begins to conduct to a neighboring pin? Or is this more a function of creepage and clearance, so the distance between pins determines the rating?

--- End quote ---

The 250v AC rating will be RMS, which implies a peak voltage of around 350v.

In the real world, voltage ratings are conservative, so a small % increase in voltage will do exactly nothing.
I wouldn't try to use them at 400v RMS, though!

DC is something else again.
With its propensity for arcing, AC rated connectors may not be useable at their marked voltage or specified current ratings.
Vovk_Z:
"Or is this more a function of creepage and clearance, so the distance between pins determines the rating?" - yes, it has to withstand overvoltages like portion of lightening strike and so on and not to make permanent arc surfice short (arc have to die).
I mean the problem is not working voltage but overvoltages and connector is rated for them.
That is a large difference with semiconductors which are rated to withstand only 20% higher the rated voltage.
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