Figure 1. A Bag of Vacuum Port Caps for Automobile Engines
Abstract: Sometimes a device
intended for one use is also suitable for another and often provides an
inexpensive solution to a problem as well. An inexpensive and readily available
source of protective caps for BNC and SMA connectors is discussed.
Discussion: Figure 1 shows a small bag of assorted vacuum port caps (Pico part #7029C, http://www.picowiring.com/pdf/PICO-22.pdf
), intended for use on intake manifolds in automobile engines, that was purchased for a
few US dollars. It turns out that some of the caps can be used to protect BNC
and SMA connectors. Figure 2 shows a small 1/8 inch white cap and a
larger 3/8 inch yellow cap that just fit snugly over SMA and BNC
connectors respectively. Four of the yellow caps can be used on the BNC
inputs of an oscilloscope to keep out dirt and protect
from mechanical damage. These caps do the same job as the plastic caps used
for the same purpose by equipment and connector suppliers, but at a very
low cost.
Figure 2. Two Caps Suitable for Protecting SMA (left) and BNC (right) Connectors
Figure 3 shows a large bag containing 1000 of the yellow caps (Pico part #7024A, http://www.picowiring.com/pdf/PICO-22.pdf ). At this quantity the cost per cap is only about US$0.05!
Figure 2. Two Caps Suitable for Protecting SMA (left) and BNC (right) Connectors
Figure 3 shows a large bag containing 1000 of the yellow caps (Pico part #7024A, http://www.picowiring.com/pdf/PICO-22.pdf ). At this quantity the cost per cap is only about US$0.05!
Figure 3. Large Bag Containing 1000 Caps Suitable for Protecting BNC Connectors
Summary:
Vacuum port caps for automobile engines make great inexpensive
protectors for SMA and BNC connectors. They are low cost and very
effective. Every lab should have a bag or two of these!
Additional articles on this website related to this topic are:
Click here for a description of my latest seminar titled (now available online as a WebEx seminar):
EMC
Lab Techniques for Designers
(How to find EMC problems and have some confidence your system will pass EMC testing while it is still in your lab).
(How to find EMC problems and have some confidence your system will pass EMC testing while it is still in your lab).
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