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materials and determine whether thermoset or thermoplastic materials need to be used. If active latching is required, the designer must specify a polymer material that allows latch flexibility while still meeting other mechanical and electrical requirements. Even chemical exposure needs to be considered, for example, if the connector is to be used in gasoline pump applications, you need to make sure the housing material can withstand continued exposure to volatile hydrocarbons without becoming brittle or fracturing. Connector Ratings In selecting the best connector for an application, basic electrical, mechanical, and environmental performance requirements must identified and considered to optimize the selection. Electrically, the connector must be compatible with the current levels and voltages of the application. Certainly, the basic continuous voltage and current needs to be considered but, in addition, transient and surge conditions that may occur over the life of the product need to be identified. Mechanical considerations can cover a broad range of features. As with all electronics, the trend is toward miniaturization, so connectors require tighter contact pitches to pack more contacts in a smaller area. As a result, the physical size of the connector relative to the application needs to be considered in selecting the connector. Mating direction and wire dress similarly need to be considered relative to their intended application in the system. How the connectors are held together after mating can also impact the selection process since some connectors rely on active mechanical latches, others utilize small detent bumps, and some have nothing other than friction to hold them together. Beyond obvious form factor issues, the connector must also be evaluated for the degree in which it can withstand mechanical abuse, such as vibration, shock, and the like. Environmentally, the connector must withstand both application temperature ranges and processing temperatures (such as those experienced during reflow soldering of surface-mount connectors). The application environment will define additional needs, such as sealing, ability to withstand solvents or salt spray, high altitudes, or other extremes. In outdoor application, UV exposure capability is critical to reliable, long term connector performance. While typically not seen in lighting applications, shielding in a noisy electromagnetic environment may also be necessary. In some instances, both shielded and unshielded versions of the same connector are offered by connector suppliers. The connector must be designed specifically to terminate the cable's shield since it is practically impossible to convert a non- shielded connector design to a shielded one. The key to a reliable, effective shield is to provide a