SL-156 connectors with TPA are designed to interconnect between 2 and 12 individual power lines (18-24 AWG) to a PCB. The current generation of products is widely used in numerous household appliances, garage door openers, and other electrical devices. The new SL-156 with TPA leverages the experience gained from this universal application and incorporates additional advantages.
SL-156 connectors with TPA are modular products consisting of a housing, tinned or gold-plated terminals (contacts), and a secondary locking device. During the installation sequence, the cable is compressed into the terminal, and the terminated cable is inserted into the housing cavity where it locks into position. The new housing design prevents the worker from accidentally inserting the terminal backward because the cavity can only be loaded one way.
Once the terminal is in position, the TPA retainer is pushed into the cavity and onto the housing. The locking slot of the TPA retainer slides over a locking tab on the outside of the housing and clicks into place. When the retainer clicks into position, it confirms that the terminal is fully inserted because the portion of the retainer inside the cavity will automatically push the terminal in if it is not fully inserted. Even in harsh workshop conditions, the tangible click of this device tells the operator that the terminal is in position. When locked, the retainer also secures the contact and prevents it from retracting due to vibrations. The TPA retainer is available as a 20-position strip that can be adapted to any housing.
An added layer of safety is that the SL-156 terminals have lubricated contacts. This prevents the potential formation of filaments on the tinned contact surfaces, caused, for example, by mechanical stress and fretting corrosion. Filaments can cause short circuits, arcing, and other electrical problems, so contact lubrication is an added advantage in applications where operating conditions are more prone to filament formation.
The new SL-156 with TPA is CSA approved and UL listed. The housings are made of UL 94-0 rated nylon. The connectors can be used in operating temperatures between -55°C and 105°C.
