Publications Details
A hardware review of electrical contact aging and performance in electromechanical stronglinks
Contacts from the functional switch assembly have been examined for a series of MC2969 stronglinks varying from 9 to 14 years of age. Wear tracks are apparent on the contacts as a result of oxide removal by wiping action as the switch is exercised. Typical contaminants observed on the contacts include C, O, S, Cl, F and Si, all of which vary with position on the contacts. All of the contacts show segregation of Ag into the near-surface region. Measurement of the local contact resistance on the ends of the contacts provide resistance values that are reasonable for this material, but with variation among contacts as a result of changes in the local surface chemistry.