The SHV (safe high voltage) connector is a type of
RF connector
A coaxial RF connector (radio frequency connector) is an electrical connector designed to work at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range.
RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding t ...
used for terminating a
coaxial cable
Coaxial cable, or coax (pronounced ) is a type of electrical cable consisting of an inner conductor surrounded by a concentric conducting shield, with the two separated by a dielectric ( insulating material); many coaxial cables also have a p ...
.
The connector uses a
bayonet mount similar to those of the
BNC and
MHV connectors, but is easily distinguished due to its very thick and protruding insulator.
This insulation geometry makes SHV connectors safer for handling
high voltage than MHV connectors,
by preventing accidental contact with the live conductor in an unmated connector or plug. The connector is also designed such that when it is being disconnected from a plug, the high voltage contact is broken before the ground contact, to prevent accidental shocks.
The connector is also designed to prevent users from forcing a high voltage connector into a low voltage plug or vice versa (as can happen with MHV and BNC connectors), by reversing the gender compared to BNC.
Details of the connector comprising dimensions of the mating parts, voltage rating, minimum insulation requirements and more are specified by the IEC document 60498.
SHV connectors are used in
laboratory settings for
voltages and
currents beyond the capacity of BNC and MHV connectors. Standard SHV connectors are rated for 5000
volts
DC and 5
ampere
The ampere (, ; symbol: A), often shortened to amp,SI supports only the use of symbols and deprecates the use of abbreviations for units. is the unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI). One ampere is equal to elect ...
s,
although higher-voltage versions (to 20 kV) are also available.
References
RF connectors
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