Abstract
In the past, the Electrical Connector Capability Rating (ECCR) [1] system was developed to determine to what extent connector effort contributed to first run in-plant disconnects. The ECCR independent variables were connector type, accessibility, connector orientation, obscurity, arm distance, and body position. There was a 98% positive correlation between connector effort and disconnect rates when efforts exceeded 25 pounds. There was a 67% correlation between connector effort and disconnect rates for efforts above 17 pounds. Combined, these circumstances affected approximately thirty per cent of the connector population. Of all connections, 68% had efforts below 17 pounds and were not significantly affected by effort alone.
The Connectors Study [2] was conducted to recommend a means of evaluating the manual mating of electrical connectors considering force required to complete the connection and postures used during mating. The independent variables were force and travel distances, grip type, wrist postures, and elbow postures. Connecting frequency was a control variable determined by psychophysical data. The results yielded a Force Times Rate (FTR) value and Concern Levels for individual connectors and an overall Concern Level for a complete job.
A study was conducted to integrate ergonomic variables into the ECCR using some of the logic from the Connectors Study [2]. This study is the Electrical Connector Acceptability Rating, also known as ECAR.
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