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Life expectancy of unconnected tin plated computer connectors

One of our computer power supply vendors has supplied us with cable assemblies where the date code (9321) of the 4 pin power connector indicates that the contacts are at least 9 1/2 year old and have been exposed to the atmosphere most of this time. Is it probable that these connectors will fail in the near future?

Doug Littlejohn
- Cerritos, California, USA
2002

Definitely. In fact when they start to fail the contact resistance will go up, causing more heat, which causes faster oxidation,... it's called thermal runaway. The heat also destroys the mating connector, and often the PC board they are mounted on, if any. IMHO you would be ahead even if you had to scrap the whole lot.

Tom Gallant
- Torrance, California, USA
2002

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