White Paper: Terminal Position Assurance

Low-cost “soft shell” connectors featuring crimp/snap technology have been used to address interconnection requirements since the 1960s. Although they provide a cost-effective option for a wide range of everyday applications, conventional crimp/snap connectors have been plagued with contact back-out issues from the start. Terminal position assurance (TPA) offers an interconnection solution that can provide a more secure and reliable alternative when designing appliances. With recent enhancements in connector housing and contact design, designers now can choose from improved TPA solutions that can reduce and potentially eliminate back-out issues.