Preventive Maintenance 5
Agilent N8201A Performance Downconverter Synthetic Instrument Module, 3 Hz to 26.5 GHz 93
•Do not bend cables near the connectors.
•If any of the cables will be flexed repeatedly, buy a back-up cable. This will allow
immediate replacement and will minimize system down time.

Before connecting the cables to any device:

•Check all connectors for w ear or dirt.
•When making the connection, torque the connector to the proper value.
Proper Connector Torque
•Provides more accurate measurements
•Keeps moisture out of the connectors
•Eliminates radio frequency interference (RFI) from affecting your measurements
The torque required depends on the type of connector. Refer to Tab le 4.
Never exceed the recommended torque when attaching cables.
Connector Wear and Damage
Look for metal particles from the connector threads and other signs of wear (such as
discoloration or roughness). Visible wear can a ffect measurement accuracy and
repeatability. Discard or repair any device with a damaged connector. A bad connector can
ruin a good connector on the first mating. A magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe is useful
during inspection.
SMA Connector Precautions
Use caution when mating SMA connectors to any precision 3.5 mm RF connector. SMA
connectors are not precision devices and are often out of mechanical tolerances, even
when new. An out-of-tolerance SMA connector can ruin a 3.5 mm connector on the first
mating. If in doubt, gauge the SMA connector before connecting it. The SMA center
conductor must never extend beyond the mating plane.
Tab le 4 Proper Connector Torque
Connector Torque cm-kg Torque N-cm Torque in-lbs Wrench P/N
Type-N 52 508 45 hand tighten
3.5 mm 9.2 90 8 8720-1765
SMA 5.7 56 5 8710-1582