[ARC5] ARC-5 Connectors have no Keying?

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Brooke,

None of the WW-II  connectors using banana pins (small or mini as on the 
Command Sets commonly called ARC-5 and the AN/ARC-3 and AN/ARR-2) or large as on a 
host of other aircraft and ground sets had any alignment keys.  I have had 
and sold hundreds of both types over the decades and never recall seeing a cable 
connector with grooves worn into the insulator from someone trying to insert 
it without looking.  I had a U-7/U until recently that did have such grooves.  
The U-7 (commercial FK-10-21C-9/16) does have an alignment key.

The Type 12 & 15 connectors were keyed to allow making more than one unique 
connector from a given insert design, not because any problems were experienced 
in service with the keyless design.

But in any case, the nature of the insert design (the sockets are recessed 
behind the insulator front face would mean someone would as Mike said have to 
work at it to mismake electrical connection to one or two pins.

In a message dated 1/25/2009 2:29:57 PM Central Standard Time, 
brooke at pacific.net writes: 
> The photo on eBay 200299428888for these ARC-5 connectors seems to show no 
> keyways.  Was it the case that contact pins could touch when the connectors 
> were not yet rotated to the proper angle to seat?
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480
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