What’s inside must endure and function reliably over time – ensuring safety at every interface

They may seem inconspicuous—yet they are critical to the system: connectors, crimp connections and electronic interfaces are among the key components of modern devices and vehicles. A single faulty connection can lead to signal loss or total failure—especially when exposed to vibration, heat, dust, water, high humidity or tensile stress over the course of years.

That is why we test every connection to its limits in AUCOTEAM’s accredited testing laboratory. Our services include all standard environmental simulation tests, and futhermore thermography, derating, dry-circuit testing, contact interruption (< 1 µs), current cycling, high-voltage testing, high-current testing, slow-motion bending tests, contact opening measurement and many more.

Services and Areas of Expertise

Whether it’s a plug, single pin, crimp connection, spring contact, sensor connector, module contact or multi-connector—we test interfaces of every kind. In doing so, we record all relevant thermal and electrical parameters under defined conditions—individually or in combination, for short periods or over weeks.

What we test:

  • Current-carrying capacity - Derating
  • Thermography
  • Dry-circuit measurement
  • Contact resistance
  • Contact monitoring 1 μs
  • Surge/High Voltage
  • Insulation resistance
  • Insertion, bending and pull-out force

     

  • wire pull-out  / Locking mechanism
  • Number of insertion cycles / Slow-motion test
  • Polarization and encoding
  • Immersion with pressure difference
  • Electrical contact gap
  • IP protection rating tests
  • Shock, vibration, drop test
  • Climate/temperature testing

     

  • Corrosion and Chemical Testing
  • Temperature shock with ice water, water spray and oil
  • Cyclic endurance tests with electrical stress
  • Microscopic images / X-ray CT
  • Stone chip tests / gravel impact tests
  • Locking noise

     

  • These tests can also be flexibly combined as needed.

Standards and Quality Assurance

Our testing procedures are based on the following standards and guidelines:

  • IEC 60512 – Test methods for connectors
  • GS 95006-7-1 – Wiring harnesses in motor vehicles – Connector testing
  • GS 95006-7-2 – Slow-motion testing
  • VW 75174 – Automotive connectors
  • VW 75174-2 – Slow-motion testing
  • VW 80332 – Automotive high-voltage contacts
  • VW 80302 – Automotive High-Voltage Contacting
  • MBN 10384 – Automotive Connectors
  • MBN 10384-2 – Slow-motion testing
  • LV 124 – Automotive Connectors
  • LV 214 – Automotive Connectors (LV)
  • LV 215 – Automotive Connectors (HV)
  • FCA CS 00056 – Electrical and Electronic Components in Motor Vehicles
  • DIN EN 62368-1 – Equipment for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology
  • MIL-STD-810 – Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests
  • RTCA DO-160G – Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment
  • SAE/USCAR – Performance Specifications for Automotive Electrical Connector Systems

All tests are performed using:

  • Documentation of the test specimens, the test setup and the measuring and testing equipment
  • Full collection of all measured values
  • Evaluation according to standards or individually defined limit values
     

As an accredited testing laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025), we provide you with globally recognized test reports:

  • in digital form
  • with presentation of measured values
  • with comprehenisve photographic documentation
  • recognized by official authorities

Testing Methods and Technologies

Our test benches and measurement systems are designed to reliably meet specific testing objectives—from individual connections to complex component assemblies. Tests are conducted statically, dynamically or cyclically—under documented conditions.

Mechanical tests

  • Vibration and shock tests, including temperature or climatic stress
  • Compression/tensile tests on crimped or welded connections as well as on plug contacts and pins
  • Snap-fit tests: Opening/closing cycles of latches
  • Pin Push/Pull: Compression/tensile tests on individual contacts
  • Force-displacement analysis, including breaking force and deformation behavior

Electrical tests

  • Contact Resistance Measurement
  • Dry-circuit test
  • Insulation resistance and dielectric strength
  • High-voltage and high-current tests
  • Derating and thermography
  • Current cycling test

Thermal and climatic testing

Cyclic loads with constant monitoring

  • Control of insertion cycles, force control, contact status
  • Monitoring of contact temperatures and integration into current control
  • Automated test sequences according to customer specifications (test automation)
  • Recording and visualization of all relevant data and test steps
  • Processing and editing of video data from thermography and live image recordings

Who We Test For– An Overview of Industries

Automotive & Electric Mobility

  • LV and HV connectors
  • Battery contacts and battery management systems (BMS)
  • Charging infrastructure

Railway Technology

  • Car and System Connections
  • Track contacts
  • Signaling and communication systems

Device Development / Industrial Electronics

  • Connectors for Sensors, Power Components and Communication
  • PCB connector systems
  • Board-to-board connections (ribbon cables)

Smart Buildings & Building Automation

  • Connectors for alarm, smoke and fire detection systems
  • Window and door contacts
  • Contacts for control units, actuators and connections for smart building applications

Our connector tests are relevant wherever electrical and mechanical interfaces must perform reliably—especially where stress, environmental factors and endurance all come into play.

Our tests are modular in design—they can be conducted individually or in combination with environmental testing, mechanical testing, IP rating testing or endurance testing.

Customer benefits when working with AUCOTEAM

  • Connector testing, slow-motion testing, thermography, derating – all from a single source
  • Standard-based methods (VW, MBN, GS SAE/USCAR and many more) and customer-specific test procedures
  • Realistic test procedures
  • Can be combined with climate tests, endurance tests or IP tests
  • Customizable test sequences and test rigs
  • Perfect for research & development and series approval
  • Fully documented results for audits, certification or internal quality assurance
  • Consulting by experienced engineers with industry expertise

Your contact for testing procedures

© AUCOTEAM
Christian Kretschmer
Head of Testing

Have your connectors tested now!

Would you like to know the design limits of your connectors or contacts, or whether your connectors can withstand environmental influences in the long run?
Then talk to us. We simulate real-world conditions and provide reliable, comparable results—in compliance with standards and based on practical experience.