ISO 15170-2:2001

Overview

ISO 15170-2:2001 - "Road vehicles - Four-pole electrical connectors with pins and twist lock - Part 2: Tests and requirements" defines the test methods and minimum performance criteria for four-pole, twist‑lock electrical connectors used in trucks, buses and trailers. It covers mechanical, electrical and environmental tests for fixed and free connectors and their mated assemblies, intended for applications including components mounted directly on the engine.

Keywords: ISO 15170-2, four-pole electrical connectors, twist lock, road vehicles, tests and requirements, truck bus trailer connectors.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and preconditioning
  • Applies to fixed/free connectors, couplers and connections with up to four poles.
  • Test samples preconditioned 24 h at (23 ± 5) °C and 45–75% RH; tests normally at (23 ± 5) °C.
• Mechanical performance
  • Contact retention: must withstand 100 N in mating direction and 60 N in opposite direction.
  • Crimp tensile strength: minimum values specified by conductor cross-sectional area (e.g., 0.5 mm2 → 70 N; 2.5 mm2 → 235 N); interpolation allowed for intermediate sizes.
  • Static load (coupled): axial pull of 250 N for 10 s and torque of 75 Nm for 10 s.
  • Static load (free connector): 350 N applied between plates for 10 s.
  • Operating torque: twist‑lock torque values are specified per application class and measured at first and last operations.
  • Impact resistance: pendulum hammer impact (0.5 J) for vulnerable fixed connectors.
  • Vibration: 100 h per axis (50 h at 23 °C and 50 h at 120 °C) in three orthogonal directions - total 300 h - with monitored contact resistance.
• Electrical performance
  • Connection resistance (voltage drop): ≤ 5 mΩ initially; ≤ 10 mΩ after thermal/chemical stress.
  • Temperature rise, insulation resistance and dielectric withstand voltage: tests performed according to referenced procedures.
• Environmental resistance
  • Salt spray: neutral salt spray per ISO 9227 (typical durations 96 h or 24 h depending on sample group).
  • Industrial SO2 climate, dust, humidity cycling and resistance to liquids defined per referenced methods.
• Acceptance criteria
  • No cracks or functional changes that unduly influence performance; no visible corrosion after certain environmental tests.

Applications and users

• Vehicle OEMs and suppliers specifying connector durability for trucks, buses and trailers.
• Connector manufacturers validating design and production quality against international test methods.
• Automotive test laboratories and certification bodies performing mechanical, electrical and environmental qualification.
• Procurement and quality engineers seeking compliance evidence for on-board electrical harness components.

Related standards

• ISO 15170-1:2001 - Dimensions and classes of application (companion standard).
• ISO 8092-2 - Definitions, test methods and general performance requirements for on‑board wiring connectors (referenced procedures).
• ISO 9227, IEC 60068 series, and other referenced environmental and electrical test standards.