Basic performance of connectors can be divided into three main categories: mechanical performance, electrical performance, and environmental performance. An important mechanical characteristic is the mechanical life, defined as the durability measured by the ability to complete its connection function after a specified number of insertions and withdrawals.

1. Mechanical Performance: Key to the connection function, the insertion and extraction forces are critical. These forces must meet specific standards, with insertion force ideally low for usability, while separation force must be sufficient to ensure contact reliability.

2. Electrical Performance: Major electrical characteristics include contact resistance, insulation resistance, and dielectric strength. High-quality connectors should have low and stable contact resistance, while insulation resistance measures the isolation between contacts and the housing. Dielectric strength indicates the connector's ability to withstand rated test voltages.

3. Environmental Performance: Common environmental tests include temperature resistance, humidity resistance, salt spray, vibration, and shock. Connectors can operate at temperatures up to 200°C and as low as -65°C, with humidity testing under high relative humidity conditions. Salt spray tests assess corrosion resistance, while vibration and shock tests evaluate mechanical sturdiness and electrical contact reliability. Additional performance criteria may include sealing, fluid immersion resistance, and low-pressure tolerance.