The key of the superb quality of this spade lies in the patented* Sandwich design of its contact fork: Elastomer oscillation dampers eliminate airborne noise and mechanical vibrations as well as magnetostrictions. This ensures almost total suppression of contact microphonics, and there is no interfering ancillary noise. The fracture resistance of the connection is improved at the same time. The sandwich design of the contact forks (sandwich spades) with elastomer inserted in a steel cap generates high and uniform contact pressure while minimising transition resistance. Three punched contact points on the bottom of the fork ensure precision contact. The quality of signal transmission is markedly improved, particularly with high currents or small voltages. The surface of the copper conductor is protected against oxidation by nickel-free 24 carat gold plating to underpin the low transition resistance levels in the long term.