Choosing PCB Connector Types
There are a lot of options when it comes to selecting the right PCB connector for your project. Your choice will depend on the environment in which the connector is expected to operate, such as the amount of power it needs to handle.
PCB pin header connectors can be surface mount, through hole, or pressed fit. The terminating leads of these items are then soldered to the circuit board.
Header Connectors
Header connectors are pins that get soldered to a PCB’s surface. They’re available in a wide range of positions pcb connector types and pitches, as well as in shrouded and unshrouded styles with 1 to 4 walls. They also come with different angles, such as right-angled and at 180deg. Angled headers can lessen the strain on the connections by providing more room for connecting cables and wires, as well as provide a more stable and durable connection.
Some of the most common PCB headers are single and double row pin headers, which are designed to mate with rectangular cable connectors or female socket headers for board-to-board and wire-to-board connections. These headers can be keyed or polarized to ensure that electrical connections are made in the correct orientation.
PCB pin through hole connectors are another type of header that’s designed to be inserted through holes in a circuit board and then soldered to it. These types of connectors are often used in industrial applications and telecommunications systems, among others.
LVDS connectors, which are sometimes called backplane connectors, allow for vertical or parallel connections between different boards, and they’re usually used in monitors. They offer a high-density interconnection and can be easily swapped out if needed, which is a big benefit for electronic systems that need to be modular. These kinds of connectors are often used in laptops and other mobile devices.
Socket Connectors
Pin header connectors consist of rows of pins and are often used for board-to-board or wire-to-board connections. They are available in straight, right-angle and surface-mount configurations with different pin spacings and numbers of pins to suit diverse applications.
They can be used to provide power, control or signal transmission in the circuit. The termination side of these connectors has leads that are inserted into holes on the circuit board or placed directly on the surface and soldered in place. Some have locking mechanisms that snap-on or screw into place, ensuring that the connector cannot be disconnected accidentally. Others have polarization and keying features that ensure the connector is inserted into the mating connector in the correct orientation.
These connectors use screws to secure the wires, providing a robust and reliable connection to the PCB. They are common in power supply and control applications, as well as in test equipment and communication devices. Common jack connectors include RJ45 (ethernet), telephone and audio jacks.
These connectors are designed to plug into pin header connectors. They can be mounted on the board using through-hole or surface-mount technology (SMT). When mounting a pin header connector, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s datasheet, which provides information on recommended PCB pad layouts, soldering temperatures and times, and polarity and keying features. It is also necessary to understand the environmental conditions in which these connectors will be used.
Mezzanine Connectors
The mezzanine connector establishes vertical or parallel interconnection between PCBs that are separated at a short distance, providing high-density connections for applications like data processing and industrial equipment. These board-to-board connectors are stacked together or connected in a perpendicular configuration, and they can be used to provide additional power or signal transmission capacity or to improve accessibility in a limited space.
Typically, mezzanine connectors include male pin headers and female sockets. The pin headers feature rows of metal pins molded into a plastic base, and the sockets have holes that the pins fit into to complete the connection. Both types are available in a variety of pitches and lead lengths to suit different designs. Other important factors to consider include the termination method — through-hole or surface mount — and the contact plating material, which can affect conductivity performance and durability. Various plating materials are available, including gold, silver, nickel and tin, which is also known as bright or matte tin.
Samtec offers a full line of mezzanine PCB connectors for high-speed board-to-board and backplane applications. These connectors deliver up to 28+ Gbps performance and offer features like a ground plane, high-wipe contacts, rugged Edge Rate contact systems, and a slim body for easy assembly. They’re ideal for a wide range of applications, including hard drives and motherboards.
Stacking Connectors
PCBs need a range of connections for power and communication. Some require more power than others, while some are used in harsh environments where reliability is critical. Choosing the correct connectors ensures that your system works as intended and protects sensitive components from damage.
Header connectors have rows of pins designed to mate with sockets, and they’re available in multiple configurations including straight, right-angle, and surface mount. They PCB Connector Types Supplier can also be soldered or pressed in place, and they’re offered in gold, tin, and tin-lead options.
Stacking connectors enable two or more headers to be stacked vertically on top of each other and provide insulation between them. They can be selected by pitch (the distance between contacts) and size, which accounts for the number of positions and rows. Some are keyed and can only be mated in one orientation, while others are shrouded to increase their physical strength and protect the exposed header pins from shorting.
Plug-and-socket connectors consist of male or female links made up of pin sets and are the most popular connector family on the market. They’re known for their reliability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. They can transmit display, power, or data signals and come in a variety of sizes, from 2-pin to 48-pin. Some types are crimped to stripped wire leads and permanently attached, while others feature a lever that can be actuated to release the connection.