Connector PCB Types and Specifications
Connector PCB are a critical part of most electronics projects and understanding the different types and specifications that are available is essential for any PCB designer.
PCB connectors terminate to holes in the board they are mounted to – either through hole or pressed fit style. They come in a variety of pitches and sizes.
Types
There are many different types of connector PCBs that vary by application, functionality, and construction design. These connectors are used to connect conductors to printed circuit boards for the transmission of data and power. They can be found in almost every electrical device, including smartphones, computers, and medical equipment. They also come in various sizes and pitches to suit the needs of each device. They can also be equipped with anti-corrosion measures to protect them from environmental hazards.
The most common type of connector for PCBs are pin header and socket connectors. These connectors are commonly used for board-to-board and wire-to-board connections and can be used in either through-hole or surface-mount applications. They are also available in different pitch sizes, number of pins, and configurations to accommodate different requirements.
Some connectors have a female end that works as a plug or receptacle, while others have male ends that work as headers. USB connectors are an example of this. They are found in most electronic devices and laptops, and they use both female and male end to connect devices together. Connector PCB They are usually used to transmit data, but they can also transfer power. Other types of connectors include crimp-style connectors and insulation displacement connectors. Some of these are designed to be inserted into holes in a circuit board and secured with a soldering tool or re-flow or wave-soldering process.
Materials
Connector PCBs are essential in every electronic device to transfer power or signals within the system. They may also link different devices to one another for better function.
They come in various types and sizes depending on the intended application. They are usually placed around the edge of a board to avoid physical contact with cables and wires; minimize trace route lengths to maximize signal quality; facilitate mechanical attachment to mounting or enclosure requirements; and allow for easy connection of a variety of input/output ports.
Some connectors are designed to support high-speed data or power transmission and may require specialized materials for signal integrity. Plating options for contacts can also have an effect on performance and durability. These include gold, silver, nickel and tin. Other factors that influence performance and durability include the material used for housings and the number of mating cycles.
Another factor to consider when selecting a connector is the way in which it can be removed from the panel (depanelization). There are two primary methods of depanelization, scoring and routing. Scoring is the least expensive method but is difficult to use for connectors that are near, on or overhanging from the edge of the board. Routing, on the other hand, is more flexible but can be more costly due to the amount of waste material generated.
Plating
The plating used on a connector PCB plays a crucial role in its utility and durability. A good surface finish improves conductivity while a poor one reduces its reliability and longevity.
Gold plating is the preferred method for surface finishing a connector due to its high conductivity, durability and resistance to oxidation. However, it is also the most expensive option. A cheaper alternative is nickel or silver. These metals provide similar conductivity but are prone to oxidation and corrosion.
Depending on the requirements of your circuit board, you can choose from several different surface finishes. The default HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling) is made from tin and provides a cheap, durable surface for connecting components. However, for a connector that will send signals across a mechanical contact surface, such as a push-button, you should consider ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold), which consists of a layer of nickel covered in a layer of gold.
Another popular plating technique is brush plating, which uses a special anode wrapped in absorbent material to bring the plating solution directly to the contact surface of the component. This is especially useful for plated contacts such as those found on edge connectors. Alternatively, you can use protruding partial plating for a more precise application of rare metals to specific parts. Another plating process is beveling, which is the etching of the edges of the connector to achieve a sloping surface for easier insertion into a slot on the PCB.
Insulators
Insulators are essential to the design of connector PCBs. They make it possible to mechanically support and electrically connect components without letting current pass through them. Different insulators perform differently in terms of their strength, weatherability and chemical resistance. Mill-Max utilizes molded thermoplastic (PVC, PTFE, etc) and machined plastic insulators/housings to meet a wide variety of application requirements and specifications.
The number of populated pin, receptacle, and spring pin positions in a connector product. This number Connector PCB Supplier can be determined by reviewing the 6th-8th digit in a Mill-Max part number.
A mating sequence between two interconnect components that consists of one complete insertion and extraction cycle. This is typically performed to bridge a gap between boards or extend the connectivity of a device using horizontal header & socket combinations.
The measure of how easy or difficult it is for electrical current to flow through a mated pin and receptacle connection. This characteristic is impacted by the contacting component’s geometry, plating, contact area and normal force. A lower contact resistance is generally desired to reduce EMI and ESD issues. A higher contact resistance is undesirable because it increases power losses. This metric is typically measured in ohms and can be found in the technical datasheet for each individual connector type.