Connector PCB
Connector PCB allow manufacturers to link two printed circuit boards without a cable. They come in a variety of configurations with different spacing and pin sizes.
These connectors are a vital component within electrical devices, including consumer electronics and industrial control systems. They can be mated thousands of times over the life of the product.
Insulators
Connector PCBs utilize insulators to separate the pins from each other. They can be made of different materials depending on their properties and performance. Different insulators offer different levels of resistance and corrosion resistance. For example, silicone elastomers provide a good level of mechanical and electrical protection. They are also easy to work with and have good heat resistance. Other insulators are thermoplastics such as polyamide, polycarbonate, and polyphenylene ether. These have good engineering properties, low wear, abrasion resistance, and can be injection-molded. They also have good creep and moisture resistance (KB300).
Choosing the right type of connector for your application is critical. Consideration should be given to the distance between the pins, as well as any added impedance on the traces at the connection point. The design should also take into account the physical size of the connector, as it will need to fit in a specific space on the printed circuit board.
There are several types of connectors for PCBs, including card edge and crimp-style connectors. Card edge connectors attach to the edge of a PCB and are commonly used for expansion cards, such as graphics cards and Connector PCB RAM modules. The connectors have a slot that mates with a connector on a motherboard. Other types of PCB connectors use a wire-to-board or board-to-cable connection method. These connections involve crimping or IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) technology. In the IDC connection method, insulated wires are inserted into a socket that is equipped with sharp metal elements.
Pins
A Connector PCB uses pins to transmit data signals between different devices. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, including the transfer of information between computers and their peripherals. This is why they are so popular in today’s gadgets, such as tablets, keyboards, digital cameras, and smartphones. They are also useful in transferring power and are available in many different forms.
The most common type of connector is a board-to-board connector. This is a special type of connection that allows manufacturers to use the same components in their products. It can also reduce signal rise and boost data rates. It works by matching male pin headers and sockets. These can be found in various designs, such as fine pitch board-to-board connectors, surface-mount technology (SMT) board-to-board connectors, right angle board-to-board connectors, and spring-loaded board-to-board connectors (aka pogo pin).
Pin headers and sockets come in two forms: male pin headers and female pin headers. The former consists of a row of metal pins that are molded into a plastic base. The latter consists of a row of sockets that mate with the male pins on the first connector. The sockets are often referred to as jumper pins. These can be moved around to create a bypass path for an open or closed circuit. They can also be used to troubleshoot problems with a circuit board.
Plating
The metal plating used in Connector PCBs plays a key role in the electrical performance, physical endurance, and quality of the connector. Copper is a common choice, but different alloy materials can offer differing levels of conductivity performance and physical endurance. Ultimately, the plating material chosen by a manufacturer will determine the price, quality, and manufacturing time of the finished product.
The copper used in PCB connectors is plated through electroplating, which involves alternating the board between etching solutions and plating baths to build up a desired level of copper weight. This process is tightly controlled to ensure uniformity and consistency. Afterwards, protective tin is applied to the copper for protection. Plating also increases the surface area of the pins and reduces the overall weight of the connector.
Gold finger plating is another common option for PCBs. It provides better abrasion resistance, lower contact resistance, and increased oxidation resistance. However, it has a higher manufacturing cost than other options. The reason for this is the use of rare metals in the gold-plated fingers. Other options include rhodanise, lead plating, and reel linkage selective plating.
It’s important to note that gold is plated on the edges of connectors and cannot be soldered to the nickel underneath. As such, it’s recommended that you place Connector PCB Supplier any plated holes or SMD pads no closer than 2.00 mm (80 mil) to the gold fingers.
Mounting
The way in which PCB connectors are mounted to a circuit board can have a significant impact on the overall size, weight and power (SWaP) of the finished product. Some of these connectors have a locking mechanism, which can be in the form of snap-on clips, screws or latches, that ensures that the connector is securely fastened.
Others have features that allow them to be inserted only in the correct orientation, which can help prevent damage to the connector and the device. These features can include asymmetrical shapes and notches, as well as tabs that only fit with the mating connector.
Some of these connectors are designed to be attached using the THT or surface-mount technology process, whereas others require that they be inserted into a pre-drilled hole on the board. They also come in different pin layouts, spacings and number of contacts to suit specific applications.
Some types of these connectors are used for board-to-board connections, while others are used for wire-to-board or cable-to-board connections. They can be positioned in either a vertical or horizontal orientation and come in various sizes, pitches and current ratings. Some of them are also available with polarization and keying features to ensure that the connector is properly oriented in the socket, preventing the wrong wires from being connected to the wrong pins.