28 June 2024Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
1. Consider the environment
In other words, what demands are placed on the connector set? What is the connector’s lifestyle? Easy or difficult?
An example of an easy life is one where the connector system is cycled (mated and unmated) maybe ten times or less, and it spends the rest of its life in a climate-controlled room. A difficult life is one that will require multiple cycles, and is subject to shock and vibration, constant movement, high humidity, temperature swings, and/or corrosive chemicals and vapours. Selecting the right contact system is critical to the success of the connector set, especially if your connector is going to live a difficult life.
Connector suppliers like Samtec offer a variety of contact systems, from basic designs for those connectors blessed with the easy life to rugged contact systems for those connectors that have it rough.
2. Consider normal force
One factor that will help you select the right contact is its normal force. Normal force has been called the single best predictor of connector performance. If you are considering two connector systems, and it appears both will work, choose the one with a higher normal force. This is important in harsh environments, and it’s keenly important if the environment experiences extreme temperatures or high shock and vibration.
3. Consider insertion depth
If you have narrowed your choice to two connector systems, and if you’re happy with the contact design and normal force of each, then another factor to consider is the socket’s insertion depth. The greater the insertion depth, the more stable the board stacking system will be.
4. Consider pin configuration
If your design requires 20 pins, use a 2 X 10 connector, not 1 X 20. The longer the connector, the more problems you may experience with coplanarity, alignment, and soldering.
5. Consider the centreline (or ‘pitch’)
This is mostly a matter of mechanical stability. A fine-pitch connector, meaning one with a centerline of 1,27 mm or smaller, will probably not be sufficient if it’s expected to be the sole means of mechanical stability between large or heavy PCB assemblies. Speaking for Samtec, the company has a variety of rugged, microminiature connector systems that are sturdy and well-designed, but you’re still asking for a small component to support a lot of weight and torque.
Coax achieves excellent performance Spectrum Concepts
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Samtec’s new coaxial cable achieves excellent performance while subject to dynamic flexing.
Read more...Connectors for the latest server applications Spectrum Concepts
Interconnection
To deliver high-speed performance, many next-generation server applications will use cables inside the box instead of PCB traces to maintain the signal integrity demanded by high-speed communications.
Read more...AI domain-specific architecture Spectrum Concepts
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Designing a new product is often an exercise in priorities, carefully balancing a range of capabilities to obtain the best overall result.
Read more...PCIe 7.0 technology. Too soon or not fast enough? Spectrum Concepts
Editor's Choice
Data scientists, AI system architects, IC designers, optical engineers, interconnect providers like Samtec, and other solutions providers, are rethinking system topologies.
Read more...Versatile high-current contacts Spectrum Concepts
Interconnection
Mill-Max has announced the release of its number 36 contact, a unique contact designed to accept a wide range of lead sizes, while providing low insertion force and high current carrying capacity.
Read more...DC to 40 GHz termination RF Design
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The TS400HM from Inmet by Spectrum Control is a 50 O termination that operates from DC to 40 GHz, and can handle an average input power of 1 W.
Read more...Mill-Max expands organic fibre plug receptacle lineup Spectrum Concepts
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Mill-Max has announced additions to its organic fibre plug receptacle line, covering a wide range of lead sizes and offering early engagement/dual entry capability.
Read more...Complete electrical termination solutions for mining
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Unlike other traditional direct-entry flameproof junction boxes that are made from steel, cast iron or aluminium, the Envirobox is made from a specially formulated, robust engineering polymer unique to Pratley, and is completely corrosion resistant.
Read more...Popular aluminium enclosure series expanded Sivan Electronic Supplies
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Gainta has expanded its popular G1xx series of sealed aluminium enclosures which have an IP65 rating to provide protection against dust and moisture.
Read more...Modular sub racks, front panels and modules Vepac Electronics
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Vero’s industry-compliant KM6 range is a modular, pluggable, 19-inch rack-based enclosure to securely house and protect electronic equipment.
printer friendly version