The Connector PCB Miracle
PCB connector circuit boards are a critical component of any electronics device. They must meet the size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of their final application, and they must be able to withstand the electrical current they will carry.
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High-Reliability Connectors
Often used in demanding applications in sectors like aerospace, military and defense, high-reliability connectors are designed to avoid failure under the most challenging circumstances. They are able to withstand extremes of temperature, vibration and shock. They are also usually incredibly robust, with many features that help to reduce electrical noise.
A key factor is vibration, which can be either a constant and steady shaking (like an engine) or one that varies in amplitude and frequency (such as an impact). To cope with these conditions, the connector has to have certain design features that will help to keep the contacts stable. Using more contact beams rather than less is one example, as this ensures that at least one will always remain in contact with the mating half.
Vibration can also cause the plastic housing to flex, and this needs to be resilient enough to absorb any bumps or thumps it may encounter during handling or in use. This requires a stronger plastic material, which can be achieved through the use of higher-grade materials such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper.
Another example is a feature called “shrouding,” which uses an extra layer of protection to shield the contacts from physical damage, and this can be done by either adding an additional plastic shell or inserting a metal sleeve. Polarization and Connector PCB Miracle built-in coding are other ways to help prevent accidental contact between mating parts.
Multilayer Connectors
With consumer electronics tending toward ever-increasing levels of functionality while remaining small in size, multilayer PCBs are increasingly favored. This is because they allow for the inclusion of more components in a smaller space and are capable of accomplishing the same tasks as multiple single-layer PCBs, making them an ideal choice for devices like smartphones and microwaves.
Despite these benefits, they are still a bit costlier than single-layer options and their construction techniques are more complicated as well. However, with design and production inputs decreasing over time, the cost of these boards is expected to decrease as well.
In terms of design, multilayer connectors have the added benefit of offering more options for designers. This includes the ability to create a mezzanine connection, coplanar connections or a wide range of board-to-board and cable-to-board interfaces.
Another advantage of these connectors is that they are designed to withstand a variety of stresses and strains while maintaining high reliability. The fact that they are shrouded in a plastic base makes them resistant to damage and averts the possibility of pins bending, especially under heavy loads or vibrations. Furthermore, they can be mated using a variety of processes and have various pitch options, heights and mounting orientations to meet a broad range of applications. In addition, they are capable of withstanding high operating temperatures and feature extended rear potting walls for additional strain relief.
Surface Mount Connectors
The number of contacts needed and the way in which the connector will mount to the PCB are two of the most important considerations when selecting a board-to-board or socket-type connector. There are many options available to suit a variety of needs, and a little bit of consideration can save time and money in the long run.
Consideration should also be given to the environment in which the connector will be used. If there will be a lot of dust, oil, or other chemicals present it may be necessary to select a variation rated for these conditions.
In addition, some versions of these types of connectors are designed to be through-hole soldered onto a PCB while others are designed to be surface mounted. The mounting process varies from having the item’s terminating leads placed by hand on the PCB and soldered in place to having them placed on copper pads on the surface of the PCB and then using a re-flow or wave soldering process to place and solder the connector.
For the versions of these items that are designed to be surface mount, they would either have stripped wires that can be terminated by pushing them into one of the openings on the connector or they will have a mechanism Connector PCB Miracle Supplier built in that allows the use of a tool to release them. A small amount of flux can be applied to the pins before heating with a soldering iron in order to facilitate this process.