What does the environmental performance of a connector refer to?

What does the environmental performance of a connector refer to?

When selecting connectors, we often consider the environmental performance and understanding what it entails. Specifically, what does the environmental performance of a connector refer to?

1.Temperature resistance Currently, the upper operating temperature limit for connectors is 200°C, excluding a few specialized high-temperature connectors, and the lower temperature limit is -65°C. Since connectors generate heat at the contact points during operation, resulting in temperature rise, it is generally recommended that the operating temperature equals the sum of the ambient temperature and the contact temperature.

2.Moisture resistance The intrusion of moisture can affect the insulation performance of connectors and cause rusting of metal components. The conditions for constant damp-heat testing include a relative humidity of 95% and a temperature of +40±20°C, with a minimum test duration of 96 hours as specified by product requirements. Alternating damp-heat testing is even more rigorous.

3.Salt Spray Resistance When connectors operate in environments containing moisture and salt, the metal structural components and contact surfaces of the connectors may undergo electrochemical corrosion, affecting the physical and electrical performance of the connectors. To assess the connector’s ability to withstand this environment, salt spray testing is conducted. This involves suspending the connectors in a temperature-controlled test chamber and spraying them with compressed air carrying a specified concentration of sodium chloride solution to create a salt spray atmosphere. The exposure time is determined by product specifications, typically lasting at least 48 hours.

4.Vibration and Shock Resistance Vibration and shock resistance are important performance characteristics of electrical connectors, particularly in special application environments such as aerospace, railway, and transportation. They serve as important indicators for evaluating the mechanical robustness and electrical contact reliability of electrical connectors.

The above are the four key points of common connector environmental performance criteria. In addition to these, other environmental performance aspects of electrical connectors include sealing capability, liquid immersion, and low pressure resistance.

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Introduction to 5 common wiring methods for terminal connectors:

Terminal connectors enable safe, reliable, and efficient electrical connections, and are used in fields such as power electronics, electrical control, and power supply for signal and voltage transmission. Additionally, using terminal connectors for wiring results in a neater appearance and facilitates maintenance in the long run.

There are five common wiring methods for terminal connectors:

1.Insulation displacement connection:

Also known as IDC (Insulation Displacement Connection), it features high reliability, low cost, and ease of use, making it suitable for flat cable connections. In this method, there is no need to strip the insulation layer of the cable. The pointed tip of the “U”-shaped spring contact of the terminal connector pierces the insulation layer, allowing the cable conductor to slide into the slot of the spring contact and be clamped, forming a tight electrical connection.

2.Screw connection:

The screw connection method uses a screw-type terminal block for connections. It is important to consider the permissible maximum and minimum wire cross-sections for the connection, as well as the maximum tightening torque allowed for different screw specifications.

3.Crimping:

 Crimping is a technique used to compress and displace metal within defined limits in order to join wires to contact pairs. A good crimp connection results in the flow and intermixing of metals, causing symmetrical deformation of the wire and contact material. This type of connection is similar to cold welding and offers excellent mechanical strength and electrical continuity, making it suitable for harsh environments. However, crimping is a permanent connection method and can only be used once.

4.Welding:

The most common form of welding is soldering, where the crucial aspect is the formation of a continuous metallic bond between the solder and the surface being soldered. Therefore, for terminal connectors and cold-pressed terminals, solderability is of utmost importance.

5.Wrapping:

Wrapping involves directly winding the wire around the angular post of a contact component. During wrapping, the wire is wound, pressed, and secured at the angular post of the contact component under controlled tension to form an airtight connection. 

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Introduction and Applications of ERNI ERmet 2.0mm HM Series High-Speed Backplane Connectors

The ERmet connector family is tailor-made for demanding applications in telecommunication and data communication. For over 25 years the ERmet 2.0 mm HM connector system has proven itself through its robust design and problem-free handling. ERmet connectors are enjoying broad acceptance globally and enable connections of PCBs in many arrangements. Standardization ensures compatibility among different manufacturers.

Thanks to the performance characteristic and the high flexibility there is a broad field of application options for ERmet 2.0 mm HM connectors. The connector system enables almost every possible module configuration in a daughter board-backplane connection system. There are standard and inverted shapes and staple variants are available for this. Typical areas of application are data communication and telecommunication.

The ERmet program is also finding increasing usage in industrial computers (IPCs). The connectors can also be found in the CompactPCI standard. High acceptance of the connector system is due to the outstanding high-frequency performance and positive price-performance ratio.

Modular ERmet connectors with 2.0 mm signal contact spacing are ideally suited for the various mating configurations of backplanes and daughter cards. They allow hot-swap applications and also offer high-frequency and high performance contacts. 

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Introduction and Applications of ERNI DIN 41612/IEC-60603-2 Series Connectors

The DIN-41612/IEC-60603-2 family of connectors consists of 13 different basic shapes. The connectors are suitable for printed circuit boards and the transmission of electrical signals with frequencies up to three megahertz. Their grid dimension is 2.54 mm. Different shape variants enable a large range of applications. Male and female terminal strips are available with higher and lower contact thickness for various voltages.

Connection of DIN 41612 / IEC-60603-2, also called VG terminal strips, are mainly designed for multi-pin electrical connections of PCBs in the low-voltage range. The connectors have pin counts up to 160 and are suitable for the connection of plug-in boards with the backplane of a 19-inch rack. Male and female terminal strips must be fastened by solder technology or pressfit technology onto the circuit board.

A wide range of variants of DIN 41612 / IEC-60603-2 connectors results in a huge application range. In measurement technology the connectors can be used in measurement systems or analysis and test devices.

The application range of our DIN 41612 / IEC-60603-2 connectors is extraordinarily large. Connectors can be made between stacked PCBs, between PCBs and backplanes or between cables and PCBs. 

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Why is heat shrink tubing used for electronic wire harnesses? There are five benefits!

Wire harnesses are electrical components formed by combining and connecting various electrical elements such as cables, wires, and harnesses in fields like electronics, telecommunications, aviation, automotive, and medical industries. When manufacturing wire harnesses, heat shrink tubing is commonly used for protection and reinforcement. Here are the benefits of using heat shrink tubing for wire harnesses:

1.Wire Protection: The wires within the wire harness can be susceptible to damage due to contact or external friction. Heat shrink tubing effectively protects the wires from external interference and damage, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of electronic devices.

2.Short Circuit Prevention: Heat shrink tubing effectively prevents short circuits between wires, reducing the risk of damage to electronic devices.

3.Waterproof and Moisture-resistant: Heat shrink tubing provides excellent waterproof and moisture-resistant properties, protecting the wires from damage caused by water and moisture.

4.Enhanced Appearance: After being wrapped with heat shrink tubing, wire harnesses have a more aesthetically pleasing and neat appearance, improving the overall look and perceived quality of electronic products.

5.Convenient Maintenance: In case of wire failures or replacements within the wire harness, the heat shrink tubing can be easily cut open to access and replace the wires, facilitating maintenance and replacement procedures. In summary, using heat shrink tubing for wire harnesses offers advantages such as protection, waterproofing, enhanced appearance, and convenient maintenance. It is a crucial material for the protection of electronic equipment.

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JunctionX specializes in the production, distribution, and sales of various brands of connectors, wire harnesses, cable products, as well as offering custom processing for injection molded parts, stamped parts, and mold projects. If you wish to purchase or learn more about our product solutions, please feel free to contact us using the following methods.

What are the specific processing techniques for electronic wires? How was it made?

Terminal wires make connections more convenient, to some extent reducing the volume of electronic products, lowering production costs, and increasing production efficiency. So, what is the processing technology of terminal wires? Do you know?

The processing technology of terminal wires involves 18 steps:

1.Wire cutting:

This step involves checking the wire’s standard type and ensuring its dimensions meet the requirements. The wire should be cut evenly without causing any scratches.

2.Insulation stripping:

Checking that the stripping is even and does not damage the core wire or braided strands. The stripping dimensions should be accurate.

3.Braiding treatment:

Verifying that the trimming is done correctly, ensuring evenness and avoiding any damage to the core wire during trimming.

4.Insulation stripping:

Check if the stripping is even; ensure the dimensions of the stripping are correct; verify that there is no damage to the core wire or copper strands during the stripping process; ensure the insulation does not detach during partial stripping.

5.Heat shrink tubing application:

Verify the dimensions and type of the heat shrink tubing are correct.

6.Preparing for soldering:

Check if the soldering iron temperature is correct; ensure the copper strands of the core wire are properly arranged, free from branching, bending, or twisting; after preparing for soldering, inspect for any issues such as excess copper, branching, uneven copper strands, or insulation damage caused by heat.

7.Soldering:

Verify the temperature of the soldering iron is correct; ensure the insulation is not damaged during soldering; the solder joint should be smooth, without any solder spikes; avoid cold soldering or poor soldering quality.

8.Terminal crimping:

In this step, check if the terminal wire meets the correct standards; inspect for any flaring, misalignment, or excessive or insufficient exposure of the core wire and insulation.

9.Terminal insertion:

Check the type of terminal and connector for correctness; examine the terminals for any signs of damage or deformation; ensure there are no incorrect or incomplete insertions of the terminals.

10.Wire harness crimping:

Verify the correct type of connector; ensure the wire harness is oriented correctly; inspect the core wire to ensure there is no exposed copper, damage, or insulation burns; verify proper crimping.

11.Heat shrink tubing heat treatment:

Ensure the heat shrink tubing has good shrinkage capability and does not cause insulation damage when heated.

12.Assembly of the housing:

In this step, inspect the housing for any misalignment, scratches, burrs, or other defects; check for any missing components or issues such as loose, discolored, or oxidized screws; ensure the assembly meets the required specifications; if the housing has a specific orientation, it must be assembled accordingly.

13.Labeling:

During the labeling process, verify the content of the labels to ensure correctness, clarity, and no missing characters.

14.Cable tie application:

When applying cable ties, check if the ties meet the required standards, correct orientation, and color.

15.Injection molding:

Check the cleanliness of the molds; inspect the molded parts for any bubbles, poor curing, poor adhesion, or material shortages.

16.Plug molding:

Inspect the molded areas of the plugs for any damage, burrs, material shortages, flow lines, foreign objects, or unevenness; ensure that the metal terminals are free from deformation, damage, exposed copper, or other defects.

17.Electrical inspection:

Follow the respective product inspection guidelines.

18.Visual inspection:

It is important to carefully inspect all visible components and aspects of the product.

Product Sales Overview on the JunctionX Platform:
JunctionX specializes in the production, distribution, and sales of various brands of connectors, wire harnesses, cable products, as well as offering custom processing for injection molded parts, stamped parts, and mold projects. If you wish to purchase or learn more about our product solutions, please feel free to contact us using the following methods.

What are the types of wire-to-board connectors? What are their advantages?

Line-to-Board connectors are products used to connect different circuit boards together. They have good transmission capabilities and are mainly used in industries such as finance, manufacturing, medical equipment, communication networks, appliances, and office equipment.

Based on the connection method between circuit boards, Line-to-Board connectors are further classified into different types, including the commonly used and affordable Pin Header and Socket connectors, compact and inexpensive FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) connectors, and larger-sized, thick Line-to-Board connectors. When dealing with various types of Line-to-Board connectors, it is crucial to make the correct selection.

In today’s trend of miniaturization and refinement, connectors are no exception. Integrated connectors exemplify simplicity by compressing the contact points, offering the following advantages:

  1. They use heat-resistant and temperature-resistant plastic housing, allowing for a wider range of applications.
  2. By compressing the contact points, they improve efficiency and area of connection with the local gold-plated subboard, enhancing flexibility and convenience of use.
  3. The contact area is designed with many irregularities to prevent accidental detachment and resulting damage. This design also reduces solder paste thickness and improves accuracy.

How to choose the best-performing connector? What aspects should be considered?

Electronic connectors play a crucial role in electronic devices, and their quality and performance have a significant impact on the overall system’s stability and reliability. Therefore, it is essential to choose the best-performing electronic connectors. Here are some suggestions for selecting electronic connectors:

1.Determine the operating environment: Firstly, it is necessary to identify the environment in which the electronic connectors will be used, such as temperature, humidity, vibration, etc. Then, suitable connector types and materials can be chosen accordingly.

2.Determine the usage requirements: Determine how the connectors will be used, such as for unidirectional or bidirectional connections, frequent disconnections, or one-time use. These factors will influence the connector’s structure and material selection.

3.Consider size and shape: Electronic devices often require compact designs, so it is important to choose connectors that are small in size and have a suitable shape.

4.Consider the contact force of the connector: The contact force of a connector has a critical impact on its electrical performance and reliability. Therefore, it is necessary to choose connectors with good contact force.

5.Consider the durability of the connector: Connectors should be able to withstand multiple insertions and durable usage. Therefore, it is important to select connectors with excellent materials and designs.

6.Understand the reputation and service of the supplier: Choosing a reputable supplier with good service quality is beneficial for ensuring the quality and delivery of the connectors.

In conclusion, selecting the best-performing electronic connectors requires considering various factors. It involves choosing appropriate connector types and materials based on the required environment, usage requirements, size, and shape. Additionally, factors such as contact force, durability, and the reputation and service of the supplier should also be taken into account.

Why choose the I-PEX board to board connector?

1.High speed transmission above 20+Gbps/lane

I-PEX will adopt “Signal integrity” × Ultra miniaturization “technology is applied to high-speed transmission of board to board connectors (FPCs). The provided connectors have the advantages of ordinary board to board (FPC) connectors and are more suitable for internal connections of mobile devices with high-speed data transmission requirements.

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ® 35-HDN, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDP, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDH

2. 5G millimeter wave and Sub-6GHz

The board to board connectors developed by I-PEX for 5G transmission have contributed to the application of 5G devices in various countries. The board to board connectors with built-in shielding cover solve the problem of EMI interference, improve EMC resistance, and have the best high-frequency transmission performance (VSWR/IL) and high current requirements of the same specification required for efficient operation of 5G devices.

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ® 35-HDN, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDP, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDH

3.EMI fully shielded

The metal shells of the male and female connectors of I-PEX completely surround the signal terminals and solder joints inside the connector. After the combination of the male and female seats, the metal casing provides more grounding contacts, giving the connector excellent grounding performance. Multiple grounding points on the board, all signal terminals of the male and female seats are surrounded by the casing, providing a good 360 degree EMI shielding performance. The interference of other high-frequency signals is suppressed, so designers can configure the connector near the antenna.

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ® 35-HDN, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDP, NOVASTACK ® 35-HDH

4.Designed with independent power terminals

The connectors of I-PEX not only meet the current requirements of mobile devices, but also achieve ultra miniaturization of the product.

4.1 Can use reinforcement terminals as connectors for power terminals

Due to the fact that the reinforcing terminal of the board to board connector is made of metal, it is not only used to connect the power terminal, but also enhances the firmness of the connector’s welding on the PCB. The connector has a larger insertion guide, making it easier to insert and fit. In addition, due to the specialized power terminals that withstand high currents, the signal terminals are not used for power supply, thus reducing the number of pins and reducing the connector volume, effectively saving space.

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ® 35-P, NOVASTACK ® 35-PH

4.2 Design a dedicated connector with power terminals

The terminal of the transmission power supply adopts Corson copper alloy (copper nickel silicon copper alloy) with better conductivity and thermal conductivity, which is 3.5 times wider than the signal terminal. (Signal terminal width: 0.12mm, power terminal width: 0.42mm)

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ® 35-HDP

4.3 Battery connector

Designed with 4 power pins (6.0A) and 4 signal pins, and designed with metal reinforcement and metal guide structure, making the product more sturdy and easier to fit.

Corresponding connector: NOVASTACK ®- B

Why Choose I-PEX RF Connectors?

1.Industry standard connectors

existing standards

I-PEX MHF series connectors are standard components for various wireless devices, widely used in smartphones, tablets, laptops, M.2 and M2M wireless modules, car infotainment and navigation systems, etc. With the rapid development of IoT, the MHF series will play an increasingly important role in global wireless connections. I-PEX continues to provide solid, reliable and cost-effective wireless connection solutions. At present, the number of wireless products equipped with MHF series connectors has exceeded 2 billion sets.

5G and future standards

MHF 7 and MHF 7S are a new generation of MHF series products, which are applied to the millimeter wave and sub-6 frequency band solutions of 5G communication . Larger electronic devices, such as laptops, small base stations, and CPEs, require longer antenna wire harnesses. The launch of MHF 7 and MHF 7S products has solved many challenges of 5G communication and led the 5G revolution.

Wi-Fi 6/6E

Among I-PEX products, we have a large number of MHF ® series products that have been confirmed to be compatible with Wi-Fi 6/Wi-Fi 6E through performance evaluation in the 6GHz frequency band (5935 MHz to 7125 MHz) of Wi-Fi 6/Wi-Fi 6E -Fi 6E work.

2.Rich options

2.1Various coaxial cable sizes

  1. PEX provides MHF products suitable for different coaxial cable diameters to meet the needs of various insertion loss and VSWR, and can also flexibly respond to different wireless connection applications inside the device. The coaxial outer diameters of MHF are 0.48mm ( MHF 5 ), 0.81mm ( MHF I , MHF III , MHF 4L , MHF 5 , MHF 5L ), and 2.0mm (MHF I ). Please refer to the table below for the relationship between general insertion loss and cable length of various coaxial cables.

2.2Diversity in mating height and package size

From small electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and notebook computers to electronic devices that require high impact resistance and vibration resistance, I-PEX’s MHF series products can meet different design requirements. There are also many options for the package of the MHF series female base.

2.3Mechanical lock

I-PEX’s MHF I LK and MHF 4L LK are the first connectors in the industry to improve the mating retention force by installing a mechanical lock on the existing MHF I and MHF 4L Plug. It is most suitable for devices that need to ensure a stable chimera state, such as drones, vehicle management, asset tracking, safety monitoring, and monitoring of practitioners. There are two types of MHF equipped with mechanical locking function, namely MHF I LK and MHF 4L LK. Design engineers can choose flexibly according to the size and performance of the equipment.

2.4Ground shrapnel, ground claw

I-PEX provides PCB grounding spring and grounding claw as MP-A of Earthing system. The grounding spring is assembled on the RF coaxial line, and when used solely for wire management functions, the grounding claw can be omitted. When used as a grounding function, the grounding claw can suppress EMI and help meet the EMC testing requirements of the product.

MHF 7S harness with cable clamp & clip provides optimal EMC solution.

Ideal for 5G mmWave applications.

3.I-Fit ® technology

3.1What is i-Fit technology

The patented technology i-Fit developed by I-PEX belongs to the solderless connection technology and is the core technology of the MHF series connectors. It has a simple structure and scalability, and can handle RF coaxial lines with different wire diameters. I-Fit technology ensures reliable MHF wiring harness connection performance, good product consistency, and helps improve the overall efficiency of the system.

3.2I-Fit with higher accuracy than welding

Comparing the voltage standing wave ratio of products produced using I-PEX patented i-Fit solderless connection technology with products connected through soldering, it was found that there are significant individual differences in the wiring harnesses of soldered products, resulting in unstable product performance. The differences in products produced by i-Fit without welding connection technology are very small, and the consistency of the products is very high, with excellent electrical and high-frequency characteristics.

3.3Industrial applications

The i-Fit patented technology developed by I-PEX company helps antenna manufacturers and wire harness manufacturers complete MHF connector and RF coaxial line assembly in local factories. I-PEX has provided over 1000 specialized riveting equipment to over 100 cooperating companies, and assisted and trained them in producing high-quality MHF series wire harnesses and antennas using MHF riveting equipment and genuine components.

3.4 I-PEX’s fully automatic RF wiring harness solution

I-PEX also caters to customer needs by processing customized MHF wire harness products of various specifications, such as 2-head riveted MHF terminals, one end riveted terminals+one end flush cut, one end riveted terminals+one end wire stripping (pre adhesive tin) as required. Even, the orientation of the connector (90 degree units) can be customized as needed, with some outer covering removed or the middle part peeled off, and grounding terminals riveted to facilitate the installation of MP-A grounding claws and other special customized services. I-PEX independently developed high-speed automated production equipment for MHF wire harnesses, which is a leading enterprise in the field of RF wire harness processing full automation. Fully automated assembly production equipment (FAM) can perform RF coaxial line cutting, wire stripping, connector riveting, orientation inspection, and mechanical and electrical characteristics testing. It produces tens of thousands of wire harnesses every day, while the process defect rate (DPMO) remains below 1.