Can someone identify a connector and an idea to tap into it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: zdelarosa00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2019, 12:11:34 pm
content: Well first off I am not sure which one of either Begginers or Repair forum subsections would be the adecquate. But I'll took a guess that maybe you repair guys have more experience with these more "physical" tricks.First off, what is the name of this connector? I'm sure it's a common one because I have seen variants of it before often. It's 1.27mm pitch, 2 rows/rungs, and 24 pins. (Pics attached).Now, I need to figure a way to tap any terminal while the thing is functioning, it has exposed 90° legs, but fiddling there with a meter while the thing is on is a no-go for me.My idea was getting a male-female extension cable of exactly this type. So I could cut open every one, but even then I have not a clear idea of how to proceed (with which accesories would be better). So what do you guys suggest?Greetings from a mexican in france and thank you in advance for the attention.BTW the device is a: TI's OPT8241-CDK-EVM

author: fzabkar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2019, 12:28:33 pm
content: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulation-displacement_connectorI would replicate the cable and add a third connector, either male or female (according to your preference ;-) ), in the middle of the cable. I use an ordinary vise to clamp the connector to the cable.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2019, 12:40:10 pm
content: I have seen T-plug adaptors to break out IDC connectors, no idea if they are still made, but adding another connector is the easiest option

author: zdelarosa00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 10:48:03 am
content: Wow I didn't know this were a thing, I thought the connector world was more obscure.

author: zdelarosa00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 10:49:11 am
content: Thanks I also think I¿m going that route, what pitch would the cable be?, it's 1.5cm wide with 24 contacts. But the male connector which plugs into it's 2 rows and 1.27mm pitch

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 12:31:13 pm
content: BTW These are the breakoutshttps://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ic-test-clips/0468412/?relevancy-data=636F3D3126696E3D4931384E525353746F636B4E756D626572266C753D656E266D6D3D6D61746368616C6C26706D3D5E2828282872737C5253295B205D3F293F285C647B337D5B5C2D5C735D3F5C647B332C347D5B705061415D3F29297C283235285C647B387D7C5C647B317D5C2D5C647B377D2929292426706F3D3126736E3D592673723D2673743D52535F53544F434B5F4E554D4245522677633D4E4F4E45267573743D343638343132267374613D3034363834313226&searchHistory=%7B%22enabled%22%3Atrue%7D

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 02:24:17 pm
content: Yes that is a common "IDC" insulation-displacement connector and ribbon cable.Widely used in millions of consumer and industrial electronic products.Note that you have properly identified it as having 1.27mm (0.05 inch) pitch.Most common IDC-ribbon cables and connectors tend to be 0.1 inch pitch (2.54mm)For example that 3M test clip that Mike suggested is 2.54mm pitch.But you need 1.27mm pitch. Those are rather less available.It could be that there are no 1.27mm pitch test clips like the one Mike showed.So, the most likely solution is to get some 0.05 pitch ribbon cable and connectors and make your own cable with an additional connector.Note that you may also need to consider the speed/impedance/waveform if that cable has high-frequency signals (like digital video from that camera?) So you may not be able to make an arbitrarily long test/replacement cable while maintaining proper performance.

author: zdelarosa00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 02:30:20 pm
content: Well, the pins on the female end of the connector (the one on the board) are 1.27mm pitch, the cable, actually, is somewhat confusing to me still, because it measures 1.5cm wide, and for 24 cables must be .06cm between cable and cable. But apparently no connectors are with that pitch, so I am sure measuring something wrong.So I was looking for an IDC to tap into it from what Mike showed me, but as you say, not much comes out.In regards to the information going throught the cable, no camera signal is getting to there, just some control signals, supply lines and some feedbacks, the fastest would be a pair of I2C pairs, but I measured a 200KHz clock on that one so I don't think it would be trouble.I do want to make one but it's my first time getting to mess around properly with ribbon cables and I can't seem to narrow down the exact type of female connector to order a pair and then a cable suited for it (and the IDC).

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 02:54:22 pm
content: The pitch of the cable is 1/2 the pitch of the pins. This is common for virtually all ribbon cables.When I went to my favorite vendor (Mouser), I found quite a good selection of compatible cable and connectors. I would expect that they are easily available at any decent vendor of electronic goods.For example: "24 Position 1.27 mm 2 Row Socket (Female) Headers & Wire Housings"https://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Headers-Wire-Housings/_/N-ay0lo?P=1ytcyi4Z1ytkn06Z1z0wxo9Z1yzv7x1

author: zdelarosa00
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 03:13:43 pm
content: Oh I see!. This is what I meant with me being new to the cable universe.Thank you for all the guidance to this.I found the following connector in that filtered search:https://www.mouser.fr/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity-AMP/2-111196-8?qs=sGAEpiMZZMs%252BGHln7q6pm48SVpWlpfsEcxmfJpK4UNs%3DAnd with my provider (Radiospare) I found exactly one like that but I struggled so much thinking about it being the correct one and if the price was right for the unit, but I see is exactly the same!, this must be it.I don't find my way around so easily on providers search enginesfor this kind of stuff. Some times they are on testing, some on PCB hardware, some on cables & terminals...