Something better than D-sub connectors for inter proto board links? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 04:25:37 am
content: Is there a modern alternative to the old style DB9/15/25 connectors?I don't trust IDC ribbon cable connectors as they aren't designed to cope with dozens of connect/disconnect cycles.Solder bucket terminals and a shell with strain relief are essential. A latching mechanism that doesn't require a screwdriver would be good.

author: pisoiu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 05:52:05 am
content: Try microfit series from wurth/molex/cvilux. I use it for both power and signals.

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 06:25:41 am
content: Quote from: pisoiu on June 25, 2019, 05:52:05 amIt looks like they are only available in metric 3mm pitch for PCB mounting. Is there something similar that would fit a protoboard with the standard 2.54mm hole spacing?

author: pisoiu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 08:04:12 am
content: Not to my knowledge. But I've not seen everything. Microfit, for me, is the best balance between price, availability and miniaturization. I have very small designs for automotive environment and constantly looking for something smaller.

author: rea5245
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 12:42:55 pm
content: I'm confused. You want solder bucket terminals, but you also want to plug into a protoboard?You could solder jumper wires onto the terminals and plug them into the protoboard.- Bob

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 04:00:39 pm
content: Quote from: rea5245 on June 25, 2019, 12:42:55 pmThink of a conventional PCB mounted connector which mates to a connector/cable combination that uses solder buckets to join the wires to the contacts instead of using crimp connections.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2019, 04:50:10 pm
content: If you don't mind buying square balls, Samtec has their Minimate series, 2.54mm pitch, latching. They also have 1mm and 0.8mm wire to board solution.Another alternative is Hirose.

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 10:03:06 am
content: Quote from: Gribo on June 25, 2019, 04:50:10 pmI don't see much in the way of strain relief apart from the crimp next to the contact.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2019, 10:30:18 pm
content: Quote from: e100 on June 25, 2019, 04:25:37 amHow many mating cycles do they specify?Are you using high currents or doing something where the slight increase in contact resistance is critical?

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 05:40:28 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on June 26, 2019, 10:30:18 pmMy main concern is the long term reliability of the junctions between the conductors in the ribbon cable and the insulation piercing contacts in the connector shell as there's no way to do a visual inspection to check for mechanical damage or corrosion.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 09:44:16 am
content: We don't have any issue with dozens of cycles using ribbon with top clamp and latching sockets in our products (and they go into fairly unpleasant environments).What I don't understand however is your requirement for something that is compatible with protoboard while being really quite resilient these seem like diverging requirements to me. We barely build anything using protoboard, and on those rare occasions we do, it sure as hell doesn't leave the building.