Hirose through-hole USB connector - why such short legs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 12:55:47 pm
content: I need a Mini-B USB connector for something, and because I want one that has a fairly strong attachment to the board, I have been looking at through-hole connectors.I was considering theHirose UX60SC-MB-5S8. But there's one thing that puzzles me about this particular connector: the length of the anchoring legs is only 0.8mm.What kind of PCB thickness are they expecting you to use with it? The legs are literally half the depth of a standard 1.6mm board. How are you supposed to solder them?Sure you can flow solder into the hole, but what's to say you're actually making a good joint with the leg?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 02:19:51 pm
content: Maybe intended for cheapo 0.4mm laminates?

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 03:28:40 pm
content: I think you will find that not many consumer electronics gadgets use what you consider to be standard 1.6mm thick PCB. For something compact, where space is a premium, you'd just want the prongs to be long enough to make a decent mechanical support, but not stick out more than needed.

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 04:37:17 pm
content: The less expensive ones like those Hirose tend to be made (as mentioned above) for cheaper, more compact, consumer type things that tend to have thinner boards. TheHirose UX series datasheetdoes say:QuoteGood luck trying to find some in small quantity already in stock somewhere, though.If youdosee any listed anywhere with a suffix other than the8(and notTfor SMD) it might be worth a closer look, though, just in case.If you can handle connectors that cost at least a few times more (but are possibly even more robust) you could look at the ones by outfits like Molex or Amphenol. More of those are likely to have longer pins by default. Maybe something like a1734510-1, for example, since it says "PCB Thickness (Recommended) : 1.6 mm [ .063 in ]" ??

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 05:21:11 pm
content: No, I haven't seen any other variations listed anywhere other than the SMT one. I suspect it's make-to-order for other through-hole lengths.I have been considering the Molex 54819-0519 instead because of this, even though it's more expensive. But I have also just found a no-name Chinese through-hole part at LCSC, which costs pennies each, but I'm not sure whether I could count on the quality with those. Although, if they're anything like the kind you get on $3 clone Arduino boards, might be okay, as those seem to be robust enough in my experience.

author: TimCambridge
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 11:30:53 am
content: Quote from: HwAoRrDk on October 28, 2018, 05:21:11 pmThe socket should be stronger than the plug so that it's the plug/cable that gets broken if something goes wrong. That wasn't always the case with USB Mini, USB Micro means to get it right.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 11:41:19 am
content: As people said, it's made for thin PCBs, like used in phones. I'd suggest to forget Mini USB, it's worse than micro USB in every aspect, more expensive, has much lower adoption and will become obsolete much sooner (basically it is already).

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 11:55:10 am
content: QuotePin in paste (PIP).http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/electronics_technical/application_notes/fuses/littelfuse_pin_in_paste_application_note.pdfAs example, Raspberry Pi does this for micro USB power connector.

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 12:44:14 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on October 29, 2018, 11:55:10 amAh, that would make sense. Where the paste is deposited on the top side of the through-hole and the legs/pins get placed into it.Quote from: wraper on October 29, 2018, 11:41:19 amOne aspect of Micro USB I dislike is that it seems less robust than Mini. I don't know, maybe it's electrically better than Mini. I suppose the major advantage of Micro (at present) is its great ubiquity - that the vast majority of phones use it, so people are very likely to have Micro cables lying around to use if they need one. But I wouldn't call Mini obsolete because of that.Such things aren't really a concern in my context, though, so I choose Mini because it's 'chunkier' and easier to solder by hand for prototyping.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 12:45:45 pm
content: Quote from: HwAoRrDk on October 29, 2018, 12:44:14 pmWhatever it seems, micro USB is way more robust mechanically. And big full size USB-B is the worst of them all.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 12:48:52 pm
content: Just don't use ones without 4 through hole terminals. Connector will survive anything, PCB won't.