Inline pin connection - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 09:47:27 pm
content: i have a load of test probes from a logic analyser, they would make really nice test clips if i could find an inline wire connector to plug onto the pin on the probe.I'm sure something would be available but i cant find anything, tbh i think i just dont know what to search for!?it would be like a female version of a breadboard cable endhave attached pics...

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 09:58:54 pm
content: You want a hollow pin, like a socket? Could you consider the crimp pins used in female sockets like D connectors or other types? I dare say you could crimp a wire to them, then enclose the pin in shrink wrap.

author: Alana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 10:00:22 pm
content: Do what they did - get some of those connectors, attach a wire and shrink wrap them.http://www.centralcm.com/catalog/js-1142.php

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2013, 10:52:47 pm
content: yes indeedy! have found something similar at rs. will give them a try thanks!

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 08:42:35 am
content: thanks for the tips everyone, works perfectly and also plug onto breadboard jumper wires tooi soldered the wire rather than crimp, i dont have the right tool and soldering is better anyway.Connectors are 576-1215 from RS

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 08:51:58 am
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on November 22, 2013, 08:42:35 amSoldering is far more likely to fail.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 09:03:55 am
content: i'm sure my soldering will last for many many years thanks, if one breaks i could spend all of ooh 2 mins making a new onedont see the point spending £££ on a crimp tool to make some worthless (yet useful) jumper wires

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2013, 09:14:28 am
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on November 22, 2013, 09:03:55 amThis is true.QuoteI don't disagree.Neither of these points makes solder joints better in this application.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:37:01 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 22, 2013, 08:51:58 amWhy do you say that? The wire in the second picture is crimped over the insulation for mechanical support and soldered for electrical continuity. I see no reason why it would be any more likely to fail than a fully crimped connection.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:38:37 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on November 23, 2013, 07:37:01 pmBecause the solder can very easily wick up the individual conductors and create a failure point. There is a reason they are crimp connectors.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:44:58 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 23, 2013, 07:38:37 pmOK, but that's a process problem rather than a design problem. QC standards for soldering stranded wire reject any joints where the solder has wicked up under the insulation.Similarly crimped connections can also be done badly. So many times I see the bare wire folded back over the insulation and crimped down on top of it.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 07:46:39 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on November 23, 2013, 07:44:58 pmAnd they would also reject a crimp connector being soldered together with the reasoning 'soldering is better anyway'.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 08:01:32 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 23, 2013, 07:38:37 pmno need soldering, which is of higher quality albeit slow and tedious process not suitable for profit based job. crimp is fast but less reliable (assuming both soldering and crimping is done by competent personnel) ymmv.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 08:37:48 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on November 23, 2013, 08:01:32 pmCrimp joints are quite reliable. They also take up less space.We can argue crimping over soldering all day long, but the fact remains: In this application a solder joint is in no way superior to a crimp joint, not least becauseit is designed as a crimp joint.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 02:16:55 am
content: I think you guys trying to argue but from wrong premises - those connectors should not be soldered because liquid solder can easily leak into the tip of the connector thus preventing mating pins from going all way in and thus making connection unreliable. I have seen similar connectors with cups for soldering instead of crimps used in car electronics or anywhere were humidity is an issue. Obviously cups are more expensive because you cannot make them by stamping out of sheet metal. Solder cups are hard to inspect since you cannot see if wire is going into a cup deep enough and for that reason some of them have tiny holes at the end so that you can check if wire is all way in.This one is $2.50 / piece at Digikey. I often solder "probes" to the pins on board instead of using hooks and I use similar connectors on another end to plug them into grey box where logic analyzer's probe transceiver is.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 02:34:35 am
content: And that one is actually a crimp!

author: strangelovemd12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:08:41 am
content: This thread led me to this article:http://www.esatinc.ca/News_Letters/Crimp_or_solder.pdfIt's not 100% pertinent, but I found it interesting.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:17:11 am
content: Quote from: strangelovemd12 on November 24, 2013, 04:08:41 amUnfortunately, despite the correct information he received on terminations, he hasn't got a damn clue what he's on about.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:18:52 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 24, 2013, 02:34:35 amHmm, was listed as crimp/solder. I found that "Solder cup" usually looks same but with cut at the end like on this photo. I guess cut is important to make it easier to solder but not essential?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:21:11 am
content: Quote from: Alexei.Polkhanov on November 24, 2013, 04:18:52 amCups always look like that, it's the only way to observe the solder joint. The connector you found is most assuredly a crimp termination, and the hole is there to ensure the wire stayed inserted during crimping. With a solder cup, you just hold it there until the solder sets almost immediately after you remove the source of heat, and then inspect the fillet.

author: strangelovemd12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:24:17 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 24, 2013, 04:17:11 amPlease elaborate? (In a PM if necessary; not sure what the thread hijacking rules are like around here.)

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 04:31:51 am
content: Quote from: strangelovemd12 on November 24, 2013, 04:24:17 amEh, it's thoroughly hijacked already, and it's informative.QuoteDC or low frequency AC, no skin effect..QuoteCrimps are plated copper, not steel. Unless you got the wrong ones in a big way..QuoteIt's the physical change in the material, not how tight or loose the fit is.