Can someone recommend a connector for 24 AWG to a pcb? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: hummusdude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 01:52:45 am
content: My stereo audio preamp board has a 2 band tone circuit. I'm using 2 dual-ganged analog pots that connect to points on my pcb. Each pot also has a ground wire soldered to the case of the pot so each one has 4 wires going to the board. I discovered the hard way that cheap 2.54 pitch pin sockets aren't reliable enough for this. They work okay for digital signals but I'm having all kinds of problems with getting enough connection for more than a few uA of current. My signal is low level but it's audio and the pin sockets are so cheaply made. Even the lightest touch on the wire can cause the signal level to drop significantly. Each one is 1 x 4 and the spacing is 2.54 mm. I have the leads already cut and soldered to the pots so I'd like to keep the 24 AWG wire that's in place if possible. Is there a more reliable connector type that will have solid contact? I looked at connector types on Mouser for awhile but there are a gazillion variations and after 10 minutes I was still no closer to finding something for this application.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 02:20:00 am
content: Do you have pictures or part numbers of those connectors?

author: hummusdude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 02:56:31 am
content: Here's a picture of what I mean. These are ubiquitous and cheap but not at all adequate for an audio signal.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 03:01:16 am
content: How about something like this:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/phoenix-contact/1725672/267464

author: hummusdude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 03:26:11 am
content: I might be able to make this work. When I did the board layout I wasn't thinking of screw terminals...mostly to save space. What would be ideal is something that accepts a wire from the top.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 03:40:43 am
content: I have had best results with male pins on the boards and female sockets on the wires.

author: hummusdude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 03:55:03 am
content: Do you have a favorite connector?

author: hummusdude
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 04:20:10 am
content: I could also go with a male/female pair and solder leads from one side to the board and from the other side to the pots.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 04:28:50 am
content: There are a zillion different connectors that will work in 2.54mm pitch, so it is hard to pin down the exact one that is best for you. In general for your purposes, male pin headers soldered to the board with female pin sockets that are fairly long work best, dual row are better than single for stability and most importantly, you need the correct crimper to properly assemble most of the connectors if you don't want an ugly mess. Just fire up Mouser or Digi-Key and find a few, post them if you like for comments.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 12:24:12 pm
content: Japan solderless terminal, or JST. They usually have a plastic latch on the connector, and they are cheap and plentiful. Select one with the appropriate crimp for your cable diameter.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 12:29:11 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on June 09, 2021, 12:24:12 pmyeh, JST-XH and a SN-01BM crimp tool works quite well

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 12:45:20 pm
content: If possible I like to use the snap together IDC type with ribbon cable because it makes all the connections at once and crimping individual wires is not fun. If IDC can't work then I usually go with Molex SL or CGrid. The JST or "Dupont" types seem to be more common though.Some useful info/:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulation-displacement_connectorhttp://www.mattmillman.com/info/crimpconnectors/