3.5mm Euro Connector PCB Mount? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Factotum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2023, 07:16:48 am
content: Hey all.I'm wanting to build a modular breakout PCB system to speed up adding XLR audio connectors to Euro / Phoenix sockets on an audio processor.Question - is there a PCB mount (either through hole or surface mount) 3.5mm euro plug?I know I could make PCB with fingers and screw these in to the plugs but that seems defeatist...I trawled Mouser and a few others but didn't see. Do these exist?Thanks!

author: Swake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2023, 07:55:52 am
content: What does a '3.5mm euro plug' looks like? Sorry, but it is unclear to me what plug exactly you mean. Could you post a picture or a link to a picture?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2023, 08:10:25 am
content: I suspect:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroblockEven if you can find one this is probably a *BAD* idea due to the leverage it will exert on the audio processor's connectors. At the very least you'd need to support your PCB at exactly the right height and spacing from the processor.

author: Swake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2023, 08:53:17 am
content: I see, while this connector apparently suits audio signals, it is a weird choice.You can put pins on the PCB and screw the female connector onto those pins. Pins can be strait or 90° rotated.I second Iam's remark: look out for mechanical stress on the connector in the processor device.

author: sparkydog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2023, 04:26:20 pm
content: Assuming Ian.M is on the right track as far as the type of connector you mean, this looks like something TE would make. Have you checkedtheir catalog?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2023, 06:25:12 pm
content: I know Phoenix Contact make PC-mount plugs for the 5/5.08mm size pluggable terminals. They also make crimp plugs for the same, which would allow you to make a nice cable adapter that would alleviate the concerns with leverage on the connector that Ian.M pointed out. I'm not sure if they have them for 3.5mm, but worth checking. Unfortunately they have one of the worst websites around when it comes to finding specific unusual parts like this. Also they're not cheap, IIRC when I bought a few of the 5.08mm PC-mount plugs a while ago they were several bucks each.Quote from: Swake on October 16, 2023, 08:53:17 amThey're quite common on installation systems. If you're running a bunch of audio lines through a building, the screw terminals are a much easier and more maintainable option versus, for example, soldering XLRs onto everything. There are even pluggable terminal connectors that fit in standard Neutrik D-profile panel cutouts for use in standard patch panels.Edit: Because I was curious, I found these, but at a glance availability at distributors seems poor.https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/pcb-header-imcv-15-6-g-35-p20-thr-1830757https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/pcb-header-imcv-15-3-g-35-rn-p20-thr-1830870https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/pcb-header-imc-15-3-g-35-p20-thr-1830427https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/pcb-header-imc-15-3-g-35-rn-p20-thr-1830579https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/pcb-header-imcv-15-3-g-35-p20-thr-1830728

author: Factotum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2023, 02:03:47 am
content: Thanks everyone for the input thus far.Here's an image (illustration) of the back of the processor.In essence what I'm planning on making is a PCB 'A' with a 12 way "header" plug that goes in to one row of the processor. The PCB has an IDC header and matching ribbon cable which takes the (4 channels) of audio to another board 'B' which has 24 XLRs on it. This "second" board has multiple headers so it can accept the ribbon feeds from the 6 sets of 12 way feeds...