Favorite Wire/Wire and Wire to board connectors. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: bseishen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2016, 07:43:57 pm
content: I'm a big interconnect nut. I have some connectors that I always design with and keep them in personal stock. Wondering what everyone likes to use.Molex:KK series .1" ( Cloned connectors/Harnesses are super inexpensive from china) (Wire to board only)Micro FitMicro Fit Jr.Standard .1" pin headers and .1" sockets. They are referred as Dupont connectors on eBay.JST: (most JST are inexpensive)JST-RCY (wire to wire only)JST-SHJST-SM (wire to wire only)RC ConnectorsXT60/XT90 (when you need some serious amperage)

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2016, 07:59:28 pm
content: Do you happen to have photos?I am looking for the smallest 10A+ wire to board connectors.Right now I am using a push-in terminal block made by AVX but it is only good for 6A and requires a special tool for wire release.

author: rhdf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2016, 01:34:34 pm
content: Earlier it's been "whats in the box with right pincount" when prototypingAt the moment I use Molex KK , mostly for PowerJST EH series for audio (foolproof, a 3 pin molex can't end up feeding +12V to the inputs by "misstake")Now I just have to find a "cheap" crimptool (as in: not the price 10 times as the BOM cost for all my projects combined)

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 08:00:24 am
content: Ampmodu IV and V

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 11:12:32 am
content: Samtec minimate and the like.They also do a line of really good heavy power connectors and are pretty good about both small quantities and samples.The tool was about £200 if I recall, but came with a big box of assorted connectors for prototyping, not too shocking as these things go (BTW, Order it directly, Farnell have insane prices on this stuff).I personally don't like the kk series for power applications, too prone to make poor contact and end up burning out, and IME generally a little unreliable under vibration even when crimped perfectly.Regards, Dan.

author: sangvikh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 05:16:15 pm
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on March 08, 2016, 07:59:28 pmWhat about some phoenix contact connectors?Rated for 10Ahttp://www.ebay.com/itm/10sets-2EDG-3Pin-Plug-in-Screw-Terminal-Block-Connector-5-08mm-Pitch-Straight/281288824250?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777000%26algo%3DABA.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35695%26meid%3D80b140c0f5ed4c8da9b89c5e1c6cface%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D191812475757

author: exmadscientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 05:47:09 pm
content: Agreed on Samtec being top notch. I often start with their catalog when I'm looking for something oddball. It's nice to know that you can actually buy, in small quantities, just about everything they make. (Even if you won't like the price.)Molex KK, on the other hand, are simply rubbish. I inherited a project using them a couple years back and had nothing but trouble. I cannot understand why anyone would choose them for a new design. They are bulky, difficult to mount on PCBs, unpleasant to install and remove (large insertion force), their positive lock is not particularly reliable, and worst of all, they are easily mismated! We had a sealed assembly fail test because one of the assembly techs managed to plug in a 4-pin KK one pin off (so 3/4 were connected, albeit to the wrong circuit, and 1 was hanging off into space). That simply should not be possible with a well-designed connector. Never again!

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 06:23:03 pm
content: Quote from: sangvikh on March 11, 2016, 05:16:15 pmThose types are too big for my application. I have multiple PCBs stacked and the wire/board connections happen between the layers. It is super tight (vertically). The original design forced my into an SMD device although now I can tolerate a through hole if needed.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 06:24:35 pm
content: Quote from: exmadscientist on March 11, 2016, 05:47:09 pmAgreed, no Molex in my world. I have a number of Samtec sample kits which are very helpful to get an idea worked out before I go to the catalog for the details.

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 09:58:36 pm
content: No Molex is a bit strong, they do actually make some reasonable stuff, but a big no to the KK series is reasonable, awful things.Regards, Dan.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2016, 12:54:21 am
content: KF2510 shouldn't be overlooked, they can handily plug onto plain old 0.1" headers if need be instead of the proper keyed sockets.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2016, 03:17:53 pm
content: I like Molex SL series connectors. Pretty sturdy for small size and come in a large variety of types. Latching, non-latching, single row, dual row, polarized, etc. I also use a lot of MTA IDC type connectors, no need to deal with crimping.