Connector recommendations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: vmallet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2019, 05:46:50 pm
content: I am looking for recommendations for common connectors to make it easy to tinker with simple projects. I've tried browsing Mouser but not knowing what to look for made it a bit daunting.I'm hoping to get connectors for things like signals, sensors, low power input; pcb mount (ideally protoboard/breadboard friendly through-hole) and wire mount. Nothing fancy, just basic connectors.I understand this is super vague but I think that's my problem, I don't really know what I need other than to connect/disconnect things.. For example I installed my first project in a nice little box mounted in the dash of a car; I've used screw terminals on the board to connect power, relay, sensor, switches. I've already had to remove / reinstall the box a few times to make some changes and the screw terminals were really annoying to deal with. Some simple connectors with a good positive connection would have made my life simpler.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2019, 06:01:43 pm
content: Look at sites like DigikeyProduct Index > Connectors, Interconnects > Rectangular Connectors - Headers, Receptacles, Female Sockets :https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/rectangular-connectors-headers-receptacles-female-sockets/315Product Index > Connectors, Interconnects > Rectangular Connectors - Headers, Male Pins :https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/rectangular-connectors-headers-male-pins/314Product Index > Connectors, Interconnects > Rectangular Connectors - Board Spacers, Stackers (Board to Board) :https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/rectangular-connectors-board-spacers-stackers-board-to-board/400Product Index > Connectors, Interconnects > Rectangular Connectors - Board In, Direct Wire to Board :https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/rectangular-connectors-board-in-direct-wire-to-board/317(and other categories)Filter by the pitch you want ... you probably want 2.54mm (0.1") for breadboard friendly projects, 2mm for connectors that are still hobby solder friendly but using less space .. maybe 3.96 mm for higher currentsOn Digikey you can also see what's more common just by clicking on a pitch size or a value in another section ... you'll see the number below near the "Apply Filters"For example for the first category I linked to (receptacles, female sockets), you see:1.00mm : 4,009 results1.27mm : 29,105 results2.00mm : 53,624 results2.54mm : 121,227 resultsFor the 2nd category , headers - male - pins you have2.00mm : 31,549 results2.54mm : 216,576 resultsThen maybe order by the amount of units in stock, with the idea that what's stocked in higher quantity is probably what's ordered more often, more popularFor example, sorting the 2nd link after selecting only 2.00 and 2.54mm pitch, i get this:https://www.digikey.com/short/pzc54zJST PH and PA seem to be stocked in 300k+ quantities, so i guess must be something good about those series if they keep so many in stockThen you may want to look into connectors that have retention mechanism or not, or if they're friction lock or not... you'll see lots of Chinese products that use cheap connectors and then use thread lock to lock them in place... just because for them it's cheaper than buying a connector with retaining mechanism or for some other reasons (like buying a pump or something from another supplier and that device comes with a connector already installed)

author: vmallet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2019, 06:29:58 am
content: Thanks mariush, I had tried to do something similar on mouser but one can't sort by availability which is not as helpful.I was hoping however that maybe someone would have some "favorite connectors" that they always use for their projects. For example, basic diode? 1N4001. Basic optocoupler? PC817. Connectors? .....Thanks

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2019, 08:48:29 pm
content: I really like IDC connectors for tinkering around if you don't have size constraints. You can solder individual wires to pads/holes easily if needed and crimping is a nobrainer (use a small vice, not pliers)

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 12:23:37 pm
content: I have found Hirose *Bee connectors to be slightly more expensive but super robust and reliable. I have made a small study with a whole bunch of those connectors in harsh environments while designing a new product at work. After that I decided to use those in my private hobby, too, as they... well, they just work. You can find them for high power connections (Called "EnerBee":https://www.hirose.com/product/en/pr/enerbee/) as well as for signals and data (SignalBee:https://www.hirose.com/product/en/pr/signalbee/).Recently I have discovered a series called "SnapBee", which could be usefull for some applications, but those I haven't used myself yet.https://www.hirose.com/product/en/pr/snapbee/However, for everyday tinkering, prototypes and everything I will most likely fiddle around with a lot I tend to use just simple Faston connectors for higher currents and 100mil flat cable connectors from various manufacturers for data.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 02:03:32 pm
content: TheMolex/Waldom 1625 seriesare what I use for general purpose applications. They can be panel mounted, printed circuit board mounted, or used in-line. The crimp tool for the pins in inexpensive.

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 02:25:00 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on April 29, 2019, 02:03:32 pmCan you provide a link for the crimp tool you find suitable for these, please? I always thought that molex crimp tools were quite expensive, and actually never found a recommendation for one.Cheers

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 04:14:07 pm
content: Quote from: Moriambar on April 29, 2019, 02:25:00 pmI have had this one for the past 20+ years which works fine for prototyping and small production runs:https://www.amazon.com/Waldom-Electronics-W-HT-1921-CRIMPING-ELECTRONICS/dp/B0195UWT9UThere is also a pin extractor tool which is handy:https://www.amazon.com/Waldom-W-HT-2285-Extractor-Contacts-Diameter/dp/B001DPXM7O

author: Bratster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2019, 05:59:18 pm
content: Quote from: Ysjoelfir on April 29, 2019, 12:23:37 pmWhat crimper do you use for those hirose connectors in your hobby?Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 06:37:46 am
content: Quote from: Bratster on April 29, 2019, 05:59:18 pmDefinitely not the overpriced Hirose Crimp Tool for nearly 900 bucksA standard 20€ tool for unshrouded faston connectors works equally well.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 05:54:02 pm
content: I share your pain in trying to pick a connector among the tens of thousands of choices shown on the vendor sites.Like others, for indoor use I like the IDC connectors that mate to DIP headers. For outdoor or other use where sealing is required I have had success with the Aptiv GT-150 series of connectors. I make no claims that they are best, but they have worked outdoors for years for me and met my search criteria of relatively low cost and no expensive tooling to assemble.https://www.mouser.com/Aptiv/Connectors/Automotive-Connectors/GT-150-Series/_/N-1ehb5?P=1z0x9zoZ1z0zlezZ1z0z4xuZ1yzmtniBeen crimping the pins and sockets with one of those cheap hardware store general purpose crimpers.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 06:49:06 pm
content: The Molex connectors I linked are suitable for chassis wiring inside of an enclosure or on a test bench.For external but not outdoor connectors I like D-connectors but they are not weatherproof.IDC DIP and header connectors are useful inside of a chassis where parallel buses or transmission lines are present. They are especially useful when you have to route a lot of signals between two printed circuit boards.There is a related connector which uses the single version of the headers used for IDC connectors which is like half way to being a Molex connector. You see a very similar connector used for fan connections on personal computer motherboards. I have not found a good make and model of these yet to recommend them.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2019, 09:37:48 pm
content: Selecting connectors comes with requirements . First start with voltage and current specifications.Try to double the capabilities of the connector to the voltage and current your using.Next is what type of environment is the connector being exposed to? This includes temperature ,vibration ,moisture ,light exposure .Fastening type ,Does it need to been removed regularly?. How many connection points do you need.You may have to separate high power connections from low power signal to avoid interruptions..All I'm saying is list your requirements and select accordingly.Because every connector has its application and limitations.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2019, 01:02:51 am
content: Quote from: Jwillis on May 02, 2019, 09:37:48 pmAbsolutely agree. Don't forget bandwidth and/or risetime and shielding requirements. And will point out that for a beginner or hobby user unit cost and tooling cost are two of the most important requirements.Also, if anyone knows a database that let's you find connectors based on all of the requirements I would love to know about it. Mouser and Digikey let you sort on a few of the requirements, but still leave you sorting through thousands of items. They also mix in all of the dozens of options and accessories making it hard to find just the connector family.