Instrumentation • Electronics
4 David Cianciolo guides you through the ten steps to researching the ideal connector.
4 David Cianciolo vous guide à travers les dix étapes pour rechercher le connecteur idéal.
4 David Cianciolo führt Sie durch die zehn Schritte zum idealen Anschluss.
Ten steps to getting the connector right
W
hen it comes to reliable system operation, choosing the right connector is key. The right connector can make your system smaller, lighter, and
easier for the user to handle. It isn’t a place to take shortcuts, as the right connector system can help avoid the high price of recalls, repairs and lost customers.
Conducting adequate research on the
connectors and cable must be done at the beginning of a systems design process to produce the optimal design. Follow these ten steps to research the ideal connector early in the design phase and you can positively impact the design, usability, and cost structure of your entire device.
➊ Electrical Needs. Defining the electrical voltage and current requirements each contact will carry is the first step to selecting the ideal connectors for your device. You have to ensure that you not only have the right number of contacts, but that the contacts can carry the power demands of your application. The size of the contact and the size of the
wire dictate the current-carrying capability of a contact. Contact spacing, insulation materials, and the geometry of the insulator used to isolate the contacts dictates the voltage rating.
➋ Adding Functions. After you identify
electrical requirements, determine whether other functions can or should be added to your connector. Hybrid connectors are usually custom designed, but if you have the time to work with a manufacturer to develop a specific hybrid connector, it can be worth the effort. The results will provide the end user with fewer connections and cables to manage. See if you can source a single connector that can carry more than one of the following: power, signal, coax, fibre, liquid and/or gas.
➌ Termination Types. Termination types have a direct effect on the assembly process and the ability to seal a connector. Connectors with solder contacts are typically easier to seal against moisture ingress, while crimp contacts may offer better field reparability. There is a trade-off between the two, so
the final decision on which termination type to use is often made after discussions with your manufacturing and design groups. It’s important to know exactly how and where
the connector will be used, and whether field reparability is a requirement, as this decision has a significant impact on the assembly equipment and processes used in manufacturing.
➍ Environmental Sealing. If the connectors will be used in harsh operating environments, check the manufacturer’s IP (Ingress Protection) rating for
Fig. 1. Make sure you understand the end use environment for your connectors, especially in harsh operating environments.
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