CONNECTORS & CABLES


THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF CONTACTS IN CONNECTOR FUNCTIONALITY


sizes and materials, each tailored to meet specific application requirements. Contacts are typically housed in connector housings and engage with their counterparts during mating, forming an electrical pathway for signals, power or RF transmission.


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ENSURING ELECTRICAL INTEGRITY One of the primary functions of contacts is to maintain a connector’s electrical integrity. They must establish low-resistance connections to ensure efficient signal transmission without compromising quality or introducing interference. Contacts achieve this by maintaining consistent contact force and surface area, which minimises resistance and prevents signal degradation.


Contact resistance refers to the resistance encountered by the flow of electrical current through the contact interface. It's essential to minimise contact resistance to prevent signal degradation and power loss. High-quality contacts are designed to have low resistance. They usually feature platings or coatings that enhance conductivity and reduce resistance, such as gold, silver, nickel and tin. The material selected for contacts also influences resistance. Materials with high conductivity, such as copper and its alloys, are preferred for applications requiring low resistance.


FACILITATING MECHANICAL STABILITY Beyond electrical conductivity, contacts also provide mechanical stability to connectors. Through precise design and engineering,


Autumn 2024 UKManufacturing


ontacts are metallic conductive elements in connectors that establish electrical and


mechanical connections between mating connector pairs. They come in various shapes,


In the realm of modern technology, connectors play a vital role in facilitating seamless communication and power transmission in various devices and systems. At the heart of these connectors lie their often-overlooked components: contacts. These small but critical elements ensure the reliability, efficiency and durability of connectors across industries. Here, John Embleton, customer application engineer at connector specialist PEI-Genesis, delves into why contacts are indispensable to connector functionality.


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