To create a complete electronic device, we need to create and connect an electrical circuit. Connectors are used to join the different electronic elements in order to create one circuit. Electronic connectors are sorted by gender, male for plugs and female for sockets. Our clients may require their electronics to be portable and connections make it easy and removable. A connector is normally made from two different components. First, we have the housing, or the insulator. The housing keeps the connection safe and in its place. Second, within the housing we find the terminals, or the conductor. These are the pins that establish the electronic connection.
We can say that electronic connectors are divided into three types of connectors.
Board-to-Board
Basically, printed circuit boards (PCBs) without a cable. Have you read about our SMT-line in our recent blog article? You can read all about it here.
Cable-to-Wire or Wire-to-Cable
As the name suggests, these types of connectors connect wires. In this case the connector connects wires on one end and cable on the other end or in reverse.
Wire/Cable-to-Board
Unlike the wire-to-cable or reverse, this type of connector connects a wire or cable to the printed circuit board.
Within these three types, there are many variations possible, the options are endless. Think about the method of connecting, the size, materials used, contact resistance, durability, insulation and many other options and considerations.
- Some of the considerations or features are:
- Locked connectors with a locking mechanism to hold it in place
- Keyed connectors give the possibility to only be able to get connected when in the proper place
- Waterproofing the connector
- Connectors that are oil or moisture proof
- Sealed connectors, not only waterproof but also water pressure proof
- Filter connectors protect the connection from signals such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI)
Rompa Group can support you with all of these from design and manufacturing to final assembly.