There are more connectors than answers

Try as she might, Rapid product manager Janice Ratcliffe just couldn't come up with an R.E.M. connection for this post. Neither could her editor. It's not the end of the world as we know it, but choosing a connector certainly isn't easy either. 

With thousands of connectors on the market to select from it may seem at first that we are spoilt for choice, but that can just make it harder to choose. However, with all of them having advantages and disadvantages over each other, it’s the application/product which helps narrow down the options. Whatever the application the connectors will play an important role and need to be considered in any design and development work.

So how do we choose? Of course, they must be able to function electrically – Amps, Volts, shielded etc ... But what about size? Where is it going to be mounted? What is it connecting? Does it need to be connected and disconnected? How is it going to be mounted? What about IP and ATEX? Is it going to be seen? What about approvals?

As we answer these questions the type narrows until the choice is more manageable and cost may then come into the equation when comparing like products from different manufacturers. However, don’t think that because it is good value and an own brand it is not a quality product. In some cases, the products might well be used in some very well-known brand-named goods, but we are just not allowed to mention it.

Yes, pitches can be confusing

Oh! and don’t forget the American and European measurements. Have you seen the pitches, 5.08mm or 5.0mm for example, that has come about from conversions from inches? Another is right angled D-type connectors where the distance from the first row of pins to the PCB edge has two different standards; US 8.08mm and European 10.4mm, once again two different dimensions to catch you out. 

And if you think that’s all over what about wire gauges – AWG or mm²?

If you have any questions about connectors you can always drop me a line or make a comment below and I will get back to you.