How to Choose a High-Power Board-To-Board Connector?
Board-to-board (BTB) connectors come in various forms, such as mezzanine connectors, edge card connectors, pin headers and socket connectors, stacking connectors, and coaxial connectors. Their purpose is primarily to form a direct electrical connection between two printed circuit boards (PCBs) ensuring a transfer of power, signals, and data without relying on external wires or cables. Utilizing contacts—pins, pads, and/or blades—a strong housing to fortify the contacts, and a mechanism solidifying mating guarantees security, precision, and efficiency is fostered. You can find BTB connectors in:
- Smartphones
- Diagnostic equipment
- Infotainment systems in automobiles
- Routers
- Automotive sensors
- Laptops
- Robotics
- Monitoring devices
- Networking equipment
- Imaging systems
- Tablets
- Industrial control systems
Nonetheless, BTB connectors are constantly being engineered to withstand harsher environments and provide exceptional performance, which is why Oupiin Group provides brands and clients with standardized and customizable high-power board-to-board connectors satisfying rigid specifications and compliances, are affordable, and can assist an assortment of energy-consuming devices. However, how do you, the consumer, know which BTB connectors are advanced and which are outdated? Thankfully, there is a way to determine these specifications with ease.
What to Look For in a High-Power Board-to-Board Connector?
A large swath of electronic connector manufacturers will focus on vain specs to persuade you to use their BTB connectors over their competitors. While Oupiin Group wants your business, we want to ensure you know what to look for when picking your preferred board-to-board connector. This is especially the case while examining different brands' catalogs and related documentation. Preparing yourself with various questions about this component certifies you obtain an electronic connector matching your requirements. To ready yourself, the following information details every aspect you should examine during your searching and purchasing process.
Current Carrying Capacity
The point of a high-power BTB connector is to obtain and deliver higher levels of current. For instance, Oupiin Group's BTB connectors start at a base of 60 AMPs per pin, but can also reach as high as 150 AMPs per pin . To reach such significant levels, the electronic connector needs to possess large contact areas allowing these significant currents to be transferred, minimizing electrical resistance to the connection points. Additionally, thicker conductive materials, like copper or copper alloys, will avoid overheating.
Contact Resistance
Contact resistance is a major complication facing electronic connectors since it means less data and power can be transferred between, for instance, BTB connectors and PCBs. You might have seen the Greek letter (Ω) next to a connector's specifications when looking at files provided by high-quality manufacturers, but its point is to measure this resistance in milliohms (mΩ). When a high-power BTB connector possesses a rough exterior and interior, an ineffective number of oxidized layers, various contaminants, insufficient contact pressure, and/or use of problematic materials, this resistance is only magnified and will cause issues for the manufacturer, brand, and client. In short, see how your preferred BTB connector handles experiments detailing contact resistance.
Signal Integrity
Maintaining signal integrity allows signals to reach their destination without degradation, distortion, or loss. Ignoring this connector attribute will increase the risk of insertion loss, impedance, and crosstalk. To prevent these signal integrity problems evaluate the connector's impedance matching, how the part is designed, what materials are/were used, and fully understand its contact resistance measurements.
Bandwidth and Data Rates
When looking for a BTB connector, especially a high-power one, you must verify the part meets the required bandwidth for your application. It doesn't matter what it is, you must affirm the bandwidth and data rates of the connector match the expectations of your tablet, machinery, diagnostic equipment, as well as other applications, or else face complications. Using a high-power BTB connector with AMPs exceeding your expectations will lessen the possibility of malfunctioning, though.
Environmental Resistance
One example of environmental resistance includes thermal management, which is meant to dissipate heat faster and allow the connector to handle higher temperatures without breaking down during use. But, how do you prevent an electronic connector from overheating? Oupiin Group recommends specific features, such as heat sinks or fins, to allow heat to escape the application, as well as using materials incorporating high thermal conductivity in their design. These materials can include aluminum and various polymers. Severe cold is just as big of a problem as intense heat, though, which is why you should be evaluating the lowest temperature the high-power BTB connector can withstand. You can find this information within the document highlighting the experiments performed. Finally, identify whether or not the electronic connector you choose possesses sealing features, such as gaskets and/or O-rings, which will prevent an ingress of dust, moisture, and other contaminants from entering and damaging the connector. You are spending a large amount of money on all of these parts, ensure the connector can withstand a variety of environments and situations.
Durability and Reliability
Durability and reliability aren't just a crucial element for high-power board-to-board connectors but all electronic connectors. Without this attribute in mind, the connector may break during testing or use, which would be problematic for you, the client, and your consumers. While possessing high mating cycles highlights this crucial characteristic, the component should be engineered to endure various mechanical stresses, like vibrations and shocks. Don't settle for something of poorer quality because it will only weaken your application's reputation.
Insulation and Dielectric Strength
The quality of the insulation and dielectric strength is pertinent when it comes to creating impressive equipment, machinery, personal devices, and much more. Ingredients, like PTFE and PEEK, will ensure insulation is strong and avoids electrical arcing or short-circuiting. Short- circuiting can not only ruin the reputation of your brand but also cause harm to the person using your product. Additionally, make sure there is adequate spacing within the design or else the product will malfunction because of voltage dissemination.
Size and Form Factor
You may have noticed this as time progresses, but most of the electrical devices out there have been decreasing in size or thinned down for a sleek aesthetic. TVs may be increasing in size but the hardware is slimming down to blend in with the environment. Car displays are widening but they are taking up less room within the backend of the automobile. Medical equipment can blend in with the room surrounding them because of their compact designs.
This is why you, the consumer, should be looking for electronic connector manufacturers who provide a variety of sized high-power BTB connectors, as well as flexible options, which, in Oupiin's words, means customized connectors made to your sole specifications. These modular connectors connectors tooling services guarantee you use something tailored to your design and only your design. You can pick the number of pins and contacts needed, as well as identify the appropriate stack height accommodating your requirements. While this connector personalization may be hard to find, Oupiin Group can provide you with this exact service and encourage you to contact us if you want to learn more about this function.
Plating and Corrosion Resistance
Other environments to be aware of when picking out your high-power BTB connector are humidity levels, the number of chemicals it is introduced to, the likelihood of corrosion, and “salt spray”. Thankfully, most high-quality electronic connector manufacturers use gold or silver plating capable of providing protective codings to these elements. Additionally, looking at the electronic connector's drawings and specifications will highlight its ability to deal with these characteristics, as well as its electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). This is why working with manufacturers sharing these files explaining these experiments is vital for your decision-making.
Ease of Installation
Despite a high-power board-to-board connector possessing all of your needs, you must make sure the electronic connector is easy to install. For instance, can they easily mate and unmate; do you need a lot of tools to assemble it with your product design; and what do their guide pins and keying look like when pieced together? Without these bits of information, you may waste your time and money trying to implement the BTB connector.
Mechanical Features
The mechanical features of a high-power board-to-board connector are also high on the list of important characteristics. Does the electronic connector possess robust locking mechanisms, such as latches and screws, ensuring the connection remains firmly together under all operating conditions? Does the part include alignment guides and polarizing features guaranteeing connection while preventing damage during mating? Can the connection withstand the intense vibrations and shocks? These are fitting inquiries to ask your manufacturer because it will ensure the connector you obtain matches your specifications, as well as guarantees success when in use.
Standards Compliance
Finally, the last thing to register are the standard compliances of the high-power board-to-board connectors. For instance, does the connector possess an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification; is the manufacturer licensed under IATF and ISOs ; can the part withstand the regulations placed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)? These standards aren't meant to frivolously regulate the electronic connector, but ensure the part is made to a high quality and isn't increasing your expenses to unreasonable levels.
Contact Oupin Group Today!
Oupiin hopes you enjoyed this content about choosing the right board-to-board connector. It can be quite difficult to pick the right one when an assortment of corporations provide their own take on the connector. However, when you partner with Oupiin Group, you are obtaining a BTB connector made to strict and high standards, lasting for years, and are priced at an affordable rate. If you want to learn more about these electronic connectors or need a sample kit, contact one of our locations in the United States of America or Taiwan. For the Valencia, California, USA location, call 1(661) 294-0228 or email sales@oupiin.com . For the Taoyuan, Taiwan location, call +886-3-3655030 or email sales@oupiin.com .tw . We know your final product design will be exceptional when working with Oupiin Group for your connector needs.
