Micro Connectors and Nano Connectors

Micro connectors and nano connectors exhibit contact pitches of 0.05” (micro) and 0.025” (nano), respectively. They have one or more rows of plated contacts and are either straight or right-angled. Both male and female devices are available. There are a number of termination options. Crimping compresses or deforms a contact wire barrel around a conductor. Wire wrapping requires the use of a special tool to wrap a stripped or unstripped wire around a terminal post that contains a series of sharp edges. Insulation displacement connectors (IDC) force an insulated conductor into a restrictive slot, slicing through the insulation. In printed circuit board (PCB) solder or solder pin termination, electrical connection is made by soldering wires or pins onto a board. With solder cup terminations, soldering the connector onto the mounting location creates an electrical connection. Other termination options for micro connectors and nano connectors include cage clamps, screws, lugs, and quick-connect tabs. 

Performance specifications for micro connectors and nano connectors include voltage rating, current rating, contact resistance, insulation resistance, dielectric withstanding voltage, number of contacts, and operating temperature. Both the voltage rating and the current rating are maximum amounts. Contact resistance measures the electrical resistance of mated contacts when assembled in a connector under typical service. Electrical resistance is determined by measuring from the rear of the contact area of one contact to the rear of the contact area of its mate (excluding both crimps), while carrying a specified test current. Insulation resistance, another important specification, is the electrical resistance between two conductors separated by an insulating material. Dielectric withstanding voltage is the maximum potential value that a dielectric material can withstand without failure. The value obtained for the dielectric strength depends upon the thickness of the material and the method and conditions of the test. 

There are several mounting styles for micro connectors and nano connectors. Flange mounted devices attach to panels by bolting the flange or riveting it in place through holes in the flange surface. Solder and weld receptacles are intended for higher-pressure systems and permanent mounting. Jam nut receptacles are designed for D-shaped holes. Surface mount technology (SMT) adds components to a PCB by soldering component leads or terminals to the top surface of the board. By contrast, through hole technology (THT) mounts components by inserting component leads through holes in the PCB and then soldering the leads in place on the opposite side of the board. Some micro connectors and nano connectors fit the ends of electrical cables or mount on plates or bulkheads. Others fit panel cutouts or backshells.

Micro connectors and nano connectors are used in a variety of industries and applications. PCB connectors include headers and sockets as well as universal serial bus (USB), Bayonet Neil-Concelman (BNC), Centronics, and D-subminiature connectors. Edge card connectors are edge-on PCB connectors for single or double-sided boards.  The edge card, the portion of the PCB used to provide an external electrical connection, is normally gold-plated. Some micro connectors and nano connectors are circular or cylindrical. Others are designed for coaxial cables or RF and microwave applications. Hospital grade devices prevent inadvertent plug disengagement and provide increased shock and impact ratings. Military connectors are rugged, shell-type devices built in accordance with military specifications (MIL-SPEC). Examples include MIL-C-5015, MIL-C-26482, MIL-C-81703, MIL-C-27599, MIL-C-26500, MIL-C-38999, MIL-C-28840, MIL-C-81511, MIL-DTL-83513, MIL-C-83723, and MIL-DTL-32139 connectors.

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