Low-profile connectors are tough enough for industry

        Panasonic has introduced tough narrow-pitch connectors for industrial and consumer use.

        40 of them, available though RS, use Panasonic’s ‘tough-contact’ technology and include flat printed circuit (FPC) and flexible flat cable (FFC) connectors, as well as board-to-board and board-to-FPC types. "The ultra-slim-profile connectors are ideally suited to applications where space is at a premium, while also offering excellent shock and vibration resistance. In addition, the connectors offer high tolerance to twisting and dropping and resistance to dust, foreign particles and corrosive Gases," said RS. FPC and FFC connectors are one-piece devices and have a back lock structure. They operate over -55 to +85°C ambient, come in 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5mm pitch versions, and with mating heights from 0.6 to 1.8mm. Board-to-board connectors include socket and header and have the tough contact structure. "This is ideal for applications where space limitations mean that it is necessary to stack PCBs or mount modules on a motherboard, enabling parallel connections between PCBs with one-to -one signal transmission," said RS.

        Board-to-FPC parts will are foreseen in small modules and for connecting up flexible and rigid circuit boards. Both ranges offer pitches of 0.35, 0.4 and 0.5mm and mating heights from 0.6 to 9mm.Electrical characteristics include 5A maximum and signal currents per pin of 1A and 0.5A, respectively.