Types of 1 Pin Electrical Connector

A 1 pin electrical connector is used to connect a wire with a circuit board. They also make great power connections for a CNC machine or 3D printer.

They have two mating sides that are called the male plug and female socket. The sockets have contact pins that the male pins insert to create the connection.

Solder Tab Termination

In some cases, connectors are designed with thin solder tabs that can be inserted into breadboard sockets. This type of terminal is called a “solder tab”. This method is ideal for prototyping because it requires no special tools, and can be done quickly. However, these tabs can be fragile and prone to breaking over time. They can also be exposed to high temperatures during soldering, so it is important to choose the right assembly process for your application.

HARTING offers conventional soldering and THR (Through Hole Reflow) termination options for many of their connectors. Conventional soldering uses wave-soldering machines to melt and solidify the pins into through-plated PCB holes. This allows the connectors to be inserted into the board and then simultaneously wave-soldered to other components.

THR is an automated version of the hand-soldering technique, and it allows a larger number of connectors to be placed onto a circuit board in a single pass. This helps reduce labor costs and increases production efficiency.

Other methods of connecting a 1 pin electrical connector to the board include IDC (insulation displacement connections) and wire-wrap connections. IDC connectors can be used to easily connect solid and stranded wires, and they are mechanically strong, climatically insensitive and thermally stable. Wire-wrap connections are similar to IDC connectors, and they work by wrapping wire around angular terminating pins.

Screw Termination

Often, a mechanical method of termination is needed to provide a rugged connection that will withstand high temperatures and harsh environments. In this case, a screw terminal block is a good choice. They require little maintenance and can be used for long periods without failure, making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.

They are available in a variety of pin amounts and different pitches, which gives 1 pin electrical connector designers flexibility when designing products. They are also easy to assemble, alter or replace in the field, which can streamlines testing, repairs and modifications during a product’s life cycle. Unlike solder tabs, which can be prone to corrosion and heat damage, screw terminal blocks have a metal-to-metal contact mechanism that provides a gastight connection that can handle thousands of mating cycles.

When selecting a screw terminal block, it is important to consider the wire gauge size that will be used. Using the wrong wire gauge size can result in overheating and potentially damaging the block or other components in the circuit. To avoid this, it is recommended that the user conduct a pull test to determine if the screw terminals have been properly crimped.

The screw terminal blocks have a metal clamp that closes when tightened. They can be tightened using either a flat-blade screwdriver, cross-blade screwdriver, hex key or Torx key.

Back Mounting

Many connectors that are surface mount have leads that are designed to go through holes on a PCB, with the mounting pads on the back side. These are usually placed by hand and then soldered in place using re-flow or wave-soldering techniques. Some of these have variations that allow the leads to be released from the connector by pressing into a lower opening on one end. Others require something like a flat blade screw driver pressed into a slot on the housing to release the wire. This type of connector is called a back-release or rear-release connector.

Other features may be available, depending on the type of connector. Examples include:

EMI/RFI suppression, back-release contacts and waterproof seals. These are important for use in automotive and marine applications where the equipment can be exposed to water and other harsh environments.

Insert Arrangement Pattern – The pattern of pin and socket contacts in the connector shell. See catalog for illustration.

Pin Insert – Part of the connector that contains pin waterproof connector manufacturer or socket contact and a soft front interfacial seal (bonded). May be separate from shell or included as an integral part of the insert.

Front Mounting

A front mounting connector has the ability to be mounted from a panel or enclosure. They are able to perform well in harsh environments. They are also able to provide the necessary insulation and EMI protection needed.

The front mounting feature allows a more streamlined installation process. This means that the contacts do not need to be soldered into place. This saves time and money. The front mounting also provides a more secure connection. In order to properly install a front mounting connector it is important to understand its design. First the contact size must be determined. This can be done by looking at the contact part number and the shell size of the connector. This information can be found in the product description of the item on a website like Digi-Key.

Next, the wires should be inserted into the pre-made openings on the contacts. Once the wires are in the correct position the terminals will need to be crimped. Using a crimp tool that is designed specifically for electrical wire connections the contacts will be pressed into place. The crimp tool will have wings that will create the seal and lock in the contact. The crimped terminal should be tested to ensure that it is not pulling out of the plug. Once the test is complete the terminal can be docked into the plug. This will then create the connection between the hardware 1 and the hardware 2.