Board to Board Connectors | GCT - Gct.co

Tell me more about connector pitches

Pitch refers to the spacing between individual pins. There are numerous considerations the hardware designer must balance in choosing the correct connector pitch:

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Space constraint - The smaller the pitch, the smaller the connector. Generally using smaller pitches allows lower connector profiles and thus lower printed circuit board stacking profiles. However, GCT offer numerous low profile connector options across all pitches.

Current carrying capacity - the smaller the header pin size the lower the current carrying capacity.

Other physical constraints - does the range offer the connector types to achieve the design you require? e.g. there are sixty seven 2.54mm connector options and nineteen 1.00mm options, so depending on your design you're more likely to find a physical solution in the numerically larger ranges. That said, the small ranges cater for the most basic designs, such as PCB's mating in co-planar, right angle and parallel orientations.

GCT board to board connectors are available in the following pitches:

0.80x1.20mm
(.031"x.047") 1.00mm
(.039") 1.27mm
(.050") 2.00mm
(.079") 2.54mm
(.100") 3.96mm
(.156") 4.00mm
(.157") 5.08mm
(.200")

For experienced hardware designers choosing board to board connectors is second nature, for the uninitiated it can be daunting. We offer design support and will help guide you through the options available. If you need help with your board to board connector design, contact GCT. Where required GCT also offer non standard pitches, you can see an example on our custom connector page.

What are the connector orientation options?

In order to cater for differing PCB orientations, different board to board connector orientations have been developed to suit. In most application a pin header and socket would be used as a pair ro simplify assembly and allow disconnection/reconnection (mating cycle) as required.

To achieve a connection between a pair of parallel PCB's only one part combination can be used:

For more information, please visit 2.54mm Pitch Idc Socket Connector.

• Straight pin header and straight socket

To achieve a connection between a pair of horizontal PCB's only one part combination can be used:

• Right angled pin header and right angled socket

In applications where repeat mating cycles are not required a single U-shaped pin header can be used and soldered directly to both PCB's.

To achieve a connection between a pair of perpendicular PCB's, two combinations could be used:

• Straight pin header and right angled socket
• Right angled pin header and straight socket

What are Polarized Connectors?

GCT's range of polarized connectors for board to board applications offer a variety of options. Customers may choose from a range of pitch sizes, each having their own method of assuring that mating headers and sockets may only be plugged together in the correct way. All options include shrouding and keying designed into insulator on the male and female mating halves.

Why use polarized connectors?

1. Eliminates connector mis-mating, which depending on where power is routed can avoid costly damage to OEM equipment.
2. Allows multiple connectors to be used on one piece of equipment, customers may choose to use different polarized circuit sizes, such as a 10 and 20 position to clearly identify which orientation a mating PCB is designed to plug together.
3. Aids blind mating, where the installer or end user cannot see the connection to be made, and has to feel for the connection.
4. Helps prevent damage to exposed header posts (.050" & .1" pitches).

Range by Pitch

1.00mm Pitch

The keyed and molded BC060 & BC061 offer a tiny, surface mount, polarized connector option for parallel PCB mating configurations, available in 10-30 circuits.

1.27mm Pitch

Polarization is achieved by a different sized cut out at each end of the male header, the female connector include two end pieces which mate perfectly with the header cut outs. In addition there is an offset sideway key. There are options in this range to mate PCB's in parallel and right tangle orientation. An elevated stacker header offers other design choices for stacking polarization.

2.54mm Pitch

A Central bump system similar to traditional IDC connectors prevents header and socket being mismated. Headers are keyed while the receptacle has a sidewall bump.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Wire to Wire Connector Types.