Locking plug for low-cost linear LED lighting, and other commercial applications

AVX Corporation has added a locking plug to its low-profile 70-9159 Series single two-piece contacts for high current, coplanar PCB mating applications, which is one of the industry's smallest profile capable of supporting a full 5A. The latest addition to the company’s robust, and cost-effective portfolio of STRIPT insulator-less single contact solutions, the new series lfeatures a positive latching mechanism that effectively replaces costly thermal adhesives, unreliable hand soldering, and large, light-blocking connectors in low-cost linear LED lighting, and a variety of other commercial and industrial coplanar and extended card applications. Based on their 9159 Series gold-plated beryllium-copper spring contact system, the new SMT locking plug contacts provide a reliable gold-to-gold active contact interface; can absorb a millimetre of tolerance in the x and y direction, maximising lateral PCB alignment and mating tolerances for board-to-board applications; and deliver enough force to keep PCBs securely fastened during both shipping and handling, and in high stack tolerance applications. "Most PCB mating applications use a costly thermal adhesive, unreliable hand soldering process, or large, light-blocking connector to hold PCBs in place. Standing a mere 1.2mm above the board, our insulator-less 70-9159 Series contacts - which, for years now, have proven cost-effective and robust in linear LED lighting fixtures - eliminate the need for these costlier or less reliable and repeatable connections, while simultaneously optimising functionality, assembly, and economic ROI," said Tom Anderson, connector product manager, AVX. "Adding a small latch to our original plug contact has allowed us to offer our customers the proven performance of the series with an added-value benefit at no additional cost, and while maintaining full backward compatibility with existing designs. Individual 70-9159 Series contacts can also support both board-to-board and wire-to-board applications, further improving their already attractive price/performance ratio." The series single two-piece contacts are rated for 300V (based on placement distance), 5A current, five-cycle durability, and operating temperatures spanning -40C to +125C. RoHS compliant and packaged on tape and reel for automated SMT placement, the series is also UL-approved based on a 3.2mm minimum gap between pads or 5.6mm contact centre spacing (UL E90723).