New power connectors deliver protected header terminals in a small package

RS Components has introduced a new addition to its Molex range of high-quality connectors. The new power connector system is suitable for use across a wide range of market sectors including aerospace and defence, automotive, telecommunications, medical, industrial and home appliances. The range is available in two batch sizes to provide customers with high purchasing flexibility, including small-quantity packs for R&D and prototyping, as well as larger quantity packs for production. Designers of power applications are often faced with a choice between headers that have exposed terminals and thereby susceptible to damage, or large fully isolated headers that take up too much space. However, the series of high-density connectors provides fully isolated header terminals that protects against potential damage of terminals during handling and mating. It is supplied in a small package that can deliver up to 69% in PCB space saving, making it the smallest fully isolated header available in the market. The connectors also offer different mechanical keying options, which enable reduced risk in cross mating while improving assembly speed with colour-coding logic. The series is the newest and the smallest member of the company’s Fit Family of connectors, which offers a variety of features to maximise current capacity, reliability and space saving. The family includes a number of connector series designed to provide wire-to board and wire-to-wire solutions where high current rating is required. It includes the Mega-Fit series, which is capable of handling up to 23A, and the Micro-Fit 3.0 series, which has a pitch of 3mm. Other features of the series include optional terminal position assurance, which reduces ‘terminal backout’ by ensuring the terminals are fully seated in the housing. The ultra-low mate force terminal also reduces operator fatigue and improves assembly compliance for high-circuit applications, and the positive-lock housing with anti-snag design ensures that mated connector assemblies will not accidentally disengage. An audible click is provided while mating and the latch is protected from damage due to wire snags. A retention tang and contact rib help to maintain stable contact, and the terminal interface is provided with four points of contact for long-term performance and reliability.