Compact cable connectors for modern lighting

7th April 2014

Nat Bowers

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The MaxiBridge (2.54mm pitch) and MiniBridge (1.27mm pitch) cable connectors from ERNI Electronics are suitable solutions for compact as well as electrically and mechanically sophisticated designs, such as those found in modern lighting technology. With low pitch, these connectors are particularly suited for SSL, which requires highly compact designs with high current carrying capacity.

Using MaxiBridge connectors allows efficient and space-saving connections to be realised between PCBs and peripheral functional units such as lamps, displays, panels, LEDs, switches and sensors. The system is extremely versatile thanks to the availability of straight and angled male and female connectors with 180° cable outlet. A robust interlocking system ensures a high level of reliability also in case of vibrations. The MaxiBridge connectors are also available with colourless (white) insulating bodies, which prevent shadowing in lighting applications.

MaxiBridge cable connectors are available with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 20 pins. The male connectors have SMT terminals for economical processing, whereas the female variants feature crimp contacts. The current carrying capacity is specified with up to 12A/contact. It is possible to process stranded conductors with AWG 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. Mismating is prevented by four different colour codings per number of pins.

The single-row MiniBridge connectors in a 1.27mm pitch have been designed for a variety of lighting applications where space is often restricted. Example applications include LCD/TFT/LED displays, handheld devices and control panel elements. Not to mention in automotive electronics, with such applications as LED front and rear lights, IR distance sensors, head-up displays and switch elements.

Thanks to their extremely compact design and high current carrying capacity (up to 8A/contact) MiniBridge components are suited for LED lighting systems. These are often wired or can also be designed as modular PCB plug-in connectors. Assembled cable connectors can accommodate both ribbon cables as well as discrete wires and facilitate particularly simple, flexible and cost-efficient installation. The MiniBridge connectors are also available with “white” insulating bodies.

MiniBridge connectors are available with 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 pins. The male connectors have SMT terminals, whereas the female connectors have IDC terminals. In addition, the female connectors are available with two types of interlocking for normal vibration/shock loads as well as for high vibration/shock loads. Being available with straight and angled male and female connectors with 90° and 180° cable outlet, the MiniBridge system provides a solution for a diverse range of applications.

ERNI Electronics offers the MaxiBridge and MiniBridge cable connectors fully assembled. To support rapid delivery, cables are available from stock in PVC, high temperature (TPE-ET) and halogen-free versions.