Learn about connector termination styles from Amphenol

As devices continue to get more sophisticated, the connection quality of peripherals and other components to the main PCB must evolve. In this article, explore 4 core types of PCB connectors available from Amphenol, including ideal applications, termination type, and more.

There are multiple factors design engineers take into consideration when choosing a connector. This can vary from performance factors like speed and signal integrity to form factors like size and shape. Among the basics of connectors, it is essential to determine what termination method is to be chosen. Most applications require a particular type of termination to match design requirements.

Through-Hole Termination (THT)

Though-hole terminations were very common in the early days, where the connector contacts or leads pass through a hole in the PCB. Through-hole components are best used for high-reliability products that require stronger connections between the PCB layers. Many of Amphenol’s connectors, such as Minitek®, Dubox®, Bergstak®, PV®, Quickie®, BergStik®, and EconoStik™, are offered with through-hole termination.

Surface Mount Termination (SMT)

With this technology, the connectors are mounted directly on top of the PCB. The connectors are either soldered manually in place or a reflow/wave soldering method is used to hold them in place. Some of the board/card edge connector types also come with surface mount terminations. Amphenol ICC offers various products in this mounting style, including Minitek®, Dubox®, Bergstak®, Quickie®, BergStik®, EconoStik™, Rib-Cage®, Conan®, Minitek® MicroSpeed, Griplet®, and Cross-Mate™.

Pin-in-Paste (PiP) Termination

Pin-in-Paste technology, also known as Through-Hole-Reflow technology is a reflow soldering process done with the help of automated machinery, eliminating hand and wave soldering processes. The connectors are loosely held onto the board holes and placed under an assembly machine, which in turn reflows the liquified solder under high temperatures over the board. Due to capillary action, the melted paste sucks the solder onto the board and into the hole, forming a permanent bond between the solder, paste, and connector lead. Amphenol products using PIP connection include Minitek®, Quickie®, BergStik®, DIN 41612 High-Temperature Backplane Connectors, Boltrack™, Modular Jack, OCTIS™ Outdoor, D-sub, and VerIO™ I/O connectors.

Press-fit Termination

Press-fit termination is generally a solderless termination, which helps to reduce the overall cost of the application. These types of connectors are often recommended with specific tooling, and required by the manufacturer to ensure an even insertion and full seating of the item. Amphenol offers Quickie®, BergStik® from wire-to-board and board to board, Metral®, Millipacs®, DIN, HPC from backplane, High-Speed Backplane Connectors like AirMax®, ExaMAX®, ExaMEZZ®, and Paladin®, and Delta-D D-sub Connectors with press-fit termination. Also, most of Amphenol’s power products can be configured with press-fit terminations, including the PwrBlade®series, PwrMAX® series, and EnergyEdge™ card edge series of connectors.