New Industry Products

iBridge WTB Connectors Deliver High Current Density in Small Space

December 09, 2013 by Jeff Shepard

ERNI Electronics, Inc. has developed a compact and economical wire-to-board (WTB) interconnect solution with high current density in a small, 2.0mm pitch form factor. The iBridge™ single-row cable connector system delivers up to 5A per contact at 20°C when paired with an appropriate discrete wire. Engineered for use in demanding environments that require reliable connections, the iBridge wire-to-board connector features a contact system without a post-bending process to ensure robustness and acceptable coplanarity.

The male iBridge connectors are available in right angle and vertical configurations with DIP solder termination for extra mechanical strain relief, or SMT termination with durable solder brackets for maximum PCB real estate usage and a high PCB retention force. Offered in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 positions with additional sizes up to 12 in development, the iBridge connectors utilize crimp and poke wire terminations.

With contacts configured for AWG22 and 24 conductors, the female iBridge connector has a tactile-feel dual latching system that produces an audible ‘click’ when mated. The housings are keyed to eliminate the possibility for incorrect mating. The connectors’ positive locking feature and inverse bellows design ensures a reliable interface for a multitude of diverse environments and applications.

The iBridge connector has a plastic housing made of heat-resistant, halogen free material, with a natural colored housing to minimize light energy absorption. Male connectors are delivered in tube packaging. Tape and reel packaging with a pick-and-place cap is also available for fully automatic SMT assembly. The iBridge connectors can be used in a wide temperature range of -55 to +125 degrees C.

The iBridge connector solution is ideal for applications where high-mating cycles are not required; such as automotive, LED, telecommunications, data-transmission devices, set-top boxes, gaming devices, consumer goods, medical peripheral equipment, entertainment systems, audio hardware and industrial automation. Typical pricing for a 6-position vertical, solder iBridge connector header is approximately $0.80 in 1k quantity, with a lead time of 6-8 weeks.