Card Edge Connectors

Card Edge Connectors - Contacts

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	66088-2 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	CONT DUO-TYNE FLAG 22-18 AWG	0
	1-67469-2 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	TERM EDGE AMP WW TIN	0
	66143-3 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	AMP TAB STRIP	0
	67469-7 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	TERM EDGE AMP WW GOLD	0
	1-67469-0 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	TERM EDGE AMP WW TIN	0
	66143-2 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	AMP TAB STRIP	0

Card Edge Connectors - Contacts

1. Overview

Card edge connectors - contacts are electrical components that enable printed circuit boards (PCBs) to connect directly to other circuits or devices through their edges. These connectors utilize conductive pads or gold fingers on the PCB edge as contact points, eliminating the need for separate cable assemblies. They are critical in modular electronics design, offering space efficiency, high reliability, and ease of maintenance. Their importance spans computing, telecommunications, industrial automation, and consumer electronics sectors.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Double-Ended Edge Connectors	Two mating interfaces for daisy-chaining PCBs	Server backplanes, industrial control systems
Single-Ended Edge Connectors	Direct PCB-to-cable connection	Graphics cards, storage modules
High-Density Edge Connectors	Sub-1mm contact pitch with >100 circuits	Telecom routers, AI accelerators
Low-Profile Edge Connectors	5mm height for compact devices	Smartphones, tablets

3. Structure & Components

Typical construction includes: - Contact area with phosphor bronze or beryllium copper terminals (gold-plated for corrosion resistance) - Insulating body using LCP or PBT thermoplastic materials - Polarization keying to prevent misalignment - Mechanical retention features (latches or screws) - EMI shielding contacts in high-speed variants

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Typical Range	Importance
Contact Resistance	5-20 m	Affects signal integrity
Current Rating	1-5A per contact	Determines power handling
Insulation Resistance	>1 G	Ensures electrical safety
Operating Temperature	-55 C to +125 C	Environmental reliability
Mating Cycles	100-10,000 cycles	Lifespan prediction

5. Application Fields

Computer systems (servers, workstations)
Telecom infrastructure (5G base stations, optical switches)
Industrial automation (PLCs, CNC controllers)
Consumer electronics (gaming consoles, SSDs)

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Amphenol ICC	EdgeCard 2.0	0.8mm pitch, 3,000V dielectric withstand
Molex	SL Series	Self-aligning contacts, 10Gbps capability
TE Connectivity	Edge D-Grid	Modular design, RoHS compliant
Samtec	Edge Rate	1.27mm pitch, 12.5Gbps differential pairs

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations: - Required current/voltage ratings with safety margins - Environmental factors (temperature, vibration) - Signal speed requirements (for high-speed digital applications) - Mechanical constraints (board space, insertion force) - Cost-volume trade-offs for production scale

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include: - Migration to 0.4mm pitch connectors for mobile devices - Integration of coaxial contacts for 56Gbps+ serial links - Adoption of lead-free surface finishes (ENIG, immersion tin) - Development of hybrid optical-electrical edge interfaces - Increased use of simulation tools for contact reliability prediction