Rectangular Connectors - Arrays, Edge Type, Mezzanine (Board to Board)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M40-6202546 Harwin	CONN RCPT 25POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6204146 Harwin	CONN RCPT 41POS SMD TIN	1870
M40-6203146 Harwin	CONN RCPT 31POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6003146R Harwin	CONN PLUG 31POS SMD TIN	950
M40-6205146 Harwin	CONN RCPT 51POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6002146 Harwin	CONN PLUG 21POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6203146R Harwin	CONN RCPT 31POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6004146 Harwin	CONN PLUG 41POS SMD TIN	953
M40-6002546 Harwin	CONN PLUG 25POS SMD TIN	184
M40-6005146 Harwin	CONN PLUG 51POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6001546 Harwin	CONN PLUG 15POS SMD TIN	295
M40-6004146R Harwin	CONN PLUG 41POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6003146 Harwin	CONN PLUG 31POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6200946 Harwin	CONN RCPT 9POS SMD TIN	721
M40-6202146 Harwin	CONN RCPT 21POS SMD TIN	0
M40-6201546 Harwin	CONN RCPT 15POS SMD TIN	15
M40-6202546R Harwin	CONN RCPT 25POS SMD TIN	374
M40-6002546R Harwin	CONN PLUG 25POS SMD TIN	1140
M40-6000946 Harwin	CONN PLUG 9POS SMD TIN	829
M40-6002146R Harwin	CONN PLUG 21POS SMD TIN	0

Rectangular Connectors - Arrays, Edge Type, Mezzanine (Board to Board)

1. Overview

Rectangular connectors are modular electronic components designed to establish electrical connections between subsystems or boards. Arrays, edge type, and mezzanine (board-to-board) connectors enable high-density interconnects in compact spaces. These connectors are critical for modern electronics, supporting miniaturization, high-speed data transfer, and reliable power delivery in applications ranging from consumer devices to industrial systems.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Array Connectors	High-pin-count designs with parallel signal/power paths; optimized for compactness and thermal management	Backplanes in servers, high-performance computing (HPC) systems
Edge Connectors	Mount directly onto PCB edges; support planar or right-angle configurations	Memory modules (DIMMs), peripheral expansion cards (GPUs)
Mezzanine Connectors	Vertical/horizontal stacking solutions; support board-to-board spacing from 0.8mm to 50mm	Telecom routers, embedded systems (e.g., COM Express modules)

3. Structure and Components

A typical rectangular connector consists of:

Contact Points: Phosphor bronze or beryllium copper alloys with gold/tin plating for low resistance
Insulation Housing: Thermoplastic materials (e.g., LCP, PBT) ensuring dielectric strength and flame resistance
Retention Mechanism: Polarized keys, latches, or friction locks to prevent accidental disconnection
Shielding: Optional EMI protection via metallic shells or conductive coatings

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Typical Range	Importance
Current Rating	0.5A 5A per contact	Determines power-handling capability
Voltage Rating	50V 600V AC/DC	Safety and insulation design
Contact Resistance	5 20 m	Impacts signal integrity and thermal performance
Insulation Resistance	>100 G	Prevents leakage currents
Operating Temperature	-55 C to +125 C	Ensures reliability in harsh environments
Mating Cycles	100 10,000 cycles	Defines mechanical durability

5. Application Fields

Telecommunications: 5G base stations, optical network units
Industrial Automation: PLCs, robotic controllers
Medical Devices: MRI scanners, patient monitors
Consumer Electronics: Gaming consoles, notebook computers

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TE Connectivity	MikroBlast	High-speed mezzanine connector with 12 Gbps capability
Amphenol	Edge	Edge-mount connectors with self-aligning design
Molex	Clarity	Array connector with 0.4mm pitch for mobile devices
Samtec	QSE Series	Self-mating mezzanine connectors for rugged environments

7. Selection Guidelines

When choosing connectors, consider:

Electrical Requirements: Match current/voltage ratings to system needs
Mechanical Constraints: Verify board spacing and alignment tolerances
Environmental Factors: Select materials for temperature, humidity, and vibration resistance
Cost-Performance Balance: Prioritize high-cycle durability for maintenance-prone systems

Example: For a 5G base station, choose a mezzanine connector with 360 shielding and IP67 rating to minimize signal loss and environmental degradation.

8. Industry Trends

Miniaturization: Pitch sizes below 0.4mm to accommodate compact IoT devices
High-Speed Data Transfer: Development of connectors supporting 56 Gbps+ differential signaling
Modular Designs: Hybrid power/signal connectors for flexible system architectures
Sustainability: Adoption of halogen-free materials and recyclable alloys
Smart Manufacturing: Integration of RFID tags in connectors for automated asset tracking