What is a PCB Connector?

What is a PCB Connector?

Printed Circuit Board connectors are connection systems mounted on PCBs. Typically PCB Connectors are used to transfer signals or power from one PCB to another, or to or from the PCB from another source in the equipment build. They provide an easy method of Design for Manufacture, as the PCBs are not hard-wired to each other and can be assembled later in a production process.

Other names for PCB Connectors

PCB Connectors can be known as PCB Interconnect product. Specific terms are also used for the two sides of the connection. Male PCB Connectors are often referred to as Pin Headers, as they are simply rows of pins. Female PCB Connectors can be called Sockets, Receptacles, or even (somewhat confusingly) Header Receptacles.

What is a PCB Connector?

The term PCB Connector refers to a basic multipin connection system, typically in a rectangular layout. A mating pair of PCB Connectors will either be for board-to-board or cable-to-board (wire-to-board). The board-to-board layouts can give a range of PCB connection orientations, all based on 90 degree increments:

Parallel or mezzanine – both connectors are vertical orientation;

90 Degree, Right Angle, Motherboard to Daughterboard – one connector is vertical, one horizontal;

180 Degree, Coplanar, Edge-to-Edge – both connectors are horizontal orientation.