Seeking advice about easy pluggable tiny connector

Using Arduino General Electronics
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Hello,

I've been using tiny screw terminal blocks (2.54mm pitch) to interconnect boards for a long time and I am globally happy with that solution. However I am looking for an alternative making the connections and disconnections much faster while keeping a locked contact.

I don't want to use spring terminal blocks because their height and footprint is too high.

I need up to 5 parallel contacts.

Which socket/connector type would you suggest (which does not require a clamping tool if it's possible)?

Thank you in advance.

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Edge-to-edge or stacked PCBs?

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Edge to edge.

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You are really going to have to buy a crimping tool. Once you have the right tools, the job is easy. I have these crimpers from Adafruit and they do a great job on the little "dupont" connector pins. I buy the actual connector housings and pins from Mouser. They have every single number of pins from 2 up to 15, so my plugs are always exactly the right size.

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I found that Polulu sells header pins and housings which are less expensive than Mouser and the big houses. I also bought a crimping tool for nearly $40, just to find out that the logistics of fastening a wire to a pin, for me at least, is easier just using a small needlenose for crimping. You might spare yourself the price of the crimper until you find out if its really necessary.

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These type of connectors are fantastic.

You can purchase wire with crimped connectors for very reasonable prices. I used to crimp my own connectors but now I just purchase a variety of wires with crimped connectors already installed.

jrdoner:
I found that Polulu sells header pins and housings which are less expensive than Mouser and the big houses.

I agree Pololu is reasonably priced but there a plenty of places where you can get the parts for even less money.

You can purchase 100 1x5 connector housings for $6.20 from Pololu.

100 connectors from ICStation is $2.61.

I like Pololu's pre-crimped wire.

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So guys you a

DuaneDegn:
These type of connectors are fantastic.

Nice ones but there's no version with a pitch value of 2.54mm. 5.08 is much too big for my project.

@MorganS: do you think the basic Dupont connectors are safe enough against accidental disconnections?

What about these Molex Wafer connectors? Do they require a specific tool?

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Those look like kk100s (the "wafer" ones). They do need crimping but it's less awful than dupont crimping

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amundsen:
Nice ones but there's no version with a pitch value of 2.54mm. 5.08 is much too big for my project.

I believe these sorts of connectors are made in a variety of pitches. I just don't know of a source for small pitched connectors of this type.

I kind of doubt they make these in 2.54mm pitch but I've seen some pretty small one.

I just checked the connector used in a DVR and it's 3.5mm pitched. I don't know where you can purchase these sorts of connectors in 3.5mm pitch but I'd sure like to find a source.

It's extremely easy to add these sorts of connectors to wires and I think they're extremely convenient.

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Yes the DuPont plugs have a latch lever.

For some projects I just pull a header socket from an Arduino shield kit and solder onto that. It has no locking and the soldered connection breaks easily so it is not a good idea for reliability.

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MorganS:
Yes the DuPont plugs have a latch lever.

Could you please provide me with the page containing the reference at Mouser, because DuPont appear to sell a lot of different connector types! Thank you.

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What do you think about the JST XH connectors?

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I actually use the TE AMPMODU MTE series. Here's one of the plugs:104257-2 TE Connectivity | Mouser

Those JST connectors don't have a positive latch but they look good otherwise. I use the smaller JST series sometimes.

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amundsen:
What do you think about the JST XH connectors?

Pins are smaller and require a different crimp tool.

Also only rated for 3A i think.

Dupont can be had with IDC headers and the male pins can be had with a shroud mount, they are quite robust.

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MorganS:
I actually use the TE AMPMODU MTE series. Here's one of the plugs:104257-2 TE Connectivity | Mouser

Thanks. I found a nice brochure here. Officially this range is named "AMPMODU MTE Interconnect System".

However I don't understand exactly which references match the regular basic DuPont connectors. Also, the sockets seem quite deep.

Boardburner2:
Pins are smaller and require a different crimp tool.

Also only rated for 3A i think.

I have a 16-20-28 AWG crimp tool. Do you think it's the right size fro those JST XH?

The 3A limit is not an issue. I don't need to power more than a Teensy, an XBee emitter and a few components. No motor or LED extravaganza.

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Depends if its 'proper' crimp tool they are normally designed for the crimp size not the wire size.

In any case XH are common in the RC world and pre terminated leads can be had cheaply from hobby king and ebay.

http://www.gearbest.com/rc-parts/pp_26866.html?currency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQiA5oy1BRDQh6Wd572hsfkBEiQAfdTPChXCRF-v6ArLsb8YmflKPzgH8FQD5HFVFNlA2zUTmPkaAgi88P8HAQ

I doubt i could source the parts at that price.

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