Mill-Max expands spring-loaded connector line

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Mill-Max has expanded its line of spring-loaded products with single- and double-row first-mate/last-break (FMLB) connectors. These connectors offer a tiered contact arrangement for applications that require sequential connections.

These FMLB connectors can be used in a variety of applications. One common use is to ensure that the ground path is established before any power or signal connections are made to prevent damage to devices or components during hot plugging or hot swapping. They may also be used to power indicator lights or send an alert signal before energizing the prime circuit on a unit.

The new line includes six new connectors with three unique configurations each for the single- and double-row versions, all on 0.100-in. (2.54-mm) pin centers. The single-row versions provide taller pins in the first and last positions, while the double-row versions offer four taller pins, two on each end.

There are four SMT and two through-hole connector options available. The low-profile SMT versions, the 811/813 series, have an initial height of 0.217 in. (5.51-mm) for the tallest pins, with a 0.020-in. (0.51-mm) offset to the remaining pins, while the 812/814 series provide an initial height of 0.288 in. (7.32 mm), an offset of 0.033 in. (0.84 mm), and 0.090-in. (2.3-mm) maximum stroke on the longer-end pins to allow for greater compression.

The through-hole connectors, the 825/827 series, have an initial height of 0.332 in. (8.43 mm) for the tallest pins, an offset of 0.030 in. (0.76 mm), and each pin has a maximum stroke of 0.090 in. (2.3 mm). The connectors feature spring pins with precision-machined external components and high-reliability internal springs. These are all gold-plated to ensure the highest conductivity, corrosion resistance, and durability, said Mill-Max. The pins have a current rating of 2 A, and the connector housings are molded from high-temperature thermoplastic, suitable for most soldering processes.