Card Edge Connectors for Lighting Applications
Written By: Raul Saucedo
Abstract:
For more than 50 years, the PCB edge connected circuit card has been a mainstay in both desktop and server computers. The traditional arrangement of backplanes and motherboards with numerous card edge slots allowed for configurability and expansion in a rapidly advancing industry. The natural result was an evolution of edge card connector technology focused on higher contact densities and improved electrical performance to try and maximize speed and throughput.
More recently, card edge connectors have taken on a new role in the world of solid state lighting (SSL) as the LED has become the dominant source of efficient illumination. LED lighting can be split into two broad categories: traditional bulb replacements and variable length strips. The LEDs themselves are often mounted on specialized PCBs designed for heat dissipation (typically aluminum clad). Control and power supply electronics on a traditional fiberglass PCB are mated to the LED section to form the completed luminaire. One of the most economical and reliable methods for mating these two boards turns out to be card edge connectors.
To meet the requirements of this new application space, KYOCERA AVX has developed new lines of edge card connectors with optimized contact solutions specifically tailored for LED lighting PCBs. These contacts use beryllium copper (BeCu) materials and are often stamped and formed to create the final contact geometry. BeCu has proven to be the best contact material on the market in stamped contacts, providing high spring force without yielding to elevated temperatures, a large contact deflection range, substantial insertion force tolerance, and long-term reliability.
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For more than 50 years, the PCB edge connected circuit card has been a mainstay in both desktop and server computers. The traditional arrangement of backplanes and motherboards with numerous card edge slots allowed for configurability and expansion in a rapidly advancing industry. The natural result was an evolution of edge card connector technology focused on higher contact densities and improved electrical performance to try and maximize speed and throughput.
More recently, card edge connectors have taken on a new role in the world of solid state lighting (SSL) as the LED has become the dominant source of efficient illumination. LED lighting can be split into two broad categories: traditional bulb replacements and variable length strips. The LEDs themselves are often mounted on specialized PCBs designed for heat dissipation (typically aluminum clad). Control and power supply electronics on a traditional fiberglass PCB are mated to the LED section to form the completed luminaire. One of the most economical and reliable methods for mating these two boards turns out to be card edge connectors.
To meet the requirements of this new application space, KYOCERA AVX has developed new lines of edge card connectors with optimized contact solutions specifically tailored for LED lighting PCBs. These contacts use beryllium copper (BeCu) materials and are often stamped and formed to create the final contact geometry. BeCu has proven to be the best contact material on the market in stamped contacts, providing high spring force without yielding to elevated temperatures, a large contact deflection range, substantial insertion force tolerance, and long-term reliability.
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