What Are Connectors, Interconnects?
Connectors and interconnects are electromechanical components that create detachable or semi-permanent electrical connections between circuits, boards, wires, and devices. They range from tiny board-to-board headers spaced at 0.4mm pitch to heavy-duty industrial power connectors rated for hundreds of amps. Major sub-types include board-to-board, wire-to-board, wire-to-wire, I/O (USB, HDMI, Ethernet), circular, and RF connectors. LCSC Electronics stocks 80,000+ connector SKUs from 300+ manufacturers, including both globally recognized brands and cost-effective Asian alternatives at up to 35% lower cost.
Connectors, Interconnects — Definition and Sub-Categories
A connector is an electromechanical device that provides a separable interface between two electrical circuits. Connectors consist of a housing (insulator), contacts (conductors), and often a latching or locking mechanism. They enable modular assembly, field service, and system reconfiguration without soldering.
|
Sub-Category |
Function |
Key Parameters |
|
Board-to-Board |
Connect two PCBs directly (stacking or mezzanine) |
Pitch (0.4–2.54mm), stack height, current rating |
|
Wire-to-Board |
Connect wires/cables to a PCB |
Pitch, wire gauge, locking mechanism, current rating |
|
Wire-to-Wire |
Connect two wire segments mid-cable |
Current/voltage rating, IP rating, crimp or IDC |
|
I/O Connectors |
External device interfaces (USB, HDMI, Ethernet, D-Sub) |
Standard compliance, data rate, pin count |
|
RF Connectors |
High-frequency signal connections (SMA, U.FL, BNC) |
Impedance (50/75Ω), frequency range, VSWR |
|
Circular Connectors |
Rugged multi-pin connections for industrial/military |
Pin count, IP rating, shell size, keying |
|
Card Edge / Slot |
Connect expansion cards to motherboard (PCIe, DIMM) |
Contact pitch, insertion force, gold plating thickness |
How to Choose: Connectors, Interconnects Selection Guide
Connector selection depends on five key factors: (1) the type of connection (board-to-board, wire-to-board, external I/O), (2) electrical requirements (current rating, voltage, signal frequency), (3) mechanical constraints (pitch, stack height, board space), (4) environmental conditions (temperature, moisture, vibration — indicated by IP rating), and (5) mating cycles (how many insertions the connector must survive). For prototype builds, standard 2.54mm pitch headers offer maximum flexibility. For production, move to application-specific connectors with proper locking mechanisms to prevent disconnection under vibration.
Connectors, Interconnects Comparison
|
Connector Type |
Typical Pitch |
Current Range |
Best Application |
Mating Cycles |
|
Pin Header (2.54mm) |
2.54 mm |
1–3A per pin |
Prototyping, jumper wires |
100–500 |
|
JST-XH / PH |
2.5 / 2.0 mm |
2–3A per pin |
Battery, internal wire-to-board |
30–50 |
|
FPC/FFC |
0.5 / 1.0 mm |
0.5–1A |
Flat flex cables, displays |
20–50 |
|
USB Type-C |
N/A (standard) |
1.5–5A (with PD) |
External data + power |
10,000+ |
|
SMA (RF) |
N/A (threaded) |
N/A (signal only) |
RF antenna connections |
500+ |
|
Molex Micro-Fit |
3.0 mm |
5–8.5A per pin |
High-current internal power |
50–100 |
Why Source Connectors, Interconnects from LCSC Electronics
LCSC carries 80,000+ connector SKUs from 300+ manufacturers, including major brands (TE Connectivity, Molex, JST, Amphenol) and Asian alternatives from BOOMELE, MINTRON, XKB Connectivity, and HRO. The breadth covers every standard interface from 0.4mm-pitch board-to-board micro connectors to high-current automotive-grade terminals. Most are available from quantity 1, with volume pricing starting at low quantities. LCSC’s Shenzhen warehouse ships globally with orders processed in as fast as 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a board-to-board connector?
A board-to-board connector creates an electrical connection between two printed circuit boards, typically in a stacking (mezzanine) configuration. Common pitches range from 0.4mm to 2.54mm. They’re used inside products where two PCBs need to communicate — such as a main board and display board in a smartphone or a mother/daughter board in industrial equipment.
Q: What is the difference between JST and Molex connectors?
JST and Molex are connector manufacturers, not connector types. Both make a wide range of wire-to-board, wire-to-wire, and board-to-board connectors. The confusion arises because hobbyist communities loosely use ‘JST connector’ to mean specific series (like JST-PH or JST-XH). When sourcing, always specify the exact series and pitch rather than just the brand name.
Q: How do I choose between USB Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C?
USB Type-C is the modern standard for new designs — it’s reversible, supports USB 2.0 through USB4, and handles up to 240W power delivery. Type-A remains common for host ports on PCs. Type-B (including Micro-B) is legacy. For new product designs in 2026, default to USB-C unless backward compatibility with older devices is a hard requirement.
Q: What does IP rating mean for connectors?
IP (Ingress Protection) rating indicates a connector’s resistance to dust and water. The first digit rates dust protection (0–6), the second rates water protection (0–9). IP67 means fully dust-tight and can survive 30-minute submersion in 1 meter of water. Outdoor, automotive, and industrial applications typically require IP65 or higher.
Q: What is the minimum order for connectors at LCSC?
Most connectors at LCSC are available from quantity 1, with volume pricing tiers starting at 10–50 pieces depending on the part. Headers, standard USB ports, and common wire-to-board connectors are all stocked in large quantities for immediate shipment.
Q: How many mating cycles do connectors typically support?
Mating cycles vary enormously by connector type. Standard pin headers support 100–500 cycles. Consumer USB-C connectors are rated for 10,000+ cycles. Industrial circular connectors may be rated for 500–5,000 cycles. High-reliability military-grade connectors can exceed 10,000. Always check the datasheet specification for your exact part.