IDC Connectors Ribbon cables consist of multiple wires connected together in a thin, flat ribbon. The IDC connector has sharp contact points which pierce the insulation and make contact with the wire. They are quick and easy as you do not need to strip shrouded wires like conventional crimping methods.
What is IDC cable?
“An insulation-displacement contact (IDC), also known as insulation-piercing contact (IPC), is an electrical connector designed to be connected to the conductor(s) of an insulated cable by a connection process which forces a selectively sharpened blade or blades through the insulation, bypassing the need to strip the Oct 23, 2019.
What is a ribbon cable used for?
Ribbon cables are usually used as interconnects for internal peripherals in computers, such as hard drives, CD drives, and floppy drives. On some older computer systems they were also used for external connections.
What is meant by ribbon cable?
A ribbon cable (also known as multi-wire planar cable) is a cable with many conducting wires running parallel to each other on the same flat plane. As a result, the cable is wide and flat. Ribbon cables are usually seen for internal peripherals in computers, such as hard drives, CD drives and floppy drives.
What is IDC wire termination?
IDC (Insulation Displacement Contact) termination tools, also known as IDC Tools, are used with IDC connectors to remove, crimp (join two or more metals together) or terminate (connect cables to other cables or devices) wires, network cables or electrical components that are connected to the ICD connector.
What is the difference between soldering crimping and IDC terminations?
IDC is generally used for mass termination for flat or ribbon cables. With this technology, the connector makes simultaneous contact with all the terminals of the conductor or wire. Crimping is a totally different wire termination method. This was used to replace soldering techniques.
Are all ribbon cables the same?
Different colored cables have been made available for easier identification of each conductor. IDC cable assemblies are available on 1.27 mm pitch, 2.00 mm pitch, and 2.54 mm pitch. Most are double-row connectors, but a few are single-row connectors.
What are ribbon cable connectors called?
ZIF connectors are used to secure delicate ribbon cables, such as FFC (flat flex cables) or FPC (flexible printed circuit) cables. As the name implies, no force is needed to plug in or remove the cable. To disconnect the cable, use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the small locking flap.
Is a ribbon cable a bus?
A ribbon cable is a flat, thin cable composed of multiple small-grade cables placed parallel to each other. This type of cable is mostly used in electronic systems that require multiple data buses to link internal peripherals, such as disk drives to their respective drive controllers.
Can you fold a ribbon cable?
Flat and ribbon cables shall not be creased, folded or bent less than three (3) insulated wire diameters (short-term). The recommended long-term bend radius is ten (10) diameters.
Can you solder a ribbon cable?
Soldering a ribbon cable can be somewhat tricky due to its thin individual wires. Turn the soldering iron on and set it at a temperature of 375 degrees Celsius (700 Fahrenheit). Place the connector where the ribbon cable is to be soldered on a flat and dry surface with soldering pins exposed and easily accessible.
How many wires can be terminated on a 66 block?
On each row, two contacts on either side are connected, allowing for interconnection flexibility. Incoming cables are punched down in the outer IDC contacts. The 66 block can be terminated with two cables placed across from each other and the interconnection made by a bridging clip.
Are IDC connectors reliable?
IDCs have provided a cost-effective and reliable alternative to crimp-to-wire and hard-soldering wires to a PCB. The harsh-environment IDC contact design offers reliability over time, temperature, and vibration with a repeatable/consistent termination process while allowing for reparability if needed.
How do you attach a connector to a ribbon cable?
Slide the new ribbon cable into the connector or attach the connector itself. If the connector is still in the clip, orient the new ribbon cable to slide into the old connector. Turn it so the colors and pins line up with the old cable. Gently slide the cable into the connector until it clicks.
What is a Dupont connector?
Dupont is also called Jumper Wire cables. They are low cost and used to connect hardware such as sensors, Arduino boards and breadboards together. The connectors are available in male and female with a 2.54mm (100mill) pitch.
How do you connect two ribbon cables together?
Connecting the ribbon cable is simply a matter of lining up the grooves and ridges, then pressing the cable down into the connection socket. If the cable encounters resistance, it should be checked to make sure that the ridges aren’t on the wrong side of the socket.
Why do we need to do soldering?
Soldering makes effective and reliable electrical connections. Soldering starts by cleaning the components to be joined. The next step is to mechanically connect the two components by wrapping the cable around the component. You will need a soldering iron to melt the solder and joint the components.
What is insulation piercing connector?
An insulation-piercing connector is a type of electrical connector that utilises a connection process to pierce or displace the insulation of a wire or cable to make a conductive path with the conductor inside. They are also commonly known as insulation piercing clips, insulation displacement connectors and wire taps.
Are all laptop display cables the same?
There are several different types of video connectors used in laptops screens. For the most part the connectors are not interchangeable. It is used on screens with resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. Jan 19, 2021.
How much current can a ribbon cable take?
The current limit for a single connection is as great as 4.5 amps, but if all lines carry equal current, the capability drops to a 1.5A limit. Fig. 2 This 3M™ 891 Series AWG26 IDC ribbon cable connector handles 1.5A per line.