Hirose industrial connectors

Electrical Power & Protection

January 2025 Electrical Power & Protection

Electrical connectors are one of the basic components of modern electronic devices. They enable the safe, fast, and efficient transmission of signals and energy between different components. High-quality manufacturing of these elements is crucial, as even the smallest defects can lead to equipment malfunctions, and in extreme cases failure.

One of TME’s suppliers is Hirose, a leader in this field. The company offers a wide range of connectors with diverse parameters and applications, from miniature solutions for consumer electronics to specialised products for industrial use.

Board-to-board connection

Hirose board-to-board connectors are commonly used in a wide range of applications. As the name suggests, they enable the direct connection of two PCBs, which is particularly important in industrial devices such as industrial controllers, automation systems, or communication equipment where a robust connection is needed.

FunctionMAX products are worth noting for board-to-board connections. These are miniature surface-mount (SMD) connectors available in various configurations, from two to 140 pins. They also offer different pitch sizes and electrical characteristics.

Wire-to-board and wire-to-wire connections

In cases where two separate PCBs cannot be connected using board-to-board connectors, wire-to-board or wire-to-wire connectors are used. These allow individual modules or entire machines to be connected using cables with appropriate terminals. These connections are common in larger machines and production systems, especially where more design flexibility is needed.

Hirose offers sockets and terminals from the DF51, DF51K, DF52, KW30 and ZE series, which are ideal for such connections. They are available in both SMD and THT versions, and are crimped directly onto wires. They come in various spatial orientations and pin counts from one to 50.

Flexible connections FFC/FPC

Hirose’s FFC and FPC connectors are designed for use with flexible flat (FF) or flat printed (FP) circuits, allowing for very thin and flexible connections. These are commonly used in devices where space is limited and movable connections are needed, such as in laptops, printers, medical devices and measurement equipment.

Key factors to consider when selecting FFC/FPC connectors include the number of pins (Hirose’s FH series offers between ten and 40 pins), cable pitch (typically 0,5 mm), mechanical durability, and resistance to wear from multiple connections and disconnections.

Safe data connectors

Data connectors are widely used for connecting automation components in industrial systems. Their shape makes installation easy, and reduces the risk of incorrect connections, enhancing safety. These connectors can transmit both analogue and digital signals and are commonly used in telecommunications, automation, computing, and control systems. Hirose offers DH and DXM series. Available in panel-mounted, cable-mounted or PCB-mounted versions, these connectors offer pin counts ranging from 17 to 51.

Circular connectors

Hirose’s HR and LF series are particularly beneficial for connections within factory automation and industrial applications. Ensuring a stable connection is crucial for minimising the risk of failure. These connectors are available as panel-mounted or cable-mounted versions, and are available in three to 20 contacts. A variety of locking systems is also available to ensure secure connections.

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Electrical Power & Protection

Hirose industrial connectors

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