SparkFun Forums

[roach]

I'm trying to find the necessary hardware for a 16-pin ribbon cable connector (the kind of idiot-proof connectors you would see between the hard drive and motherboard of your PC). I need the "female" connector housing (the part that's soldered to the motherboard), the "male" connector (the part that's attached to the cable), and the cable itself. Searching for ribbon cable connectors on digikey strangely yields nothing approaching what I'm looking for. I would have thought these were fairly common components. Am I just not using the right vocabulary?

Any ideas where I can find this?

[Kuroi Kenjin]

I've always had problems finding connectors too.

I actually recommend Jameco (jameco.com) since they have pictures of what connector you're looking for (and they're cheaper than digikey with no handling fees for small orders) Check under Interconnects -> Rectangular Connectors.


I recommend using 0.1" series connectors (polarized male, female housing and pins are all in here.)

Just remember, some or most of these connectors requires crimpers. Don't try to do it by hand. I did, and it's not pretty... (falls apart sometimes too).

[roach]

Interconnects -> Rectangular Connectors.

Brilliant! Thanks again, Kuroi!

[powool]

I did a couple of sets of rectangular headers for connecting to my MSP430F169 protoboard. There were 8 pin headers and I used pliers to crimp the individual pins. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. The problem is the time it takes to get it done neatly.

If you can use the IDC connectors, that is especially nice - just need to make sure you get the pins where you want them.

[ed - I said 8 pin, but meant 10 pin]

[beebop]

The connectors you want are at:
http://www.futurlec.com/Connectors.shtml
They are not as quick as spark, but I think they have a US outlet.
robert

[roach]

If you can use the IDC connectors, that is especially nice - just need to make sure you get the pins where you want them.

Thanks, powool. I just finally figured out that this is what they're called ("IDC").

[Kuroi Kenjin]

So that's and IDC!! Ya' learn something everyday.

Nice prices on that website, beebop!

[wiml]

IDC = "insulation displacement connector", it refers to the way that you just sort of press them on to the ribbon cable and the little knives inside punch through the insulation and connect to each wire.

[roach]

These IDC connectors are exactly what I was looking for. Looks like EAGLE doesn't have them, though (not even for download on the cadsoft site). I guess I'll have to design my own...

[busonerd]

Look @ the Pinheader lib- or con-lsta + lstb ones

They're in there.

--David Carne

[roach]

Thanks, busonerd. I was just doing a search for *IDC*

The headers in those libraries provide the correct pad placement, but aren't actual IDC headers. IDC headers (particularly the "female" header. The part that goes on the actual board) require additional clearance around the pins, to allow for the plug, etc.

Anyway, I ended up creating my own. Not sure if they're correct, since I can't find a datasheet, but they'll do for now