ERNI Introduces New Family of Cable-to-Board Connectors

By Tiera Oliver

Associate Editor

Embedded Computing Design

February 13, 2020

News

iBridge Ultra connectors provide reliable and robust connections for automotive systems.

ERNI presents the iBridge Ultra connector, a new addition to its offering of Cable-to-Board solutions. The 2.0mm pitch connectors are designed to provide compact and reliable connection that will withstand high vibration, making it suitable for use in rugged environments.

One of the key features is the TPA (Terminal Position Assurance) which serves as a secondary locking to the crimp contacts in the female housing. The secondary locking feature, in addition to the location pegs of the male parts, make the connections particularly resistant against strong vibrations, such as those that occur in automotive applications. The iBridge Ultra is tested according to requirements of USCAR-2 & USCAR-21 but this robust and compact solution is ideal for many other applications that demand connection in high vibration environments.

iBridge Ultra’s compact design supports space restricted applications between control units and local components such as sensors, motors, switches, fans, heating elements, or LEDs. Despite its miniaturized design, the connectors offer a high current rating of up to 8A per contact. The crimp contacts are specified for AWG 22 and AWG 24 wiring. Polarization keys on the female parts and polarization slots on male provide polarity reversal protection for secure mating. Dual beam female contacts protect against misalignment mating while stamped male contacts ensure robustness, coplanarity and high current capacity.

The new connector family include many variants: vertical male and right-angle male connectors (with SMT termination launching first and through hole solder (DIP) options coming soon), and female connectors with 180° cable outlet (crimp). The male SMT variants are supplied in tape-and-reel packaging while the male solder connectors are delivered in tubes, yet both are suitable for fully automated assembly. The connectors with tin-plated contacts operate in a wide temperature range from -40 to +100 °C and are available in pin count 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

For more information, visit: https://www.erni.com/en/

Tiera Oliver, Associate Editor for Embedded Computing Design, is responsible for web content edits, product news, and constructing stories. She also assists with newsletter updates as well as contributing and editing content for ECD podcasts and the ECD YouTube channel. Before working at ECD, Tiera graduated from Northern Arizona University where she received her B.S. in journalism and political science and worked as a news reporter for the university’s student led newspaper, The Lumberjack.

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