miniature 3 pin sockets

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I am a bit new to all this electronic ey stuff. I need to plug 5 off, 3 wire temperature sensors into a circuit board. Won't do it too often, but must be easily unplugged. Sensors draw little current at 3.3 volts.

I don't want them too big, perhaps 3.5 phono ?? Or what would you suggest ? Elsewhere to get them with a reasonable delivery schedule (Not China).

BobH

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

15pin header (pins at 0.1″ spacing – you can buy small blocks in various sizes inc 3 wire that take wires held by a screw terminal with female socket for each wire that will plug onto the male terminal strip

try RS-components ? but mine were derived from USA built equipment tho I know Maplin used to do them

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Stereo jack plugs are reliable.

3-pin mini DIN plugs are bigger but look more professional.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

If as you say these are plugging into a circuit board then is the board is already fitted with a connector?

If its is then

If say the board will have wires soldered to it that are then wired to connectors of your choice its just a matter of selecting parts that meet the electrical requirements, that can be panel? mounted, are wire-able with your skills and equipment, affordable and suit the type of wire fitted to the sensor. 3.5mm phono plugs are only two pole so no good for three wires sensors, 3.5mm stereo jacks would be OK but as one pole will be carrying supply volts you need to take care to wire them in such a manner that the sensor is not damaged whilst mating (the wrong contacts make connection as the plug is inserted).

There are hundreds of suitable connectors really, mostly its a matter of choosing the physical and mechnical features first.

Ian P

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Have a look at XLR connectors RS components or other supliers.

David

[John Paton 1Participant @johnpaton1]

I recently bought 'Metal Screw Butt Joint Type Male Connector Aviation Plug XS8JK-4P/Y' from Amazon , £3.62 for a plug and socket. These sockets can also be bought 'panel mounting' rather than lead fitted. They have a nice snap on connection action so stay putt in use but disconnect easily when you need to unplug.

Also consider the servo plugs and sockets used by modelmakers for radio control, but these would need to be used with fly leads rather than panel mounted socket so wont look quite as professional. Get some lengths of small bore heat shrink tube to seal over soldered connections between flyleads and your wires if going that way.

[Anonymous]

There isn't enough information in the OP to be able to make an informed suggestion. For instance are the connectors wire to PCB, or do the connector(s) need to be panel mount? Is each sensor to have it's own connection or can they all be on one connector. Do the connector(s) need to be latching or not?

Having spent many hours searching for connectors I can safely say that connectors is the biggest section in the catalogue; and still no-one makes the connector that you really want.

Andrew

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

It sounds like Mini Din connectors would be a good choice if they are small enough for your application. Available from 3 pins upwards and with chassis or pcb mounting sockets. I buy connectors from CPC. They are local to me but do quick free delivery. **LINK**

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

why not just headers and female header jumpers

aIAAOSwbbdbBx-b”>header pins

jumpers

you need a solder join in the wires, bit of heatshrink over it is fine. Arrange to have your 3 pins next to each other on 0.1" spacing, the the set of three get a better grip if they are adjacent. Really cheap

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Basically, you need Molex connectors. If a panel plug/socket, do not use stereo jacks, as has been said, because the wrong contacts 'make' as they are connected. Microphone connectors, available in many 'ways' can be used, but not if there is danger of harmful, inappropriate connectors being mated, causing hazards.

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

If you want to connect straight onto a board but want something keyed, JST connectors are useful from Amazon (and plenty of other places).

Brian

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I have 'here we go again' feeling!

A few days ago I brought up the subject of topics rambling on with irrelevant replies to the original question, I was and still am not, opposed to topic drift and admit that I do both partake and learn from some threads. In this particular thread the OP admitted he was not electronically knowledgeable but asked for some connector suggestions. Since there are thousands different connectors, without the OP supplying more information it is really quite pointless forum members suggesting particular devices ad infinitum.

Its not difficult to look at the beginning of a thread before posting a reply, I'm just baffled why a lot of people do not seem to bother.

An exaggeration really, but for all we know the OPs application might be part of diagnostic medical equipment and have an unlimited budget, or it might be a non critical hobby related project. Offering any specific connector without knowing its intended purpose does not really have any point.

Ian P

[Anonymous]

Posted by Ian P on 28/03/2019 09:42:46:

……….without the OP supplying more information it is really quite pointless forum members suggesting particular devices ad infinitum.

Which is why I didn't suggest one.

Andrew

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I know you didn't Andrew.

Ian P

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

The OP's earlier question about adding three temperature probes to an Austin Seven led me to believe that this thread about attaching three temperature probes to a circuit board might be for the same purpose, hence my belief that JST connectors would be appropriate. I stand admonished.

Brian

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

actually he gave quite a bit of info
low voltage/current, easy but infrequent removal
onto a circuit board ie not a cased bit of equipment thus small self holding connectors that will not see many insertions

ok after this one can jump to a few assumptions – inexperience suggests that he might not have equipment for very fine soldering – hence my suggest of screwed terminal + the 0.1″ strip that matches headerpins on several microprocessor boards

As many have said – there is no compulsion to either read or respond to all posts nor is this forum/message board a formal archive though if people place their photos along with their posts it will last longer as a useful mine of info than most others where the photos have dissapeared but the text has survived.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

OK Guys and ladies, I have the information now – Thanks for all your help.

BobH – Speedy Builder 5

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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[John Paton 1Participant @johnpaton1]

Having just run through the replies to Bob's question there were seven which appear to me to be genuine constructive attempts to help and one suggesting they required a bit more info.

after that a further 7 (now 9 with this) arguably off topic. Come on guys let's be friendly and helpful.

Bob, glad you have found a solution and please don't be deterred from asking questions – I felt your specification quite adequate, perhaps because I faced a similar need recently and there are a bewildering number of products which arise from a Google search.

would be interested to hear the outcome of your checks on the Austin – please PM me if you prefer not to post openly on this. My Jag kit car might need similar monitoring especially around the exhaust manifold.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Firstly I would like to say that I am not trying to be pedantic or controversial, I just wanted to highlight the pointless replies that tell the OP what specific connector he should be using. With no critisism or reflection on BobH he asked what I thought a rather vague question…

I am a bit new to all this electronic ey stuff. I need to plug 5 off, 3 wire temperature sensors into a circuit board. Won't do it too often, but must be easily unplugged. Sensors draw little current at 3.3 volts.

I don't want them too big, perhaps 3.5 phono ?? Or what would you suggest ? Elsewhere to get them with a reasonable delivery schedule (Not China).

BobH

From that one can establish that small, low current, easy to unplug and easily available. That cuts the choice down from say 10,000 possibilities only 9,990. As there is nothing about an Austin 7 car anyone not seeing his previous posts would only have the limited description. He did however say he wanted to plug into a circuit board, if the board already existed then his choice is limited or at least partly decided. One could assume that Bob is designing a PCB but since electronics is new to him I thought that unlikely. My response was really to illicit further clarification. Like other forum members I wanted to be helpful and assist if I could.

There were then seven subsequent postings, some just suggesting possible connector, but others basically 'telling' Bob specifically what he should use. Even with knowledge of Bob's previous posts I don't see how anyone can say what will meet his requirements. Yes, each of us might have our own connector preference but they are not relevant at this stage.

One thing I am not bothered about is topic drift, its part of all forums and as it happens did learn something which might be useful to me, from one of those seven posts! (see P.S.).

Andrew J also asked for more clarification, I know Bob has now now replied with a thanks and said he is sorted so I suppose that is all we need to know. Its totally up to Bob and there is no reason he should tell us what connector he used, its take time and effort to post on the forum and its not mandatory to dot every I or cross every T, its all just part of life.

As someone suggested, should move on, as it happens I do, that too is part of life.

Ian P

PS. One suggested connector looked to be of real interest to me, its the 'Metal Screw Butt Joint Type Male Connector Aviation Plug XS8JK-4P/Y' from Amazon , £3.62 for a plug and socket' I have not seen those in any of the main distributors catalogues so I thought it must be because they are aimed at the avaition industry. Having now looked on Amazon and searched generally online it seems that these connectors are mostly or only sold by fulfilment or non specialised outlets. I drew a blank on finding anywhere that offered bulkhead, right angle, or even a list of what versions of this connector is made in. I find descriptions of goods for sale on Amazon really poor and it never seems clear what I am buying anyway so what looked like a good product will remain just that. Obviously its up to the sellers but ebay is much better by comparison.

Ian P

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

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