Micro ribbon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The micro ribbon connector is a common type of electrical connector used particularly in various computer, telecommunication and other applications. Micro ribbon connectors are popularly known as Centronics connectors because of their use in the highly successful Centronics parallel interface. Micro ribbon connectors are also sometimes referred to as "Delta ribbon connectors" or "CHAMP connectors".

[edit] Description

A micro ribbon connector contains two parallel rows of flat connector blades in a block shape contained within a D-shaped metal or plastic shield. The shield ensures correct orientation and the metal type shield provides protection against electromagnetic interference. The part containing a central rib with connector blades on the outside is called the male connector or plug, while the mating part is called the female connector or socket and has the connector blades on the inner walls of the mating surface. The socket's shield fits tightly inside the plug's shield with the metal type shields generally connected to the system shield or frame ground. The connector is quite reliable due to the wiping action and fairly large contact area.

Micro ribbon connectors are produced with either 14, 24, 36, 50 or 64 pins. Different designs allow for panel mounting, board mounting and cable connection. The contacts are available as solder, crimp or insulation displacement. Female connectors are available with bail locks that provide a positive connection to the male connector. Versions using "jack screws" for locking are also available and widely used in the 50-pin telecommunications version.

[edit] Applications

• 24 pin connector: IEEE 488 (GPIB) interface
• 36 pin connector: IEEE 1284 parallel interface
• 50 pin connector: SCSI-1 interface, key telephone systems, 25-pair_color_code