Connectors

Molex’s FiT families power connectors are polarized and keyed to virtually eliminate misalignment and significantly reduce the number of errors associated with improper installation. In the event an operator attempts to mis-mate a FiT families connector, the connector will provide tactile feedback to indicate the mating error to the user.

The TPA reduces terminal back-out by providing locking redundancy; assemblers cannot insert the TPA unless terminal is properly inserted.

Micro-Fit 3.0 CPI (Compliant Pin) Connectors provide a compliant pin interface while maintaining all the features of the standard Micro-Fit 3.0 Connector. The robust eye-of-the-needle design provides a reliable interface when recommended board layouts are followed. The Micro-Fit 3.0 CPI Header mates with Micro-Fit 3.0 Receptacle, allowing running changes as boards transition from solder to press-fit applications. For lower applied costs, OEMs often prefer a compliant pin connector over one that requires soldering.

Micro-Fit 3.0 Blind-Mate Interface (BMI) Connectors are designed for blind-mating applications. They allow mating misalignment (per product drawing). In hard-to-reach applications, such as drawers or fan assembly trays, connectors need to be mated and unmated without being seen. Doing so can cause damage to the connector and/or terminal and consume valuable labor time.

Micro-Fit 3.0 RMF (Reduced Mating Force) Terminals are designed for applications needing lower engagement and disengagement forces or when the units are cycled frequently. The pre-lubricated version can be mated up to 250 times and fit into standard Micro-Fit 3.0 Housings. Applications often require rugged terminals and lower mating force to reduce operator fatigue during assembly and/or to withstand high-mating cycles.

Molex’s FiT families feature scoop proof contacts designed to protect critical contacts from damage associated with mating and unmating. With a scoop proof design, contacts are protected until the mating connectors are properly aligned. Therefore, damages related to aggressive unaligned mating and unmating are virtually eliminated.

The "tang" is the little metal tab protruding from the terminal that latches it into place inside the plastic connector shell. The "tangless" versions do not have a tang on the metal terminal and are instead held in place by a plastic latching tab inside the connector shell. A separate plastic piece called a TPA (Terminal Position Assurance) is commonly used in addition to the tang or tab to help make sure the terminals stay in place inside the connector.

With the "push to seat" type connectors, you insert the wire through the seal (for sealed connectors) and crimp the terminal onto the wire. Then insert the terminal into the back (wire entry) side of the plastic connector shell and push it until the tang or latch snaps into place. With sealed multi-wire push-to-seat connectors, each wire has it's own individual seal where it enters the connector. And with this style of connector, it is possible to extract the terminals and re-arrange the pin-out or replace a damaged plastic shell without having to cut the terminals off the wires.

With the "pull to seat" type connectors, you insert the wire through the seal, and then through the plastic connector shell before crimping the terminal into place. Then, with the terminal crimped in place, pull back on the wire until the terminal snaps into place inside the connector shell. With sealed multi-wire connectors, the pull-to-seat versions have a single seal with multiple holes (one for each wire). And with pull-to-seat connectors the terminals can still be extracted, but there is no way to re-arrange the pin-out or replace a damaged shell without having to cut the wires and install new terminals for re-assembly.