What Is a Card Edge Connector?
A card edge connector is an end of a printed circuit board that has a contact point with the socket side so that it can be inserted into the card edge connector’s socket side.
The edge connect socket itself is called a slot, and since card edge connectors and slots have a convex-concave relationship, card edge connectors are used in pairs with their matching slots.
The structure is a plastic box with several pins on one or both sides, which are pressed into the slot by a spring.
Uses of Card Edge Connectors
Card edge connectors are available in a variety of sizes along with the slot side.
The advantage is that the cost can be kept low and shared since multiple card edge connectors can be installed by replacing one slot on the installation side. Because of its high durability, it is often used in home-use equipment.
The most familiar example is the cassette cartridge of a video game console. By having the same card edge connectors on the cartridges, it is possible to use multiple cassettes in a single game device.
Principle of Card Edge Connectors
Card edge connectors are a type of connector that is very simple in construction.
There are many types of card edge connectors, each with its own structure and components. The basic structure is the same, consisting of a contact with many pins, a housing that holds the contact in place, and a shell that serves as the overall box.
The contact part is lined with many pins that conduct electricity, and when the card edge connectors are pressed against the slot side, electricity flows from these pins, acting as the contactor.
On the other hand, the housing or shell is usually made of an insulating material because it is positioned as the body part in which the contacts are incorporated. This allows for safe use without the risk of electrical leakage, even in general equipment that is often touched with bare hands. The structure of card edge connectors can be more complex depending on the application and type of connector.