Multi-pin connector with insertion detection

May 11, 2015 8:13 AM

Calling local EEs: I'm looking for a small multi-pin (4 pin minimum) electronic connector with an integrated insertion detection switch. The switch should be isolated from the 4 active pins (unlike, for example, most audio connectors).
posted by Behemoth to Technology (7 answers total)

You could get a six-pin connector/socket and jumper two pins on the connector side. When plugged into the socket, the jumpered pins could act like an insertion switch.
posted by jimmytransistor at 8:37 AM on May 11, 2015 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Yeah, that's plan B, but for this application an integrated switch would be better.
posted by Behemoth at 9:20 AM on May 11, 2015

Do you mean that the connector should have a mechanical switch embedded in it an it would be switched by some mechanical means when the connector is fully mated?

The usual way of accomplishing this is exactly what jimmytransistor described, I do it that way all the time. If you want it to only happen when the connector is fully mated you just make the appropriate pin a little shorter than the others so it mates last.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2015

Response by poster: Yep, looking for a mechanical isolated switch, similar to this (pins 4 and 5) but for a 4+ pin connector.
posted by Behemoth at 10:07 AM on May 11, 2015

Digikey has a bunch of phone connectors with physical switches with varying numbers of contacts (up to 6 conductors/12 contacts).
posted by jimmytransistor at 10:21 AM on May 11, 2015

Response by poster: That's heading in the right direction -- unfortunately the vast majority of the phone jacks have non-isolated switches, so I wouldn't have enough active conductors. The 6 conductor / 12 contact switch would work because I could dedicate one of the conductor/switch pairs as an isolated switch, but that part is too big (3cm diameter) and non-stock.
posted by Behemoth at 10:37 AM on May 11, 2015

For questions like these, sometimes you will get better results if you describe exactly what you are trying to accomplish and why. There may be better solutions than the one you have narrowed in on.
posted by JackFlash at 1:33 PM on May 11, 2015