Rectangular Connectors – Headers, Receptacles, Female Sockets

The ESQ-129-44-G-S is a rectangular connector, a type of electrical connector primarily used mating circuits with other circuit boards, cables and electronic components. The connector is composed of two components, the header and the receptacle. The ESQ-129-44-G-S is a header¹, usually soldered onto a PCB. The headers are standard per the industry standard² Multipurpose Card Edge Connector specification.

Application Field

The most prominent application of rectangular connectors is in connecting components together on a printed circuit board (PCB). As most electronic devices with the exception of single-use products are produced in batches, headers are the easiest way to connect through-hole PCB components, as they can be quickly and easily crimped onto the component leads.

Regardless of the application, the vast majority of rectangular connectors are designed for fast and easy connection between two or more microelectronic components. They are used in virtually all electronic equipment regardless of size (e.g. handheld, automobile, notebook, etc.) and almost all circuit boards employ at least some rectangular connectors.

Working Principle

Most rectangular connectors employ mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or uncouple electrical components from circuit boards. The most common form of mechanical connection is a sliding contact, where a pin or blade is inserted into a receptacle. This type of connection is often used to mate two electrical components through their through-hole counterparts, as the contact is made at the point of insertion.

Sometimes, rectangular connectors use spring terminals to connect components to a circuit board. Spring terminals provide a more secure connection by clamping the components at the point of contact. This type of connection is especially useful when mating mechanical components with different materials, as the force exerted by the spring terminals ensures a reliable connection.

Rectangular connectors may also use an electrical connector to couple or uncouple electrical components from a circuit board. An electrical connector is capable of providing a faster connection than mechanical connectors, as multiple pins can be inserted at once, thus eliminating the need for manual crimping. Furthermore, an electrical connector allows for a secure connection that is virtually impervious to vibration or extreme temperatures.

In addition to the above, some rectangular connectors are designed for use with integrated circuits (ICs). These ICs typically contain several pins that must be connected to a PCB in order to provide an electrical connection. IC headers are designed to provide a quick and reliable connection to these ICs, thus allowing them to be easily installed onto a circuit board.

Conclusion

The ESQ-129-44-G-S is a rectangular connector, typically employed to connect components to a printed circuit board. The connector is composed of two components, the header and the receptacle. The header is usually soldered onto a PCB and the receptacle is typically crimped onto the component leads. Rectangular connectors employ mechanical and/or electrical connectors to couple or uncouple electrical components from circuit boards. These connectors provide a secure, fast, and reliable way to interconnect components on a PCB and are used in virtually all electronic equipment.