Board-to-board connector faults and troubleshooting

Correctly connecting board-to-board connectors improves product service life and keeps mechanical equipment working properly. If a board-to-board product develops a fault and is not dealt with in time, the resulting downtime can cause considerable economic loss. This article covers the basics of how the connector is connected and how common circuit faults are handled.

How the connector is connected

The board-to-board plug and socket electrically connect two circuit boards that are spaced apart from each other. The assembly includes a connector that mounts to each circuit board and an adapter connector that joins the two in series. Each board-mounted connector has a terminal soldered to its board and a body that houses the terminal.

The adapter connector has a second terminal housed in its own body. The two extension ends of the second terminal mate with the terminals of the two board-mounted connectors respectively, completing the electrical path between the two boards. One end of the first or second terminal has a reverse-bent elastic part, and the body and terminal can be selected with an appropriate extension length to suit the board spacing specification.

Locating the fault

When a product fails, the likely causes are a broken wire or a loose part. Wire breakage rarely occurs in the middle of a wire run; it is far more common at the connector. Inspection should therefore focus on the sensor and the wiring connected to it, checking for looseness and poor contact.

Restoring contact

A circuit-break fault caused by poor contact is usually traced to rust at the product terminal, or to external dirt entering the terminal or connection socket and lowering contact pressure. To correct it, remove the connector, re-seat it, and change the connection so that normal contact is restored.