How to correctly choose the test pogo pin
Anyone who has ever performed measurement and testing knows that accurate data depends on the design and measurement capabilities of the test instrument. But few people know that the design quality, manufacturing process, compatibility, and performance specifications of test lines and connectors are as important as test instruments. Next, we will focus on the five specific criteria for the correct selection of test wires and spring pogo pins.
First, safety:
Same as the power supply requirements, the instrument test leads and pogo pins must meet strict safety requirements due to direct contact with large voltages, especially in line with the international IEC1010 voltage and category requirements, namely CATI, CAT II, CAT III, or CATIV. Other requirements of IEC1010 also involve transient testing, dielectric withstand voltage, or testing to verify that the product has sufficient insulation and meets the requirements of current, electrical clearance, exposed metal spring thimble, and impact resistance. Good-quality test needles, together with important personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection, form part of the personal protective measures defined in the NFPA70E standard.
Second, robustness and durability:
High-quality test leads and connectors will not suffer performance degradation due to daily friction such as pulling, pressing, and puncturing. Both ends of the test line should have well-designed anti-stress sheaths. The test spring thimble should be a hardened metal that can withstand repeated connections and can transmit accurate data every time.
Compared with cheap materials, the specially manufactured multi-strand tinned beryllium copper wire can provide flexibility, long-term durability, excellent conductivity, and precision. Other factors include the internal welding quality of the pogo pin and the connector and the temperature range of the material.
Third, design performance and indicators:
It is very important for the design of the test spring thimble and test clip to be comfortable or not. A comfortable, easy-to-grab grip surface helps to hold the needle firmly in your hand, and a strong spring clamp ensures a firm connection. The connection should be simple, and matching parts should be able to slide together effortlessly without stress. The contacts on high-quality connectors should be nickel-plated or gold-plated machined brass connectors, not just cast brass. The use of gold-plated contacts provides accuracy and oxidation resistance, thereby providing a durable, safe and reliable connection.
The design index of the test line and spring thimble should be consistent with the matching test instrument. If the index is smaller than the test instrument, the true value of the instrument will be greatly reduced. For example, the bandwidth of the oscilloscope is 100M, and the bandwidth of the matching oscilloscope needle is only 50M, then the oscilloscope becomes 50M.
Fourth, high-performance applications:
From a spring-loaded pogo pin and a fine and lightweight needle for electronic circuit testing to a sharp stainless steel pogo pin and a strong needle suitable for industrial use, the design of the needle now takes into account the needs of different applications. For example, Single-point needles are the most common form of needles. Most meters provide a single-point test line, which is quite useful for a wide range of test applications. A sharp spring thimble is a better tool for measuring very small contact points on high-density circuit boards. Although they are easily damaged, pogo pins can usually be re-sharpened because there is no plating on them.
The needle with a retractable spring thimble is connected to a stainless steel wire with a very thin diameter. Except for the end of the needle, the entire wire is covered by an insulating layer to prevent accidental contact from causing a short circuit and damaging the chip. Hook pliers spring thimble is suitable for keeping the connection in place, which is convenient for hands-off operation. Use test clips of different sizes for easy testing of IC chips. IC test clips are ideal tools for probing multiple pins on an IC chip. They are very suitable for finding one of many chip wires. SMD needles can be used for fixed-point testing on surface mount boards (SMD). This type of testing requires the use of a very thin and sharp spring thimble to touchpoints on very small circuit boards, such as MINI GRIP-XB/100 mini test clamps. The micro SMD clamp is designed to clamp the fine pitch pins on the SMD chip. The BNC adapter cable (short patch cord with small wires) makes it easier to install the RF connector from the circuit board for signal testing...
Fifth, test line connection connector:
According to standards, safety, and actual needs, the test line connector has various applications and standard plugs and sockets. For example, the oscilloscope has a BNC connector, the multimeter has a 4mm banana connector, and the spectrum analyzer has an N-type connector, etc. Different applications have different connectors. In order to match each other, various adapters (coupling) have appeared on the market. Adapter), adapters (adapters), adapter cables, connecting cables, branch cables, etc.
To sum up, it is the five specific criteria for the correct selection of test lines and pogo pins that we have described today. According to these five points, everyone also has a deeper understanding of pogo pins.