CAT5e/6 connector/termination alternatives

On 10/3/2020 12:50 PM, Tom Del Rosso wrote:
> It might be useful to test whatever method being considered by
> retrofitting it onto the board of an 8-port gigabit switch. For $30 you
> could test 8 methods for data errors.

My switch already gives me statistics on types of packets, errors, etc.
It also gives me information on the quality of the power delivered
to each PD.  So, I can check for "lossy" connections at the PD
in "real time" (useful so I can ensure proper operation "over time"
instead of just "at installation").

On Sun, 4 Oct 2020 10:50:52 -0700, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
wrote:

>On 10/2/2020 10:34 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>> The smallest connector I know of are "closed bottom pin sockets".
>> <https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-50863-4.html>
>> <https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-5050863-6.html>

>These look to just be a plane hollow cylinder -- no "spring tines"
>(like you would find on a machined pin IC socket) to cling to the
>"mating" conductor.

These have a spring inside.  See PDF at:
<https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=showdoc&DocId=Customer+Drawing%7F50863%7FZ4%7Fpdf%7FEnglish%7FENG_CD_50863_Z4.pdf%7F50863-4>
Hint:  If the mating pin covers a range of diameters, such as 28 to 22
AWG in this socket, it has a spring inside.

More for #24 AWG to choose from:
<https://www.te.com/usa-en/search.html?q=pin%2Bsocket&n=130468&d=646048&type=products&samples=N&inStoreWithoutPL=false&instock=N>

You haven't said anything about the high cost.

>From my (uneducated) observations, it appears that the way connectors
>grab wires has a fair bit of thought involved.   I'd rather trust to
>an ME (or Materials Scientist?) to sort that out, properly, than to
>hope an /ad hoc/ approach will work scaled to production quantities.

Well, there should be something in the TE online catalog with a proper
signature in the title block of the drawing.  I won't claim to be an
ME (materialistic engineer) but I have had some experience using those
connectors inside marine radios (xtal sockets and board interconnects)
and in applications somewhat beyond the imagination of the ME's.

Incidentally, I picked a gold plated pin socket because I thought it
looked cool and might get your attention.  In reality, you want
something galvanically compatible with the copper CAT5 wire.  Methinks
brass or tin would be best.

>Perhaps if tapered pins were affixed to the ends of the wires to
>ensure a more reliable fit...?

Before you invest time and money in such an abomination, it might be
useful if you first determine if you have a problem worth solving.
We're not talking about the retention force of a single wire in socket
connection here.  We're talking about 8 such connections at the same
time.  But if you believe insufficient retention force to be a
problem, please note that a simple cable clamp or hot melt glue blob
on the jacket, will act as a suitable stress reliever.  Or, if you
really want more retention force, perhaps a longer version of the same
pin socket.

>God:  "Noah?"
>Noah:  "Yes, Lord?"
>God:  "How long can you tread water?"

Forever, with only 20 inches of rain last year:
<https://www.slvwd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif1176/f/uploads/rainfall_13060_highway9_march-30-2020.pdf>

After a few similar discussions with various patriarchs, God became
tired of losing the arguments and stopped talking directly to mere
mortals.

-- 
Jeff Liebermann     jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558