Product Spotlight: Mill-Max 110 Series DIP Sockets
bisco industries now stocks more Mill-Max 110 Series dual-in-line sockets than ever before! Mill-Max’s 110 Series DIP sockets provide reliable connection for devices using I/O pins such as dual-in-line relays, oscillators and IC chips.
Product Spotlight: Components Corp Test Points
Printed circuit board (PCB) test points from Components Corp are an affordable and effective solution for board level troubleshooting. In fact, test points are an essential component for nearly all modern PCB assemblies. Components Corp test points are designed to provide superior connectivity and come in a variety of configurations.
Electronics Protection Simplified
Front Panels, PCB Retainers, & More
The Schroff product line features a full suite of complementary products for electronics protection. If you’re using one of the items in the graphic below then chances are Schroff offers the complimentary item. For example, if you’re working with front panels then you may also be using subracks and cases.
Manufacturer Profile: Cambion Electronics
Cambion Electronics is a leading manufacturer of electromechanical products including PCB pins, PCB sockets, and solder terminals. Based in the United Kingdom, Cambion was established in 1961 and manufactures components for use in the aerospace, medical, telecommunications, and transportation industries just to name a few. Cambion is ISO9001 certified. Cambion’s diverse manufacturing capabilities include molding, stamping, coil winding, and CNC machining.
Turret Solder Terminals
Spring Loaded Pins
Press-Mount Sockets
Cambion’s Product Offering
- Single Pole Sockets
- Connector Pins
- Solder Terminals
- Spring Loaded Contacts
- RF Chokes
- Variable Coils
To learn more browse Cambion’s online catalog
Authorized Cambion Distributor
bisco industries is proud to be an authorized Cambion distributor. bisco stock thousands of Cambion pins, sockets, and solder terminals all available with same day shipping. To find stock on Cambion components visit biscoind.com.
What is a Standoff?
Standoff Fastener Description
Standoffs are fasteners used to create space between printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies and are the standard fastener for mounting PCBs to prevent electrical shorts. Standoffs are similar to spacers but differ in that they are threaded.
Standoff Fastener Styles
Standoffs may be cylindrical, square or hexagonal in shape and come in male, female, male-male, or male-female styles. Standoffs are fabricated from various materials such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel and nylon. In addition, standoffs are often plated to meet application specific requirements.
Standoff Fastener Application Example
One application example for standoffs is the fastening of a motherboard (PCB) to a metal enclosure. In a typical scenario, male-female standoffs are fastened into pre-drilled metal ringed screw holes in the motherboard while the opposite end of the standoff is fastened to the enclosure wall. Mounting the motherboard in this manner prevents it from short circuiting.
Standoff Fastener Manufacturers
- Accurate Screw Machine (ASM)
- Amatom
- Bivar
- Concord Electronics
- ITW Fastex
- Keystone Electronics
- Lyn-Tron
- RAF Electronic Hardware
Configuring Standoff Fasteners
Since standoffs come in so many styles, sizes, and materials configuring the correct standoff for your application can be challenging. To aid you in configuring standoffs and other electronic hardware bisco has recently updated it’s RAF product catalog. Users can now browse and filter standoffs by style, material, diameter, length, thread size, and finish. Visit bisco’s online RAF product selector to learn more.
Manufacturer Profile: Birtcher
About Birtcher
Birtcher, now known as Schroff (a Pentair brand), designs and manufactures rugged printed circuit board (PCB) card guides, retainers and inserters/extractors used primarily in conduction cooled frame systems. Birtcher / Schroff PCB hardware is used on a wide variety of applications including electronics systems in vehicles, ships, and planes that must withstand various temperatures, turbulence, vibration, and shock. Birtcher / Schroff products are specifically designed to hold PCBs securely in place despite high shock and vibration all while providing superior heat dissipation.
Finding & Configuring Birtcher Products
Birtcher / Schroff’s PCB card guides, retainers, and inserters/extractors are highly customizable allowing users to configure everything from the length to the mounting style. To find and configure products for your application view the Birtcher / Schroff PCB hardware catalog.
Authorized Birtcher Distributor
bisco industries is proud to be an authorized Birtcher / Schroff distributor. As an authorized Birtcher distributor bisco stocks a wide variety of PCB hardware including such popular items as the 42 Series Wedge Loks. To find stock and availablity or to request a quote on non-standard items visit biscoind.com and simply search for the Birtcher / Schroff part number.
What is a PLCC Socket?
PLCC Socket Description
Plastic leaded chip carriers (PLCC) sockets are a type of chip carrier used to form connections between integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs).
PLCC sockets typically have a rectangular plastic housing with connections along all four edges of the rectangle. To form secure connections PLCC sockets utilize J-leads which derive their name from fact that the leads are bent under and around the plastic housing. During installation PLCC sockets are soldered to the PCB and then the chip is inserted into the PLCC socket. Chips can be exchanged or removed using a specialized tool called a PLCC extractor.
PLCC Socket Configurations
All PLCC sockets meet JEDEC industry standards MO-047 or MO-052 which define lead spacing and sizing. Nonetheless, there are several configuration options for PLCC sockets. Perhaps most significant is the mounting style. PLCC sockets are available in both surface mount (SMT) and through hole (THT) configurations. As the name implies SMT PLCC sockets are mounted directly on the surface of the PCB. In contrast, THT PLCC sockets are mounted by inserting leads in pre-drilled holes on the PCB and soldering them to the opposite side.
Top PLCC Socket Manufacturers
- 3M
- Adam Tech
- Amphenol FCI
- Mill-Max
- Samtec
- TE Connectivity
Learn More About PLCC Sockets
Manufacturers such as Mill-Max and Adam Tech offer catalogs that provide an array of technical information to help users configure PLCC sockets for their applications. In addition to general manufacturer documentation, bisco industries offers a team of product specialists to answer any questions about PLCC sockets you may have. Click here to contact a bisco product specialist.
Manufacturer Profile: Zierick
Zierick is a pioneering manufacturer of surface mount connectors, through hole connectors, and interconnect terminals. Throughout its 95+ year history Zierick has developed such innovative products as harsh environment insulation displacement connectors (IDC), odd-form surface mount terminals, and PCB parallel stacking systems. In addition to its reputation for innovation, Zierick is also known for unparalleled quality and offers a one year guarantee on all its products. Zierick products can be found in applications ranging from medical equipment to industrial enclosures and controls.
IDC Wire Connector
Board Stacking Connector
Quick Disconnect Terminal
Surface Mount Posts
Zierick Products Include:
- Surface Mount Pins & Posts
- Quick Disconnect Terminals
- Spring Clips
- Screw Terminals / Binding Posts
- Surface Mount & Through Hole Wire Connectors
bisco – Authorized Zierick Distributor
bisco industries is a franchised Zierick distributor and offers stock on hundreds of Zierick parts. View Zierick’s website to configure products, then search the part on biscoind.com to get pricing and availability.
Trending Zierick Parts
What is a Test Point?
PCB Test Point Description
A test point is a small metal terminal used as a connection point to test circuitry on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Typical PCB test points are wire formed loops surrounded by colored insulators. The insulator color allows the test points’ type or location to be mapped on the PCB, thereby streamlining the testing process. Test point loops allow for easy test connections using alligator clips, probes, and test hooks. More sophisticated test points may function as actual connectors allowing test leads to be plugged into the test point. PCB test points are also known as test terminals, PCB mountable terminals, loop type terminals, and test sockets.
PCB Test Point Uses
- Test points are used to test PCB circuitry during manufacturing and assembly to ensure that equipment is working properly
- Test points are used to test circuitry during repair to pinpoint equipment failures
Bare Wire Formed PCB Test Point
Insulated PCB Test Points
PCB Test Point Socket
Test Point Configurations
Aside from the three primary styles of test points there are many test point configuration options to consider. These options include loop size, socket size, test point height, insulator material, test point material, test point finish, and insulator color.
PCB Test Point Manufacturers
- Components Corp
- Mill-Max
- TE Connectivity
- Molex
Learn More About PCB Test Points
Learn more about PCB test points by reviewing these catalogs from Components Corp and Mill-Max. To speak with a bisco product expert simply email us.
What is an IC Socket?
IC sockets (integrated circuit sockets) act as static connectors between integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). IC Sockets are used for two primary reasons:
- IC sockets prevent damage to ICs caused by soldering IC chips directly to the circuit board. Instead, the more durable IC sockets are soldered to the board and the chip is simply inserted into the socket.
- IC sockets allow ICs to be inserted and removed easily. This means damaged IC chips can be replaced with relative ease without damaging the PCB.
IC Socket Styles
IC sockets are manufactured in a variety styles but perhaps the most common style is dual-in-line (DIL). Dual-in-line sockets feature two rows of sockets separated and aligned by a rectangular thermoplastic insulator. Other IC configurations include press-fit IC sockets and right angle mount IC sockets.
IC Socket Applications
IC sockets are utilized in nearly any application that uses an integrated circuit. This means that the vast majority of electronic devices could or do utilize IC sockets.
Top IC Socket Manufacturers
- Mill-Max
- 3M
- Assmann WSW Components
- Advanced Interconnections
- TE Connectivity
Learn More About Integrated Circuit Sockets
To get a better idea of the diversity of IC socket configurations check out Mill-Max’s product catalog. To find pricing, availability, or specific product info search biscoind.com or contact our customer support team.
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