Automotive connectors
(16 780)The connector is often the weak link in the electrical and electronic systems used in road vehicles. The increasing complexity of systems leads to an increase in the number of connectors and wires, which requires their miniaturization. At the same time, studies show that between 30 and 60% of electrical failures in vehicles are attributed to connectors.
Vehicles - an extremely demanding operating environment for connectors
The car is a particularly demanding operating environment in terms of connector performance and is characterised by, among other things, large temperature changes and high humidity. Another important challenge is vibration. With these considerations in mind, it can be seen that the selection of suitable connectors, as well as connecting vehicle cables, is one of the most critical issues for the durability of the installation.
Automotive connectors – types and popular solutions
Electrical connectors are divided into three categories depending on their terminations: board-to-board connectors, wire-to-wire connectors and wire-to-board connectors. Connectors are also classified into several types depending on their function. The basic connections are cable-to-cable and these are always the most numerous in any vehicle. These are any connections between two wires that do not require a special connector or tool. Car audio quick disconnect connectors are ideal for such connections, The 12V quick disconnect electrical connectors and other 12V electrical car audio connectors are also worth noting. It is important to remember to always choose products that are certified for automotive use. They must not be substituted by similar products for use in domestic networks, as components for the automotive industry must undergo a series of specific tests to meet very strict safety standards.
European and US standards for automotive connectors
We see the same cars on the roads in Europe and the US. But the electronics they contain may differ due to differences in the connector and automotive component standards. Connector companies that do business with European and American car manufacturers must either offer two sets of products to meet the specific needs of these countries or offer connectors designed to meet all applicable car connector standards in different markets. When you consider the Asian automotive markets, other strictures come into play. First, the two most important standards that must be met for each product are UL (USA) and VDE (Germany/Europe) certificates. The UL and VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik) organisations certify electronics used in automotive and other applications. These certifications indicate that the products meet strict guidelines for safety, and reliability and are not harmful to the environment. The connectors must also meet two automotive standards: USCAR in the US and LV214 in Europe. USCAR 2, developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), contains requirements for the design, manufacture and field testing of electrical terminals, connectors, and components that make up high voltage (60 to 6000) electrical connection systems. It includes performance testing at all stages of production and use. The ZLV214 is an automotive standard developed by representatives of German car manufacturers Audi AG, BMW AG, Daimler AG, Porsche AG, and Volkswagen AG. It is the most modern solution for all suppliers. The United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) standards cover many areas of the automotive industry, including safety, wiring, electronics, and energy storage.
Automotive connectors - overview of types
Audio connectors
The TME offer includes ISO connectors for car radio, which allow the device to be properly mounted inside the car. With these types of accessories, aftermarket audio solutions can be used. It is always worth reading the exact description of the ISO connector to see if it fits your vehicle. Therefore, we recommend that you carefully read the technical parameters of each product before buying.
ISO 10487
defines a standard for connectors for the head unit to the car's electrical system consisting of a system of up to four different connectors typically used in head units for car audio. The first connector (A) is always present and includes pins for the power supply, off/on (typically controlled by the ignition key), and optional control for a motorised antenna. It has electrical pins assigned to specific tasks. The second connector (B) is used to connect the four loudspeakers (front, rear, left and right) and is usually brown. The connector C is optional. It usually appears as a single 20-pin connector, often in red. It can be divided into three separate connectors which may be hooked together. The connector D is the least common and is used for navigation systems.
FAKRA II SMB
The connector system meets both USCAR and German FAKRA automotive standards. Standard uses for FAKRA connectors are coaxial connections on devices with external antennas; such applications include SDARS, Cellular, GPS Navigation, keyless entry, and satellite radio. The FAKRA connector provides a mechanical key function along with a visual colour code to distinguish applications.
OBD-II diagnostic connector
The OBD connector, more specifically the OBD-II connector, is a diagnostic connector used in a variety of vehicles. It allows the connection of external diagnostic equipment to the vehicle computer. The OBD2 connector is a 16-pin connector, characterized by a trapezoidal shape.
Automotive connectors
The connectors come in both male and female versions, as plugs or sockets. They are also available in male-female connector sets. The range is complemented by a variety of contacts and accessories such as mounting brackets, assembly and disassembly tools, adapters, and splitters.
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