Front panel connectors question

[prasimix]

Dear all, I need your assistance regarding issue providing connection points on the front panel. I'd like to make available few low-power (signal) lines using 2 or 3 pin connectors that have to be mounted on PCB behind front panel. The problem is that distance between PCB and front panel is 14 mm and front panel thickness could be between 2 and 3 mm and I have trouble finding connectors that is high enough. Probably I can decrease the distance but not below 11.5 mm. Connector could be classical header/socket type or push-in. So far the closer one is Weidmuller LSF-SMT.



It's 11.7 mm high or 14 mm with push button included. There is another from the same manufacturer (LMF series) with overall height of 19.2 mm but it's still not available via major suppliers:



I didn't find any header/socket combination to manage such depth. Thanks in advance.

[exmadscientist]

Use a standard panel mount connector of your choice, terminated in wires. Have a socket on your PCB with a wire-to-board connector. Simple, adaptable, robust, and easy to maintain.

[prasimix]

Use a standard panel mount connector of your choice, terminated in wires. Have a socket on your PCB with a wire-to-board connector. Simple, adaptable, robust, and easy to maintain.

Hm, That was my first idea. Don't you think that plugging/unplugging could be problematic when you cannot hold a connector top all the way down to the connector on board? Or I missed something? Could you mention any "standard" connectors as an example please.

[Ian.M]

If its for LF test signals, 2mm miniature test  sockets are a good choice.  An unshielded DMM probe will plug straight in.   If its for more permanent use, especially for groups of wires, you'd do better to look at plug-in screw terminal blocks

[exmadscientist]

One standard connector is the banana jack :

Mount it to the panel. Have a wire terminating on whatever connector you want that goes to the PCB.

Don't you think that plugging/unplugging could be problematic when you cannot hold a connector top all the way down to the connector on board?

I don't understand. Are you concerned about load transmission? In my experience the mechanical engineers are always much happier with stuff attached to the chassis rather than the PCB....

[prasimix]

Thanks exmadscientist and Ian.M. I'm aware of binding post of 2 and 4 mm. Both of them are far too big. I need to expose up to 7 lines times 2 (for two channels) and I don't have enough space on the front panel (there is already five 4 mm binding posts located). Because of that I'm now searching for more compact solution.

[prasimix]

Another possible candidate is WE Serie 4039-2.54mm. I ordered few of them to see how wire insertion and removal works in practice.