High current pogo pins

[captainscarlet]

Hi all,

I'm designing an automated test bed for a high volume product that has a high power requirement (~1500W @230V)

I'm having difficulty finding a automated method to quickly provide this power, do a test, then disconnect. The whole process should take about 5 seconds.
I'm looking at pogo pins, but they all seem very flimsy for the amount of current I need to deliver. 

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[tszaboo]

They are rated for some hundred milliamps to 1-2 Amps. Just take a smaller one, put more in parallel, leave some space on the PCB for it. Space is usually free, the pins, you only need to buy once.
The only thing you need to be aware is the increased force it requires to push down the PCB, sometimes only on one side.

[max_torque]

How long do you need to test for?  ie how long is 7A or so going to have to flow through these "Pins" onto your pcb?

[Christopher]

http://www.coda-systems.co.uk/catalog/High_Current_Probes.html

Coda do some nice ones.. You need to keep downwards pressure very high though through a toggle clamp or lid.  With DC I had a nasty weld from the pin to the PCB when lifting the board with the supply on!

[dr.diesel]

Wonder how many amps your average pogostick can handle, lol.  I'll have to dig up PhotoInductions address and send him one.   

[captainscarlet]

They are rated for some hundred milliamps to 1-2 Amps. Just take a smaller one, put more in parallel, leave some space on the PCB for it. Space is usually free, the pins, you only need to buy once.
The only thing you need to be aware is the increased force it requires to push down the PCB, sometimes only on one side.

I considered that, but it's not the most elegant solution. I'd prefer to buy a component suited for the job.

How long do you need to test for?  ie how long is 7A or so going to have to flow through these "Pins" onto your pcb?

No more than 10 seconds on, then maybe 15 seconds off.

Coda do some nice ones.. You need to keep downwards pressure very high though through a toggle clamp or lid.  With DC I had a nasty weld from the pin to the PCB when lifting the board with the supply on!

I did see those. Waiting for an email back from their tech team. I'm running AC, so doubt i'll see any welds. Always something to be aware of though.

[calexanian]

Just use several of them in parallel.

[ConKbot]

Millmax 0855, and related pogo pins are 9A continuous, the 0855 is a wire crimp version, but th and smd are available.

[slateraptor]

Coda do some nice ones.. You need to keep downwards pressure very high though through a toggle clamp or lid.  With DC I had a nasty weld from the pin to the PCB when lifting the board with the supply on!

I did see those. Waiting for an email back from their tech team. I'm running AC, so doubt i'll see any welds. Always something to be aware of though.

May want to consider a zero-cross SSR in your design for controlling inrush. Food for thought.

[daqq]

Take a look at feinmetal ( http://www.feinmetall.com/ ), they have probes that go up to 150Amps .

See the full catalog:

http://www.feinmetall.com/fileadmin/Downloadseite_Dateien/Gesamtkatalog_Kontaktstifte_2015_EN.pdf

page 119.

[amyk]

That's less than 10A, which isn't much considering that e.g. CPU sockets with lots of tiny spring contacts in parallel are designed for ~100A. A bunch of pogo pins in parallel will work.

[calexanian]

I would parallel a few if for longevity of the test fixture.