Electronic – How to connect PSU to these PCB pads

connectorpcb-design

I have the Maxim Integrated evaluation kit for one of their chips (MAX14830EVKIT), and would like to understand what the intended way is to connect the two PSUs (24V and 3.3V, both 100mA) to this PCB.

The PCB has two pairs of small pads, each with two small holes:

24V pads
3.3V pads

  • I could solder wires onto the PCB, but that does not seem appropriate for a "fully assembled and tested" board.

  • I got some test probe grabbers, but they don't go into the holes.

  • The pads and holes seem too small to screw some binding post into.

What is the right tool to use here?

Best Answer

You are indeed meant to solder your connector pigtail wires to those pads. If you prefer to use clip leads, standard 0.025" square pin headers will fit. And in this context fully assembled and tested refers to the Evaluation Kit board itself, we can't know what connector you will use, if any. We use a custom test fixture with spring-loaded "pogo pins" to contact those pads from below. This approach lets you eliminate contact resistance or use whichever connector you want. (I am one of the EV kit designers at Maxim Integrated... although I'm not the designer of the MAX14830EVKIT, I have designed many similar EV kits.)