Electronic – Jumper wire for thin connector pin / holes

breadboardbreakoutconnectorwirewiring

I have a board with a Samtec SFM-115-L2-S-D-LC connector. This connector has 30 (15*2) pin holes, with a 0.050" / 1.27mm pitch, and accepts pins that are smaller than those used in breadboard / prototyping jumper wires. Therefore, I can't directly connect my prototyping jumper wires to the connector holes.

In the datasheet for the male version of my connector (TFM-something) I can see that the pins have a width of 0.018" / 0.46mm, while my jumper wires have the standard thickness (0.0254" / 0.65mm).

How can I connect individual pins/holes of my Samtec connector to, say, a breadboard? Are there jumper wires or headers with the appropriate thickness?

Best Answer

Yes there are headers you can use... like the Samtec TFM. A better option for hand soldering a breakout wire would be the Samtec FTS or FTSH (low profile vs standard profile), a plain 0.05" male header, in smd or through hole. It has some standard options and can be found through the typical distributors, Digikey, Mouser, etc.

If you want a standard or easily found part, your out of luck. Either use a header, or grab some appropriately sized wire an make your own cables by splicing the thin wire to some thicker wire, each side going to the corresponding board.

Another option would be to file the pin on your jumper wire down some with a piece of sand paper or a file. Even a nail file would work. Just rub it on it until the pin is thin enough to fit properly. Shouldn't take more than a minute per pin at worst. Alternatively slice some of the copper off with an exacto knife.