What are FFC/FPC Connectors?

What are FFC/FPC Connectors?



FFC connectors are used to mate ribbon-type flat flexible cables (FFCs) to PCB circuitry in cable-to-board applications. They are also available in cable-to-cable configurations. These connectors have a high-density, very narrow form factor and fit in tight spaces. They are commonly used in consumer applications such as laptops, cameras, computer peripherals, appliances, and phones. The single or double row connector housing, typically made from flexible plastic, polymer, engineered rubber, or film, surrounds an embedded metal connector. A variety of locking styles are available. Get more news about China Fpc Cable Connector Suppliers,you can vist our website!

FPC connectors connect flexible printed cable (FPC) to the board. FPC is a type of FFC in which the conductors are printed on the cable substrate instead of embedded within it. FPC/FFC connectors are sometimes called ribbon connectors.

A key reason designers choose FFC/FPC connectors is that when used with flexible cable they offer increased flexibility compared to a traditional rigid circuit board. Although FFCs came into widespread use in the 1970s, the cables initially were available only in direct solder or crimped contact versions. In 1986, ELCO invented the 8370 Series, the first cost-effective card-edge type connector to mate directly on an FFC.

Many pitches are available, such as 0.03 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.00 mm, 1.25 mm, 2.54 mm, but the most common pitches are 0.500 mm, 1.00 mm, and 1.25 mm. A single FFC can have different pitches between different conductors on the same cable, however this is uncommon.

FFC/FFP connectors serve numerous markets and applications, including consumer devices, industrial controls, displays, printers, automotive, Test & Measurement instruments, appliances, and medical devices.