PC Board Connectors

A guide to the uses of circuit board connectors and their repair
By Micah Brown Without circuit board connectors, a standard circuit board would be fairly useless. These connectors for PC boards allow for output and input to and from the circuit board to peripherals. Without these connections, the circuit board would be little more than layers of fiberglass and wire.
 

It's not often that the general public thinks about PCB connectors as anything other than their more common names; USB port, video out, FireWire, and so on. Surface Mount Technology is a term used to describe most PCB Connectors as these mounts generally sit on the top of the board. Damage is more likely to occur to these devices since they rise above the surface of the board. Here are some important tips to remember about circuit board connectors:

1. Remember that PCB connectors serve a variety of purposes

2. PCB connectors add functionality to the circuit board

3. It is not uncommon for these connectors to fail

Troubleshoot PCB connector issues

Having a circuit board connector fail can be frustrating, though the issue is often with the connection and not the PCB connector. Start by disconnecting and reconnecting the cable attached to the port, then try a new cable between the port and the external device if there is still no communication to the computer. Connect a new device to the port to verify that the issue is the port and not the hardware on the other end.
Try: There's still the possibility that there's nothing wrong with the connector or the circuit board. One of the best tools out there for testing for hardware issues is PC-Doctor. They offer a selection of software tools that will help diagnose just about any hardware issue on a personal computer running Windows, DOS or Linux. You can also check out the offerings at PC Diag for a similar product. Check out Ultra-X if you require constant monitoring of your hardware and the ability to test motherboards that may seem to be dead.

Find replacement PC board connectors

If you have determined that the failure is not in the cable or external device, it may be time to replace the connector. Most IT departments are comfortable performing this level of replacement if necessary.
Try: When looking for connectors, check out Parts Express. They offer a large selection of replacement parts for all types of circuit boards. Phoenix Enterprises is another great place to look for a selection of USB and FireWire connectors.

Solder a PC board connector

One of the most important aspects of repairing or replacing a printed circuit board connector is the ability to solder. While some connectors may have handy "clip-on" connections, many will require soldering. This also means that the faulty connector will call for removal using a soldering iron, so be sure that the workstation has everything necessary to perform the repair.
Try: Finding soldering materials is easy. You can try checking the local hardware store and talking with one of their professionals. If shopping online is more convenient, check out DrillSpot.com and browse their selection of soldering irons. Traditionally solder has contained high amounts of lead, however looking at HardwareandTools.com, it is possible to find a selection of lead free, and more environmentally friendly, solders to mount your pc board connectors properly.

• It's always best to have professionals repair any PCB connector or hardware issues you maybe suffering.
• Never attempt repairs on systems that are still under warranty.
• Disconnect power before making any repairs.