160 Pin DIN 41612 Pin Numbering

160 pin DIN 41612 connectors are used on switching systems requiring a 2A capability and high pin count.

There can be some confusion over the mating of the different types of connector provided by the connector vendor (ERNI). Mechanically all the connectors mate to each other but there are two numbering conventions - TE and E types - which can lead to user confusion. Each connector pin is identified by a letter (A to E) and a number (1 to 32) and this is marked in the plastic of the connector.

It is this numbering that can create confusion.

Switching Module Connector

Pickering Interfaces use module use a male right angle connector designated as an "E" type. The image below shows a photograph with pin numbers and the PCB side marked.

E-type 160-pin connector, PCB side marked

As shown pin E32 is top left and A32 is bottom left and the PCB that the connectors mounts to is at the bottom.
The next image shows how this relates to the connector on a typical 3U PXI module (in this case 40-139).

160-pin connector on 40-139

160 pin connector on 40-139. The labelling by the pin corresponds to the switching system designation, not the connector pin number.

This image is shown in the product manual, the mounting PCB in the PXI module is on the left, pin A32 is top left, E32 is top right, A1 is bottom left and E1 is bottom right. The plastic ledge that prevents reverse mounting is on the right of the connector.

Mating Connector

To mate directly with the switching system connector there are two user options - a right angle female connector or a straight female connector.

Straight Female E Type

The straight female connector is of the "E" type and is shown below. It is the connector you might use if you wish to create your own cable assembly by soldering to the pins and is the connector which is used in our cable solutions. Users can clearly attach this connector to a PCB but as that PCB would be parallel to the front face of the switching module it is of limited use. It can however be used on the end of a cable remote from the switching module.

E-type 160-pin female mating connector

The pin numbering convention causes the pin A32 on the module to mate to A32, E32 on module to E32, A1 on the module mates to A1 and E1 on the module to E1. The connectors mechanically mate, and their pin numbers are retained. We identify the cable assembly (if it is to un-terminated pins) by the module pin number. If it is a connector to connector cable pin numbering is retained..

Right Angle Female TE Type

For the right angle female mating connector (used in our connector blocks) they are identified as "TE" types and their pin convention is shown below.

TE-type 160-pin female mating connector

In this case the pin convention does not match the male "E" type used on the switching module so pin numbering change occurs. A1 mates to A32, E1 mates to E32, A32 mates to A1 and E32 mates to E1.

Straight Male TE Type

For completeness the straight male connector is of the "TE" type and is shown below

TE-type male straight connector

Summary

When there is a need to mate connectors together then mating an E connector to a TE connector it does cause a pin number change. The connectors will mechanically mate.

When mating an E connector to a E connector or a TE connector to a TE connector pin number changes do not occur.

In all cases the pin numbers correspond to those moulded into the connector housing if present.

As long as the user is aware of the numbering change when planning their connections it creates no mating problems.

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