Hi all,

I am designing PCB for power distribution. Basically the board will be connected to two power supplies and it will distribute power to multiple circuit/module through multiple connectors. I am having a hard time in understanding how the current rating of a connector works. I do know that lot of factors are involved in determining the max current such as size of AWG wire used, pcb traces width, ambient and rise temperature.

For example the XA connector from JST manufacturer is rated as below:
Voltage Rating: 250 V AC DC
Current Rating: 3 A AC DC (AWG 22,20)

Now let say I am going to select a 4-way/circuit connector. Does it mean the 3A is the max current allowed for each pin or does 3A has to be the sum of current that goes through every pin powered simultaneously?

Also I am planning to use the 4 way connector to connect power up 2 modules, that will deliver 2A current on each module, and the configuration will look something like PWR, GND, GND, PWR for pin 1,2,3,4 respectively. Do I have to count the Ground as current carrying wire? That being said, I would like to know if total current would be listed as 4A (2+2) or 8A (2+2+2+2).

Thanks Some manufacturers of connectors explicitly disapprove distribute among various pins a current above the limit rated for each pin. This much probably is settled just for avoid that a pin is subjected to the risk to carry a current that exceeds the limit specified for each one, during a hot swap, due the fact that at this event could occur an instantaneous unbalanced contact between pins of both male and female connectors.

I already did that anyway, but oversizing the number for a comfortable amount much above the mere sum of equally distributed values.

the configuration will look something like PWR, GND, GND, PWR for pin 1,2,3,4 respectively

In general, I prefer to place the GND net at the corners of connectors, because such an arrangement ensures that during hot plugging, the equipment will be never electrically energised prior to the ground reference ( note that connector often is plugged aside first ).

Some manufacturers of connectors explicitly disapprove distribute among various pins a current above the limit rated for each pin. This much probably is settled just for avoid that a pin is subjected to the risk to carry a current that exceeds the limit specified for each one, during a hot swap, due the fact that at this event could occur an instantaneous unbalanced contact between pins of both male and female connectors.

So if the connector is rated at 3A, it actually refers to the current limit for EACH pin? And if I were to distribute the current through all pins, the sum has to be lower (plus derating factor) than 3A?

What about the the putting the PWR and GND pair in a same connector. If it delivers 2A to the circuit, would that make the total current in a connector to be 4A? (considering that 2A also flows through the GND)

Thank you

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