Why All The Connectors?

[MR-808]

I know Jürgen for the most part connectorized his boards, and I see that others also use connectors. That's all well and good if you often need to pull out PCBs to put on the test bench, but otherwise, what's the point?

I do install power connectors to make it easy to move panels, but that's it. If I ever build something with a switch matrix or display, I could see using a connector there, too. But for plain ol' analog, no.

I've never had a repair that I couldn't do with the PCB still wired up to the pots & jacks & whatnot. Nor can I imagine ever needing to. To me connectors take more time to install than they save. And they cost money. And they're another potential source of failure. So why use them?

They're a personal preference, so don't think I'm saying you're wrong to use them; I'm just curious why you do.

[The Peasant]

I completely agree with you. From over 35 years experience in servicing electronic equipment of many different types, I have learned to avoid connectors unless there is a very compelling reason to use them. A significant percentage of defective/malfunctioning equipment is caused by loose, faulty, or oxidized connectors, causing a wide variety of strange or intermittent failures. Connectors also seem to be more prone to broken pcb solder joints than wires soldered directly to the pcb.

When I build things I make sure that there is enough slack in the wiring to allow me to access the boards for repair or modification. Careful wire stripping practices and bundling of wires with tie wraps all but eliminates broken connections due to handling stress.

Take care,
Doug

[sduck]

I also always hardwire if it's feasible. One less connection to potentially go bad.