A pogo pin is also referred to as a spring-loaded pin. This is an electrical connector that is used in electronic appliances and the electronic industry. Pogo pins have been shown to be more durable than all the other electrical contacts. They are also much more resistant to shock and vibration. Thus, pogo pins are preferred over others in case of the electronic testing industry.
A pogo pin comprises of a plunger, a spring and finally, a barrel. These are the three parts of a simple spring-loaded pin. The word pogo has been taken from the resemblance that the pogo pins have with a pogo stick. The pins contain a helical spring which is responsible for applying a normal amount of force against the back of the contact plate. This normal force is responsible for counteracting any unwanted pin movement. Any unwanted movement can lead to an intermittent connection which is undesirable. The helical spring in these pins makes them unique as almost all the other pins either use cantilever springs or expansion sleeves.
When a force is applied to the pin, the spring that is present in the pin undergoes compression. This compression forces the plunger to move into the barrel. The movement of the plunger into the barrel changes the shape of the barrel and retains the plunger in place. The presence of the plunger in the barrel prevents the spring of the pogo pin from pushing the plunger outwards.
When electrical contacts are being designed, some friction is necessary to keep the connector held at its place and maintain the contact finish. However, the problem arises if the friction is high. If the friction is high, it can increase the stress and cause wear and tear of the contact spring and housing. Normally, a force of one Newton is needed to generate the level of friction needed in the industry. If you look closely at a spring-loaded pin, you will notice that there is a slight crack present between the plunger and the barrel. This is there so that the slide can happen easily. The only problem with this mechanism is that it can cause momentary disconnection in case there is a vibration or movement. In order to counteract this behavior, the plunger comes with a small tilt to ensure continuous connection.
What materials are used to make a pogo pin?
The plunger and barrel are made of brass or copper as base material. The base material is then covered by a layer of nickel. A lot of manufacturers also provide gold plating on top of the barrel and plunger to Ensure longer durability. The spring of the pins is mostly made of copper alloys or spring steel.
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