REDCUBE Terminals

for high current applications

4power!

www.we-online.de
Content

Press-Fit Technology

Technical Information &

Applications

Processing

Permitted Torques

Characteristics &
Product overview
Press-Fit Technology

REDCUBE Terminals are the most reliable high-power contacts on PCB level. The current rating of
REDCUBE PRESS-FIT is impressive. With the same ampacity, the components have the lowest heat
development compared to other parts that supply power for PCBs.

Pressing the pins into the PCB, a high friction between pin and plated through-hole generates a
homogenous cold-welding between the pin and the copper plated via in the PCB. This results in a
gastight, strong mechanical connection with contact resistance less than 200 µOhm. No other
technology transmits currents up to 500 A with such low self-heating.

The via for a press-fit system is essentially made in the same way as the holes for accepting
components for THT soldering. Thus there are no changes required in the manufacture of printed circuit
boards.

PRESS-FIT Technology Homogeneous cold welding Extraction force 10 kg/pin

With regard to long-term reliability, REDCUBE PRESS-FIT is an improvement since it has the lowest
FIT value (Failure in Time) of the overall system. It is up to 30 times better than the FIT value of an SMT
solder joint. A single solid press pin has a typical extraction force of 100 N for 1.6 mm PCB. So a small
component with 8 pins could withstand a weight load of an average person without extraction out of the
PCB. Therefore REDCUBE PRESS-FIT Terminals are perfect to provide not only electrical but also
mechanical connection solutions for electrical components.

If after press-fit process a solid press pin in a 2.4 mm thick

printed circuit board fits on each corner with more than 3°
against the sleeve, the press connection zone has a lower
3° electrical resistance than the brass pin itself and thus does not
12°
pose an electrical or thermal bottleneck. The connection surface
angle is normally much greater, which provides a generous
safety buffer for the electrical connection.

Required connection angle only 3°

Press-Fit Technology

Advantages of REDCUBE PRESS-FIT

 Very high ampacity

 Ideally suited for continuous and peak currents

 Extremely high environmental stability

 Suitable for rough environmental conditions

 Low-resistance connection (<200 µOhm)

 No cold solder joints

 Double sided mounting

 Space saving design

Press-fit technology provides a number of advantages in comparison to solder technology. Very thick
circuit boards with high copper plating can be processed easily. Furthermore, two-sided mounting of
circuit boards is possible without any problems which usually enable a very compact design of modules.
As a result, current paths in particular are shortened which is thermally very beneficial for the processing
of high currents.
There is reliable contact between pin and copper layer over the complete case length of a press-fit zone.
It is not guaranteed for soldering that the solder rises the complete length of the via whereby many
higher transition resistances are produced. Therefore, long-term reliability and mechanical stability are
also not as high as with REDCUBE PRESS-FIT.

The processing of REDCUBE PRESS-FIT Terminals integrates seamlessly in the production process of
the systems and is thus very cost-effective. Several REDCUBE PRESS-FIT can be press-fitted
simultaneously using press-fitting tools. In doing so, the circuit boards, in contrast to soldering, are not
loaded thermally.
Technical Information

Materials and tolerances

REDCUBE PRESS-FIT from Würth Elektronik are manufactured from the material CuZn39Pb3 and are
therefore RoHS-compliant according to the RoHS stipulation concerning copper alloys.
The circuit board thickness should ideally be between 1.6 and 3.2 mm. Tested surfaces are chemical tin,
HAL and ENIG. The immersion tin coating process is recommended. Using this process usually
guarantees that the tin is evenly distributed in the case whereby the tolerances can be complied with
more easily and thus chip formation can be prevented. Due to the uneven distribution of the tin in the
case for the HAL process, we recommend the immersion tin process for circuit board thickness of 2.4
mm and greater. ENIG can be used but not recommended for Press-Fit technology.
Unless otherwise noted in the corresponding drawing, Würth Elektronik REDCUBE PRESS-FIT have
quadratically designed press-fit pins. The through-hole plating in the PCB must therefore have the
following characteristics:

Specification for chemical surfaces Specification for Hot-Air-Levelling

Current load
With REDCUBE PRESS-FIT Terminals from Würth Elektronik, currents of more than 500 A can be
carried on the circuit board. The current-carrying capacity of REDCUBE PRESS-FIT must always be
considered in the context of the complete system. Many factors such as conductor path thickness,
conductor path width, cable cross section, ambient temperature and heat distribution should be taken
into account for the selection of the individual REDCUBE PRESS-FIT.

In comparison with a solder connection (R = 300 to 400 μOhm),

the press-fit zone itself with 100 to 200 μOhm has extremely low
resistance so that the limiting factor can usually be found in the layout
of the connected conductor paths or the connection of external feed
lines to a press-fitted component.

The challenge in designing high current applications lies

in the optimal interaction of all components of the
system!
Applications

REDCUBE PRESS-FIT have a very wide range of possible applications: They are used
very frequently in the connection of wiring with cable lugs on circuit boards.

Application up to 160 A Application up to 300 A Housing assembling

The mounting of a copper rail for increasing the current-carrying

capacity is also possible by using REDCUBE PRESS-FIT. In
doing so, the copper rail can be installed in two different ways:
on the one hand, it can be press-fitted under the circuit board
and on the other hand, it can be screwed onto the REDCUBE
PRESS-FIT. For the press-fit process, the maximum overall
thickness of the circuit board with the copper rail must not
Pressing: PCB directly with
exceed 3.2 mm. copper bar
REDCUBE PRESS-FIT is an ideal possibility for mounting
laminated fuses.
Furthermore REDCUBE PRESS-FIT are ideally suited for
fulfilling purely mechanical functions such as connections of
circuit board and case or connecting two circuit boards with
each other.
The two-part REDCUBE PRESS-FIT Board-to-Board
connection realizes a very high mechanical stability with current
Double-sided mounting
carrying capacity up to 320 A.

Mounting of laminated fuses High current Board-to-Board

connection up to 200 A
Processing
REDCUBE PRESS-FIT
• Other components should be spaced at least 4 mm away from the
press-fit hole.
• The hole should be at least 3 mm away from the edge.
• No special tools are necessary, usually a simple lever press is
sufficient.
• The press-fit force per pin should be min. 40 N and max. 250 N.
For 1.6mm PCB typically this force is about 100-150 N/pin.
• The press-fit zone must be supported during the whole press-fit
process. Without support, deflection of the circuit board can occur
during pressing in. It must particularly be ensured for pneumatic
presses that the stroke cycle is not performed unevenly but
evenly.
• The stroke cycle should be performed at right angles to the circuit
board. After the press-fitting, the pins should slightly protrude from
the circuit board. The components should not be pressed against
the board. A separation of approx. 0.1 mm between the circuit
board and bin socket is recommended.
• For two-part REDCUBE PRESS-FIT, the base element must
always be pressed to the circuit board first.

Cautions for solderability

• Our REDCUBE PRESS-FIT are designed for press fit. Alternative
processing methods, such as soldering, are not recommended.
• Due to the high heat absorption, press fitting of the REDCUBE
PRESS-FIT should be performed last and after all soldering
processes are finished.
• It is also not recommended to re-solder REDCUBE PRESS-FIT
after the press-fit process. Re-soldering can result in partial
destruction of the cold weld and delamination in the circuit board
whereby mechanical stability of the press-fit zone can be
permanently lost.
• For solderable high-current solutions we recommend our
REDCUBE THR & REDCUBE SMD Terminals.
Permitted Torques

REDCUBE PRESS-FIT provide wide area connection and carrying of high currents in circuit boards. To
prevent mechanical destruction of the REDCUBE PRESS-FIT the maximum permissible torques must
be complied with! Due to the material, these differ significantly from standard fastening materials (steel)
used.

Mechanical characteristics (guide values):

• Material: CuZn39Pb3

• Shear strength: 350 N/mm²

• Tensile strength: 480 N/mm²

• Yield strength: 340 N/mm²

• Elongation: 20%
• E-modulus: 96 kN/mm²

• Torsional modulus: 32 kN/mm² (shear modulus)

Table for REDCUBE PRESS-FIT / Shank / Full Plain Pin-Plate

Thread dimension (metric) M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10

0.5 1.2 2.2 3.9 9.0 17.0

Max. tightening torque [Nm] *

1.5 4.0 6.0 10 32.5 32.5

Breaking torque [Nm] **

9 16 16 25 25 36
Breaking torque pins [Nm] ***

* Based on DIN EN 20898 T7 Part 25 (tightening torques); values for brass material (MS 63)

** Determined values (torques). For these mechanical loads, destruction of the threaded shank occurs.
The components must never be loaded up to these values.

*** Determined values (torques). For these mechanical loads, destruction of the press-fit pins occurs
(approx. 1 Nm/pin). The components must never be loaded with these values.

The maximum permissible torque changes greatly with the material composition (alloy parts). Safety
margins must also be taken into account for practical use.

For this reason, REDCUBE PRESS-FIT are only permitted to be loaded with the tightening torque
values for brass material - (according to row 2 / table)!
Characteristics

REDCUBE PRESS-FIT

• Material: Brass
• Surface: tin plated
• Holding forces according to IEC 352-5
• Press-in force: max. 250 N per pin, min. 40 N per pin
• Extraction force: typically about 100 N per pin
• PCB thickness: 1.6 - 3.2 mm
• Force-fitting speed: 100 - 250 mm/min
Product Preview

The new quick and easy pluggable solution REDCUBE PLUG offers all Press-Fit
advantages; it is a multiple times pluggable solution for high-current applications up
to 120 A.

REDCUBE PLUG consists of a REDCUBE

PRESS-FIT high-current contact, surrounded by a
glass fiber-reinforced plastic housing. Pushing on
the top of the housing allows mating the
corresponding cable connector. After actuating the
spring returns to its initial position and locks the
cable connector automatically into the housing.

REDCUBE Direct PLUG Terminal Cable Connector for REDCUBE PLUG

• Insulator Material: PBT • Material: Copper alloy
• Contact Material: Copper alloy • Surface: Tin-plated
• Contact Plating: Tin • Cross-sections: 4 – 16 mm²

Applications
• High current and reversible Wire-to-Board connections
• Battery charger
• Multiple times pluggable solutions
• Tool-free assembly
• Mounting areas with difficult access

Processing
The press-fit process of REDCUBE PLUG is similar to REDCUBE Press-Fit. Therefore, no additional tools
are necessary. A general hexagonal crimper is used to install the contact on to the wire. This simple lug
like crimp set the bond in place. The cable connector for the REDCUBE PLUG is available in four different
cross sections. A special posttreatment technology and a specific plating of the cable connector guarantee
optimal crimping results.

Automatic locking Heat resistance up to +125°C Gas-tight crimp connection

 All articles listed may be found online at http://www.we-online.de/redcube.

Product Preview

Derating REDCUBE PLUG

Reliability Test

The reliability of REDCUBE PRESS-FIT Terminals is often proved in different

qualification programs, tests and in field.

.
Press-fit requirements according to:
• IEC60352-5 Solderless connections - Part 5: Press-in connections - General requirements, test
methods and practical guidance

Environmental tests according to:

• IEC 60068-2-14: Environmental testing - Part 2-14: Tests - Test N: Change of temperature,
 Thermal Shock, -55°C/+150°C, 1000h
• IEC 60068-2-30 / MIL-STD-202 Method 106 Environmental testing - Part 2-30: Tests - Test Db:
Damp heat, cyclic
 Moisture Resistance, 65±2 °C, 95%RH, 500h

Mechanical tests according to:

• IEC 60068-2-6 Environmental testing - Part 2-6: Tests - Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
 Vibration, 15g´s for 20 minutes, 10 Hz to 1500 Hz, 12 cycles per axis

Electrical tests according to:

• IEC 60512-2-1 Connectors for electronic equipment - Tests and measurements - Part 2-1: Electrical
continuity and contact resistance tests; Test 2a: Contact resistance; Millivolt level method
• IEC 60512-2-5 Connectors for electronic equipment - Tests and measurements - Part 5-2: Current-
carrying capacity tests; Test 5b: Current-temperature derating

 REDCUBE PRESS-FIT show extremely high environmental stability

 Requirements of the relevant standards are greatly exceeded

 more than you expect

Würth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG

Max-Eyth-Str.1 Phone: +49 (0) 79 42 945 5292
74638 Waldenburg Fax: +49 (0) 79 42 945 5329
www.we-online.de [email protected]

According to our knowledge, the information provided is accurate and reliable; however Würth Elektronik eiSos shall not accept any
responsibility for use in any application which does not comply with the present specification. Würth Elektronik eiSos reserves the right
to change specifications at any time in the course of technical progress. Subject to dimensional changes. Dimensions, data,
illustrations and descriptions comply with the state of the art at the time of issue of this catalog; however these are not binding!
Subject to change. We accept no responsibility for errors and omissions and printing errors.

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