Heilind Electronics has added the Molex EXTreme PowerEdge Plus Card Edge Connector to its high-power interconnect lineup, targeting data center and networking hardware where board-edge power delivery is getting pushed harder by higher-performance systems.
The EXTreme PowerEdge Plus connector is designed for high-power, space-constrained applications. In a 12-power-circuit configuration, it delivers up to 47.0 A per circuit and supports more than 3,300 W at 12 V. Molex attributes the power capability to a dual-layer terminal design intended to increase current density without increasing connector size.
Each power circuit includes eight independent points of contact. The design is intended to reduce contact resistance and power loss, improve electrical reliability, and limit heat generation that can contribute to intermittent faults in power shelves and other mission-critical platforms.
The connector is compliant with Modular-Common Redundant Power Supply (M-CRPS) mechanical standards and exceeds the standard’s electrical performance requirements. It uses a 7.62 mm pitch for power circuits and a 2.54 mm pitch for signal circuits, and it’s designed as a drop-in replacement for existing M-CRPS designs to reduce redesign work.
On the thermal and mechanical side, the connector uses a low-profile housing intended to improve airflow. It’s rated for an operating temperature range of -55 °C to +105 °C and for 200 mating cycles.
Card-edge power connectors are easy to take for granted until you’re fighting milliohms, hot spots, and derating in dense power shelves. A part that can legitimately carry tens of amps per circuit, while staying within a standardized mechanical envelope, can buy engineers margin without forcing a chassis redesign.
Heilind lists applications including data center power shelves, power supplies, servers, storage systems, and network switches.
Source: Heilind Electronics
