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Introduction

Connecting flexible printed circuits (FPCs) in electronic devices often requires using specialized connectors
designed for soft and pliable conductors rather than rigid boards. The two main categories of flexible
connectors are FFC (flat flexible cable) and FPC (flexible printed circuit) connectors.

While related, FFC and FPC connectors have distinct characteristics and applications. Understanding the
key differences allows selecting the optimal solution for integrating flex circuits into designs.

This guide will examine all aspects of FFC and FPC connectors from materials, design, interfacing, pros and
cons, and recommended use cases. By the end, the distinction between connector types and appropriate
selection for flex circuit applications will be clear.

FFC Connector Overview

FFC or flat flexible cable connectors are designed to interface with flexible flat cabling. Typical FFC
connectors consist of a plastic housing containing a clamping mechanism and set of conductive pads or
pins.

Typical FFC Construction

 Flat flexible cable terminated with thin PCB ends

 Insulation carrier material with exposed copper conductors
 Laminated polyester, polyimide, or polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
 ZIF (zero insertion force) style connector mating
 Pitch options from 0.3mm to 1.27mm

FFC cables excel at interconnections over dynamic bending locations between PCBs where a standard wire
harness would fail prematurely. The smooth flat shape avoids issues with tangled conductors.

Common applications include disk drive flex cable interconnects, printer carriages, LCD displays, and device
hinge connections. The ability to accommodate continuous motion over thousands of cycles with high
reliability makes FFCs ideal for these applications.

FFC Connector Styles

While designs vary between manufacturers, FFC connectors come in two primary styles:

Clasp/Latch Type

 Plastic connector housing with metal spring latch

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 Latch presses FFC cable into contact pads

 Locking clasp prevents disconnects
 Unlatching enables FFC cable insertion/removal
 Low profile above PCB

Slide-Lock Type

 Housing with movable side locks

 Locks slide forward to press cable into connection
 Reverse sliding releases pressure on cable
 Locks prevent disconnect under vibration
 Provide audible click when engaged

Both styles offer reliable connection for FFC cables under dynamic bending. The latch type focuses on slim
form factor while the slide-lock aims for robustness.

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FPC Connector Overview

In contrast to FFC connectors, FPC connectors are designed specifically to interface with flexible printed
circuit boards rather than raw cable.

Typical FPC Construction:

 Flexible PCB material with conductors on one or both sides

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 Polyimide is the most common base material

 Adhesive layer bonds to additional stiffener layers
 Components often attached directly to flex PCB
 Connectors mounted to tail sections

FPCs allow complex flexible circuit boards to be designed with fine features, tight tolerances, and
components while still supporting dynamic contours.

Applications such as folding device hinges, concealed / slide-out device interconnects, and wearable or
skin-contact electronics benefit from FPC technology. The tailored flexible PCB provides reliability and
robustness beyond basic flexible cabling.

FPC Connector Styles

Common connector styles used with FPCs include:

Pressure Actuated Contacts

 Gold plated copper alloy contacts

 Contacts wipe FPC conductive pads
 PCB pivot / lever actuation
 Spring or screw force enables reliable contact
 Wiping action penetrates oxidation

ZIF (Zero Insertion Force)

 Movable side pins align FPC tail

 Cam, hinge, or latch mechanism actuates pins
 Pins pressed into plated through holes
 Enables fingertip mating connection
 Lock prevents vibration disconnect

Well-designed FPC connectors tolerate millions of matings despite presence of vibrations, contaminants,
and other challenges.

Key Differences Between FFC and FPC Connectors

While both connecting flexible circuits, FFC and FPC connectors have distinct characteristics making each
suited for particular applications.

Parameter FFC Connectors FPC Connectors

Designed For Flat flex cables Flexible PCB tail sections
Termination Exposed conductors Plated pads and holes

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Parameter FFC Connectors FPC Connectors

Pitch (spacing) 0.3mm to 1.27mm typical 0.2mm to 1.5mm typical
Current < 1A typical Up to 5A depending on pins
Actuation Method Latch, clasp, slide lock ZIF, pressure contacts
Durability 10,000+ cycles 100,000+ cycles
Resistance 100+ milliohms < 50 milliohms
Contact Type Pads or pins Pins, wiping contacts
Alignment Self-aligning housing Positive positioning guides
While overlaps exist, these characteristics help determine optimal selection for a given use case as
explored in the next sections.

FFC Connector Applications

The capabilities of FFC cable and connectors make them ideal for:

Dynamic Cables

Continuously flexing interconnects for:

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 Disk drive head actuators

 Printer carriages
 Robotics joints

Semi-Rigid Connections

Situations requiring a limited number of flex cycles:

 Hinge connections in laptops

 Concealed compact wiring
 Rapid prototyped connections

Cost-Sensitive Applications

FFCs minimize interconnect costs:

 High density parallel busses

 Consumer electronics
 LED lighting strings

Space Constrained Products

Low profile smooth cable routing where wires won’t fit:

 Foldable devices
 Multi-axis robotic arms
 Automotive wiring

FPC Connector Applications

In contrast, FPC connectors excel in these types of demanding applications:

Maximum Flexibility

FPC material withstands rolling and twisting:

 Medical snake catheters

 Flexible wearables
 Concealed wearable cabling

High Density Circuits

Built-in small components, fine features:

 Glasses / goggles display drivers

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 Finger / arm health monitors

 Microfluidics interconnects

Complex Components Integration

Pre-assembled connectors, sensors, ICs:

 Micro-cameras
 Stacked battery contacts
 Multi-chip modules

Rugged Vibration Environments

Gold-plated pins and ZIF actuation withstand shaking:

 Aerospace systems
 Vehicle mounts
 Precision instruments

FFC vs FPC Connector Selection Guidelines

Use these guidelines for selecting the optimal flexible connector:

When to Use FFC Connectors

 Basic cable interconnections with minimal complexity

 Primarily parallel bus type signals or power transmission
 Cost sensitive consumer product applications
 Limited life cycles (under 10,000 flexes)
 Pitch requirements under 1 mm

When to Use FPC Connectors

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 Flexible circuit will have integrated components

 Reflow soldering required to attach connectors
 More than 10,000 mating cycles needed
 Conductor spacing under 0.3 mm
 Tight positional accuracy required
 Vibration resistance critical
 Integration with densely packed components

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Comparing FFC and FPC Specifications

Connector selection depends heavily on compatibility with physical cable and PCB design constraints.

Key FFC Connector Specifications

 Pitch: Distance between conductor centers

 Cable thickness: Determined by layers and materials
 Contact type: Alloy pads for wiping or soldered pins
 Current rating: Depends on trace size but less than 1 A typical
 Insertion life: 10,000+ cycles typical
 Actuation force: Spring clasp typical around 1 to 5 Newtons
 Alignment precision: +/- 0.5 to 1 mm typical

Key FPC Connector Specifications

 Number of positions: As low as 4 pins up to over 100

 Pitch: 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm options
 Contact type: Copper alloy, gold plated pins
 Current rating: Up to 5A per pin
 Insertion life: 30,000 to 100,000+ cycles
 Actuation force: Ranges from fractions of N to 10 N max
 Alignment precision: +/- 0.1mm achievable
 Withstand voltage: Up to 1500 VAC

Matching physical and performance needs to connector specifications ensures a robust interface between
flex circuits.

Pros and Cons Comparison

FFC Connector Pros

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 Very low cost

 Ultra slim vertical profile
 High density pin spacing
 Light actuation force
 Good for cost-driven designs

FFC Connector Cons

 Limited cycles vs. FPC connectors

 No integrated component support
 Larger pitch spacing than FPC
 Less ruggedized pin contacts
 Only supports basic flex cable

FPC Connector Pros

 Extreme cycle life rating

 Integrates with flex PCBs
 Supports components and high current
 Tight pitch options to 0.2mm
 Withstands vibration environments

FPC Connector Cons

 More expensive than FFC

 Larger and thicker profile
 Overkill for basic dynamic cabling
 Requires flex PCB for termination
 Longer lead times

New Innovations

Connector technologies continue advancing to meet demanding flexible circuit applications:

 Ultra-fine pitch to 0.1mm enables dense stacking

 Vertical FPC stacking connectors save z-height
 Micro-coax FPC cables for high frequency signals
 Combination rigid-flex compatibility
 Increased ruggedness for wearable deployment
 Chip-scale interconnects under development
 Low-force Nano-connector technology
 Increased cycle life beyond 1 million flexes

Conclusion

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FFC and FPC connectors both serve vital roles in interconnecting flexible electronic circuits. While related in
broad strokes, details from pitch, lifetimes, termination methods, and integration constraints dictate which
approach works best. Engineers must weight tradeoffs between cost, reliability, complexity, and density
when selecting connectors to interface with flex cabling and circuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the highest density in terms of pins/positions available for FFC and FPC connectors?

A: The highest density FFC connectors support over 100 positions at 0.3mm pitch. Cutting edge FPC
connectors achieve over 200 positions at 0.1mm pitch, although 50-100 positions at 0.5mm pitch is more
common.

Q: How are FFC cables and FPC boards fabricated and terminated?

A: FFC cables are typically laminated using adhesive bonding of layers, with conductor exposures laser cut.
FPC boards utilize traditional lithographic etching processes allowing tighter tolerances.

Q: Which provides the most compact footprint, FFC or FPC connectors?

A: FFC connectors can achieve extremely thin profiles below 1mm when mated due to the flat flexible cable.
FPC connectors inherently require some Z-axis height for the connector housing itself.

Q: What types of signals are supported by FFC and FPC interconnects?

A: FFC and FPC connections support transmission of digital signals, analog signals, power, high-speed
differential pairs, RF up to 6 GHz, and more depending on conductor geometry.

Q: What factors determine the lifetime durability of FFC vs FPC connectors?

A: Contact wearing, material fatigue, retention force, and alignment precision are key factors. FPC
connectors are engineered for maximum cycles by gold plating, ZIF actuation, and precise guide alignment.

What are FPC and FFC?

The first thing you need to know about the two different types of flexible circuits is what they are. FPC
stands for Flexible printed circuit. The other type of flexible circuit is the flexible flat cable. These two types
of flexible circuits have a similar structure but differ in cost and manufacturing process. In this article, we’ll
discuss both types and how they work. After learning their differences, you can choose the best type for
your project.

Flexible printed circuits

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Flex circuits are flexible and can bend into the desired shape. They are ideal for small interior spaces, but
the production quality is much less stable than for rigid circuits. Flexible circuits consist of thin, film-like
materials, including copper foil. Different materials have different shrinkage, and warpage characteristics,
so careful design is essential. The following tips will help ensure the highest quality flex circuits.

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Flexibility is one of the essential advantages of flexible circuits. Unlike rigid circuit boards, we can
manipulate flexible circuits often during assembly, installation, and service. These advantages allow for
a high-density device population, lighter conductors, and improved airflow. Flexible circuits will work for
you whether your application is small or complex. They are also extremely versatile and can connect
various components. An innovative PCB manufacturer designed flexible printed circuits ideal for various
applications.

Flexible flat cable

What is a flexible flat cable? A flexible flat cable is an electrical cable made with flat solid conductors. The
flexible flat cable is essential for various applications in the electronics industry. Flexible electronics refer to
the technology that enables a device to be more flexible. Its unique properties allow it to fit in different
places and can be used to power various electronics. Read on to learn more. Here are some examples of a
flexible flat cable.

A flat cable’s pitch refers to the spacing between the wire conductors. This distance indicates the pitch.
Different cables have different pitches, but common values are 0.5 mm and 1 inch. The pitch of a cable will
indicate its ability to accommodate a variety of applications. In addition, the pitch of a cable will affect its
flexibility and strength. For example, high-speed ATA interface cables are made with 0.025-inch pitches and
have a 0.1-mm pitch.

Pinouts

If you’re trying to connect two computers or other electronic devices, you may wonder which connector to
use. FPCs are ideal for straight-through connections, while FFCs are often layered and impedance
controlled.

FPC wiring is a flexible circuit board made from a flexible polymer base coated with a protective polymer
coating. Because it’s flexible, you can customize the number and spacing of wires. FFC is especially useful
for electronics that require a high degree of flexibility. Flexible solar cells, for example, can be made to fit
within the spacecraft’s shell. This circuit board is also lightweight compared to the rigid PCB board.

Applications

The similarities between FPCs and FFCs extend to their various applications. For example, both types have
copper wires and a thin film of chemically etched copper on one side. They are essential in LCD televisions,

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printers, cameras, and laptops. In addition, they are ideal in the aerospace industry. However, FPCs are
more sophisticated than FFCs. They consist of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), copper wires, and other
flexible materials.

Unlike other types of connectors, FPCs have a flat, flexible body with a barrier framework that we can
organize after installation. This framework also provides a specific stabilization force. In addition, these
connectors are strong and rigid enough to resist shock and vibration. Moreover, they have locking
components to lock the connectors. For example, Amphenol makes a vibration-proof FFC and FPC with a
2.49mm pitch.

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The Difference Between FPC and FFC?

You may have heard about the terms Flexible flat cable and Flexible circuit. But do you know the difference
between these two? How do you know which is better? We’ll explain the differences between these two
cables and help you make the right choice for your projects. So, what is the difference between FPC
and FFC?

Flexible flat cable

If you’ve ever wondered whether the differences between a flexible flat cable and a traditional round
electrical wire are worth the hassle, read on to learn more about the two. Unlike traditional round cables,
flexible flat cables are thin and lightweight, making them a popular choice among designers. In addition to
helping designers save space, they can add an innovative touch to their designs.

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Pitch is the primary difference between a flexible flat and a standard flat cable. Pitch is a measurement of
the distance between the centers of two adjacent wire conductors. These cables are often helpful in
medical products, industrial automation, pulp and paper, festoon systems, packaging,
and semiconductor products. They are also widely used in stereos and scanners, with many other
applications. You can find them just about everywhere in modern electronics.

Flexible circuit

In contrast to rigid circuits, flexible circuits can be flexed and maintain their form. They consist of a thin
insulating polymer film with a pattern of conductive traces. They have been in use since the Second World
War, but their popularity is growing today. There are two main types of flexible circuits: single-sided and
double-sided. Single-sided flex circuits have only one metal layer. They add Polyimide or FR4 overlays for
added insulation and protection against environmental degradation.

Polymer thick film flex circuits are a subtype of the flexible circuit. We manufacture them by printing the
circuit elements onto a thin polymer film. The result is a thin, flexible layer of electrical components.
Polymer thick film flex circuits are typically single conductor layer structures, though two or more layers
can be printed in a sequence separated by insulating layers. While they are generally less flexible, we can
make polymer flex circuits with varying amounts of metal.

Flexible circuit cable

There are many advantages of FFC over FPC for electronic enthusiasts. These cables feature a wide range of
capabilities and components. As a result, users often feel confused when choosing which type of cable to
use. FFC cables are commonly helpful for high-density electronic applications.

The construction material is the main difference between an FPC and an affixed FFC cable. FPCs are thinner
and have thinner conductor layers. FFCs are helpful in LCDs and motherboards. FPCs are made of
copper, coverlay, and PI and are customizable in shape and pattern. We can bundle these types of cables
together to fit a variety of applications.

Cost

In general, FFC and FCCL cables are similar to each other, but they differ in their cost and applications. We
can make these cables with single or double-sided copper wires. They require a chemical etching process
and have various layers of coating. The FCCL process produces thicker FFCs. However, some companies use
both types of cables for specific projects. When choosing the type of cable to use, consider each material’s
application and cost.

Molex offers a line of FFC/FPC connectors. The line of connectors offers a wide variety of profiles, including
those with push-style and flip-style actuators. These connectors also come in higher-density versions. A

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common application for FFC/FPC connectors is in medical equipment. Its versatility allows it to work with
different types of cable styles and different circuit sizes.

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Connectors

Amphenol offers reliable, flexible, and high-performance connectors for connecting FFC/FPC circuits. The
company’s micro flex connectors are available in various sizes and pitches, making them ideal for various
industrial applications. Other FFC/FPC connectors available from Amphenol include ClincherTM and
DuflexTM, which are excellent for industrial and modulation applications and shock and vibration-prone
environments.

In general, FPC cables and connectors cost less than FFC connectors. Companies concerned with costs often
choose FFC designs, but they are more practical. The differences between the two are not so noticeable,
but they are essential to know. If you’re looking for a high-quality connector, look for one with an internal
FPC connector with a 0.3mm pitch.

Summary

You may have heard of Flexible Printed Circuits (FFC), but you might wonder what the difference between
them is. These circuits are made from copper and polyimide material and are flexible enough to handle
harsh conditions. These circuits are often helpful in LCD televisions, laptops, printers, and other
applications where space concerns. There are two types of FPCs: single-sided and double-sided.

One of the main differences between FFC and FPC is how they construct. FFCs have straight-through
conductors, while FPCs have multiple traces that can be bent, angled, or tied to a shield. As a result, FPCs
are more flexible and are ideal for data cables. FPCs can also have varying pinouts and impedance levels.
Depending on the application, you may need to choose an FFC or FPC that works well for your application.

FFCs are thicker than FFCs. They consist of two layers of wire, one insulating foil, and one flat copper
conductor. FPCs are helpful in tight spaces and for high-speed applications and are often essential in
vehicles. However, they are also more difficult to bend, making them less flexible. So if you’re trying to
figure out which connector to use for a particular application, consider FPCs.

Flat Flexible Cables can be helpful in several applications. For example, LCDs and other electronic devices
may connect using FFCs. A standard FFC will have one contact on each end, while FFCs with opposite
contacts require a connector.

Related Posts:

1. What is FPC Connector ?

2. What Is Edge Connector Bevelling?

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3. What are the Functions and Features of FPC Battery Connector?

4. Why is Wire Connector Manufacturing Important?

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