Blade power connectors are an indispensable component in today's rapidly developing information technology field, which supports the efficient operation of blade servers. With their superior performance, compact design, and efficient resource utilization, these servers are the preferred solution in many data centers, high-performance computing environments, and enterprise IT infrastructures. Behind all this, blade power connectors play a crucial role.

1. What is a blade power connector?

The blade power connector is a power connection standard for specific types of server hardware. This type of connector gets its name because it is shaped like a blade and is mainly used in blade servers in order to provide power to these servers.

In a blade server architecture, multiple server "blades" can be installed in a shared chassis or rack. Each blade server is an independent computing unit, but they share certain infrastructure resources such as network, power, and cooling systems. For ease of management and space savings, the blade power connector is designed to be inserted directly into the blade server module.

Image credit: TE Connectivity

The characteristics of this connector include compactness, high density, pluggability and standardization. The compact design is to adapt to the high space saving requirements of blade servers; High density means that high power requirements can be supported in a limited space; The pluggability enables the blade server module to be easily inserted and removed for quick replacement or upgrade. The standardized design ensures compatibility and interchangeability between different manufacturers, thus facilitating management and maintenance. Together, these features ensure that blade servers are efficient and easy to scale.

Working principle

The working principle of the blade power connector is based on its unique design for efficient power transmission and management. It usually consists of two parts: the blade pin (located on the side of the server blade) and the connector holder (located on the server chassis or backplane). When a server blade is inserted into the chassis, the pin of the blade is in close contact with the connector to establish an electrical connection. To ensure good electrical performance and durability, contact materials are usually made of materials with good electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance such as brass, pure copper, copper alloy or phosphor bronze, and may be gold-plated, silver-plated or tin-plated to improve wear resistance and contact reliability. In addition, blade power connectors can be designed into different styles and types according to different application requirements, supporting single or multi-line configurations to adapt to different power requirements. Connectors can also be free-hanging or panel mounted for different cabling solutions, and are designed with isolated power and load lines in mind, ensuring that the blade is completely isolated from the power supply when disconnected, thus ensuring safe operation.

Function introduction

The blade power connector provides stable and reliable power inputs for blade servers. When a blade server is inserted into the chassis, the power connector on the blade is in close contact with the connector holder in the chassis to form an electrical connection. In this way, the power supply is transferred from the power module in the chassis to the server. This type of connector is capable of handling higher currents and voltages to meet the high power requirements of blade servers. They are usually designed to withstand large current transfers, ensuring efficient transmission of power and low losses.

Photo credit: Molex

The compact design of the blade power connector provides a high density of power connection points in a small space, which helps save valuable cabinet space and allows more server blades to be installed in a limited space. The connector is designed to be pluggable so that the server blade can be easily inserted and removed from the chassis for quick server replacement or maintenance. This design improves the flexibility and maintainability of the system.

Blade power connectors comply with industry standards to ensure compatibility between different vendors, so that server blades can be used in different chassis and power systems. The connector is designed with safety in mind, ensuring that the blade is completely isolated from the power supply when disconnected to avoid accidents. In addition, the selection of contact materials also takes into account durability and stability, ensuring long-term reliability.

2. What are the styles and types of blade power connectors?

pattern

• Component (kit) : This style usually contains the necessary parts to assemble into a complete connector and may not distinguish between male or female types.

• Housing: Provides protection and support and is typically used to house male or female contacts to form the final connector solution.

• Battery style: This style may refer to the appearance or use of the connector similar to the battery connector, suitable for a specific application scenario.

type

• Male: Connector with protruding contact for inserting female connector.

• Female head: Connector with a recess or hole for receiving the contacts of the male head connector.

• No distinction between male and female: Some designs may not distinguish between male and female heads, allowing insertion in any direction, simplifying the installation process.

Other characteristics

• Pin count: The number of contacts in the connector, usually expressed as the number of poles.

• Spacing: The distance between the centers of adjacent contacts, usually in inches or millimeters.

• Mounting type: including free hanging, board edge, surface mount, etc.

• Row number: The number of rows in which contacts are arranged in the connector.

• End connection: The way the contact is connected to the wire, such as crimping or welding.

• Wire Gauge: Specifies the diameter of the wire, expressed in the American Wire Gauge (AWG).

• Color: The color of the connector, sometimes used to identify or distinguish between different types of connectors.

Give an example

• 2-pole connector: Simple design with two contacts for basic power transmission needs.

• 4-pole connector: Provides four contacts that can be used for more complex power transmission or additional data signal transmission.

• 7-pole connector: With seven contacts, it can support higher power requirements or more signal lines.

• Pitch range: from 0.079" (2.00mm) to 0.440" (11.18mm), select the appropriate pitch according to different application scenarios.

3. What are the typical application areas of blade power connectors?

In large data centers, blade power connectors are used to connect blade server modules to the central power system. These servers are typically used in high-density computing environments that require efficient power and thermal management.

In the field of high performance computing, there are high requirements for computing power and data processing speed. Blade servers and corresponding power connectors can provide the necessary computing resources to support complex scientific calculations, engineering simulations, and other tasks.

Photo credit: Molex

Cloud service providers leverage blade servers to build resilient computing platforms to meet changing user needs. Blade power connectors support efficient power supply for these servers.

In addition to the data center, many enterprises also use blade servers in their internal IT infrastructure to support business-critical applications and services.

Research institutions often need to process large amounts of data and perform complex calculations, and blade servers and their power connectors can provide the computing power needed.

Telecom operators use blade servers to support their core network services, including voice communications, data transmission and multimedia services.

In power communication systems, the battery connector is used to connect the battery to the communication device to ensure that the device can still operate normally when the main power supply is interrupted.

Although not a mainstream application, in some cases, blade power connectors can also be used in embedded systems, especially those that require customized solutions with high performance computing power.

4. Which manufacturer brands offer high quality blade power connectors?

TE Connectivity

Molex LLC

Amphenol Corporation

SparkFun Electronics

Cinch

JAE

Samtec

Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton

ERNI Electronics

APP (ANDERSON)

5. How to choose the right blade power connector?

a. Identify requirements:

Understand the voltage and current levels required for your device.

Determine the maximum power the connector needs to carry.

Confirm the required interface type to match your device.

Consider whether you need water, dust, or other special features.

b. Consider performance:

Evaluate the resistance, capacitance, inductance and other parameters of the connector.

Check the characteristics of the connector, such as voltage resistance, current resistance, plugging force, and insulation.

c. Focus on brand and quality:

Choose well-known brands of connectors to ensure product quality and after-sales service.

Check whether the connector has the relevant quality certification, such as ISO9001, UL certification.

d. Consider the cost:

Look for cost-effective products based on meeting requirements and performance.

e. Technical Specifications:

Select the appropriate style for the application, such as components, shells, etc.

Choose male, female or both.

Determine how many pin count contacts are needed.

Select the appropriate contact spacing according to the application.

Consider options such as free hanging or panel mounting.

Select a single or multi-line configuration.

f. Installation and maintenance:

Make sure there is a detailed installation guide or manual.

Choose products that are easy to install and maintain.

g. Compatibility:

Verify that connectors comply with industry standards to ensure compatibility.

Check whether the connectors can be used in different blade servers and chassis.

h. Safety and protection:

Ensure that connectors are designed with the power and load lines isolated in mind to prevent accidents.

i. Supplier Information:

Make sure to buy from a reputable supplier to get the original.

Compare prices of different suppliers and understand their after-sales service policies.

6. Describe how to use the blade power connector

When using blade power connectors, there are some basic steps that need to be followed to ensure proper installation and connection. The following is a general step-by-step guide for INFINITECH integration:

Preparation stage:

Prepare batteries and devices Make sure you have the batteries and electronics ready to connect.

Check the battery and device connectors to make sure they match each other for proper connection.

Preparation before connection:

Before connecting, make sure that the positive and negative terminals of the battery are correctly identified. Usually, the battery is marked with a positive and negative symbol or text. The positive pole is usually the longer pin, while the negative pole is the shorter pin.

Check the connector to make sure the connector is not damaged and the slots and pins are in good condition.

Connection process:

Insert the blade pin on the battery side into the connector holder on the device side. Make sure the pins are aligned with the slots in the seat, then insert gently but evenly.

Check that the connection is secure and that there is no loosening or tilting.

Installation precautions:

If you are using a blade server power connector, make sure you follow the prescribed steps to install the power supply, make sure the connection is secure and the screws are in place.

During the installation process, ensure that the power cable is not overly bent or pulled by external forces.

Safe operation:

Before inserting the plug, check whether the code of the plug and socket, Shape of the interface, positioning key and slot, positioning color code, locking pin and slot, and positioning screw and hole at the interface correspond to each other, and ensure that the plug and socket are correctly positioned.

In the process of pushing or screwing the connector, align the plug parallel to the docking surface of the socket and straighten the cable or wire, and then gently push or slowly screw the lock sleeve into place along the axis direction and lock it tightly.

If it is found that the two butt surfaces are skewed, the positioning is not accurate, the feel is tight beyond the normal force or there is an abnormal feeling, it should stop the operation, pull out along the axis direction and check the status, and then plug again after the fault is removed.

Maintenance and maintenance:

Check the condition of the connector regularly to make sure there is no damage or wear.

Use appropriate cleaners and wipes to clean the connectors and keep them clean to avoid dust and dirt affecting electrical performance.

Following these steps can help you use blade power connectors correctly and safely.

Safety tip: If you encounter any problems or are unsure, it is recommended to refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer or seek professional help.