Part 2: The PCB
In the past I have made some small electrical projects and found that one thing that frustrated me was a mass of wires running every which a way .. a bird’s nest that looked so amateurish … I wanted something different with this project. There isn’t much complexity really … a couple of 4PDT switches, various LEDs to indicate how the switches are thrown but that is a bit complex with three pins per LED and twelve lugs for each switch … almost guaranteeing a bird’s nest of wires if I didn’t try to fix this. To that end I wanted to use a combination of JST-XH 3 pin connectors for the LEDs and PCB mount screw terminal block connectors for the switches. With the female connectors mounted on a PCB I could/can have each LED and switch with it’s male connector and have a nice and neat and orderly connection. Identifying each connection will be much easier.
JST-XH connectors
- 24 AWG JST XH 2.54mm 2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9 pin micro male connector match well with female connector, easy to install and usem, meet your different installation needs.
- Specification: PITCH SIZE 2.54mm; LENGTH OF WIRE 200mm; CABLE TYPE 2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9 pin.
- Material: The wire contains different colors, which provides richer materials for daily design and DIY.
The above was cut and pasted from Amazon.com .. I had 2-pin versions already since that is used on the Woodland Scenics “Just Plug®” Lighting System. I got the 3-pin version to connect the 3-pin Bi-Color LEDs and the 12-pin version for the switches.
PCB mount screw terminal blocks
- Product Type: Boxed 2 pin & 3 pin Screw Terminal Block Connector, with a phillips screwdriver.
- Rated Value: AC 300V, 10A
- For wire size: 14-22AWG; Color: green
- Pitch: 5 mm/ 0.2 inch
- Package include: 40pcs x 2 Pin Screw Terminal Block Connector ; 20pcs x 3 Pin Screw Terminal Block Connector; 1pcs x phillips screwdriver. All packed in a plastic container for easy use.