Flexible PCB max current and voltage handling capability.

Thread Starter

BKH

Joined Mar 8, 2022
4
Hello All,

I would like to use the flex cable for the connection of one rigid board to another, it has to handle 32V min and 12A min.

Does the flex pcb cable handle this.
 

MrSalts

Joined Apr 2, 2020
2,767
@BKH Please ignore previous post, it has nothing to do with flex cables.
Flex cables, most commonly known as FFC (flat flexible cables) are typically 1oz/sq foot copper traces inside of two polymer sheets. So, the answer to your question depends on the width of the traces. 0.1"(2.54mm) is surprisingly high (over two amps), 1mm pitch is 1.2A and 0.5mm is about 0.5A. The bigger issue is the connector , you have to look up the mimics on the connectio you select. If you need more current than one trace can provide, you can use 2, 3 or 4 or more traces for +power snd a matching number for -power.

Be careful, flex cables known as CIC are available (instead of FFC). CIC is "conductive ink circuit" and carry much less current because it is a thin layer of silver particles as ink instead of the copper foil in the FCC cable.

It is best to look for a datasheet. Google "Molex FFC" and you should get example connectors and cables to look at. Molex is a manufacturer of ffc parts.
 
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