How to attach circuit board that has connectors for external items soldered to it

cadcoke5 · February 8, 2025, 3:12pm

I have a circut board that accepts a DMX signal (a standard used for theaterical lighting), and controls several relays. The DMX connection is soldered to the circuit board. And the holes on the flange of the DMX connectors are recessed from the edge of the circuit board. I was expecting them to be flush, so that I could screw them to the edge of the enclosure. Below is a picture of the board, showing the connector.

There are also some RJ45 type connectors, but those don’t see as much force, nor have the locking button that the DMX connectors have. So, I am not concerned about them.

Any suggestion about how the round connector are typically attached?

igor_X · February 8, 2025, 5:13pm

Hi @cadcoke5 ,

I may not understood the problem well, but can’t you just drill some holes in the enclosure on the positions where these DMX connectors are?

cadcoke5 · February 8, 2025, 6:30pm

Thank you for replying. My concern is about putting in the little screws. If I tighten screws, the holes they go through on the connector are about 1/16" back from the edge of the circuit board.

I wonder if the board maker made a mistake and mounted the DMX 3-pin connectors too far from the edge.
I guess I could stack a few washers to take up that space.

Another approach entirely is to not put the circuit board up next to the enclosure. Rather, get some short DMX cables, and connect them inside the box. Then run those cables out of the enclosure, and let the other end dangle. But, I don’t like that idea, since this is for a mobile show, and I would end up with a box that has dangling cords.