How to protect shrouded header when potting a PCBA

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I have a design that requires the PCBA to be potted. Howeve... - Sep 10, 2013 by gbarb

Let me start off by saying that although we pot a decent var... - Sep 10, 2013 by caurbach

In my past we have used grease that we put in the connector ... - Sep 12, 2013 by Bill Axler

gbarb

#70756

How to protect shrouded header when potting a PCBA | 10 September, 2013

I have a design that requires the PCBA to be potted. However I have a shrouded header on the board that I need access to. Is there a way to cover this header during the potting process and then removed the cover after the potting material has cured? I could either use that same cover or design a new one that is used to protect the header when not in use.

Thanks for looking and I look forward to the responses. GBarb.

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caurbach

#70757

How to protect shrouded header when potting a PCBA | 10 September, 2013

Let me start off by saying that although we pot a decent variety of products, we have never been asked to do something like this, so this is not based on personal experience. This is just my gut talking here.

I suppose you could use some sort of cap and spray some type of mold release on it so that it's removable after the potting compound is cured, but how reliably would that seal to the board surface? And is that mold release compatible with the potting compound? Some testing would need to be done.

Have you considered using a standard unshrouded .100" pitch header long enough to get the pins above the level of the potting compound? They're available in a variety of lengths and I would think that there would be some off the shelf covers available for them. Even if masking the connectors proved to be feasible, going this route should save some money if it works for you mechanically.

Hope that helps.

Adam

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Bill Axler

#70795

How to protect shrouded header when potting a PCBA | 12 September, 2013

In my past we have used grease that we put in the connector before potting. The grease would keep the potting from flowing into the connector.

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