Technical Specs of Smart Card Connectors: What Engineers Should Know
Smart card connectors are a critical interface component in applications ranging from payment terminals to ID verification systems. Understanding their technical specifications is essential for ensuring reliable performance, durability, and compliance with global standards like ISO/IEC 7816. This article provides an overview of key specifications that engineers should evaluate when selecting or designing a smart card connector.
1. Pin Configuration & Contact Design
Most smart card connectors conform to the 8-pin layout defined by ISO/IEC 7816. Typical configurations include:
Number of Contacts: 6 to 8 pins, depending on application needs
Contact Design: Precision stamped & formed or spring-type contacts
Material: Gold-plated copper alloy for optimal conductivity and wear resistance
At Moarconn, our smart card connectors use high-quality gold plating (≥0.76μm) to ensure >100,00 mating cycles and stable contact resistance below 50mΩ.
2. Mounting Style & Form Factor
Smart card connectors come in various mounting styles:
SMT (Surface Mount Technology) – Preferred for automated PCB assembly
Through-hole (THT) – Suitable for higher mechanical strength
Hybrid Types – For specialized modules or dual card applications
Additionally, the connector’s height, card insertion angle (horizontal vs. vertical), and presence of a cover or push-push ejector influence mechanical design and end-use ergonomics.
At Moarconn, we offer customizations on height (4.0mm–7.0mm), insertion force, and ejector mechanisms for high-volume OEM designs.
3. Durability & Contact Life
Key mechanical specs include:
Mating cycles: Industry standard is 50,00–100,00 insertions
Contact force: Optimized at 0.3–0.5N per pin
Insertion/extraction force: Tuned for secure but user-friendly operation
Our R&D team at Moarconn performs 100% mechanical testing on each batch to ensure consistency and compliance.
4. Operating Environment
Environmental specifications include:
Operating Temperature: -25°C to +85°C
Humidity Resistance: up to 95% RH (non-condensing)
Flame Rating: UL94V-0 certified plastic housing
Moarconn connectors pass strict thermal cycling and salt spray tests, ideal for use in outdoor and automotive-grade smart card terminals.
5. Compliance & Certifications
Smart card connectors must meet:
ISO/IEC 7816
RoHS & REACH
UL Safety Standards
AEC-Q200 for automotive applications (if applicable)
Moarconn is a certified ISO9001 & IATF16949 manufacturer, with full traceability on every shipment and full compliance documentation available on request.
6. Customization Capabilities by Moarconn
With over 15 years in the connector industry, Moarconn (摩凯电子) provides end-to-end customization from mold development, precision stamping, and injection molding to final testing and packaging. Whether you need:
Unique contact arrangements
Anti-vandalism card locking
Dual-interface smart card connectors (for SIM+microSD)
Small-batch prototyping or mass production
Moarconn can deliver rapid samples and full-scale production within tight lead times.
Conclusion
Engineers evaluating smart card connectors must consider both electrical and mechanical characteristics, as well as compliance and customization flexibility. Moarconn offers competitive solutions tailored to your exact needs, with uncompromised reliability and proven manufacturing capacity.
Explore our smart card connector series at www.moarconn.com or contact us for technical support and sample requests.
