SMC IDC cable
- SMC ribbon assemblies for compact board connections
- 1.27mm nominal SMC connector grid
- Original connectors or customer-approved alternatives
- Cable length and exits tailored to the installation
- Custom connection maps reviewed for manufacturability
- Prototype and production inquiries supported
SMC 1.27mm IDC Cable —Custom SMC Assemblies With a Choice of Component Source
An SMC IDC cable carries multiple internal connections through a compact ribbon assembly. BespokeCable offers custom assemblies for equipment using the SMC connector system, with length, orientation, and wiring adapted to the board layout and available space.
We can supply original connectors or discuss compatible alternatives for your approval. If your project already specifies a connector, send the complete reference. If you are replacing an unidentified assembly, photographs and a sample give us a practical starting point.
Specification Table
| Item | Specification |
| Assembly reference | BC-CAI005 project family |
| Interface reference | SMC Small Multiple Connector family |
| Nominal grid | 1.27mm; verify the exact contact layout and mating geometry |
| Connector identity | Full cable-end and board-end part numbers required |
| Position count | By selected connector; do not transfer a generic IDC count range |
| Ribbon | Construction, gauge, and conductor pitch selected to the IDC application specification |
| Length and exits | Custom dimensions and orientation by approved assembly drawing |
| Pin mapping | Straight-through or reviewed custom connections |
| Plating and housing | As specified for the actual sourced component |
| Ratings | Assembly-specific review of electrical, thermal, and mechanical limits |
| Component sourcing | Original branded components or separately identified alternatives subject to customer approval |
A Cable Built Around the SMC Interface
SMC refers to the Small Multiple Connector system associated with ERNI, now part of TE Connectivity. Its nominal 1.27mm grid identifies the family, while the complete component reference defines the contact layout and mating details.
For an existing board, keeping the mating interface is usually more useful than selecting a generic small IDC connector. We can discuss the cable around that interface without asking you to redesign the board solely to suit a catalog assembly.
Original Parts and Approved Alternatives
Original connectors suit projects that require a named component in the bill of materials. An alternative may be worth evaluating where cost or sourcing flexibility matters. These are different purchasing choices, and we identify the proposed component rather than treat them as interchangeable by default.
When reviewing an alternative, the mating fit, termination requirements, and relevant performance data need to support your application. Approval of one SMC assembly does not automatically approve every connector carrying a similar description.
Ribbon Routing for Closely Spaced Boards
A compact connector still needs a workable cable exit. The ribbon should reach the next board without loading the termination or occupying space reserved for another component. A route sketch lets us discuss length, orientation, and support together.
Ribbon gauge, insulation, and conductor spacing must suit the selected IDC contact. That combination is a better basis for a repeatable build than choosing the cable solely by its outside width.
We can discuss it separately. Include its full part number and quantity so the quotation distinguishes the cable assembly from PCB-mounted components.
Do not assume it can. Reuse depends on the component’s exact instructions; a connector that looks intact may no longer provide an approved termination after removal.
We can review customer-supplied parts for suitability for termination. Share the reference, available quantity, and condition, and agree on how to handle trial material and any shortages.
Yes, state that requirement when the assembly is quoted. Record the approved connector and any permitted alternatives in the BOM, rather than relying on a family name alone.
We can discuss sourcing options and a separately identified alternative if you permit one. A change affecting fit or performance should return to your approval process before it enters production.
Related Products
Sourcing an SMC Ribbon Cable for an Existing Design
SMC inquiries often start with a board connector that must remain unchanged. The useful question is how to supply a cable that fits that board, follows the enclosure route, and can be purchased consistently as the equipment moves into production.
Keep the Interface Fixed and Review the Cable Choices
Begin with the mating part and any existing assembly number. Then discuss the variables you actually need to change, such as length or the opposite endpoint. This separates a straightforward cable adjustment from a connector substitution that needs additional qualification.
Give Sensitive Signals a Defined Path
For a measurement or control connection, describe the signals and their return paths. A high-density connector does not by itself establish the bandwidth or noise performance of the finished ribbon cable. The cable route, conductor assignment, and nearby interference sources also affect the result.
If the design uses a different compact connector system, the Milli-Grid cable page and Micro-MaTch ribbon cable page describe separate families. They are comparison options for a design decision, not drop-in SMC replacements.
Choose an Approval Route That Fits the Project
A like-for-like repeat order may already have a complete approved specification. A replacement connector or changed cable route deserves a sample review in the equipment. Let us know which stage you are at so the quotation addresses the unresolved choices instead of repeating work you have already completed.
Send the component reference, a route sketch, and estimated quantities. If documentation is incomplete, tell us what is missing; we can start the inquiry before every detail is finalized.
