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Pin Map and Contact Functions
Define the function of each power, return, signal, control or detection contact.
CTP 3 Pin Compact Round Magnetic Pogo Pin Connector integrates three spring-loaded electrical contacts into a compact circular metal housing for space-constrained electronic devices. The three contacts can be assigned to power, return, detection, identification, control or project-specific signal functions according to the customer Pin Map.
Product specifications should be reviewed together with the customer device, PCB, electrical assignment and mechanical mating conditions.
Define the function of each power, return, signal, control or detection contact.
Provide voltage, continuous current, peak current and required signal conditions.
Provide available length, width, height, PCB area and required mating orientation.
Provide application, expected quantity, environment and customer validation requirements.
Review the product-specific description, technical parameters, contact arrangement, mechanical structure and project conditions below.
Engineering Summary: The CTP 3 Pin Compact Round Magnetic Pogo Pin Connector integrates three spring-loaded electrical contacts into a compact circular metal housing for space-constrained electronic devices. The three contacts can be assigned to project-specific power, return, detection, identification, control or signal functions. Final dimensions, contact arrangement, working stroke, electrical ratings, magnetic retention, mating life and environmental performance must be confirmed using the approved connector drawing and complete customer assembly.
This 3 pin round magnetic pogo pin connector is designed for electronic devices that require three independent electrical contacts within a compact circular mating interface.
The connector shown uses three spring-loaded pogo pin contacts positioned inside a round housing. The surrounding metal and magnetic structure assists connector attachment, while the internal insulating structure separates the electrical contacts.
The compact round geometry can be useful when PCB area, enclosure diameter or external connector space is limited. Final suitability depends on the customer Pin Map, available installation space, electrical load and mating conditions.
| Connector Element | Visible Structure | Engineering Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Count | Three spring-loaded electrical contacts | Define the electrical function of all three contacts |
| Contact Layout | Compact single-row arrangement | Confirm exact spacing and positional tolerance by drawing |
| Contact Region | Contacts located inside the surrounding housing | Confirm mating-target geometry and working clearance |
| Connector Shape | Compact round interface | Confirm outer diameter, height and device installation envelope |
| Outer Housing | Circular metal housing | Confirm mechanical, magnetic and electrical function by drawing |
| Rear Peripheral Feature | Green peripheral component visible at the rear | Confirm sealing, locating or assembly function using the approved drawing |
| Magnetic Mating | Magnet-assisted attachment structure | Define capture, seated retention and separation requirements |
A 3 pin magnetic connector provides three independent conductive paths. The pin count itself does not define the electrical function.
Possible contact functions include:
| Architecture | Example Contact Allocation | Primary Engineering Review |
|---|---|---|
| Power + Detection | Power, return and device detection | Power-enable timing and mating-state detection |
| Power + Identification | Power, return and accessory identification | Identification circuit and incorrect-accessory response |
| Power + Control | Power, return and project-specific control | Logic voltage, protection and fault states |
| Detection Interface | Detection, reference and control contacts | Thresholds, sequencing and partial mating |
These configurations are examples only. The final Pin Map must be defined from the customer schematic and device operating requirements.
The main engineering advantage of this structure is the ability to package multiple electrical contacts into a small circular interface.
A compact round connector may be useful where the project has:
Compact size should not be considered independently from working stroke, target dimensions, electrical clearance and mechanical tolerances.
As the connector becomes smaller, the available positional tolerance between the pogo pins and their mating targets also becomes more important.
The dimensional review should include:
A worst-case tolerance analysis should confirm that all three pogo pins remain inside their intended mating targets.
Magnetic attraction can help bring the connector halves together, but it should not be the only feature controlling the final electrical position.
| Mating Function | Recommended Control |
|---|---|
| Initial Capture | Magnetic structure and approach geometry |
| Orientation | Housing geometry and magnetic polarity where required |
| Final Alignment | Mechanical datums and mating surfaces |
| Pogo Pin Compression | Mechanical stop and dimensional tolerance stack |
| Seated Retention | Magnetic structure and customer mechanical support |
| Removal | Defined separation direction and release-force requirement |
Capture force, seated retention and separation force should be specified separately because they describe different connector behaviours.
Each spring-loaded contact must operate inside its approved compression range after the connector is fully seated.
A simplified working-stroke relationship is:
S = Hfree - Hseated
where:
The complete tolerance stack may include:
| Stroke Condition | Possible Result |
|---|---|
| Insufficient Compression | Intermittent contact or unstable electrical resistance |
| Approved Working Stroke | Intended contact force and electrical condition |
| Excessive Compression | Spring bottoming, target damage or excessive structural load |
| Unequal Compression | Different contact resistance between the three electrical paths |
Current capability cannot be determined from the three-pin configuration or compact housing alone.
A simplified complete electrical path is:
Rpath = Rhost-PCB + Rtermination + Rpogo + Rinterface + Rtarget + Rdevice-PCB
The voltage drop is:
Vdrop = I × Rpath
The resistive power loss is:
Ploss = I² × Rpath
The project should define:
Current capability should be confirmed through complete-path voltage-drop and temperature-rise testing.
A 3 pin pogo pin connector provides three conductive paths, but pin count alone does not establish support for a specific communication protocol.
Signal capability depends on:
The connector should therefore be evaluated as part of the complete electrical channel rather than as an isolated data component.
Magnetic attraction can retain the mating component before all three contacts reach their intended working stroke.
| Condition | Possible Risk | Required Review |
|---|---|---|
| One Contact Touches First | Unexpected electrical sequence | Pin Map and approach angle |
| Two Contacts Touch First | Incomplete electrical state | Contact height and mating-target tolerance |
| Captured but Not Fully Seated | Unstable contact resistance | Mechanical stop and full-seating verification |
| Laterally Offset Mating | Pogo pin reaches the wrong or edge of a target | Target dimensions and maximum credible offset |
| Removal Under Load | Transient voltage or contact arcing | Power-disable sequence and powered-endurance testing |
The circular metal housing and rear peripheral structure do not by themselves establish an IP67 or another ingress-protection rating.
The complete environmental protection boundary may include:
Any ingress-protection claim should identify the exact tested connector or complete assembly, test state and acceptance criteria.
| Parameter | Product Definition |
|---|---|
| Product Type | 3 pin compact round magnetic pogo pin connector |
| Contact Count | Three spring-loaded electrical contacts |
| Contact Arrangement | Compact single-row arrangement |
| Connector Shape | Round compact magnetic interface |
| Pin Map | Project-specific power, return, detection, identification, control or signal allocation |
| Outer Diameter | Confirm using the approved mechanical drawing |
| Overall Height | Confirm using the approved mechanical drawing |
| Contact Spacing | Confirm exact center distance and tolerance by drawing |
| Working Stroke | Confirm minimum, nominal and maximum pogo pin compression |
| Contact Force | Report at a defined working stroke |
| Voltage | Model- and circuit-specific |
| Continuous Current | Confirm through voltage-drop and temperature-rise testing |
| Contact Resistance | Report with test current, working stroke, target and measurement method |
| Magnetic Performance | Capture, seated retention and separation force are specified separately |
| Mating Life | Defined by stroke, target, electrical load and acceptance criteria |
| Environmental Protection | Applies only to a defined and tested connector or complete device assembly |
| Application | Possible Connector Role | Primary Engineering Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Wearable Electronics | Power, detection or accessory interface | Compact size and repeated mating |
| Portable Electronics | Power, identification or control interface | Installation space and contact stability |
| Smart-Home Devices | Docking or removable-module connection | Pin Map and mechanical integration |
| Charging Docks | Power, return and detection interface | Electrical sequencing and partial mating |
| Compact Instruments | Power, control or service connection | Connector size and mechanical alignment |
| Custom Electronic Modules | Project-specific three-contact interface | Pin Map, space and complete system validation |
These applications are examples. Final suitability depends on the Pin Map, electrical conditions, mechanical envelope and complete device validation.
| Requirement | Recommended Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Pin Map | Confirm the electrical function of all three contacts |
| Contact Geometry | Verify contact spacing and mating-target positions |
| Working Stroke | Verify minimum, nominal and maximum compression |
| Contact Resistance | Measure under defined current, target and stroke conditions |
| Voltage Drop | Measure complete power paths where applicable |
| Temperature Rise | Evaluate contacts, targets, terminations and PCB |
| Magnetic Capture | Evaluate connector approach and centering behaviour |
| Retention and Separation | Measure forces in intended use and removal directions |
| Partial Mating | Test one-contact-first, two-contact-first and offset conditions |
| Mechanical Endurance | Use defined stroke, target, speed and acceptance criteria |
| Powered Endurance | Evaluate mating and separation under intended electrical conditions |
| Environmental Exposure | Evaluate required temperature, moisture, dust and cleaning conditions |
| Input | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Pin Map | Function of all three electrical contacts |
| Electrical Conditions | Voltage, continuous current, peak current and signal type |
| Mechanical Space | Maximum diameter, height and restricted regions |
| Contact Geometry | Required contact spacing and mating-target dimensions |
| Mating Direction | Approach, final seating and removal direction |
| Working Stroke | Minimum, nominal and maximum pogo pin compression |
| Magnetic Requirements | Capture, seated retention and separation conditions |
| Termination | PCB, FPC, wire or project-specific connection |
| Environment | Temperature, moisture, dust, vibration and cleaning exposure |
| Project Files | 2D drawing, 3D model, schematic, PCB layout or device assembly |
It is a compact circular magnetic connector with three spring-loaded electrical contacts that can be assigned to project-specific power, detection, identification, control or signal functions.
A common architecture may use power, return and a third contact for detection, identification or control. The final Pin Map depends on the customer circuit.
The circular structure can provide a small connector footprint for devices with limited enclosure and PCB space while supporting magnet-assisted removable mating.
It can be used as part of a charging interface when the Pin Map, current, voltage, power-control circuit and complete thermal path are appropriately designed and validated.
No. Pin count alone does not establish a communication protocol. Signal capability must be evaluated using the complete electrical channel.
No universal electrical rating should be assumed. Current and voltage must be confirmed for the exact connector structure, working stroke, mating target, termination and thermal environment.
Not necessarily. Its exact function must be confirmed using the approved drawing. Waterproof performance can only be assigned to a defined and tested connector or complete device assembly.
No. An IP rating must apply to a defined test assembly, mating state and test condition.
Provide the three-contact Pin Map, voltage, current, available diameter and height, contact spacing, working stroke, magnetic requirements and available project drawings.
Review additional custom magnetic connector components for different contact counts, round structures and mating layouts.
Submit the Pin Map, electrical conditions, available installation space and project drawings through the Get Quote & Samples page .
CTP can review the three-contact layout, compact round housing, pogo pin working stroke, mating targets, magnetic structure and PCB, FPC or wire termination. Final electrical ratings, signal capability, magnetic retention, mating life and environmental performance must be confirmed through approved drawings and project-specific validation.
This product page presents a CTP magnetic connector configuration for engineering reference. Final dimensions, electrical ratings, materials, magnet structure, sealing level and reliability targets are not universal values; they are confirmed against the approved drawing, installation condition and model-specific validation plan.
CTP reviews the application and prepares a drawing or specification for approval before sample production. Test scope, acceptance criteria and report format should identify the model, sample status, method, conditions, result and review date.
Yes. Customization can cover geometry, contact layout, materials, cable construction, magnetic structure, sealing and appearance. Feasibility depends on the application and approved specification.
No. Current, voltage, resistance, temperature rise and ingress-protection claims apply only to the identified model and stated test conditions.
Timing is confirmed after the drawing, materials, tooling, sample quantity, validation scope and production requirements have been reviewed.
ENGINEERING CONFIRMATION BEFORE SAMPLING
Confirm power, signal and grounding allocation for the intended device.
Confirm working stroke, alignment, mounting, retention and mating behavior.
Confirm cable exit, host interface and project-specific assembly requirements.
Use the approved drawing and agreed validation plan as the release reference.
Submit your Pin Map, electrical requirements, available space, mating structure and project quantity for connector selection or custom development review.
Use the following engineering guides to compare contact count, contact allocation and connector layout before confirming the final product or customized design.
Review the complete selection path from contact count and electrical functions to connector shape.
View Main Guide →Compare one-contact special structures, complete two-contact circuits and third-contact functions.
Compare Low-Pin Designs →Determine whether four contacts are sufficient or whether a defined fifth electrical path is required.
Compare 4 Pin and 5 Pin →Calculate the contact budget and compare six-contact, multi-row and customized contact-array structures.
Compare High-Pin Designs →
