Elastomer Test Sockets for Ball-Friendly High-Frequency Testing

The elastomer socket works without spring probes: between device and load board lies a mat of silicone with embedded conductive powder. Under pressure, conductive paths form exactly where ball and pad meet – across the full area, over a short distance and without moving mechanical parts.

This yields three advantages that pogo pins cannot offer: very short signal paths and therefore high bandwidths, a very low contact force of around 8 g per ball, and a contact that does not damage the solder ball – so-called no-ball-damage testing. Contact resistances (CRES) also remain remarkably stable over many contacting cycles.

Key technical data

• Bandwidth: up to 34 GHz (at –1 dB) at 0.35 mm pitch
• Contact force: approx. 8 g per ball
• Pitch range: 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm, e.g. for 153FBGA, 426FBGA, 1208FBGA and 1292FBGA
• Elastomer thickness: 0.45 mm to 1.0 mm depending on socket type

When elastomer, when pogo pin?

The elastomer socket is the right choice when solder balls must remain undamaged, when very high frequencies are measured, or when contacting is only permitted with low force. Where very high volumes, large travel to compensate for coplanarity tolerances, or high currents are involved, the pogo pin test socket plays to its strengths. We are happy to advise you on which technology suits your device.

Product Series