Need a product quote?   Let us know what you need and we’ll provide a custom quote. Get a quote!

2 Tips for how to avoid FPC connector damage!

Loading... 278 view(s)

2 Tips for how to avoid FPC connector damage!

Are you damaging FPC connectors? Here are Tech Bob’s Quick Tips for Common Causes and How to Avoid: The right tool, the right way... One of the most common ways the FPC connector is damaged is by disconnecting the cable. A scenario we commonly see is a spudger or just a fingernail is inserted to deeply underneath the cable, the connector is hit, and the plastic pins are knocked loose. TECH TIP: Use a spudger and not your fingernail and keep your spudger as flat as possible. A spudger provides precision access to the flex cable helping to avoid hitting the connector. Too much force, not enough alignment Another common cause of damage is using too much force when connecting a flex cable and not ensuring it is properly aligned first. If you do end up damaging the connector, we offer board-level repair services to help fix the issue. Addressing the factor of force, the flex cables require very little force to click into the FPC connector on the board. If it’s not clicking into place with little force, additional force is never the answer as it can break the FPC on the board or the connector on the part you are installing. Alignment should always come before force as the FPC connectors are designed to click together like LEGOs. If they are not aligned, they will not connect. TECH TIP: Make sure you're not using excessive force! After you get the flex cable properly aligned, we recommend using only your index finger to connect as you have more control and can feel the amount of pressure being applied. You should hear or feel the cable click into place when it is properly connected. If it ever feels as if the cable did not fully connect, disconnect the cable, and try again. The most common FPC damage we see related to alignment or excessive force is on iPad repairs. If you would like to view this tutorial on our Facebook Live click here  If you would like to purchase the spudger used in the video click here if you would like to submit a request for board level repair click here eTech Parts Plus provides our customers with Parts, Tools and Knowledge.  We share our experience after working in small repair shops and mass retailers.  Our trainers have trained over 30,000 technicians on iPhone, Samsung, iPad and Chromebooks.  From the basic screen repair to the more complex board level repair, we've provided our services to the DIY customer or new repair shop owner to video and mass training audiences.  Our techs are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 6:00 pm. Visit www.etechparts.com to learn more about the parts and services that we offer.