anyone know the rating for DB9 serial connectors?

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Just wondering if anyone might know this information. I'm wondering if each pin can handle ~1.5amp @ 12V. I'm sure it could, but I'd love to find out the rating if someone knows it.

 

[Zepper]

The category for that type of connector is D Subminiature.

I'm pretty sure that's well within spec, but you can get it from the horse's mouth - http://www.amp.com > Catalog > I/O (box to box) > D Submini. > etc. And perhaps the IEEE web site.
Since using the Amp catalog is confusing, you might need to use the catalog tutorial. In any case, the rating for the lowest quality (gold flashed pins, tin/lead solder cups) is 3A per pin. The dielectric strength is 1000V AC, but the planned signals for those connectors was within the range of +/-30V DC.

Most connectors are prototyped and specified by IEEE and/or the ACM thru Amp and/or Molex/Waldom thus you can usually find the specs there.

Be VERY careful when using connectors standardized for one type of applicaton in an unrelated application. As the garden-variety dumbells produced by the govt. schools in "mass quantities" can screw up even the "best laid plans of mice and men". I would suggest "keying" the female side of the connection by breaking one or more pins off from the male side and filling the corresponding sockets on the female side of your project with some non-conductive material. That would prevent plugging most interloping males into your project's female. Supply high-current voltages from the female side if possible. Current protect all outputs of your project. That's about the best one can do...

.bh.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Thanks. Yeah, that catalog is pretty rough. I'm considering using these to power fans. What do you think, good idea or bad idea? This thread outlines my idea; what do you think Zepper?

 

[Zepper]

D-Sub connectors could handle any fans I know of just fine. I don't see any problem with that. The number of pins on D-sub is always an odd number so there will always be at least one pin free for keying.

.bh.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Excellent. And I see what you mean about the keying. Sounds good. And I'll key the left bank and right bank differently so that they can't get mixed up. Thanks for your help.