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Elevating Oven Design

Excellence in oven design requires the orchestration of advanced user interface (UI) components, smart technology integration and robust construction for both performance and safety. As consumers demand more electronic features that are intuitive and easy to use, the future kitchen experience rests on designs that meet industry regulations, maximize available space and support manufacturing requirements. Molex offers an industry-leading portfolio of connectors that drive innovation in oven design and assembly.

Designing Oven Components


Elevating oven design requires engineers to balance increasing consumer expectations for modern functionality with regulatory compliance, space constraints, ergonomic manufacturing and ongoing upgrade cycles. 

Meeting or surpassing safety standards and industry regulations, such as glow wire compliance, is non-negotiable and creates the foundation upon which reliability is built. To support industry mandates, Molex develops connectors with the highest standards in mind so that our solutions not only adhere to required standards but set new benchmarks in safety, reliability and efficiency. 

More recently, design considerations extend to manufacturing ergonomics, the tasks and safety of assembly workers and the focus on minimizing production line fatigue, injuries and errors. Ease of mating connectors minimizes physical strain on workers, and Molex innovations in connector design help ensure assembly is efficient, safe and intuitive. 

With model refreshes and design updates occurring every 2 to 4 years and component changes every 1 to 2 years, appliance OEMs face supply chain and manufacturing challenges. Navigating this landscape requires a connector supplier that brings more than just parts to the table. Molex provides engineering and commercialization expertise that facilitates faster design cycles and provides more reliable supply chain networks.


Main Electronics Connectors


Assembly line operator fatigue and injury is a top concern for oven manufacturers. Connectors with low mating force help reduce the risk of operator injury while ensuring high-quality connections. Molex connectors are built with operator ergonomics in mind and incorporate features to maintain secure and reliable connections that help enable consistent product performance. 

  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating 
Micro-One Connectors Wire-to-board 2.00mm 2 to 8 4.0A
KK Plus Connectors Wire-to-board 2.50mm
3.00mm
3.96mm
2 to 8 11.0A
Nano-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
2.50mm 2 to 16 8.0A
Mini-Lock Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
2.50mm 2 to 15 3.5A
Micro-Fit+ Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
3.00mm 2 to 24 13.0A
Mini-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
Board-to-board
4.20mm 2 to 40 20.5A
CP-6.5 Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
6.50mm 2 to 6 12.5A
Mega-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
5.70mm 2 to 12 30.0A
RAST Connectors Wire-to-board 2.50mm
5.00mm
2 to 20 16.0A

User Interface Connectors


A surge in demand for more features in ovens has created design challenges, including higher PCB density due to more complex user interfaces and an expanded range of sensors. Molex provides UI components that support touch controls for an enhanced user experience as well as compact connectors that promote greater spatial flexibility.

  Configuration Pitch Circuits Actuator Style
Easy-On FFC/FPC Connectors Wire-to-board 0.20mm to 2.00mm 2 to 120 Front flip, back flip, non-ZIF, slider, flexi-latch, one-touch
Premo-Flex Flat-Flexible Cable (FFC) Cable 0.25mm to 2.54mm 3 to 120 -
  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating 
Micro-Lock Plus Connectors Wire-to-board 1.25mm
2.00mm
2 to 42
2 to 16
3.6A
4.7A
Nano-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
2.50mm 2 to 16 8.0A
Mini-Lock Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
2.50mm 2 to 15 3.5A
KK Plus Connectors Wire-to-board 2.50mm
3.00mm
3.96mm
2 to 8 11.0A
SlimStack Connectors Board-to-board 0.35mm to 1.25mm 6 to 240 18.0A

Wire Harnesses


Speed to market is essential to stay ahead of the competition in an industry with frequent model changes and upgrades. Leveraging pre-assembled cable assemblies and wire harnesses from Molex can help designers avoid supply chain challenges and accelerate time to market.

  Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating 
Mini-Fit Cable Assemblies 4.20mm 2 to 40 20.5A
Micro-One Cable Assemblies 2.00mm 2 to 8 4.0A
Nano-Fit Cable Assemblies 2.50mm 2 to 16 8.0A
KK Plus Cable Assemblies 2.50mm
3.00mm
3.96mm
2 to 8 11.0A
Mini-Lock Cable Assemblies 2.50mm 2 to 15 3.5A
Mega-Fit Cable Assemblies 5.70mm 2 to 12 30.0A

Custom Cable Assembly Solutions

Custom cable assemblies and wire harnesses offer a variety of configuration options to support complex oven component design.

Convection Fan Connectors


Convection fan designs require low-power connections that maintain a small footprint. Molex connectivity products maximize space savings with a small centerline for lower-amperage devices.

  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating
Micro-Fit+ Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
3.00mm 2 to 24 13.0A
Mini-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
Board-to-board
4.20mm 2 to 40 20.5A

Heating Element Connectors


An oven’s heating element is a critical sub-system that must maintain consistent temperatures and ensure reliable performance. With these requirements in mind, Molex connectors for heating elements are designed to withstand high operating temperatures and avoid failure. These connectors also incorporate features like terminal position assurance and latching devices to prevent mis-mating or un-mating to help ensure reliability.

  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating Max. Temperature Rating
VersaBlade Connectors Wire-to-wire 6.20mm
2.00mm
1 to 9 (standard version)
2 to 4 (high-temperature version)
15.0A
4.7A
-40 to +110°C
-55 to +150°C

Sensor Connectors


Placement of temperature sensing systems can often be restricted to a specific area which provides limited temperature beta values. Design engineers need temperature sensing solutions that can be mounted anywhere and offer diverse beta values for more accurate sensitivity levels. Molex offers temperature sensing cables with connectors that can be incorporated to the end of the thermistor, providing secure retention to the PCB and more accurate temperature readings.

  Operating Temperature Beta Range  Resistance Range  
NTC Ring Temperature Sensor Cable Assemblies -40 to +105°C (with connector)
-40 to +150°C (with leads)
3K to 5K 1K to 100K Ohms
  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating
Micro-Fit+ Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
3.00mm 2 to 24 13.0A
Mini-Fit Connectors Wire-to-wire
Wire-to-board
Board-to-board
4.20mm 2 to 40 20.5A

Wi-Fi Connectors


Oven designs are increasingly incorporating Wi-Fi technology to meet consumer expectations for remote monitoring, control and status notifications. These communications demand high reliability and signal integrity. Molex solutions for Wi-Fi functionality offer reliable connectivity, full EMI shielding for excellent signal integrity, while also saving valuable space on the PCB.

  Configuration Frequency
5G mmWave RF Flex-to-Board Connectors Signal: 2 to 4
Ground: 4 to 6
Power: 4 to 0
15 GHz
25 GHz

Camera Connectors


The trending addition of cameras in ovens presents new functionality that must be incorporated in very limited PCB space. Molex connectors for camera devices are designed with a small pitch to fit within shrinking PCB real estate.

  Configuration Pitch Circuits Max. Current Rating 
Micro-Lock Plus Connectors Wire-to-board 1.25mm
2.00mm
2 to 42
2 to 16
3.6A
4.7A
Micro-One Connectors Wire-to-board 2.00mm 2 to 8 4.0A