Jumpers and shunts are miniature metallic connectors designed to open or close electrical circuit parts. They are convenient devices where jumper pins are bunched or grouped into two or more blocks with varied shunt arrangements. Jumpers provide easy access to cross a PCB’s trace, while shunts can be soldered to the PCB or easily removed when linked with a male header. Thus, it allows you to configure a PCB or re-route signals on a board.
Difference between Jumpers & shunts:
Jumpers are small plastic connectors ideal for opening and closing circuits during contacts’ connection and disconnection. On the other hand, shunts allow power supply/currents to pass through any section of the circuit and create a low-resistance path.
How do they work?
Typically, the jumpers work by using two contacts (jumper points) to complete a circuit upon connection of the jumpers. This creates an alternate path for circuit current. Jumpers are electrically conductive devices; however, they are encased in a plastic block to prevent short circuits.
Shunts are ideal for defective circuit parts that generate a low-resistance path in the circuit, allowing the current to pass around alternate points.
Types of jumpers and shunts:
Jumpers & shunts come in a great range of micro-to high-profile types with varied applications. They feature different contacts and row numbers with various sizes, materials, and plating. It is crucial to consider the type that is used for specific applications.
Applications of Jumpers and Shunts:
Jumpers & shunts are found in a wide range of applications. Jumpers are used to:
- Set up/configure PCBs
- I/O cards
- Hard drives (ATA drives).
- Motherboards
While shunts also have various applications, such as:
- In Christmas tree lights (where they can bypass faulty bulbs).
- Provide circuit protection against overvoltage.
