This product is intended to temporarily hold a TC2030 -NL (“No Legs”) cable in place on a PCB. This solution will help when board space is at a premium and you need a hands free solution for debugging.
We recommend keeping a few spare of these since the tiny boards are easy to misplace when working on the bench.
For a more robust solution consider a TC2030 legged cable.
Quick and easy. Product came very quickly and is as expected. Would order again.
Thank you James
John
My previous review was too harsh, especially since shipping was out of the seller’s control. They offered the cheapest alternative possible given the circumstances. I felt bad so I wanted to leave a positive review to even things out. I apologize!
Sadly, shipping, even by airmail, is no longer cheap.
John
The Tag-Connect TC2030-CLIP is a compact retainer that holds a TC2030 “No-Legs” (NL) Plug-of-Nails™ cable on your PCB for temporary, hands-free debugging and bring-up. The clip engages the cable’s alignment pins from the underside of the board, so you keep the TC2030’s tiny header-free footprint near the MCU while maintaining a consistent connection during development.
Use TC2030-CLIP whenever you prefer the board-space and BOM savings of no-legs cables but want a steadier hold than hand-pressure alone. For longer sessions or vibration-prone setups, consider a legged cable such as the TC2030-IDC. If your toolchain uses ST’s STDC14 header, pair your NL cable with TC2030-CTX-NL-STDC14. For fixture work, see TC2030-MOUNT.
Available singly as TC2030-CLIP and as a TC2030-CLIP-3PACK. Compatible with Tag-Connect TC2030-NL cables including TC2030-IDC-NL and TC2030-ICESPI-NL.
Engineers gain a reliable, repeatable hold without adding a header to every board. The clip supports efficient bench work and keeps production units smaller and simpler by preserving the connector-free TC2030 footprint.
- key_feature_2: Hands-Free Retention For TC2030-NL Cables - key_feature_2_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Grips the alignment pins from beneath the PCB to hold a TC2030-NL cable securely during extended debug sessions, freeing your hands and keeping a stable connection without adding a header or changing your tested board design or manufacturing process reliably."}]}]} - key_feature_3: Uses Existing TC2030-NL Footprint, No Extra Holes - key_feature_3_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Works with the standard TC2030-NL footprint, so no additional pads, headers, or mounting holes are required; maintain the tiny 0.02 sq in area near the MCU while still achieving dependable temporary retention for development, diagnostics, or production bring-up tasks."}]}]} - key_feature_4: Fast, Tool-Less Attachment And Removal - key_feature_4_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Quickly attaches and removes without tools, allowing repeatable probe placement between boards. The minimalist design avoids mechanical stress on components and reduces the risk of slips that can corrupt programming, especially when operating at elevated SWD or SPI clock rates."}]}]} - key_feature_5: Preserves Header-Free Cost And Space Savings - key_feature_5_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Retains the space-saving and cost advantages of no-legs Tag-Connect cables by avoiding any BOM connector on every unit; use the clip only on the bench, so each shipped product remains smaller and simpler with fewer failure points in the field."}]}]} - key_feature_6: Slim FR-4 Clip Fits Crowded Layouts - key_feature_6_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"A small, flat FR-4 piece that slides under crowded layouts where conventional clips or test fixtures will not fit, enabling hands-free access even close to shields, heat-sinks, or tall passives on compact embedded designs and densely populated modules or boards."}]}]} - key_feature_7: Bridges Debugging And Fixture Workflows - key_feature_7_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Complements legged cables and fixtures: use the clip for temporary, flexible debugging, and switch to legged or fixture-based solutions when you require multi-hour, vibration-resistant sessions. Teams can standardise on Tag-Connect workflows across prototyping, validation, and low-volume manufacturing in many environments."}]}]} - key_feature_8_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Low training overhead: engineers familiar with Tag-Connect alignments can deploy immediately. The clip follows the same orientation features, minimising setup time, documentation changes, and human error while improving ergonomics and consistency across labs, contract manufacturers, and test stations very quickly."}]}]} - key_feature_8: Familiar Tag-Connect Orientation, Minimal Training - 1569164: Does TC2030-CLIP work with legged cables?***SIMP***No. It’s designed for TC2030 No-Legs cables. For hands-free without a clip, use a legged 6-pin such as TC2030-IDC. - 1569166: Which TC2030 cables are compatible?***SIMP***Any TC2030-NL family cable, e.g., TC2030-IDC-NL or TC2030-ICESPI-NL. - 1569167: Does the clip change signal integrity?***SIMP***No. It’s a mechanical retainer; signals still travel through the pogo-pins of the Tag-Connect cable. - 1569168: What PCB footprint is required?***SIMP***The standard TC2030-NL footprint with three alignment holes. (That’s the footprint used by all TC2030 no-legs cables.) - 1569169: How does this compare with legged cables for long sessions?***SIMP***Legged cables are self-retaining and better for multi-hour, vibration-resistant sessions (more robust, typically higher cost). The clip is a lightweight bench aid for NL cables. - 1569170: Will it fit around nearby shields or tall passives?***SIMP***The clip is a thin FR-4 board that slides under the PCB; it’s often easier to place than bulkier fixtures. - 1569175: Does it work with ST’s ST-Link 14-pin (STDC14)?***SIMP***Use the TC2030-CTX-NL-STDC14(NL cable to STDC14) with your ST-Link, then retain with the clip as needed.