A Short Guide of iButton Readers / Probes

The iButton Reader is designed for reading iButtons. Usually we refer to the F5 iButton, because the F3 iButton is not used as much as the F5 iButton, even though the F3 iButton is thinner. The dimensions of both are as follows:

In order to read the iButton, we must connect IO(1-Wire Data) and GND at the same time. The iButton probe is such a function that allows the iButton to touch IO and GND at the same time. At the moment of contact, the host device can read the iButton information (the host usually supports 100-200 microseconds to read once). The real reading time may only take 5 microseconds. From this point of view, the iButton reader/probe is actually two wires. As long as it can ensure that the two points of the probe can touch the IO and GND of the iButton at the same time, it is the simplest probe. The conventional iButton probe structure is as follows:

Usually the inner diameter of the outer ring is larger than the outer diameter of the iButton (16.25mm) to ensure that the iButton can be placed into the probe and touch the center pin.

Is there such a structure to ensure that the probe can read the iButton? Not exactly! Because durability is also very important to the material of iButton probe. To put it simply, if iron metal with poor corrosion is used as the metal material of iButton probe, iron will be oxidized in a few days in a humid environment. This will cause poor contact, affect the performance of the probe, and cause the iButton to be unable to read normally. Therefore, we usually conduct nickel plating and chromium plating for metals with poor corrosion resistance. For applications with high corrosion resistance requirements, we recommend 304 or even 316 stainless steel. As a professional manufacturer of iButton probes, we can provide a full range of metals from iron (chrome plated), copper (chrome plated), to 304 and 316, covering all kinds of use scenarios. Our conventional models include CC9092, CC9092S, CC9092SS (304 stainless steel), CC9092SS-316 (316 stainless steel)

After understanding the material characteristics of various metals, we can select our own iButton probe as described above. For example, iron and copper are recommended for use in the car (non seaside environment). If you use it in a harsh environment, we recommend using stainless steel.

In addition to considering metal materials, we will also choose from the installation method. Generally, we have M10 plastic shell (CC9092X series), M20 metal shell (CC9093X series), and double-sided adhesive (Drill-free) probe (CC9094X series).

In addition to the above probes, iButton.cc can also provide various types of magnetic probes. This probe is required to be used with MG1990A. The advantage is that the card is always on the probe and can read iButton information continuously. For more information about MG1990A, please see the following link:

See MG1990A iButton with Ferrous Ring