Rectangular Connectors - Headers, Male Pins

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
0878310420 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 4POS 2MM	1190
0559593630 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER R/A 36POS 2MM	1090
0026481246 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER R/A 24POS 3.96MM	6303
0022282328 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER R/A 32POS 2.54MM	0
0353620950 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 9POS 2MM	639
0022288225 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER R/A 22POS 2.54MM	0
0015912620 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER SMD 62POS 2.54MM	0
0466220501 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER SMD R/A 5POS 3MM	1610
0460151203 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 12POS 4.2MM	2542
0702871255 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 24POS 2.54MM	0
0039299066 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 6POS 4.2MM	1793
0877593464 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER SMD 34POS 2MM	0
0022283237 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 23POS 2.54MM	0
0022282170 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER R/A 17POS 2.54MM	0
0015910467 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER SMD 46POS 2.54MM	0
0460152402 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 24POS 4.2MM	933
0026481153 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 15POS 3.96MM	0
0022283356 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 35POS 2.54MM	0
0878310642 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 6POS 2MM	89
1053112102 Woodhead - Molex	CONN HEADER VERT 2POS 2.5MM	4062

Rectangular Connectors - Headers, Male Pins

1. Overview

Rectangular connectors with male pins, commonly referred to as pin headers, are modular electrical interfaces featuring parallel rows of conductive prongs enclosed in a dielectric housing. These components enable reliable signal and power transmission between PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), cables, and subsystems. Their standardized design, ease of assembly, and scalability make them critical in modern electronics, from consumer devices to industrial machinery.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Single-Row Headers	Linear arrangement, 0.1" pitch standard, low-cost solution	Prototyping boards, Arduino shields
Double-Row Headers	Parallel dual-row configuration, higher contact density	Industrial control systems, PLC modules
High-Density Headers	Sub-0.05" pitch, optimized for miniaturization	Smartphones, medical sensors
Right-Angle Headers	90 oriented pins for vertical space optimization	Automotive ECUs, server motherboards

3. Structure and Composition

Typical male pin headers consist of:

Contact System: Phosphor bronze or beryllium copper pins with gold-plated contact areas
Insulation Housing: High-temperature resistant LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) or nylon material
Mechanical Features: Polarization keying, anti-wobble design, and retention latches
Mounting Options: Through-hole, SMT (Surface Mount Technology), or press-fit terminations

The contacts are arranged in standardized grids (commonly 2.54mm/0.1" pitch) with polarization features to prevent mis-mating.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Current Rating (Amps/contact)	0.5-10A determines power handling capability
Contact Resistance (m )	10-30m affects signal integrity and power efficiency
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage	100-1000V defines insulation reliability
Operating Temperature Range	-55 C to +125 C ensures environmental durability
Insertion Force (N)	0.5-5N impacts mating cycle longevity

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: Laptops, gaming consoles, smart home devices
Automotive: ECU interconnects, sensor harnesses, infotainment systems
Industrial: CNC machine controllers, robotics interfaces
Medical: Diagnostic equipment, patient monitoring systems
Telecom: Base station hardware, fiber optic transceivers

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
TE Connectivity	AMPMODU 205796-1 (0.05" micro pitch header)
Molex	PicoBlade 0510210400 (ultra-compact wire-to-board connector)
Amphenol ICC	10118801-01 (high-speed differential pair header)
JAE Electronics	DF11 Series (0.5mm pitch FPC-to-PCB connector)

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Electrical requirements (current/voltage rating)
Space constraints (pitch size and profile height)
Environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, moisture)
Termination method compatibility (through-hole vs SMT)
Expected mating cycles (durability requirements)
Cost vs performance trade-offs

Example: For automotive applications, select headers with AEC-Q200 certification and 3 m gold plating for vibration resistance.

8. Industry Trends

Miniaturization: Development of 0.3mm pitch connectors for wearable devices
High-Speed Performance: Optimization for 10+ Gbps data rates in 5G infrastructure
Modular Design: Integration with hybrid power/signal transmission capabilities
Sustainability: Adoption of halogen-free materials and RoHS compliance
Smart Manufacturing: Embedded RFID tags for connector lifecycle tracking