Rectangular Connectors - Headers, Male Pins

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M80-5T11242MC Harwin	CONN HEADER VERT 12POS 2MM	56
M50-3601542 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 30POS 1.27MM	536
M80-8531645 Harwin	CONN HEADER VERT 16POS 2MM	0
M80-5433442 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD R/A 34POS 2MM	45
M50-3650642R Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 12POS 1.27MM	1703
M20-9963646 Harwin	CONN HEADER R/A 36POS 2.54MM	595
G125-MS11605M2P Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 16POS 1.25MM	89
M55-7016842R Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 68POS 1.27MM	726
M22-2530946 Harwin	CONN HEADER R/A 9POS 2MM	0
M50-3611242 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 24POS 1.27MM	0
M22-2520846 Harwin	CONN HEADER VERT 16POS 2MM	0
M40-3010446 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 4POS 1MM	235
M20-8750242R Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 4POS 2.54MM	300
M30-6001046 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 10POS 1.25MM	0
M50-3601042 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 20POS 1.27MM	1661
M80-5021242 Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 12POS 2MM	163
M22-2580205 Harwin	CONN HEADER VERT 4POS 2MM	0
M80-8430342 Harwin	CONN HEADER R/A 3POS 2MM	801
M50-3630242R Harwin	CONN HEADER SMD 2POS 1.27MM	0
M22-2030646 Harwin	CONN HEADER R/A 6POS 2MM	0

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