The pin header is one of the simplest and cheapest solutions for connecting signals on a PCB. A various range of such connectors offers Fischer Elektronik, known primarily as a manufacturer of aluminium heatsinks.
The pin header is a connector with pins in one or more rows and a simple plastic body that holds the pins in the desired grid. The most common pitch is still 2.54mm, and since the world of electronics is moving towards miniaturization, they are often already used in 2mm and 1.27mms pitch.
The pin of the most typical pin header with 2.54 mm pitch is of square cross-section with dimensions of 0.635 mm x 0.635 mm. The 2mm pitch has pins 0.5×0.5mm and the 1.27mm pitch then 0.4×0.4mm. The square cross-section dates back to the time of the great popularity of wire-wrapping, but it has worked pretty well, and in most cases it is suitable.
Versions with so-called precise contacts can be used in cases where the square cross-section is not suitable. These are the contacts with a circular cross-section with diameters of 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.43 mm. That precision is then hidden in the counterpart, in the female header. In terms of surface treatment, the contacts are either gold-plated or tin-plated (or selective gold-plated).
The body material is most often polyamide and for many years was only available in black. But today, pin headers are also used in modern lighting technology with LEDs, that is why Fischer also offers them in white colour. So, if you find LED in the part number, then you know that they are white, made from LCP material (LiquidCrystalPolymer), and can easily withstand temperatures up to 230°C. Therefore, they are also suitable for THR technology.
Basic Configurations:
- Number of rows: single, dual, triple
- Shape: straight, R/A (right-angled)
- Assembling: THT, SMD
The main advantage of SMD technology is the possibility of machine assembling. Fischer Elektronik also offers packaging designed for just this option – either packaging on a reel (Tape&Reel) or in tubes (Bar Magazine) and both versions using the so-called “Pick and place pad” – for vacuum pipette. - Number of pins: 1 – 36 pins, resp. 2 – 72 at dual-row versions. The advantage of these pin headers is that most can be “broken” to the required number of pins. With a larger quantity, it is, of course, more reasonable to order the exact required number of pins.
- Pitch: 2,54 mm / 2 mm / 1,27 mm
- Height of the plastic body: standard, low profile, „sandwich“ – 2 rows of plastic body
- Number of versions with different pin lengths: sufficient
- Customizing possible
Applications:
- As a wire-to-board connector, mating part is an IDC connector for ribbon cable or crimp connector for separated wires
- As a board-to-board connector, mating part is a female header for PCB
- As configuration pins, pins are connected using jumpers
