Board-to-Board

Selecting a Board-to-Board connector

The factory product catalog lists 39 Board-to-Board model records. Across those records, pitch is 0.35–1.25 mm; mated height is 0.75–98 mm; and contact count is 2–120 contacts. These are ranges observed in the listed variants, not a substitute for a controlled drawing of the exact order code.

Stacked controller boards, compact sensor modules and display electronics can all require a direct board interface. The mechanical envelope is often fixed before the connector is chosen, so the design review starts with the available board spacing and the direction of assembly.

Begin by drawing the two surfaces that must be joined. Record the board outline, location of each connector, approach direction and space available for a mating operation. If a cable or harness is involved, include its exit path and bend allowance. This basic sketch exposes conflicts that a list of nominal electrical values cannot show. The connector should be evaluated as part of the complete assembly, rather than as an isolated component photograph.

Compare the 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm and other catalog pitch options against the PCB routing density you actually need. A smaller pitch is not automatically the better choice: contact count, accessible footprint, handling method and target height must be checked together.

Next, fix the actual contact assignment. Record signal, ground and power positions, and note any contacts that need a separate current review. Compare the pin count listed for the exact catalog record with the circuit plan. A higher count can increase routing and board-space demands, while a lower count may leave no room for future revisions. A selection table is useful for narrowing candidates, but it does not replace a pin assignment or a released drawing.

Compare sourced catalog records

The records below are generated from the current factory product data. A value marked Pending confirmation has not been accepted as a verified part-level specification. Select the linked model to see its drawings, mating notes and the source attached to each available value. If a project depends on a tolerance, current rating or environmental result, request the controlled file and identify the specific test condition.

The comparison table links to all 39 model records across 39 base series names. Where two models share a base series, their suffixes may still identify a different contact count, gender, height or geometry. The exact order code should travel with every drawing request, quotation draft and engineering note.

Mechanical and electrical review

Check the recommended PCB land pattern against the board stack and placement tolerances. Keep assembly tooling, inspection access and any enclosure interference in view. Review connector retention and the intended mating sequence before freezing the mechanical design. For an electrical review, use the model-level current and voltage values only where the catalog or controlled specification actually states them. Assess signal performance in the finished board or cable channel rather than treating a connector family name as proof of system performance.

A plug and socket are a controlled pair. Similar series names do not prove mating compatibility. Confirm the exact order codes, the mated height and both recommended PCB layouts before releasing either board.

Document the remaining questions before requesting samples. A useful engineering inquiry includes the candidate model, board layout, target mated height, contact assignment, expected quantity, project stage and the tests required by the destination product. Ask for the latest datasheet revision and a matching two-dimensional or three-dimensional drawing when available. If any value on this page differs from a newly released controlled document, the current document should govern the design review.

Common questions