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Power Connector
Industrial, IT Datacom
The MX3.0mm Pitch Dual Row Right Angle Header is a wire‑to‑board power connector engineered for applications that demand reliable power distribution in space‑constrained PCB layouts. With a 3.0mm pitch, dual‑row configuration, and 16 circuits (2×8), this header delivers 5A current capacity per contact at 250V rated voltage—positioning it firmly in the low‑to‑mid‑range power distribution segment where compactness cannot compromise performance.
What sets this header apart is the right‑angle orientation. Unlike vertical headers that project perpendicularly from the board surface, this right‑angle configuration positions the mating interface parallel to the PCB. This is a deliberate design choice for applications where board‑to‑board stacking height is limited, or where cable harnesses need to exit parallel to the board surface—think rack‑mount equipment, slim‑profile power supplies, or any enclosure where vertical clearance is at a premium.
CONSHARE builds this header with an LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) housing and T2 tin‑plated copper alloy contacts, backed by UL94V‑0 flame retardancy. The combination delivers a connector that survives reflow soldering processes, maintains dimensional stability across wide temperature swings, and provides consistent electrical performance over the product lifecycle.
The housing material directly impacts your manufacturing workflow. LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) is a high‑temperature thermoplastic that withstands reflow soldering temperatures up to +260°C without deformation. This is critical because many PCB assemblies today use lead‑free solder alloys with higher melting points than traditional tin‑lead mixtures.
What this means for you:
No dry‑bag packaging required—LCP does not absorb moisture like standard nylons, eliminating the pre‑bake step that slows down production
Compatible with both reflow and wave soldering—whether your assembly line uses SMT or through‑hole processes, this header integrates seamlessly
Wide operating temperature range from -40°C to +125°C—suitable for industrial environments, outdoor equipment, and automotive‑adjacent applications
If you're still using PA66 or PBT housings for power headers, you're leaving manufacturing efficiency on the table. LCP is the upgrade that pays for itself in reduced handling and rework.
The right‑angle form factor is often misunderstood as merely a "different shape." In practice, it solves three specific engineering challenges:
Design Challenge | Vertical Header | Right‑Angle Header (This Product) |
|---|---|---|
Board stacking height | Adds significant Z‑axis height | Minimal Z‑axis footprint |
Cable exit direction | Cables exit perpendicular to board | Cables exit parallel to board surface |
Edge‑connect applications | Requires additional board space | Ideal for board‑edge mounting |
Enclosure clearance | Needs tall enclosure | Enables slim enclosure designs |
For applications like rack‑mount servers, telecom line cards, or modular power supplies, the right‑angle orientation allows the connector to sit at the board edge, with the mating cable or receptacle running parallel to the PCB. This is the difference between a design that fits and one that requires a costly enclosure redesign.
Tin plating on the copper alloy contacts serves a straightforward purpose: excellent solderability. The T2 specification indicates a matte tin finish that provides:
Consistent wetting during wave or reflow soldering—reduces cold solder joints
Cost‑effectiveness compared to gold plating—delivers reliable performance without premium pricing
RoHS compliance—tin plating is the industry standard for lead‑free soldering
While gold plating is sometimes specified for high‑mating‑cycle applications (think 500+ cycles), tin plating is the practical choice for most power distribution scenarios where the connector is mated and unmated infrequently. The 5A current rating holds consistently across the tin‑plated contact interface.
Choosing the right header for your application involves more than matching pin counts. Here's a framework to guide your decision.
The 3.0mm pitch represents the sweet spot between density and creepage/clearance requirements. Compared to 2.54mm headers, 3.0mm provides:
Greater insulation distance between adjacent pins—critical for 250V applications
More robust plastic wall thickness between contacts—reduces risk of flash‑over in humid environments
Better support for 5A current—the wider pitch allows for larger contact cross‑sections
If your application involves voltages above 250V or currents exceeding 5A per contact, consider moving to a 4.2mm or 5.08mm pitch connector. If space is extremely tight and current requirements are below 3A, a 2.54mm pitch may suffice. The 3.0mm pitch is the "Goldilocks" choice for most industrial power and signal applications.
Consideration | Single Row | Dual Row (This Product) |
|---|---|---|
Circuit density | Lower | Higher |
PCB footprint width | Narrower | Wider (but shorter length for same pin count) |
Mating force | Lower | Higher (but distributed) |
Typical applications | Signal, low‑power | Power + signal, higher‑density |
The 2×8 configuration (16 total circuits) is ideal when you need to distribute multiple power rails or combine power with control signals in a single connector interface.
Factor | Tin (T2) | Gold |
|---|---|---|
Cost | Lower | Higher |
Solderability | Excellent | Good |
Mating cycles | 30+ | 100–500+ |
Corrosion resistance | Good | Excellent |
Best for | Power distribution, cost‑sensitive designs | High‑reliability, frequent mating |
This header uses tin plating because it delivers the best value for applications where the connector is assembled once and mated occasionally. If your design requires frequent mating/unmating (e.g., test equipment, field‑swappable modules), CONSHARE of
fers gold‑plated variants upon request.
Property | LCP (This Product) | PA66 (Nylon) | PBT |
|---|---|---|---|
Reflow compatibility | Yes (260°C) | Limited | Limited |
Moisture absorption | Very low | High | Moderate |
Dimensional stability | Excellent | Good | Good |
Cost | Higher | Lower | Moderate |
UL flammability | 94V‑0 | 94V‑0 | 94V‑0 |
LCP is the material of choice when your assembly process includes reflow soldering. PA66 and PBT may warp under lead‑free reflow temperatures, leading to coplanarity issues and poor solder joints.
In AC‑DC and DC‑DC power supply designs, the secondary side often requires a connector that can handle 5A per pin while maintaining a low profile. This header's right‑angle configuration allows the output harness to route parallel to the PCB, keeping the overall PSU height low—critical for 1U and 2U rack‑mount power supplies.
Design tip: When routing the 5A traces from the header to the rest of the PCB, ensure the trace width is sufficient for the current. For 1oz copper, a 5A trace typically requires at least 2.5mm width (or use heavier copper or multiple layers).
PLC systems, motor drives, and industrial controllers often use modular I/O cards that plug into a backplane. The right‑angle header on the edge of each card enables easy insertion and removal. The LCP housing ensures the connector survives the temperature cycling common in industrial environments (think unventilated cabinets in factory settings).
Design tip: The UL94V‑0 rating is particularly relevant here—industrial equipment must meet stringent flame retardancy requirements for safety certification.
In battery packs for energy storage systems or electric vehicles, the BMS board needs to connect to multiple cell monitoring lines. The 2×8 configuration provides 16 channels—enough for a 16‑cell monitoring interface in a single connector.
Design tip: The -40°C low‑end operating temperature is essential for outdoor or unheated installations. Standard connectors rated only to -25°C may fail in winter conditions.
Base stations, routers, and switches all require power distribution to line cards and backplanes. The right‑angle header allows line cards to be inserted perpendicular to the backplane—the standard mechanical architecture in telecom equipment.
A: Yes. The LCP housing is rated for reflow temperatures up to +260°C, making it fully compatible with lead‑free SMT soldering processes. No special handling or pre‑baking is required.
A: This CONSHARE header is form‑fit‑function compatible with the industry‑standard Micro‑Fit 3.0 interface. It mates with standard 3.0mm pitch receptacle housings, providing a drop‑in replacement option with the same electrical and mechanical specifications.
A: Tin‑plated contacts typically support 30+ mating cycles under normal conditions. If your application requires more frequent mating/unmating, CONSHARE offers gold‑plated contact options that support 100+ cycles.
A: Yes. The housing design includes polarization features that prevent incorrect mating orientation. The dual‑row configuration also provides visual confirmation of proper alignment.
A: The mating receptacle (sold separately) accepts wire gauges typically ranging from 30 AWG to 16 AWG, depending on the specific receptacle model. CONSHARE provides matching receptacle recommendations as part of the product documentation.
A: Absolutely. CONSHARE offers this header series in various configurations—single row, dual row, different pin counts (2 to 24 circuits), vertical orientation, and with optional PCB retention pegs. Custom configurations are available.
A: The PCB layout should accommodate the 3.0mm pitch between pins and 3.0mm row spacing. The right‑angle configuration requires the PCB mounting holes to be positioned relative to the board edge. Detailed footprint recommendations are included in the product datasheet.
A: Yes. All CONSHARE connectors are manufactured in compliance with RoHS and REACH requirements.
Beyond the standard 2×8, 3.0mm pitch right‑angle header described here, CONSHARE supports a wide range of customizations:
Pin counts: From 2 to 24 circuits in dual‑row configurations
Orientations: Right‑angle (as shown), vertical, or surface‑mount
Plating: Tin (standard), gold, or selective gold plating
Housing colors: Black (standard), natural, or custom colors
PCB retention: Optional solder tabs or press‑fit metal pegs for enhanced mechanical stability
Packaging: Tape‑and‑reel for automated assembly or tray packaging for manual placement
CONSHARE's engineering team works directly with customers to optimize connector specifications for specific applications—whether that means adjusting the pin length, adding polarization features, or qualifying the connector for specific environmental conditions.
