Point: The 5-146280-2 is a compact 2-position, single-row connector that designers choose for simple board-to-board or programming interfaces. Evidence: It uses a 0.100" (2.54 mm) pitch, through-hole mounting and typically gold-plated contact areas, which support standard 0.1" grid footprints. Explanation: Those core numbers matter because they guarantee mechanical compatibility with breadboards, legacy headers, and breakaway options, while enabling reliable solder joints for wave or hand assembly.
Point: This note will present a concise spec summary, measured dimensions, typical performance indicators, common applications, and a practical PCB design and sourcing checklist. Evidence: The goal is to give engineers the immediate numbers and checks they need to validate fit, finish and reliability without wading through full datasheets. Explanation: Use the tables and checklist below to speed CAD footprint creation and procurement checks before committing to production.
Point: Form factor and pitch define footprint compatibility and connector behavior on the board. Evidence: The part is a 2-position, single-row, straight vertical orientation with a 0.100" (2.54 mm) pitch. Explanation: That pitch aligns to common 0.1" header patterns used in prototyping and many production layouts, simplifying routing and enabling straightforward mechanical stacking or daughterboard mating where low pin-count connections are required; the term PCB header is the typical category for this part.
Point: Mounting style and plating determine soldering method and long-term durability. Evidence: This family is through-hole mounted with selective gold plating over contact areas (typical), while pins and tails are compatible with standard solder processes. Explanation: Through-hole anchoring improves mechanical retention for mating cycles and wave solder flows, and gold-plated contact regions reduce contact resistance and oxidation risk versus plain tin, improving lifetime for frequent insertions; surface-mount variants trade mechanical robustness for smaller profiles.
| Feature | 5-146280-2 (Gold) | Generic Header (Tin) | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact Plating | Selective Gold | Tin-Lead / Pure Tin | Prevents oxidation; stable signal |
| Mechanical Strength | High (Through-hole) | Medium (SMT) | Ideal for frequent insertion |
| Pitch Accuracy | 2.54 mm (±0.05) | Variable | Ensures CAD alignment |
Point: A compact spec table captures the parameters designers repeatedly check. Evidence: Essential items include number of positions (2), pitch (0.100" / 2.54 mm), mounting (through-hole), current rating, contact resistance, and operating temperature. Explanation: Presenting these makes BOM review fast; confirm parameters against the official datasheet for production acceptance of 5-146280-2.
| Parameter | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Positions | 2 | Single-row, breakaway possible |
| Pitch | 0.100" (2.54 mm) | Matches standard 0.1" footprints |
| Mounting | Through-hole | Wave or hand solder compatible |
| Contact finish | Selective gold plating | Low contact resistance, corrosion resistance |
| Current rating | Refer to datasheet | Confirm for high-current uses |
"When routing the 5-146280-2, I always recommend a 1.0mm drill size for the through-hole to ensure easy insertion during manual rework without sacrificing solder fillet integrity. For high-vibration applications, ensure the mating connector has a locking friction ramp, as a 2-pin header alone lacks significant retention force."
Point: Certain dimensions are critical for CAD and DFM. Evidence: Extract pin length (tail length into PCB), body height above the PCB, recommended PCB footprint (pad size and spacing), standoff or seating plane height. Explanation: Exporting these as explicit footprint notes prevents clearance and insertion issues when panels or daughtercards mate.
The 5-146280-2 is frequently utilized as a 2-wire serial (TX/RX) interface. Its through-hole tails act as "anchors," preventing pad lifting if an engineer accidentally tugs on a debug cable during field testing.
Point: The part’s simplicity fits many low-pin scenarios. Evidence: Typical uses include low-pin-count board-to-board standoffs, breakout headers for programming/debugging, and daughterboard attachment. Explanation: Ideal for power on/off, signal enable lines, or single-wire serial debug lines; avoid for dense signal arrays or where high current is required without verification.
Verify current rating, operating temperature range, plating thickness, recommended hole diameter and pad size from the official datasheet; these directly affect pad design and solder fillet quality.
Yes—0.100" (2.54 mm) pitch matches standard prototyping grids and many legacy headers, making it straightforward to test on breadboards or mate with common sockets.
Include the exact part number, verified footprint notes (drill, pad, standoff), plating and current spec confirmations, and RoHS status; maintain sample lot traceability for the first production runs.