Introduction — Point: The 2-5535512-2 is a widely used PCB header whose presence in many distributor listings and manufacturer product pages signals the value of getting its mechanical and electrical details right early. Evidence: Boards that adopt the recommended footprint from the official product documentation typically avoid layout rework. Explanation: Use the 2-5535512-2 datasheet as the authoritative reference during PCB layout to reduce redesign cycles and improve first-pass yield.
Introduction — Point: A short statistic hook emphasizes impact. Evidence: Hundreds of assemblies reference this header in published BOMs, showing common engineering adoption. Explanation: Early datasheet review saves assembly time, reduces manufacturing scrap, and lowers NRE costs; treat the datasheet as the starting checklist for footprint, plating, termination, and mechanical anchors.
Point: Engineers first scan a one-page checklist before layout. Evidence: That checklist should confirm part family, pitch (2.54 mm / 0.100"), row/position count (30 positions typical), orientation (right-angle or straight), plating (gold over nickel typical), termination style (through-hole), and primary mechanical envelopes. Explanation: Verifying these items prevents mismatches between mating hardware and PCB land pattern; always consult the manufacturer's product page and PDF for the official tables before final Gerber output.
Point: Part-number syntax encodes family and orientation. Evidence: Variants often differ by a leading digit or suffix indicating orientation or plating option; common variants simplify to the same mechanical family but differ in finish or packaging. Explanation: Cross-reference the exact ordering code versus the mechanical drawing to confirm mating compatibility; double-check distributor SKUs indirectly by comparing spec tables rather than relying on SKU text alone.
Point: Validate contact resistance, current rating, insulation resistance, dielectric strength, and mating cycles. Evidence: Typical through-hole header contacts are rated for single-digit amperes per contact (design for derating), low milliohm contact resistance, high insulation resistance, and thousands of mating cycles. Explanation: Size adjacent PCB traces based on the per-contact current rating and apply safe derating rules; prioritize thermal management when routing multiple high-current pins in a group.
Point: Mechanical dimensions and materials determine footprint and reliability. Evidence: Key numbers to record: pitch 2.54 mm (0.100"), 30 positions, pin diameter and board-standoff (specified in the manufacturer table), phosphor bronze contacts with gold plating are common, and operating temperature ranges typically span wide industrial bounds. Explanation: Use the datasheet tables for exact pin diameter and standoff when creating drill and silkscreen rules; verify plating and temperature specs for high-reliability or harsh-environment products.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 2.54 mm (0.100") |
| Positions | 30 |
| Orientation | Right-angle or straight (variant-dependent) |
| Contact plating | Gold over nickel (selective) |
| Termination | Through-hole |
Point: Follow an IPC-style land pattern and recommended drill sizes for reliable solder fillets and mechanical retention. Evidence: For a 2.54 mm pitch through-hole header, suggested pad centers are on a 2.54 mm grid with a plated-through hole sized to accommodate the pin diameter plus manufacturing clearance; typical drill suggestions fall in the 0.9–1.1 mm (0.035–0.043") range depending on pin thickness. Explanation: Define annular ring, solder mask clearance, and thermal relief for wave or selective soldering; include a footprint note that these dimensions are candidate values and must be confirmed against the official footprint table in the datasheet.
Point: Mechanical clearances and silkscreen practice avoid assembly issues. Evidence: Keep board edges and mounting fasteners clear of the connector mating area, and do not print silkscreen over pads. Explanation: Reserve a mating-keepout zone for cable/board mating, add plated-through anchor rows or glue points for high-stress environments, and mark connector orientation on silkscreen but offset to avoid mask slivers.
Gerber/IP C snippet (example land pattern notes): - Grid: 2.540 mm (0.100") centers - Hole Ø: 1.00 mm (0.039") nominal (verify pin Ø in datasheet) - Pad Ø: 2.30 mm (0.090") annular ring - Solder mask: 0.15 mm clearance - Thermal relief: per process standard
Point: Alternatives vary by pitch, plating, and orientation. Evidence: Within the same family, variants differ only by plating or right-angle vs vertical execution; competing parts may change pitch or row count. Explanation: Select an alternative when your design constraints require different pitch, additional positions, or cost-driven plating changes; always compare mechanical drawings side by side to confirm hole pattern compatibility before substituting parts.
Point: Common uses include board-to-board headers, mezzanine connectors, and module interfaces. Evidence: This header is often chosen for controllers, prototyping rigs, and compact module stacking where a robust through-hole anchor and reliable signal path are needed. Explanation: For consumer devices prioritize minimal profile; for industrial controllers emphasize plating and mechanical anchoring for vibration resistance.
Point: Solder process selection drives yield. Evidence: Through-hole headers accept wave, selective, or hand soldering; recommended solder alloys and temperature profiles should be aligned with the plating system. Explanation: Define the soldering profile consistent with the header's finish—avoid excessive dwell that can leach plating—and implement fixturing for right-angle parts to prevent tombstoning during reflow or selective solder operations.
Point: Pre-production tests catch mechanical and electrical issues early. Evidence: Run DFM checks, IPC footprint verification, continuity/contact resistance tests, mechanical pull/torque tests, and environmental stress (thermal cycling, vibration). Explanation: Create a short pre-production checklist for PCB fab and assembly: IPC footprint pass, drilled-hole verification, solderability test, and a sample mechanical retention test to validate anchors under expected service loads.
Answer: Drill size depends on the pin diameter specified in the official drawing; a typical through-hole header of this pitch often uses a nominal 1.0 mm (0.039") drill, with exact clearance set by your fabricator’s plating tolerance. Always verify the pin Ø listed in the datasheet and add the manufacturer-recommended clearance before finalizing NC drill files.
Answer: Use the per-contact current rating from the datasheet and apply standard PCB trace-width calculators with a conservative derating factor. For multiple adjacent high-current pins, route traces with increased copper weight or parallel runs, and ensure thermal relief for wave soldering if required.
Answer: Soldering profile choice (wave, selective, hand) should match the header plating and the overall assembly process. Follow standard through-hole soldering recommendations: controlled preheat, appropriate peak temperature for the solder alloy in use, and limited dwell to protect gold plating; consult your assembler and the manufacturer’s notes for the recommended profile.
Answer: Substitutions are possible within the same mechanical family if the hole pattern, pitch, and standoff match exactly. Confirm mating compatibility and plating differences by comparing mechanical drawings and finish notes; do not rely solely on SKU text—use dimensional tables to validate interchangeability.
Answer: Run an IPC footprint check, verify NC drill outputs, perform continuity and contact resistance measurements on a populated sample, and execute a mechanical pull/torque test. Add a small pilot run with full assembly to validate solderability and mechanical retention under expected handling and environmental conditions.
Summary — Point: Referencing the official 2-5535512-2 datasheet early prevents costly rework. Evidence: Following the recommended footprint, layout, and validation steps reduces scrap and improves first-pass yield. Explanation: Use the checklist, land pattern guidance, and pre-production tests above to validate designs before committing to full production.