JST connector: everything you need to know

jst connector

There are many doubts and misconceptions about the JST connector. Many believe that it is a single connector specification, but they realize that when they try to connect two of these connectors they do not fit. So what is it? It seems that JST is more than just a connector, as you will learn in this article dedicated entirely to it. This way you will be able to know all the details about what it is, existing types, characteristics, where to find datasheets, where to buy this type of element at a good price, and even tools to work with them (eg: crimpers).

What is JST connector?

JST-connector

The JST connector owes its acronym to Japan Solderless Terminals Company, Ltd., a Japanese company whose history dates back to 1957. This company now has hundreds of different types of this connector (series or families), as you can see in the official website created in 1999. As for the electrical connector itself, it was designed to be a terminal without the need for soldering and, among other things, that is what has made it so popular today for electronics projects, 3D printers, servo-motors , batteries, etc

Not only the Japanese company manufactures connectors of this type. Currently other companies also create JST-compliant connectors.

The JST connector is widely used in electronic projects, with the simple objective of carry electric current or carry some signal. However, it is not recommended to use them in mechanical applications in which the connector is subjected to tension or some type of force, since it would not resist it. In a multitude of equipment you will see them connected to batteries, PCBs, motors, etc., since they are very reliable and cheap.

On the other hand, it is important to highlight something about the standard of this connector, since many users confuse it. First of all, there are about 10 families or series of different JST connectors and each one of them has a dozen of subcategories or models. All of them different, so the term "JST connector" does not refer to a specific connector, but simply to a type of solderless connection, that's what they all have in common.

As for the its nomenclature, you will be able to verify that the names of the connectors are composed of:

JST-SS-D

Being this:

  • JST: refers to the connector.
  • SS: are two letters (*in some cases there may be a previous letter, type XSS) that identify the family or series. They can be different VH, RE, EH,... Each one of these families has a connector shape, as well as different specifications (voltage, current, size,...).
  • D: refers to the dimensions within that series.

By example, a real case of nomenclature would be JST-XHP-1 and JST-XHP-2. Both are JST, both are HP series, but the dimensions change. 2 is larger than 1.

It should also be noted that there are some suggestions from the manufacturers that you should respect for the correct operation and so that the connector does not suffer:

  • Use a cable that is slightly longer than necessary to avoid cable stress.
  • To disconnect the JST, don't pull on the wires or you'll end up loosening them.
  • Limitation of freedom of movement of only 15º in each of the cables.

For more information you can read some PDF guides from the official website:

JST connector types, specifications and datasheets

JST connector types

As for JST connector types, there are many families and models within each of them. In addition, there are two large groups:

  • wire-to-board, that is, a wire-to-PCB connector.
TV Shows Pin-to-pin pitch rows of pins Intensity
(A)
Voltage
(V)
Wire size
(AWG)
Fairing Blocking Notes Datasheet
VH 3.96 mm (0.156 ″) 1 10 250 22 to 16 Otherwise Yes Without fairing is more popular. Examples are: BVH-21T-P1.1, SVH-21T-P1.1, SVH-41T-P1.1, VHR-2N, VHR-4N JST VH
RE 2.54 mm (0.100 ″) 1 2 250 30 to 24 No No Similar to DuPont female. JST RE
EH 2.50 mm (0.098 ″) 1 3 250 32 to 22 Yes No There is no 0.1″. Example EHR-3 JST EH
XA 2.50 mm (0.098 ″) 1 3 250 30 to 20 Yes Yes There is no 0.1″. An example is the SXA-01T-P0.6 JSTXA
XH 2.50 mm (0.098 ″) 1 3 250 30 to 22 Yes No There is no 0.1″. Used in many radio control systems for batteries. Examples are XHP-2, XHP-4… JST XH
PA 2.00 mm (0.079 ″) 1 3 250 28 to 22 Yes Yes Used for FMA Cellpro battery chargers. Examples PAP-04V-S‎ JSTPA
PH 2.00 mm (0.079 ″) 1 2 100 32 to 24 Yes No Many stepper motors use it.

Compatible with KR (IDC), KRD (IDC), and CR (IDC) series. Examples are the PHR-2, PHR-4…

JST PH
ZH 1.50 mm (0.059 ″) 1 1 50 32 to 26 Yes No Compatible with ZR (IDC) and ZM (crimp) series. Examples are ZHR-2, ZHR-3, ZHR-4… JST ZH
GH 1.25 mm (0.049 ″) 1 1 50 30 to 26 Yes Yes There is no 0.05″. Sometimes confused with PicoBlade's molex. JST GH
SH 1.00 mm (0.039 ″) 1 1 50 32 to 28 Yes No Compatible with SR (IDC) and SZ (IDC) series. Example: SHR-04V-S JSTSH
  • wire-to-wire, for wire-to-wire connections.
TV Shows Pin-to-pin pitch rows of pins Intensity
(A)
Voltage
(V)
Wire size
(AWG)
Features Notes Datasheet
RCY 2.50 mm (0.098 ″) 1 3 250 28 to 22 Blocking Used in radio control (R/C), also as a BEC or P connector. It is common to find very small models for toys, LiPo batteries, etc. Examples SYR-02T‎, SYP-02T-1‎ JSTRCY
SM 2.50 mm (0.098 ″) 1 3 250 28 to 22 Blocking

high strength

Used in some RGB LED decoration elements. JST SM

Source – Wikipedia

As for the families, in those tables you have the existing ones, their features and datasheets of every one of them.

See complete list of series

Where to buy and recommendations

If you plan buy some cheap JST connector for your DIY project, then you should take a look at one of these:

Crimping tools for JST

crimper

Makers are also surely interested in getting hold of a tool to work with this type of solderless connectors. For this, I recommend these crimping tools:


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