# JST connector

JST connectors are electrical connectors manufactured to the design standards originally developed by J.S.T. Mfg. Co. (Japan Solderless Terminal). JST manufactures numerous series (families) and pitches (pin-to-pin distance) of connectors.
JST connectors are used in many types of products, and commonly used by electronics hobbyists and consumer products for rechargeable battery packs, battery balancers, battery eliminator circuits, 3D printers, and radio controlled servos.
The term "JST" is sometimes incorrectly used as a vernacular term meaning any small white electrical connector mounted on PCBs.

## Connector series

JST manufactures a large number of series (families) of connectors. The PCB (wire-to-board) connectors are available in top (vertical) or side (horizontal) entry, and through-hole or surface-mount.
Wire-to-board connectors :
| JST series | Pin-to-pin pitch | Pin rows | Current (Amp) | Voltage (Volt) | Wire size (AWG) | Shroud | Lock | Notes | Datasheet |
| VH | 3.96 mm (0.156 in) | 1 | 10 | 250 | 22 to 16 | Yes/No | Yes | Unshrouded seems to be more popular than shrouded. | JST VH |
| RE | 2.54 mm (0.100 in) | 1 | 2 | 250 | 30 to 24 | No | No | Similar to female "DuPont" connectors and male pin headers. RF series is double row. | JST RE |
| EH | 2.50 mm (0.098 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 32 to 22 | Yes | No | Not 0.1-inch pitch. | JST EH |
| XA | 2.50 mm (0.098 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 30 to 20 | Yes | Yes | Not 0.1-inch pitch. | JST XA |
| XH | 2.50 mm (0.098 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 30 to 22 | Yes | No | Not 0.1-inch pitch. Used by many radio control (R/C) batteries. | JST XH |
| PA | 2.00 mm (0.079 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 28 to 22 | Yes | Yes | Used by FMA Cellpro R/C battery chargers. | JST PA |
| PH | 2.00 mm (0.079 in) | 1 | 2 | 100 | 32 to 24 | Yes | No | Many stepper motors. Compatible with KR (IDC), KRD (IDC), CR (IDC) series. | JST PH |
| ZH | 1.50 mm (0.059 in) | 1 | 1 | 50 | 32 to 26 | Yes | No | Compatible with ZR (IDC) and ZM (crimp) series. | JST ZH |
| GH | 1.25 mm (0.049 in) | 1 | 1 | 50 | 30 to 26 | Yes | Yes | Not 0.05-inch pitch. Sometimes confused with Molex PicoBlade. | JST GH |
| SH | 1.00 mm (0.039 in) | 1 | 1 | 50 | 32 to 28 | Yes | No | Compatible with SR (IDC) and SZ (IDC) series. | JST SH |
Wire-to-wire connectors :
| JST series | Pin-to-pin pitch | Pin rows | Current (Amp) | Voltage (Volt) | Wire size (AWG) | Features | Notes | Datasheet |
| RCY | 2.50 mm (0.098 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 28 to 22 | Locking | Used in radio control (R/C), also known as BEC or P connector. Commonly found on small models, toys, and small LiPo packs. | JST RCY |
| SM | 2.50 mm (0.098 in) | 1 | 3 | 250 | 28 to 22 | Locking, High force | Used in some RGB LED decorative light strips. | JST SM |

## Soldering

A majority of JST through-hole headers can't withstand the temperatures required for reflow soldering, because the plastic has a lower melting point since they were designed for wave soldering methods. Some JST surface-mount headers are designed to handle higher temperatures of reflow soldering.

## Confusion on the Internet

End-users and 3rd-party sellers on eBay often describe connectors by their wrong name thus perpetuating confusion of the exact series of a specific connector. It is very common in blogs and websites to incorrectly name a specific connector only by the name of the manufacturer.
To minimize confusion, it is best to describe a connector using: the manufacturer's name, exact connector series, and optionally the pitch, such as "JST-XH" or "JST-XH-2.50mm" or "2.50mm JST XH-series" or other variations.
The official J.S.T. Co. website allows users to check certain models for their authenticity and specifications.
Note: Some 2.50 mm parts are incorrectly sold on the Internet as 2.54 mm (0.100 in), and the 1.25 mm parts as 1.27 mm (0.050 in).

## Gallery

* JST PH 2-pin right-angle through-hole PCB.
* JST PH 2-pin right-angle surface-mount PCB.
* JST RCY 2-pin.