Matching JST connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ppTRN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 01:38:16 pm
content: Hi everyone,I am having truble identifying the correct match between the male and female connectors of a jst connector.This is the male that I want to place on my PCB:https://www.lcsc.com/product-detail/Wire-To-Board-Connector_JST-B5B-PH-SM4-TB-LF-SN_C265085.html?s_z=n_jstand this is the possible female connectors:https://www.lcsc.com/product-detail/Housings-Wire-To-Board-Wire-To-Wire_JST-PHR-5-L_C2941743.html?s_z=n_jstDo you think they match? I think so because the datasheets of both products links to the same one, but I just want to be sure.Another question is, what should I use to crimp the wire on the connector?This is the first time I am using wire to board connectors and I was overwelmed by the immense choice. Do you guys have a jellybean part that is easy to use and often available?Thank you!

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 02:29:16 pm
content: You need a specialist tool to crimp JST PH properly. Cheap tools don't do a good job with JST PH from what I've seen.Personally, I would choose one of two options if that expensive tool were not available:(1) Buy pre-crimped JST PH cables(2) Use a different connector that is easier to crimp. For instance, with 2.54 mm pitch pin headers, the crimp contacts are larger than JST-PH, and easier to crimp with lower-cost tools even if the specialist tool isn't available. Lots of info online about crimp tools for 2.54 mm pitch jumper cable crimping.Option (1) is very cost-effective for DIY projects, for instance, search AliExpress for JST PH cable, and you can purchase them with lengths of wire attached up to 300 mm or so, for very little.EDIT:One other thing; you didn't mention what you want at the other end, but if it's say another board, i.e. you want to go from board-to-wire-to-board, then you might want to consider completely eliminating all cabling construction effort, using flat flex. It's super-low-cost, well worth considering even for hobby projects, if you can live with the typical properties of it (for instance, the standard lengths available of flat flex and so on).

author: ppTRN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 02:39:29 pm
content: Thank you for your reply.The connector is used to connect a panel connector to the main pcb. Unfortunately the connector comes with wires attached so I think I have to crimp them

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2025, 02:46:02 pm
content: I see.. in that case, if you have the space, 2.54 mm pitch pin header may be easier than JST PH.If you definitely need to crimp JST PH, there's some info here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/crimping-tool-for-ph-2-0mm-connector/(Note; the recommendations for PA-09 there are for hobby use only, they don't do a very effective job).

author: evac
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:22:41 am
content: You can consider to use JST KR connectors, which are also compatible with the PH series but instead of crimp pins they have blades that displace the wire insulation:https://www.jst.com/products/insulation-displacement-connectors-wire-to-board-type/kr-connector/

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2025, 10:42:47 am
content: Quote from: shabaz on January 08, 2025, 02:29:16 pmThey crimp just fine with a properly-selected cheap tool. PH contacts are small, but not particularly fussy. JST contacts, like most newer connectors, have fairly short crimp areas, so you just don’t want a crimp tool with thick jaws.I use a $20 IWS-3220M for PH and they come out pretty good. There are other models that would also work, but that one is easy to find, and I like that it has parallel-action jaws. Like all cheap crimp tools, there’s no locator (positioner/holder) for the contacts, so you do have to fiddle manually to position them and the wire. Fine for a few crimps, but too slow for large quantities.I just crimped a few PH with that tool before Christmas, for LiPo batteries to go into ESP32 boards with built-in LiPo chargers.Quote from: shabaz on January 08, 2025, 02:46:02 pmI think standard 2.54mm “DuPont” are actually harder, since the vast majority of crimp tools sold for them are categorically the wrong kind, and that style of contact (with the diagonal, offset insulation wings that need to be crimped in a circular die) is much, much fussier about the crimp tool than contacts with squared-off insulation wings, like most (all?) JST contacts.