The FDZ series incorporates a sliding lock mechanism (slider) to lock the applicable FPC into the connector. Prior to the year 2000, the FDZ series was packaged and shipped with the slider in the open position.
Shipping in this method may cause the slider to break and / or damage the connector.
It was decided to package and ship the slider in the semi-locked position to help prevent breakage during packaging and shipping processes. To distinguish the new method from the old for first in, first out (FIFO) inventory control, an (S) was added to the suffix of the applicable parts.
Since 2000, only the parts with the incorporated (S) in the part number can be ordered. An example of the part number would be 13FDZ-BT (S)(LF)(SN).
The part is no longer provided with the slider in the open position from the factory [without the (S)].