JST XH vs PH vs VH: Which Connector Series Do You Need?
Time:2024-08-29
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These three are all wire-to-board crimp-style connectors from the same family tree, and the whole choice comes down to pitch and how much current you‘re pushing. XH is 2.54mm, PH is 2.0mm, VH is 3.96mm. If you remember nothing else, remember those three numbers.
XH — the 2.54mm workhorse. This is the one you reach for when you need a solid general-purpose wire-to-board connection. It‘s the JST XH series and its drop-in compatible equivalents, and you‘ll see it everywhere: LED strips, small appliances, control boards, battery packs. The 2.54mm pitch means it matches the same grid as a pin header, so it‘s easy to lay out. Rated around 3A per circuit, AWG 30 to 22 wire, with a friction lock that holds the housing in place but still lets you unplug it with one hand. Housings are PA66, terminals tin-plated phosphor bronze. It‘s cheap, proven, and you can get it in pin counts from 2 all the way up to 20.
PH — the 2.0mm space saver. When the board is tight, PH is the answer. It‘s the JST PH series, the standard 2.0mm connector, and it‘s what you‘ll find in cameras, drones, RC gear and anything that has to shrink. It‘s a bit more delicate than XH — smaller contacts, usually rated around 2A, AWG 28 to 24 wire — and it wants a little more care when you crimp it. But for dense, compact boards it‘s the default choice, and it‘s just as available in volume.
VH — the 3.96mm heavy hitter. This is the 3.96mm pitch connector for when you‘re moving real current. Think power supply outputs, motors, pumps, anything that pulls 5A to 10A or more per circuit. The terminals are bigger, the wire gauge goes up to AWG 16 or 18, and it‘ll take more of a beating. If you‘re wiring up something that draws a decent load, skip the 2.0mm parts and go straight to VH.
The part nobody mentions. The housings and terminals of these three are not interchangeable — you can‘t stuff an XH terminal into a PH housing, and the pin spacing is different anyway. So when you‘re speccing a board, pick the series up front and keep it consistent across the whole design, or you‘ll end up crimping two different terminal types on the same harness. Also worth knowing: all three are available as JST-compatible equivalents, which is where the real cost saving is. The branded originals are fine but priced like it, with MOQs and lead times to match; compatible stock is factory-direct and usually ships in days. We carry the full XH, PH and VH ranges with matching housings and pre-crimped leads. If you‘re interested, please contact us right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are JST XH, PH and VH interchangeable?
No. They have different pitches (2.54mm, 2.0mm and 3.96mm) and different housings and terminals, so a PH terminal will not seat in an XH housing. Match the series and pitch exactly.
Which one should I use for a battery lead?
XH (2.5mm) is the classic for rechargeable packs. PH (2.0mm) suits tight low-current boards; VH (3.96mm) handles higher current up to about 10A.
Do you supply pre-crimped leads?
Yes, XH, PH and VH connectors with pre-crimped wires in your lengths, ready to plug in and speed up assembly.
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