JST VH Connector Guide: 3.96mm High-Current Wire-to-Board and Part Numbers
Time:2026-07-30
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If your board has a 3.96mm wire-to-board connector that has to carry real current, there's a good chance it's a VH. JST's VH series has been the default answer for appliances, industrial panels and power supplies for decades, and it's still one of the easiest ways to get 7A to 10A through a single-row header without a lot of fuss. This page is for the engineer who knows what a VH looks like but wants the numbers straight, and for anyone trying to spec one without paying the branded part premium.
What the VH series actually is
VH is JST's single-row, 3.96mm pitch wire-to-board family. The housing has a positive locking ramp, which just means the contact clicks in and stays put. It's a friction lock, not a full latch, but it's enough for most white goods and control boards. Positions run from 2 to 20 in the standard catalog, and the whole thing is designed for 22AWG to 16AWG wire. That wire range is the giveaway that this isn't a signal connector, it's meant for power.
The current rating that everyone quotes wrong
You'll see 7A and 10A both thrown around for VH, and both are technically right depending on conditions. The official JST figure is 7A (AC/DC) with a certain wire size, but with 16AWG and a bit of airflow you can push 10A in a lot of real designs. The honest way to think about it: if your load is under 5A, VH is comfortable. Between 5A and 10A it works, but watch the ambient temperature and use the heavier wire. Above 10A, move to a 4.2mm or a higher-current series and stop pretending 3.96mm is enough.
VH vs XH vs PH, so you don't grab the wrong one
The JST wire-to-board lineup confuses people because the housings look similar at a glance. XH is 2.5mm pitch, PH is 2.0mm, VH is 3.96mm. Bigger pitch, bigger wire, more current. If you need signal lines on a small board, XH or PH. If you need power or thicker wire, VH. A lot of BOMs swap VH and the Molex KK 396 family back and forth because they're the same 3.96mm pitch and physically similar, which is handy when you want a second source.
VH specs at a glance
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 3.96mm |
| Rows | 1 |
| Positions | 2 to 20 |
| Rated current | 7A (10A max with 16AWG) |
| Rated voltage | 250V AC/DC |
| Wire range | 22AWG to 16AWG |
| Contact | Phosphor bronze / brass, tin plated |
| Housing material | PA66, UL94V-0 |
Reading the part numbers without a catalog
JST part numbers for VH are actually pretty logical once you see the pattern. A B5P-VH is a board-in housing, 5 positions, VH series. The contact is the SVH-21T-P1.1, and that's the one number you'll buy most often. On the header side you'll see VHR-3N or similar, where the number is the position count. You don't need to memorize these. What matters is knowing the pitch is 3.96mm, the rows are single, and the contact is the SVH type, because that's all a factory needs to match or make the part.
VH compatible parts without the lead time
VH is fully commoditized now, which means there are drop-in equivalents everywhere, and that's good news for your supply chain. The branded VH housing and SVH contacts carry the usual name-brand markup, and in a shortage they get allocated with long lead times and big minimums. As a factory in Shenzhen, Guangdong, we make VH-compatible 3.96mm housings, headers and crimp contacts to the same footprint, factory-direct, with lower MOQs and shorter lead times. Same pitch, same positive lock, same wire range, a lot less money. If you're tired of chasing catalog stock for a part that hasn't changed in 30 years, this is the easy swap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a JST VH connector?
A single-row 3.96mm pitch wire-to-board connector with a positive lock, used for power on appliances and control boards.
How much current can a VH connector handle?
7A rated, up to 10A with 16AWG wire and good airflow. Over 10A, go bigger.
Is VH the same as Molex KK 396?
Not identical, but they're the same 3.96mm pitch and similar footprint, so they often cross-reference.
What wire gauge fits a VH contact?
22AWG to 16AWG. The SVH contact is built for that range.
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