JST XH Connector Design Overview
3:18
Project
BOM
File
Schematic
Clarifying component design.
Understanding component linking.
Navigating linking rules.
Considering linking options.
Structuring project components and linking.
Using Knowledge Base Tool.
Using Schematic Tool.
Using BOM Tool.
Looking for "series pitch" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "rated current" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "rated voltage" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "operating temperature range" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "applicable wire" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "mating housing 3 circuits" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "S3B-XH-A footprint recommended pc board hole" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "right-angle header board edge" in eXH.pdf
Looking for "pin 1 mark" in eXH.pdf
Exploring alternative suggestions.
Project overview
This project is a reusable Flux part for the JST XH family 3-circuit, right-angle, through-hole board connector S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN). It provides a schematic symbol exposing three passive pins and a PCB footprint for 2.5 mm pitch, side-entry (right-angle) board-to-wire connectivity.
Core components and how they interact
- Symbol pins: The schematic contains three passive terminals representing connector circuits:
- Interaction: As a connector library part, it has no nets inside this project. In a host design, these pins are wired to the target signals or rails. The PCB footprint provides plated through-holes (and boss hole if applicable) to mechanically and electrically anchor the connector.
Key specifications from the datasheet
The following values are taken verbatim from the official JST XH series datasheet PDF.
Key specs
Table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Series pitch | 2.5 ±0.05 mm (series-defined; PCB layout shows 2.5 mm spacing) |
| Current rating | 3 A AC/DC (AWG #22) |
| Voltage rating | 250 V AC/DC |
| Operating temperature | -25 C to +85 C (including temperature rise under load) |
| Applicable wire | AWG #30 to AWG #22; insulation O.D. 0.9 mm to 1.9 mm |
| Mating housing (3 circuits) | XHP-3 |
| PCB hole sizes (reference) | Pins: φ0.9 +0.1/0 mm; Boss: φ1.7 +0.1/0 mm |
| PCB hole pitch tolerance | ±0.05 mm; shall not accumulate (per note) |
Design and implementation
- Schematic symbol: Three passive terminals (1, 2, 3) expose the connector circuits. Pin numbering follows the datasheet convention (datasheet references “No. 1 circuit”).
- Footprint intent: Through-hole pads at 2.5 mm pitch sized per datasheet, plus a boss hole when required by the specific header variant. The right-angle, side-entry form factor implies a board-edge setback (“dimension C” in the datasheet) to ensure the shroud clears the PCB edge.
- Mechanical alignment: The boss hole and keepouts provide anti-rotation and insertion guidance; pad sizes and tolerances follow JST’s notes (e.g., hole pitch tolerance ±0.05 mm and non-accumulating).
Design choices, trade-offs, and optimizations
- Right-angle THT vs vertical or SMT:
- Pros: Excellent mechanical robustness, convenient side-entry cable, suited for hand or wave soldering.
- Cons: Larger board-edge footprint, assembly height over board edge, not ideal for tight enclosures.
- 2.5 mm pitch vs denser families: Good balance for up to 3 A per datasheet with AWG #22; larger than 2.0 mm families (e.g., PH) but easier to hand-assemble and more forgiving mechanically.
- Hole sizing and tolerances: Using datasheet drill sizes and tolerance guidance improves fit across board vendors and drilling methods; consider slightly larger pin holes on hard FR-4 as JST advises.
Potential challenges and performance considerations
- Board-edge clearance: Observe JST’s “dimension C” for side-entry headers to avoid mechanical clash with the shroud and latch features.
- Soldering process: Through-hole parts favor wave or selective solder; ensure thermal reliefs and solder-side clearances. Avoid copper pours too close to holes to prevent wicking.
- Current and temperature: Respect the 3 A rating (AWG #22). In high-ambient or limited airflow, derate current to maintain temperature rise within the -25 C to +85 C operating range.
- Tolerance stack-up: Hole pitch tolerance is ±0.05 mm and must not accumulate; keep global datum references consistent to prevent fit issues.
- Strain relief: Cables can exert side loads on right-angle headers; consider housing latch orientation and enclosure features to mitigate stress.
Real-world applications
- Low-voltage power input (5–24 V) and distribution up to 3 A per circuit.
- Simple sensor or peripheral harnesses where keyed, shrouded connections are preferred.
- Field-serviceable modules that benefit from robust, widely available crimp housings like XHP-3.
Areas for improvement and future enhancements
- Symbol and footprint clarity:
- Add an explicit Pin 1 marker on silkscreen and assembly layers aligned with the datasheet “No. 1 circuit”.
- Include a clear courtyard per IPC guidance to aid DFM checks.
- Mechanical fidelity:
- Ensure the boss hole is present and correctly located for the specific S3B-XH-A variant; add keepout behind the connector to reflect housing overhang.
- Document and implement the board edge setback (“dimension C”) per the datasheet’s side-entry guidance.
- Metadata and usability:
- Add distributor links and full MPN metadata to streamline sourcing.
- Provide a 3D model and correct height to improve enclosure checks.
- Variants and scalability:
- Offer alternate footprints for top-entry or SMT headers as separate parts to cover more mechanical scenarios and assembly flows.
- Provide housing and crimp contact references in documentation so users can choose complete mating sets based on wire gauge and insulation O.D.
Notes specific to this Flux part
- The schematic’s pin objects (1, 2, 3) are passive and un-netted here by design; connectivity is defined in the end design where the connector is used.
- The project properties indicate “Max Current: 3A”; this matches the datasheet’s “Current rating: 3 A AC/DC (AWG #22)”. Always confirm against cable gauge and thermal environment.
If you want, I can review the footprint against the datasheet dimensions (pad drills, boss hole, and edge setback) and add silkscreen/courtyard refinements.
Review footprint dimensions
Pick mating parts
Edge clearance guidance
Silkscreen pin-1 marking
Current/temperature derating
42 days
Ready.
1
2
3
Reviews
- Wirelessly connects nets on schematic. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect net portals, give them same designator. #portaljharwinbarrozo43.0M
- Wirelessly connects power nets on schematic. Identical to the net portal, but with a power symbol. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect power net portals, give them the same designator. #portal #powerjharwinbarrozo11.4M
- A generic fixed resistor for rapid developing circuit topology. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard resistor values: 1.0Ω 10Ω 100Ω 1.0kΩ 10kΩ 100kΩ 1.0MΩ 1.1Ω 11Ω 110Ω 1.1kΩ 11kΩ 110kΩ 1.1MΩ 1.2Ω 12Ω 120Ω 1.2kΩ 12kΩ 120kΩ 1.2MΩ 1.3Ω 13Ω 130Ω 1.3kΩ 13kΩ 130kΩ 1.3MΩ 1.5Ω 15Ω 150Ω 1.5kΩ 15kΩ 150kΩ 1.5MΩ 1.6Ω 16Ω 160Ω 1.6kΩ 16kΩ 160kΩ 1.6MΩ 1.8Ω 18Ω 180Ω 1.8KΩ 18kΩ 180kΩ 1.8MΩ 2.0Ω 20Ω 200Ω 2.0kΩ 20kΩ 200kΩ 2.0MΩ 2.2Ω 22Ω 220Ω 2.2kΩ 22kΩ 220kΩ 2.2MΩ 2.4Ω 24Ω 240Ω 2.4kΩ 24kΩ 240kΩ 2.4MΩ 2.7Ω 27Ω 270Ω 2.7kΩ 27kΩ 270kΩ 2.7MΩ 3.0Ω 30Ω 300Ω 3.0KΩ 30KΩ 300KΩ 3.0MΩ 3.3Ω 33Ω 330Ω 3.3kΩ 33kΩ 330kΩ 3.3MΩ 3.6Ω 36Ω 360Ω 3.6kΩ 36kΩ 360kΩ 3.6MΩ 3.9Ω 39Ω 390Ω 3.9kΩ 39kΩ 390kΩ 3.9MΩ 4.3Ω 43Ω 430Ω 4.3kΩ 43KΩ 430KΩ 4.3MΩ 4.7Ω 47Ω 470Ω 4.7kΩ 47kΩ 470kΩ 4.7MΩ 5.1Ω 51Ω 510Ω 5.1kΩ 51kΩ 510kΩ 5.1MΩ 5.6Ω 56Ω 560Ω 5.6kΩ 56kΩ 560kΩ 5.6MΩ 6.2Ω 62Ω 620Ω 6.2kΩ 62KΩ 620KΩ 6.2MΩ 6.8Ω 68Ω 680Ω 6.8kΩ 68kΩ 680kΩ 6.8MΩ 7.5Ω 75Ω 750Ω 7.5kΩ 75kΩ 750kΩ 7.5MΩ 8.2Ω 82Ω 820Ω 8.2kΩ 82kΩ 820kΩ 8.2MΩ 9.1Ω 91Ω 910Ω 9.1kΩ 91kΩ 910kΩ 9.1MΩ #generics #CommonPartsLibraryjharwinbarrozo1.5M
- A generic fixed capacitor ideal for rapid circuit topology development. You can choose between polarized and non-polarized types, its symbol and the footprint will automatically adapt based on your selection. Supported options include standard SMD sizes for ceramic capacitors (e.g., 0402, 0603, 0805), SMD sizes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors, and through-hole footprints for polarized capacitors. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard capacitor values: 1.0pF 10pF 100pF 1000pF 0.01uF 0.1uF 1.0uF 10uF 100uF 1000uF 10,000uF 1.1pF 11pF 110pF 1100pF 1.2pF 12pF 120pF 1200pF 1.3pF 13pF 130pF 1300pF 1.5pF 15pF 150pF 1500pF 0.015uF 0.15uF 1.5uF 15uF 150uF 1500uF 1.6pF 16pF 160pF 1600pF 1.8pF 18pF 180pF 1800pF 2.0pF 20pF 200pF 2000pF 2.2pF 22pF 20pF 2200pF 0.022uF 0.22uF 2.2uF 22uF 220uF 2200uF 2.4pF 24pF 240pF 2400pF 2.7pF 27pF 270pF 2700pF 3.0pF 30pF 300pF 3000pF 3.3pF 33pF 330pF 3300pF 0.033uF 0.33uF 3.3uF 33uF 330uF 3300uF 3.6pF 36pF 360pF 3600pF 3.9pF 39pF 390pF 3900pF 4.3pF 43pF 430pF 4300pF 4.7pF 47pF 470pF 4700pF 0.047uF 0.47uF 4.7uF 47uF 470uF 4700uF 5.1pF 51pF 510pF 5100pF 5.6pF 56pF 560pF 5600pF 6.2pF 62pF 620pF 6200pF 6.8pF 68pF 680pF 6800pF 0.068uF 0.68uF 6.8uF 68uF 680uF 6800uF 7.5pF 75pF 750pF 7500pF 8.2pF 82pF 820pF 8200pF 9.1pF 91pF 910pF 9100pF #generics #CommonPartsLibraryjharwinbarrozo1.5M
- A generic fixed inductor for rapid developing circuit topology. *You can now change the footprint and 3D model at the top level anytime you want. This is the power of #genericsjharwinbarrozo15.4k
- An electrical connector acting as reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected.Terminal
- 47 kOhms ±5% 0.125W, 1/8W Chip Resistor 0805 (2012 Metric) Automotive AEC-Q200 Thick Film #forLedBlinkjharwinbarrozo1.2M
- 10uF Capacitor Aluminum Polymer 20% 16V SMD 5x5.3mm #forLedBlink #commonpartslibrary #capacitor #aluminumpolymer #radialcanjharwinbarrozo1.2M
- Yellow 595nm LED Indication - Discrete 1.7V 1206 (3216 Metric) #forLedBlinkjharwinbarrozo1.1M
Inspect
S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN)
Controls
Properties
Part Type
Connector
Manufacturer Name
JST Sales America Inc.
Manufacturer Part Number
S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN)
Datasheet URL
Designator Prefix
P
Assets
- S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN).png
id=S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN)
S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN)id=default
- JST_S3B-XH-A(LF)(SN).kicad_mod
id=FOOTPRINT_V5
3d Model
Thumbnail
Default
Footprint
Welcome 👋
Flux accelerates your PCB design with AI.
Create your account to start using this component and bring your ideas to life.