This section provides an overview for pin headers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 pin header manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked pin header companies as of November, 2024: 1.Airscan, 2.AUK CONTRACTORS, 3.Amplified Parts.
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Categories Related to Pin Headers
A pin header is a terminal that is attached to a printed circuit board. An example of usage is to attach a pin header to a breadboard, connect a PICkit, and write programs to the PIC microcontroller.
Terminals are plated with gold or tin. They are often long and narrow, with as many as 40 pins in a row that can be removed one at a time, often with cutters or nippers. If the diameter of the pin header does not match, it will not fit into the holes on the board, so be careful not to get the size wrong.
Pin headers are attached to boards such as breadboards and universal boards to facilitate signal input and external connections. Although most commonly used for wire-to-wire connections, they are also used as connectors for circuit switching.
The common 2.54mm pitch type is often used, but there are variations in size and length, and one side is bent into an L shape.
They are used for internal connections in a variety of electronic devices such as in-vehicle controls, industrial equipment, computers, communication equipment, medical equipment, storage devices, and home appliances.
It is made up of a pin, which is a conductor, and a housing, which is an insulator and serves to connect circuits. These connectors are available in male or male-female types on both sides. The male-male type has pins on both ends and can be attached to a board. Breadboards can be used by simply plugging them in, while universal boards require soldering.
The material is brass, which is either tin-plated or gold-plated. Gold plating is more durable and effective in preventing rust. The operating temperature range is -40°C to 105°C. Single-row or double-row types are available, depending on the application. The rated current and voltage must not be exceeded.
Pin headers that connect boards should be soldered on both ends. They can also be used for flexible boards by using a reinforcing plate. A pin head may also be used to serve as a mounting connection between a flexible board and a rigid board. Female connectors may also be used to enable connection and disconnection.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc. is the North American branch of OSRAM, a German electric light manufacturer founded in 1919. OSRAM SYLVANIA was established in 1993 when OSRAM acquired GTE’s Sylvania lighting division by OSRAM. The company’s regional headquarters is located in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Since 2015, OSRAM SYLVANIA has operated in four business units: Specialty Lighting, Opto Semiconductors, Digital Systems, and Lighting Solutions. It provides lighting and heat source solutions for a wide range of technical and industrial applications, including airfields, auto motive, entertainment, medical, semiconductors, and purification industries.
Autosplice, Inc., established in 1954 and based in San Diego, California, USA, is a supplier of design engineering, injection molding, and custom automation services. Autosplice provide precision stamping, custom connectors, and interconnect assembly services which are used by the automotive, medical, and transportation industries. The company also manufactures mechanic and technological parts such as terminals, press-fit pins and headers, insertion machines, and drawn wire pins. Autosplice caters to clients globally by having teams stationed in North America and Europe.
Amplified Parts is a Tempe, Arizona-based distributor founded in 2007. Its mission is to offer musicians a wide range of products for customizing their equipment and achieving desired musical sounds. With an extensive inventory of over 12,600 items, including components for musical instruments and sound systems, as well as related accessories, literature, and maintenance products, Amplified Parts serves as a comprehensive destination for musicians. The company carries products from both vintage and modern brands and provides worldwide shipping to most countries.
ICREX Company Limited, located at Shinsayama, Sayama-shi, Saitama prefecture 350-1331, Japan, is known for the design and manufacture of connection devices, electrical connection terminals, crimping system, custom pin headers, female headers and other innovative connection parts that serve a wide range of consumer needs daily. Founded in 1988, it has stayed true to the motto “Creation and imagination of custom connecting parts” by providing a wide range of quality and satisfactory products. In addition, the company offers assembly servicesand protective tubes/tube caps used to protect the parts. ICREX products can be customized to your specification and they are environment friendly.
Founded in 1984, Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in relays, connectors, precision manufacturing parts, and automation equipment. Headquartered in Xiamen, China, the company has established 30 subsidiaries worldwide, serving over 120 countries and regions. HONGFA offers customized solutions utilizing its electrical appliances and complete equipment. Its wide range of products finds applications in various industries such as smart homes, smart grids, industrial control, automotive and railway transportation, and the Internet of Things. The company has received multiple awards, including the 2023 National Enterprise Culture Outstanding Achievement by China Enterprise Confederation and China Entrepreneurs Association.
Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd, commonly known as JAE, was established in 1953 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is a designer and manufacturer of connectors, user interface solutions, and electronics for the aerospace, agriculture, semiconductor, and camera stabilization sectors. THe company’s product segments include IO connectors, board to board connects, cable to cable connectors, and more. The company’s motion sensing and control segment includes accelerometers, inertial measurement units, and directional modules.
TC Packaging LLC, established in 2017 and headquartered in Ohio, USA, is a manufacturer of multi-chip module packaging structures and customized integrated packaging shell products. The company’s products include solutions for optical communication, industrial lasers, and consumer electronics. It also offers an ITLA butterfly package with ceramic and glass feedthrough structures, a DP-QPSK LN optical modulator package with low reflection loss, and industrial laser solutions ensuring controllable micro deformation. Its TCpack emphasizes miniaturization and integration and provides SOP system integration packaging solutions. The company’s technical support covers the SIP microsystem package, silicon aluminum, and carbon-silicon aluminum.
TE Connectivity Ltd., started in 2007 and headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is a designer and manufacturer of sensor and connectivity solutions for harsh conditions. It operates three primary segments, namely transport, industrial, and communication solutions, and its product portfolio includes automotive connectors, fiber optic connectors, analog power meters, RTD sensors, and circuit breakers. It serves customers in approximately 140 countries and several industries, including aerospace, automotive, rail, IoT connectivity, and E-mobility. The company manufactures 192 billion products annually and has invested over 610 million USD in research development and engineering.
Founded in 1976, Visual Communications Company, LLC is an American manufacturer specializing in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) components. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, VCC develops a wide range of customizable products for industries including aviation, transportation, industrial equipment, and automation technology. Implementing SAP Business ByDesign in 2012, VCC is a fast-growing private company recognized by Inc. 500 and San Diego Business Journal. It has also won two Elektra Awards for Product of the Year.
AUK Contractors Co., Ltd., established in 1983 and headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of connectors, cable assemblies, and precision metal stamping products. Their wide range of connectors includes board-to-board connectors, cable connectors, and terminal blocks, serving applications in telecommunications, industrial automation, and medical devices to ensure smooth data and power transmission. The company adheres to ISO 14001 environmental management standards, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001 for quality management.
METZ CONNEct was founded in 1976 in Blumberg, Germany. The company is a global manufacturer of electronics used in semiconductor, manufacturing, consumer electronics, and other industries. The company has 3 primary product lines: P-cabling, U-Contact, and C-Logline. P-Cabling provides cabling solutions for networks and includes DIN rail housing, patch panels, and fiber optic wall distributors and housings. U-Contact for connection technology includes PC board terminal blocks and board-to-board connectors. C-Logline for intelligent system components includes I/O components, energy controlling, and telecommunication products.
Iriso Electronics was founded in 1976 in Shimonumabe, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan is a manufacturer of Connectors. The company offers a wide array of connectors including board-to-board, pin header, socket connectors, compression terminal, and ESD protector chip among others. These connectors play an indispensable role in a wide spectrum of application solutions, spanning diverse industries that include automation, automotive, high-speed transmission solutions, onboard coaxial camera solutions, and industrial devices. Additionally, the connectors come fortified with a multitude of advantages that set them apart in the Z-Move structure, 2-Point contact structure, auto I-Lock structure, and floating connectors.
Analyticon Instruments Corporation is a distributor of process monitors, laboratory meters, and analytical instruments located in Springfield, New Jersey. Established in 1988, the company primarily stocks products from Japanese manufacturer DKK-TOA Corporation, which are distributed exclusively through the Analyticon brand. The company offers a wide range of instruments including automatic titrators, conductivity meters, and pH/ORP transmitters for use in the petroleum, water and wastewater, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and electronics industries. Analyticon Instruments Corporation also provides OEM manufacturing services for international partner companies and minor suppliers.
Airscan is a Belgian consulting company headquartered in Brussels, with a subsidiary office in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It was established in 2018 by CO2logic, another Belgian company that has been providing organizations with customized solutions to fight climate change since 2006. Operating as a “business at the service of people and the planet,” Airscan offers a range of solutions for air quality assessment and monitoring, as well as building certifications. The company applies the A.I.R. (Analyze, Improve, and Report) approach in its projects. In 2021, Airscan, along with CO2logic and Greentripper, was awarded the B Corp Certification.
MPE-Garry GmbH, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Füssen, Germany, is a connector system developer, designer, and manufacturer. The company's core products include standard and customized connectors, such as device plugs and sockets, heat sinks, and custom cable assemblies. These products are used to manufacture numerous devices, including laptops, home appliances, and other consumer electronics. The company's services include the supply of technical support and flexible production capabilities through its international distributors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Airscan |
10.1%
|
2 | AUK CONTRACTORS |
9.2%
|
3 | Amplified Parts |
8.3%
|
4 | OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc |
8.3%
|
5 | Analyticon |
8.3%
|
6 | Autosplice |
8.3%
|
7 | METZ CONNECT GmbH |
7.3%
|
8 | Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited |
7.3%
|
9 | Iriso Electronics |
7.3%
|
10 | ICREX Co., Ltd. |
6.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the pin header page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 33.3% |
Japan | 3 | 33.3% |
China | 1 | 11.1% |
Germany | 1 | 11.1% |
Belgium | 1 | 11.1% |