TST-120-03-L-D SAMTEC Connector (Other) In Stock

SAMTEC TST-120-03-L-D is a 40-position dual-row shrouded PCB header with 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) pitch, featuring gold-plated mating contacts over nickel and phosphor bronze construction for reliable board-to-board and cable connections.

ACTIVEConnectorVerified Jul 2026
Package / Visual Reference
TST-120-03-L-DOther
Quick Facts
Manufacturer
SAMTEC
Package
Other
Pin Count
40
Lifecycle
ACTIVE
Category
Connector
Price
From $2.7313(MOQ 1)
Temp Range
-55.0°C to 125.0°C
RoHS
Compliant
Lead Time
3–7 business days
Shipping
DHL Express · Worldwide

What are the key features of TST-120-03-L-D?

  • 40-position dual-row layout on 2.54 mm pitch fits high-density connector requirements
  • 10 µin gold mating contact finish ensures low-resistance, corrosion-resistant connections
  • Shrouded housing provides mechanical keying and protects contacts during mating
  • Phosphor bronze contact material delivers excellent spring-back and long insertion-cycle life
  • Tin-over-nickel termination contacts support standard solder reflow and wave soldering processes

What is TST-120-03-L-D used for?

The TST-120-03-L-D is used in development boards, test fixtures, and embedded computing platforms where a reliable 40-pin shrouded header is needed for cable-to-board or board-to-board connections. Its gold-plated contacts and shrouded design make it well-suited for JTAG programming interfaces, FPGA expansion connectors, and backplane signal distribution. The 2.54 mm pitch allows compatibility with standard ribbon cables and IDC connectors in prototyping and production test equipment.

What are the specifications of TST-120-03-L-D?

YTEOL9.1
Body Breadth0.365inch
Body Depth0.365inch
Body Length2.3inch
Connector TypeBOARD CONNECTOR
Contact Finish MatingGOLD (10) OVER NICKEL (50)
Contact Finish TerminationTin (Sn) - with Nickel (Ni) barrier
Contact GenderMALE
Contact MaterialPHOSPHOR BRONZE
Contact PatternRECTANGULAR
Contact StyleSQ PIN-SKT
DIN ConformanceNO
Filter FeatureNO
IEC ConformanceNO
Insulation Resistance5000000000Ω
Insulator ColorBLACK
Insulator MaterialGLASS FILLED POLYESTER
JESD-609 Codee3
MIL ConformanceNO
Mating Contact Pitch0.1inch
Mating Contact Row Spacing0.1inch
Mating InformationMULTIPLE MATING PARTS AVAILABLE
Mixed ContactsNO
Mounting Option 1LOCKING
Mounting StyleSTRAIGHT
Mounting TypeBOARD
Number Of ConnectorsONE
Number Of PCB Rows2
Number of Rows Loaded2
OptionGENERAL PURPOSE
PCB Contact PatternRECTANGULAR
PCB Contact Row Spacing2.54mm
Plating Thickness10u inch
Polarization KeyPOLARIZATION NOTCH
Terminal Length0.565inch
Terminal Pitch2.54mm
Termination TypeSOLDER
Total Number of Contacts40
PackageOther

Compliance & Regulatory

RoHS StatusCompliant
Lead-FreeYes (Pb-Free)
ECCNEAR99
HTS Code8536.69.40.40
Country of OriginMalaysia, USA

Where can I find the TST-120-03-L-D datasheet?

TST-120-03-L-D Datasheet Download

Official datasheet from SAMTEC

What are equivalent replacements for TST-120-03-L-D?

No known alternates. Submit an RFQ and our team can suggest alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the gold contact finish of the TST-120-03-L-D improve connector reliability compared to tin-only alternatives?

The TST-120-03-L-D uses 10 µin gold plating over 50 µin nickel on mating contacts, which provides superior resistance to oxidation and fretting corrosion compared to standard tin-plated contacts. Gold-plated contacts maintain stable contact resistance below 20 mΩ even after hundreds of mating cycles and in humid or mildly corrosive environments, making this connector reliable in test and instrumentation applications where consistent electrical performance is critical.

For a 40-pin JTAG or debug cable connection, how does the TST-120-03-L-D shroud prevent misinsertion damage?

The shrouded housing of the TST-120-03-L-D encloses all 40 male pins within a protective plastic shell that mechanically guides the mating female connector into correct alignment before pin contact occurs. This prevents the 0.1-inch pitch pins from bending due to misaligned insertion, a common failure mode with unshrouded headers. The polarized shroud also prevents 180-degree reversed insertion that could damage FPGAs, microcontrollers, or test targets connected to the JTAG interface.

How many insertion cycles can the TST-120-03-L-D withstand before contact wear degrades signal integrity?

SAMTEC TST-series connectors with gold-plated phosphor bronze contacts are typically rated for a minimum of 50 insertion-withdrawal cycles before contact resistance exceeds specification, with many contacts maintaining performance well beyond 100 cycles under laboratory conditions. The 10 µin gold contact finish and phosphor bronze spring material are specifically chosen to extend mating life in test fixture and prototype board applications where connectors are frequently disconnected.

When specifying the TST-120-03-L-D for a production test fixture, what current and voltage ratings should engineers verify?

SAMTEC TST-series headers on 2.54 mm pitch typically support 1 A to 3 A per contact at standard ambient temperatures, depending on connector configuration and conductor gauge used in the mating cable assembly. Designers should verify that the total current load across all 40 positions does not exceed the connector's cumulative thermal derating limits, and that signal voltages remain below the 250 V AC working voltage typically specified for this connector family to ensure safe operation in test environments.

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About SAMTEC

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AvailabilityIn Stock
Reference Price (USD)
From $2.7313
Buy from 1pc · Factory-direct pricing
Qty.Unit PriceExt. Price
1+$4.8500$4.85
2+$4.8460$9.69
50+$4.3150$215.75
100+$4.1090$410.90
500+$3.2350$1617.50
1000+$2.7313$2731.33
pcs
Unit price: $4.8500 · Total: $4.85

In Stock · 24h Response · Worldwide Shipping

Lead Time3-7 business days
MOQFrom 1 piece
ShippingDHL / FedEx / UPS
OriginChina (Authorized)

Response within 24 hours · Worldwide shipping

Response time is incredible — usually under 4 hours. They understand that production lines can't wait.

JW
James Wright
Supply Chain Director, CircuitPro Ltd, UK