ZF5S-21-03-T-WT SAMTEC Connector (Other) In Stock
Samtec ZF5S Series 42-position zero insertion force (ZIF) FFC/FPC connector with 0.50 mm pitch and matte tin contacts. Socket body measures 0.636 inch long with solder hold-down board mounting in a compact SMT package. Designed for reliable flexible flat cable connections in consumer electronics and portable device applications.
- Manufacturer
- SAMTEC
- Package
- Other
- Pin Count
- 42
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- ZF5S-21-03-T-WT Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Connector
- Price
- From $0.9480(MOQ 2500)
- Temp Range
- -55.0°C to 105.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of ZF5S-21-03-T-WT?
- 42-position ZIF FFC/FPC socket at 0.50 mm pitch enables high-density flexible cable connections with zero mechanical insertion force
- Matte tin contact finish on both mating and termination surfaces provides reliable electrical performance at low cost for consumer applications
- Solder hold-down mounting adds mechanical strain relief to resist cable pull-out forces and board-level vibration
- Compact 0.636 inch body length minimizes PCB footprint for integration in slim portable devices and display interfaces
What is ZF5S-21-03-T-WT used for?
The ZF5S-21-03-T-WT is used to connect flexible flat cables and flexible printed circuits in consumer electronics such as LCD display assemblies, camera modules, and touchscreen interfaces where the 0.50 mm pitch accommodates a high signal count in a narrow cable width. Its zero insertion force mechanism protects fragile FFC/FPC connectors from damage during assembly, making it preferred for automated robotic assembly lines and field-replacement modules. Portable medical devices and wearable electronics benefit from the compact body and reliable matte tin contacts that maintain low contact resistance across the product's service life.
What are the specifications of ZF5S-21-03-T-WT?
| YTEOL | 8 |
| Board Mounting Option | SOLDER HOLD DOWN |
| Body Breadth | 0.083inch |
| Body Depth | 0.192inch |
| Body Length | 0.636inch |
| Body/Shell Style | SOCKET |
| Connector Type | FFC/FPC CONNECTOR |
| Contact Finish Mating | MATTE TIN |
| Contact Finish Termination | Matte Tin (Sn) |
| Contact Gender | FEMALE |
| Contact Material | PHOSPHOR BRONZE |
| Contact Pattern | RECTANGULAR |
| Contact Style | BELLOWED TYPE |
| Filter Feature | NO |
| Insulator Color | NATURAL |
| Insulator Material | LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER |
| JESD-609 Code | e3 |
| Mating Contact Pitch | 0.0197inch |
| Mating Information | MULTIPLE MATING PARTS AVAILABLE |
| Mixed Contacts | NO |
| Mounting Option 1 | LOCKING |
| Mounting Style | STRAIGHT |
| Mounting Type | BOARD |
| Number Of Connectors | ONE |
| Number Of PCB Rows | 2 |
| Number of Rows Loaded | 1 |
| Option | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PCB Contact Pattern | STAGGERED |
| PCB Contact Row Spacing | 2.14mm |
| Rated Current (Signal) | 1.8A |
| Terminal Pitch | 1mm |
| Termination Type | SURFACE MOUNT |
| Total Number of Contacts | 21 |
| Package | Other |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
Where can I find the ZF5S-21-03-T-WT datasheet?
ZF5S-21-03-T-WT Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from SAMTEC
What are equivalent replacements for ZF5S-21-03-T-WT?
No known alternates. Submit an RFQ and our team can suggest alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ZF5S-21-03-T-WT use zero insertion force and what does that mean for assembly reliability?
Zero insertion force (ZIF) means the cable slides into the connector with no mechanical resistance until the locking actuator is engaged. This eliminates the bending stress that can crack fine-pitch 0.50 mm FFC conductors during manual insertion, reducing assembly defects and enabling robotic cable insertion in production lines. Once the actuator is locked, the contact normal force clamps the cable securely, maintaining low contact resistance through the product's intended service life.
What cable type and pitch is compatible with the ZF5S-21-03-T-WT connector?
The ZF5S-21-03-T-WT accepts 42-conductor FFC or FPC cables with a 0.50 mm (0.0197 inch) contact pitch. Standard type-A or type-B flexible flat cables terminated at 0.50 mm pitch from manufacturers such as Molex, Würth, or 3M are compatible. The 42-position count accommodates interfaces such as LVDS display buses, camera MIPI lanes, or combined power-and-signal ribbon cables in a single connector.
How does the solder hold-down on ZF5S-21-03-T-WT improve mechanical robustness compared to connectors without it?
The solder hold-down tabs are soldered to dedicated PCB pads separate from the signal contacts, anchoring the connector body to the board. This resists up to several Newtons of pull-out force when a connected cable is tugged, preventing pad lifting or connector dislodgement. In portable devices subject to drops or repeated cable insertions, hold-down tabs extend connector service life well beyond the rated 30 insertion cycles by keeping the body coplanar during repeated actuator operation.
What are the body dimensions of ZF5S-21-03-T-WT and how do they affect PCB keepout planning?
The body is 0.636 inch (approximately 16.1 mm) long, 0.192 inch (4.9 mm) deep, and 0.083 inch (2.1 mm) wide. Designers should add at least 3 mm of cable entry clearance beyond the 4.9 mm depth dimension for the FFC tail, bringing the total keepout zone to roughly 16 mm × 8 mm. At 0.50 mm pitch, signal via routing within that footprint requires HDI-compatible trace widths of 0.1 mm or finer to maintain adequate clearance between pads.
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About SAMTEC
SAMTEC is a leading electronic component manufacturer. FindMyChip sources SAMTEC ICs directly from authorized China distributors, offering competitive pricing and reliable stock.
| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2500+ | $1.2600 | $3150.00 |
| 5000+ | $0.9730 | $4865.00 |
| 7500+ | $0.9480 | $7110.00 |
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