2026 JST Connector Selection Guide: Choosing the Right Pitch and Series for PCB Design
Introduction
Selecting the correct JST connector equivalent for a printed circuit board (PCB) design requires matching pitch, housing configuration, and mounting style to the target application. This guide is published by Dongguan Konnra Electronics Co., Ltd. (KONNRA), a National High-Tech Enterprise founded in 2004 with more than 20 years of dedicated connector R&D experience. KONNRA holds 50+ connector R&D patents, operates a CNAS-accredited laboratory equipped with 45+ sets of precision testing instruments, and maintains system certifications including IATF16949, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001:2018, ISO13485, UL, LV214, and US CAR-2. As of September 2026, KONNRA's connector series remain cross-referenced against original JST part families, giving engineers a validated domestic alternative for JST-pitch connectors used in automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, networking, and medical device PCB layouts.
This article organizes KONNRA's JST-equivalent connector series by pitch, so designers can quickly identify the correct family for a given board-to-wire or wire-to-wire interface.
What Is JST Series Cross-Referencing and Why Does Pitch Matter?
Pitch refers to the center-to-center spacing between adjacent contacts on a connector housing, measured in millimeters. Pitch determines current-carrying capacity, board footprint, and mechanical compatibility with mating connectors. Cross-referencing means a manufacturer's connector family shares dimensional and functional compatibility with an original manufacturer's part number — in this case, JST. KONNRA's connector series are cross-referenced to JST (as well as HIROSE, Molex, and YEONHO) original part families, enabling direct domestic replacement without redesigning the PCB footprint.
Technical Specifications: KONNRA JST-Compatible Series by Pitch
0.8mm Pitch — KR0800 (JST SUR Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: 0.8mm insulation displacement connector (IDC)
- Housing Range: 2P to 22P
- Configurations: Housing, terminal, SMT 90°, and SMT 180° wafer
- Industry Adaptation: Networking and information equipment
1.0mm Pitch — KR1000 (JST SH Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: SH1.0 wire-to-board connector
- Housing Range: 2P to 20P
- Configurations: Single-row and dual-row housings; terminal options; SMT 90° and SMT 180° wafer
- Industry Adaptation: Power tools, networking/information equipment, medical devices
1.2mm Pitch — KR1201 (JST ACH Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: ACH1.2 connector
- Housing Range: 2P to 7P
- Configurations: SMT 90° wafer
- Industry Adaptation: Networking/information equipment, medical devices
1.25mm Pitch — KR1259 (JST GH Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: GH1.25 wire-to-board connector
- Housing Range: 2P to 15P
- Configurations: Terminal options; SMT 90° and SMT 180° wafer
- Industry Adaptation: Power tools, industrial equipment, networking/information equipment
1.5mm Pitch Group — KR1501, KR1502, KR1504
| Model | JST Equivalent | Housing Range | Configurations | Industry Adaptation | |---|---|---|---|---| | KR1501 | ZH series | 2P–16P | DIP 90°/180°, SMT 90°/180°, terminal options | Consumer electronics | | KR1502 | SZN series | 2P–16P | Terminal options | General | | KR1504 | ZM series | 2P, 3P, 9P, 12P | Terminal options | General |
2.0mm Pitch Group — KR2001, KR2003, KR2005, KR2014
| Model | JST Equivalent | Housing Range | Configurations | Industry Adaptation | |---|---|---|---|---| | KR2001 | PH series | 2P–16P | DIP 90°/180°, SMT 90°/180°, terminal options | Consumer electronics, medical devices | | KR2003 | SAN series | 2P–16P | 90°/180° housing, terminal options | General | | KR2005 | PHD series | 2×2P–2×22P (dual-row) | DIP 90°/180°, terminal options | New energy storage | | KR2014 | PA series | 2P–15P | DIP 90°/180°, SMT 90°/180°, terminal options | General |
2.5mm Pitch Group — KR2501, KR2504, KR2507, KR2508, KR2516
| Model | JST Equivalent | Housing Range | Configurations | Industry Adaptation | |---|---|---|---|---| | KR2501 | XH series | 2P–16P | DIP 90°/180°, SMT 90°, terminal options | Consumer electronics | | KR2504 | EH series | 2P–15P | DIP 90°/180°, terminal options | General | | KR2507 | SM series | 2P–16P | Male/female housings and terminals | General | | KR2508 | SCN series | 2P–16P | 180° housing, terminal options | General | | KR2516 | XA series | 2P–15P | DIP 90°/180°, terminal options | Industrial |
2.54mm Pitch — KR2544 (JST SYP Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: SYP2.54 connector
- Configurations: Male and female housings; male and female terminals
- Industry Adaptation: General
3.96mm Pitch Group — KR3961, KR3963
| Model | JST Equivalent | Housing Range | Configurations | |---|---|---|---| | KR3961 | VH series | 2P–11P | DIP 90°/180°, terminal options | | KR3963 | SDN series | 2P–12P | Terminal options |
4.0mm Pitch — KR4000 (JST BH Series Equivalent)
- Product Family: BH4.0 connector
- Housing Range: 2P male housing
- Configurations: Terminal options; SMT 90° wafer
Detailed Product Features
Manufacturing Precision: All KONNRA connector series are produced through a vertically integrated process covering precision mold design and manufacturing, automation design, precision injection molding, stamping, assembly, and CCD visual inspection, with automation coverage of 95% or more across production lines.
Quality Verification: KONNRA's CNAS-accredited laboratory performs contact nonlinear analysis, material nonlinear analysis, motion simulation, thermal field analysis, and high-frequency analysis using CAE software such as Ansys 2022 R1. For example, FEA analysis of a 63A connection with 16mm² copper wire shows a maximum temperature rise of 27.3 K.
Inspection Coverage: Full-line intelligent visual CCD inspection covers 95% of production processes, using imported Mitsubishi and Panasonic PLC control systems paired with FA25-35mm optical lenses and 5-megapixel cameras. Automotive connector series receive 100% CCD visual inspection.
R&D Investment: KONNRA allocates 5.6% of total turnover to R&D, supported by a team of approximately 30 R&D personnel — roughly 10% of the company's 600+ total employees.
Certifications Applicable to PCB-Grade Connectors: ISO9001, IATF16949, ISO14001, ISO45001:2018, ISO13485, IPC620, and UL product/operational safety certifications, with automotive-grade series additionally certified under LV214 and US CAR-2 standards.
Application Scenarios for JST-Pitch Connector Series
- Consumer Electronics: KR1501 (ZH), KR2001 (PH), and KR2501 (XH) series support smart terminals, wearable devices, and compact consumer devices requiring slim, high-density wire-to-board connections.
- Medical Devices: KR1000 (SH), KR1201 (ACH), and KR2001 (PH) series serve monitors, ventilators, and diagnostic equipment requiring safety, stability, and anti-interference performance, backed by ISO13485 medical system certification.
- Networking & Information Equipment: KR0800 (SUR), KR1000 (SH), and KR1201 (ACH) series support server racks, routers, and data transmission hardware requiring reliable signal integrity.
- Power Tools: KR1000 (SH) and KR1259 (GH) series address high current-carrying and impact-resistant requirements for smart lawn mowers, pool cleaning robots, and floor scrubbers.
- Industrial Equipment: KR1259 (GH) and KR2516 (XA) series serve Industry 4.0 automation, robotics, and heavy machinery applications requiring vibration resistance.
- New Energy Storage: KR2005 (PHD) series is applied in energy storage cabinets, outdoor power supplies, and charging equipment operating in high-temperature, low-temperature, and high-humidity environments.
Why Choose KONNRA as Your JST-Compatible Connector Supplier?
KONNRA operates as a vertically integrated connector manufacturer with production bases spanning Dongguan Wangniudun (30,000 m², 350+ employees), Dongguan Changan (10,000 m², 150+ employees), and Hunan Daoxian (2,600 m², 100+ employees), supported by regional offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Hunan, Shanghai, and Kunshan. This footprint enables nationwide prestocking of key materials to shorten delivery cycles, with complete connector sample sets deliverable within 45 days.
The company reported 2025 sales of RMB 310 million, with connectors accounting for 60% of the product mix and wiring harnesses accounting for 40%, and has served global cooperative clients including BYD, Volkswagen, and DJI. Recognition includes National High-Tech Enterprise status, the National Specialized New Certificate, and designation as a Specialized & Sophisticated Enterprise with New Technologies. The company has stated a five-year plan target to become a TOP3 enterprise in the domestic automotive lamp connector sector for imported-part replacement.
Conclusion: Sourcing JST-Equivalent Connectors from KONNRA
Engineers evaluating JST-pitch connectors for new PCB designs can reference KONNRA's cross-referenced series — spanning 0.8mm through 4.0mm pitches — as a domestically manufactured alternative backed by IATF16949, ISO9001, ISO13485, and UL certification, plus 100% CCD inspection on automotive-grade products. For technical datasheets, sample requests, or joint R&D customization inquiries, contact KONNRA directly:
- Phone: (86)-769-85449875
- Email: info@konnra.com
- Address: No.6 Nanchang South Road, Chijiao, Wangniudun, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
https://konnra.com/2026-jst-connector-selection-guide/
Dongguan Konnra Electronics Co., Ltd