The Amphenol FCI (now Amphenol IPCOS) 57202-G52-21LF is the 42-position member of the Minitek 2.00mm board-to-board header series — a dual-row, unshrouded male pin header designed for surface-mount board stacking at 0.079" (2.00 mm) pitch. The mating interface carries 30.0 µin (0.76 µm) gold GXT plating over copper alloy, while the SMT solder post is tin-plated at 78.7 µin (2.00 µm), giving the buyer a clear signal-duty profile: 2 A per circuit at 200 V AC/DC across all 42 positions loaded. The housing is black thermoplastic rated UL94 V-0, the fastening is push-pull (no latch clip), and the dual-row row spacing matches the 2.00 mm mating pitch, meaning the footprint is a uniform 4-column grid.
What the ratings mean for your fit
Pitch and row spacing both read 0.079" (2.00 mm), so the mated footprint is a square grid — the board layout engineer needs to confirm routing channel width between columns and that the 42-position dual-row span fits the board edge without encroaching on keep-out zones. Contact length at 0.157" (4.00 mm) defines how deep the pin engages the receptacle — important for board-to-board stack height budgeting. The 2 A current rating is per circuit, not a bus total — at signal currents this is rarely constraining, but the designer should confirm the ambient temperature and number of simultaneously powered positions does not push the thermal limit above what the thermoplastic housing can absorb. The gold GXT plating on the mating face is the key lifecycle signal: it outperforms tin on re-mating cycles and resists fretting at low current. The tin post is standard for SMT reflow — the 78.7 µin (2.00 µm) post thickness is well above minimum and appropriate for wave or hand-solder touch-up if needed. The push-pull fastening type means this is a friction-lock fit; there is no threaded retainer, so it is not suited for high-vibration applications where a latch-clip or screw-lock header would be specified. Shrouding is unshrouded, which confirms no keying polarization on the header itself — any polarization lives in the mating receptacle. The connector is listed as Surface Mount with solder termination — confirm your reflow profile supports the thermoplastic housing'sUL94 V-0 rating and that your paste mask accommodates the 2-row SMT pad pattern.
Sourcing and BOM fit
The base product number 57202 identifies the series family — the 42-position dual-row count and SMT orientation are the primary BOM-line checks. Confirm the board footprint pad layout matches the SMT dual-row pattern and that the contact length-to-board-thickness ratio supports your target stack height. Quoted to order against BOM quantity; confirm lead time and MOQ through RFQ.