3-Position Power Header for Wire-to-Board Applications
The JST B3PS-VH(LF)(SN) is a 3-circuit, single-row header from the VH series, designed for board-to-cable/wire power interconnects. It carries a 3.96mm pitch, rated 10A per circuit at 250V, with tin-plated square male pins. The right-angle through-hole orientation suits board-edge layouts where the wire exits parallel to the PCB. A locking ramp on the shroud provides positive retention against vibration — you should hear it click when the mating housing seats fully.
What the Ratings Mean for Your Fit
The 3.96mm pitch gives enough creepage for the 250V rating without forcing an oversized board footprint — it's a middle-ground spacing that handles power without wasting real estate. The 10A per circuit rating is the headline figure for wire gauge selection; at this pitch and current, 18 AWG is typical for the mating crimp terminal. The tin-on-tin contact finish (mating side and post) is fine for moderate mating cycles in a harness that isn't disconnected frequently — gold would buy you nothing here unless the environment is corrosive. The locking ramp is the key retention feature: if the mating housing doesn't click, the connection isn't fully seated.
Construction and Compliance
The housing is molded in natural polyamide (PA66 / Nylon 6/6) with a UL94 V-0 flammability rating — required for equipment inside an enclosure. Brass contacts with tin plating on both the mating surface and the solder tail. Operating temperature range is -25°C to 85°C, which covers most indoor industrial and consumer environments but not extended automotive under-hood duty. The single-wall shrouding protects the pins during mating but doesn't fully enclose them on all sides.