The TE Connectivity 2-100526-0 is a female coding key for the Z-PACK series of backplane connectors. It is a small, blue plastic insert that slides into the connector housing to physically key the mating interface, preventing a mismatched header from being inserted. This key is used with Z-Pack Series receptacles and is supplied in Bulk packaging.
Why a Coding Key Matters in a Backplane
In a high-density backplane system like Z-PACK, multiple connector positions are common. A coding key prevents a daughtercard from being plugged into the wrong slot or a power module from being inserted into a signal slot. The blue colour of this key distinguishes it from other coding keys in the same system, so an assembler can visually confirm the correct key is installed.