The TE Connectivity MTA-156 3-640433-3 is a 3-position, single-row IDC receptacle designed for terminating 22 AWG discrete or ribbon cable without a separate crimp operation. The closed-end housing stops the wire from pushing out the back during termination — a detail that saves rework on the harness line. Tin is the standard choice here because the IDC joint is a one-time termination; gold would add cost without benefit for a permanent wire connection. The free-hanging (in-line) mount lets this receptacle float in the harness, mating with a header on the board or another IDC plug.
Wiring and Termination — IDC Without a Crimp Tool
No wire stripping, no crimp die — just a simple hand tool or press. The closed-end feature means the wire stops at the back wall of the slot, so you get consistent strip length and no risk of the wire poking out the back of the housing. The red housing color helps with harness identification — useful when multiple MTA-156 receptacles share a cable bundle and you need to spot the 3-position one quickly.