MTA-156 IDC Receptacle, 4 Positions — Wire-to-Board Fit
The 0.156" (3.96mm) pitch is the first thing to check against your board layout — it's wider than the 0.100" IDC standard, so the mating header and PCB footprint must match this spacing exactly. The closed-end orange housing gives a positive wire stop, preventing the conductor from pushing past the contact zone during assembly. Rated for 18 AWG wire — the IDC slot is tuned to that gauge. Using a thinner or thicker wire risks an unreliable connection or insulation damage.
Termination and Harness Assembly
IDC termination means the wire is pressed into insulation-displacement slots — no stripping, no crimping. For a harness builder, this translates to faster assembly on a bench press or automated tooling, provided the wire is the correct 18 AWG. The free-hanging (in-line) mount is typical for a cable-to-board interconnect; the receptacle stays on the wire harness and mates to a right-angle or vertical header on the PCB. The closed-end feature also prevents the contacts from being damaged if the wire is pushed in too far — the back wall stops it at the right depth.