The TE Connectivity MTA-156 3-643818-4 is a 4-position, single-row receptacle that terminates 20 AWG discrete or ribbon cable via insulation-displacement contacts — no crimp tool, no wire stripping. The 0.156" (3.96mm) pitch is wider than the common 0.100" IDC format, so it won't fit a standard 0.100" header footprint; it mates with the matching MTA-156 pin header. The closed-end housing prevents the cable from pushing through, and the polarizing key ensures the connector can only be mated one way — a real time-saver on a harness assembly line where orientation mistakes cost rework.
Why the Locking Ramp and Thick Tin Plating Matter for Harness Duty
The locking ramp gives an audible click when the receptacle fully seats on the header — that click is the primary retention in a free-hanging harness, and it holds against vibration better than a friction-only fit. For a 20 AWG wire in a control cabinet or appliance harness, that thickness buys margin against tin whisker concerns in moderate-temperature environments.