0.156" Pitch IDC Receptacle for 20 AWG — 6-Position MTA-156
The TE Connectivity 3-643818-6 is a 6-position, single-row MTA-156 receptacle designed for mass-termination IDC assembly onto 20 AWG discrete or ribbon cable. The 0.156" (3.96mm) pitch matches the standard MTA-156 header footprint — a common choice for internal power and signal distribution in appliances, HVAC controls, and industrial panels where the locking ramp keeps the mated pair secure under vibration. This is a free-hanging (in-line) receptacle — no board-mount — so it terminates the cable end and mates with a through-hole or surface-mount header on the PCB. The yellow housing is a visual key for the MTA-156 family; the closed-end design and polarizing key prevent wire over-insertion and mis-mating during harness assembly.
IDC Termination and Contact Plating
Termination is IDC (Insulation Displacement Connection) — the 20 AWG wire is pressed into the slot, displacing the insulation to make contact with the tin-plated female socket. No stripping, no crimping: one press operation terminates all 6 positions simultaneously. The 80.0µin (2.03µm) tin contact finish is a heavy plating — thicker than the 15-30µin typical on signal-grade IDC connectors — so it handles the higher insertion forces of 20 AWG without galling the contact surface. Tin-to-tin contact with 80.0µin plating is rated for a moderate number of mating cycles — enough for field-service disconnect but not designed for repeated daily unmating. The locking ramp (fastening type) provides audible and tactile feedback when fully seated, and the polarizing key ensures the receptacle can only be mated one way to the header.
Active Lifecycle and Sourcing
Sourcing is straightforward: this is a current-production MTA-156 member. The 6-position count and 0.156" pitch are common — the matching header half (a 6-position, 0.156" pitch, straight or right-angle pin header) is widely available across the TE MTA-156 line. Confirm the header's pin length and orientation to your board stack-up before committing the BOM.
Mating and Field Fit
This receptacle mates with any standard MTA-156 6-position header — through-hole or surface-mount, straight or right-angle — as long as the header uses 0.045" square pins on 0.156" centers. The locking ramp on the receptacle engages the ramp on the header's shroud; the polarizing key aligns with the corresponding slot in the header to prevent a 180° mis-mate. For field replacement: the IDC termination is permanent — you cannot remove and re-terminate a wire in the same slot. If a wire is damaged, the entire receptacle is replaced. The 20 AWG wire gauge is fixed by the IDC slot geometry; using 18 AWG or 22 AWG will not achieve a reliable gas-tight connection.