Right-angle header for board-edge wiring
The 3-644894-3 is a 3-position, single-row header from TE's CST-100 series, designed for board-to-cable/wire connections. The shrouded 4-wall design protects the male pins during mating and unmating, reducing the risk of bent contacts. A friction lock provides positive retention against vibration without requiring a secondary latch or tool. The UL94 V-0 polyester housing meets flame-retardant requirements for equipment inside an enclosure.
Tin plating and current rating — what to expect
Both the mating contact finish and the post finish are tin. Tin is cost-effective for moderate mating cycles (typically 50-100 cycles) and non-corrosive environments; it is not recommended for frequent field-service reconnects or outdoor exposure without additional sealing. Current rating is listed as varying by wire gauge — the actual ampacity depends on the attached wire size and ambient temperature. For a typical 22-24 AWG wire in a 25°C ambient, expect 3-4 A per contact; always derate per the application's thermal profile.
The 3-644894-3 offers a simpler single-row layout at the standard 0.100-inch pitch, while the sibling adds a second row and a different locking mechanism — useful if you need more circuits in a similar footprint.