The 5-103908-4: Five positions in a single row means the header occupies minimal board edge real estate, suited for signal or sensor harnesses where space is tight.
Shrouding and Mating Protection
The latch holder locks the mated pair, preventing back-out under vibration in automotive or industrial environments.
Comparing Against a Sibling: 1394090-1
The closest functional alternative is 1394090-1, a 6-position right-angle header with tin-plated contacts (39.4 µinch) and a 0.112" (2.85 mm) pitch. The 5-103908-4 offers gold plating for higher cycle life and a vertical orientation for board-to-board or cable applications, while 1394090-1 is a right-angle solder version for wire-to-board use. The pitch difference means they are not footprint-compatible.