The TE Connectivity 5520249-2 is a 4P4C modular jack — the 4-position, 4-conductor interface used on RJ9, RJ10, and RJ22 handset cords. It terminates to a PCB through a right-angle solder tail and mounts in a single through-hole row. Board locks and panel stops anchor the jack against the repeated plug insertion and cable strain typical in desk phones, base stations, and test equipment.
Why the Cat3 Rating Matters for Your Application
Cat3 performance limits the usable frequency to 16 MHz — fine for analog voice, 10BASE-T Ethernet, or ISDN, but not for 100BASE-TX or any Cat5e-or-higher data rate. For anything above 10 Mbps, you need a Cat5e or better modular jack with a different contact geometry and impedance control.
Board locks — two through-hole retention posts — resist the shear force from cable tugging and vibration during repeated mate cycles. Panel stops on the housing flange set the insertion depth so the jack face sits flush with the panel cutout. The tab points downward, which is the standard orientation for handset jacks on a vertical PCB.