The TE Connectivity 5520260-4 is a vertical through-hole modular jack with an 8p8c (RJ45) contact arrangement, rated for Cat3 applications. It is unshielded, so it suits basic 10/100BASE-T Ethernet or voice/data runs where EMI protection is not required. The gold-plated contacts (50.0µin over phosphor bronze) provide reliable corrosion resistance across repeated mating cycles. A board lock, keying, and panel stops secure the jack to the PCB and panel, preventing rotation or pull-out during cable insertion.
Cat3 Rating and Ethernet Use
This jack is specified as Cat3, meaning it supports frequencies up to 16 MHz — adequate for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T4 Ethernet, but not for 100BASE-TX or higher-speed standards that require Cat5e or Cat6. For a basic office or industrial control network running legacy 10/100 Mb, this is a cost-effective fit.
The vertical orientation and through-hole solder termination make this a straightforward part for wave-solder assembly. The board lock provides additional mechanical retention to the PCB, reducing stress on the solder joints during cable mating and unmating. Panel stops align the jack flush with the panel cutout, and the keying prevents incorrect plug insertion. It ships in tray packaging, which is typical for hand-placement or selective soldering lines.