JST GH 1.25mm Connector: Pixhawk Wiring Guide, Specs, Crimp Tool & Molex PicoBlade Comparison
The JST GH connector is the official connector standard for the Pixhawk / ArduPilot ecosystem — the most widely used open-source autopilot platform in the world. If you've connected a GPS module, telemetry radio, rangefinder, or peripheral to a Pixhawk, Cube, or Holybro flight controller, you've used a JST GH connector. It is also increasingly common on compact IoT boards, robotics platforms, and any application requiring a reliable 1.25mm pitch wire-to-board connection.
This guide covers what engineers and drone builders actually need: complete Pixhawk pinouts for every GH port, how to crimp and attach wires to mini GH pins, a detailed comparison with Molex PicoBlade, and a full reference for every GH pin count from 2 to 10. Ready to source? Shop JST GH 1.25mm connectors at Keszoox.
What Is a JST GH Connector?
The JST GH is a compact wire-to-board connector series manufactured by JST (Japan Solderless Terminal) with a 1.25mm pitch. It sits between the JST SH (1.0mm) and JST ZH (1.5mm) in the JST lineup, offering a practical balance of compact size and ease of assembly.
The GH series was adopted as the Pixhawk Connector Standard by Dronecode and the ArduPilot project, making it the de facto standard for autopilot peripheral connections worldwide. Any GPS, telemetry radio, optical flow sensor, or rangefinder designed for Pixhawk will use JST GH connectors.
The GH series consists of three main components:
- GHR housing (plug) — wire-side connector, 2–10 pin configurations
- BM-GHS SMD PCB header (receptacle) — PCB-side surface-mount component
- SSHL-002T crimp terminal — brass, tin-plated contact crimped onto each wire
➡️ Shop the Complete JST GH 1.25mm Range at Keszoox
JST GH 1.25mm Connector Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 1.25 mm |
| Current rating | 1A per contact |
| Voltage rating | 50V AC/DC |
| Contact resistance | Max 30 mΩ |
| Insulation resistance | Min 1000 MΩ |
| Withstanding voltage | 500V AC/min |
| Operating temperature | −25°C to +85°C |
| Wire gauge | AWG 28–32 |
| Wire insulation OD | 0.5–1.0 mm |
| Pin count | 2–10 positions |
| Housing material | PA66 Nylon, UL94V-0 |
| Contact material | Brass, tin-plated |
| Mount type | SMD (surface mount) |
| Locking | Side latch |
| Mating cycles | 30 minimum |
➡️ Shop JST GH 1.25mm Connectors — Housings, Terminals & Pre-Crimped Cables
JST GH Pin Configurations: 2 to 10 Pin
| Pin Count | Housing Part No. | Header Part No. (SMD) | Width (approx.) | Pixhawk Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pin | GHR-02V-S | BM02B-GHS-TBT | 3.75 mm | I2C (some boards) |
| 3 pin | GHR-03V-S | BM03B-GHS-TBT | 5.0 mm | Debug, simple sensors |
| 4 pin | GHR-04V-S | BM04B-GHS-TBT | 6.25 mm | I2C, CAN, UART |
| 5 pin | GHR-05V-S | BM05B-GHS-TBT | 7.5 mm | TELEM (some boards) |
| 6 pin | GHR-06V-S | BM06B-GHS-TBT | 8.75 mm | GPS, TELEM, POWER |
| 7 pin | GHR-07V-S | BM07B-GHS-TBT | 10.0 mm | GPS2 (some boards) |
| 8 pin | GHR-08V-S | BM08B-GHS-TBT | 11.25 mm | POWER (Pixhawk 6X) |
| 10 pin | GHR-10V-S | BM10B-GHS-TBT | 13.75 mm | High-density harnesses |
➡️ Shop JST GH Pre-Crimped Cables — 2 to 10 Pin
JST GH Pixhawk Pinouts: Complete Reference
The following pinouts follow the Pixhawk Connector Standard as defined by Dronecode. Individual flight controller manufacturers may vary — always verify against your specific board's documentation.
GPS Port (6-pin JST GH)
| Pin | Signal | Voltage | Wire Color (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | +5V | Red |
| 2 | TX (FC → GPS) | 3.3V | Black |
| 3 | RX (GPS → FC) | 3.3V | Black |
| 4 | SCL (I2C) | 3.3V | Black |
| 5 | SDA (I2C) | 3.3V | Black |
| 6 | GND | GND | Black |
TELEM Port (6-pin JST GH)
| Pin | Signal | Voltage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | +5V | Power for telemetry radio |
| 2 | TX (FC → Radio) | 3.3V | Connect to radio RX |
| 3 | RX (Radio → FC) | 3.3V | Connect to radio TX |
| 4 | CTS | 3.3V | Flow control (often unused) |
| 5 | RTS | 3.3V | Flow control (often unused) |
| 6 | GND | GND | — |
I2C Port (4-pin JST GH)
| Pin | Signal | Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | +5V |
| 2 | SCL | 3.3V |
| 3 | SDA | 3.3V |
| 4 | GND | GND |
CAN Port (4-pin JST GH)
| Pin | Signal | Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | +5V |
| 2 | CAN_H | — |
| 3 | CAN_L | — |
| 4 | GND | GND |
POWER Port (6-pin JST GH — Pixhawk 4/5/6 series)
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | +5V from power module |
| 2 | VCC | +5V from power module |
| 3 | I_BAT | Battery current sense |
| 4 | V_BAT | Battery voltage sense |
| 5 | GND | — |
| 6 | GND | — |
Note: Pixhawk 6X uses an 8-pin GH POWER connector. Always verify against your specific flight controller's pinout diagram before wiring.
➡️ Shop Pixhawk-Compatible JST GH Cable Assemblies
How to Attach Wire to Mini JST GH Pins
Method 1: Precision Crimper (Recommended)
The best crimper for JST GH is the Engineer PA-09 (hobbyist) or IWISS SN-2549 (budget). Both handle AWG 28–32 wire and produce consistent crimps on SSHL-002T terminals.
- Strip 1.0–1.2mm of insulation from the wire end
- Twist conductor strands tightly
- Place the SSHL-002T terminal in the smallest die position (AWG 30–32)
- Insert wire so conductor sits in the front wings, insulation in the rear wings
- Squeeze until the ratchet releases
- Pull-test firmly — the wire should not move
- Insert terminal into GHR housing from the rear until it clicks
Method 2: Manual Crimping with Needle-Nose Pliers
For occasional use without a crimper: strip 1.0–1.2mm, fold the conductor wings around the wire strands using fine-tipped needle-nose pliers, then fold the insulation wings. Pull-test before inserting into housing. Honest assessment: manual crimping on 1.25mm terminals is difficult and produces inconsistent results. For flight controllers, GPS, and telemetry, use a proper crimper or buy pre-crimped assemblies.
JST GH Crimp Tool Comparison
| Tool | Price Range | Best For | AWG Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer PA-09 | $30–40 | Hobbyist, low volume | AWG 28–32 |
| IWISS SN-2549 | $15–25 | Budget option | AWG 28–32 |
| Hozan P-706 | $80–120 | Professional, high precision | AWG 26–32 |
| JST YRF-898 | $200+ | Production volume | AWG 28–32 |
➡️ Full JST Crimping Guide with step-by-step photos
Molex PicoBlade vs JST GH: Detailed Comparison
The Molex PicoBlade and JST GH are the two dominant 1.25mm pitch connectors in the electronics industry. They share the same pitch but are not interchangeable.
| Feature | JST GH | Molex PicoBlade |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 1.25 mm | 1.25 mm |
| Current rating | 1A per contact | 1A per contact |
| Wire gauge | AWG 28–32 | AWG 28–32 |
| Mount type | SMD | Through-hole & SMD |
| Locking | Side latch | Top latch |
| Housing profile | Lower profile | Slightly taller |
| Pixhawk standard? | Yes — official standard | No |
| Interchangeable? | No — same pitch, different housing geometry | |
Locking mechanism: JST GH uses a side latch; Molex PicoBlade uses a top latch. In tight flight controller stacks, the GH side latch is generally easier to operate. PCB header: JST GH SMD headers have a lower profile, better for compact PCB designs. Molex PicoBlade through-hole headers offer stronger mechanical PCB retention. Ecosystem: For anything in the Pixhawk ecosystem, always use JST GH — it is the only connector that will mate with Pixhawk-compatible peripherals.
➡️ Shop JST GH 1.25mm — Pixhawk Compatible
JST GH vs JST SH: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | JST GH | JST SH |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 1.25 mm | 1.0 mm |
| Current rating | 1A per contact | 1A per contact |
| Pixhawk standard? | Yes | Some peripherals only |
| FPV micro builds | Less common | Most common |
| Housing width (4-pin) | ~6.25 mm | ~5.0 mm |
| Interchangeable? | No — different pitch | |
Rule of thumb: Pixhawk peripheral → JST GH. Micro FPV build → JST SH.
➡️ JST SH 1.0mm Complete Guide | Shop JST SH 1.0mm
JST GH vs JST PH: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | JST GH | JST PH |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 1.25 mm | 2.0 mm |
| Current rating | 1A per contact | 2A per contact |
| Wire gauge | AWG 28–32 | AWG 24–32 |
| Mount type | SMD only | Through-hole |
| Common use | Pixhawk, robotics, IoT | LiPo batteries, Arduino sensors |
| Interchangeable? | No — completely different size | |
➡️ JST PH 2.0mm Complete Guide | Shop JST PH 2.0mm
JST GH Connector Part Numbers
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| GHR-02V-S | 2-pin plug housing |
| GHR-03V-S | 3-pin plug housing |
| GHR-04V-S | 4-pin plug housing (I2C, CAN) |
| GHR-05V-S | 5-pin plug housing |
| GHR-06V-S | 6-pin plug housing (GPS, TELEM, POWER) |
| GHR-07V-S | 7-pin plug housing |
| GHR-08V-S | 8-pin plug housing (POWER Pixhawk 6X) |
| BM02B-GHS-TBT | 2-pin SMD header |
| BM04B-GHS-TBT | 4-pin SMD header |
| BM06B-GHS-TBT | 6-pin SMD header |
| SSHL-002T-P0.2 | Crimp terminal (AWG 28–32) |
➡️ Shop JST GH Housings, Headers & Terminals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a JST GH connector? The JST GH is a 1.25mm pitch compact wire-to-board connector made by JST (Japan Solderless Terminal). It is the official connector standard for the Pixhawk / ArduPilot autopilot ecosystem and is widely used in robotics, IoT, and compact electronics. Rated for 1A per contact, AWG 28–32 wire, SMD mount. The system uses GHR plug housings, BM-GHS SMD headers, and SSHL-002T crimp terminals.
Is JST GH the Pixhawk standard connector? Yes. The JST GH 1.25mm connector was adopted as the official Pixhawk Connector Standard by Dronecode and the ArduPilot project. All Pixhawk-compatible GPS modules, telemetry radios, rangefinders, and peripherals use JST GH connectors. The most common pin counts are 4-pin (I2C, CAN), 6-pin (GPS, TELEM, POWER), and 8-pin (POWER on Pixhawk 6X).
What is the JST GH 6-pin connector used for? The JST GH 6-pin (GHR-06V-S) is the most common GH configuration in the Pixhawk ecosystem. It is used for GPS ports (VCC/TX/RX/SCL/SDA/GND), TELEM ports (VCC/TX/RX/CTS/RTS/GND), and POWER ports (VCC/VCC/I_BAT/V_BAT/GND/GND) on Pixhawk 4, 5, and 6 series flight controllers.
What is the JST GH 4-pin connector used for? The JST GH 4-pin (GHR-04V-S) is used for I2C ports (VCC/SCL/SDA/GND) and CAN bus ports (VCC/CAN_H/CAN_L/GND) on Pixhawk flight controllers. Also used for UART connections and simple sensor interfaces on compact IoT and robotics boards.
Are Molex PicoBlade and JST GH interchangeable? No. Despite sharing the same 1.25mm pitch, Molex PicoBlade and JST GH have different housing geometries and locking mechanisms — they will not mate with each other. For Pixhawk builds, always use JST GH. It is the only connector that will mate with Pixhawk-compatible peripherals.
What is JST 1.25mm connector? “JST 1.25mm connector” almost always refers to the JST GH series — the only mainstream JST series with a 1.25mm pitch. When you see “1.25mm JST” on a product listing, it is a JST GH connector.
How do I crimp JST GH connectors? Use the Engineer PA-09 or IWISS SN-2549 crimper with SSHL-002T terminals. Strip 1.0–1.2mm of insulation, insert the wire with conductor in the front wings and insulation in the rear wings, and squeeze until the ratchet releases. For low-volume builds, pre-crimped assemblies are the most reliable option.
What wire gauge does JST GH use? JST GH accepts AWG 28–32 wire. AWG 28 is the most common choice for Pixhawk wiring harnesses. Avoid wire thicker than AWG 28 — it will not fit the SSHL-002T terminal correctly.
What is the JST GH current rating? The JST GH connector is rated for 1A per contact. For a 6-pin POWER connector with two VCC and two GND pins, the effective current capacity is 2A (two contacts in parallel). This is sufficient for powering GPS modules and telemetry radios but not for main battery power — use a dedicated power connector (XT30, XT60) for main power.
JST GH vs SH — which do I need? Use JST GH (1.25mm) for Pixhawk GPS, TELEM, I2C, CAN, and POWER connections. Use JST SH (1.0mm) for micro FPV builds, ELRS receivers, and ultra-compact boards. Not interchangeable.
Where can I get JST GH pins and housings? Keszoox stocks the complete JST GH range — SSHL-002T terminals, GHR housings (2–10 pin), BM-GHS SMD headers, and factory pre-crimped cable assemblies on AWG 28 wire, ready to ship worldwide.
Shop JST GH 1.25mm Connectors at Keszoox
Keszoox stocks the complete JST GH range — housings, crimp terminals, SMD PCB headers, and pre-crimped cable assemblies in all pin counts from 2 to 10, ready to ship worldwide. All cables are factory-crimped with SSHL-002T terminals on AWG 28 wire — Pixhawk-compatible and ready to plug in.
- JST GH 1.25mm Connector Housings, Headers & Terminals
- JST GH 1.25mm Pre-Crimped Cable Assemblies (2–10 pin)
- JST GH Connector Kits
Related guides: How to Crimp JST Connectors | JST SH 1.0mm Complete Guide | JST PH 2.0mm Complete Guide | JST XH 2.5mm Complete Guide | Wire-to-Board Connector Types Guide