JST SAN 2.0mm Connector: Complete Guide to Specs, Part Numbers, A-Type vs B-Type Terminals & VTR Applications

The JST SAN connector is a 2.0mm pitch board-in crimp connector series manufactured by JST (Japan Solderless Terminal). It is one of the least-known connectors in the JST lineup outside of Japan — yet it is widely used in consumer electronics, particularly VTR (video tape recorder) systems, automotive audio, and home audio equipment.

The SAN series has two characteristics that make it unique among 2.0mm JST connectors. First, it is a board-in (direct PCB mount) connector — the terminals press directly into the PCB without soldering, which is fundamentally different from the wire-to-board approach of JST PH or the wire-to-wire approach of JST PA. Second, it offers two terminal types (A-type and B-type) designed for different PCB thicknesses, a feature found in very few other JST series.

If you searched for "JST San Antonio" and arrived here, note that this guide covers the JST SAN connector series — not JST's San Antonio office or distributor location.

This guide covers the complete JST SAN part number system, A-type vs B-type terminal selection, all housing configurations from 2 to 15 pin, PCB thickness requirements, color coding, and how the SAN series compares to JST PH and PA.

What Is the JST SAN Connector?

The JST SAN is a 2.0mm pitch board-in crimp connector designed for high-density PCB mounting in consumer electronics. "Board-in" means the connector terminals are crimped onto wires and then pressed directly into holes in the PCB — the PCB itself acts as the connector body, eliminating the need for a separate PCB header.

Key characteristics:

• 2.0mm pitch — same pitch as JST PH and PA, but completely different mounting method
• Board-in design — terminals press directly into PCB, no separate header required
• Two terminal types — A-type for 1.2mm or 1.6mm PCB, B-type for 1.6mm PCB only
• 2A per contact current rating (AWG#24)
• 250V AC/DC voltage rating
• AWG#30 ~ #24 wire gauge range
• Yellow housing (default) — distinctive color not found in other JST series
• 2 to 15 positions available
• Mounting height 6.0mm, width 3.25mm
• Certified: UL (E60389), CSA (LR 20812), RoHS compliant

➡️ Shop JST SAN 2.0mm Connectors at Keszoox

JST SAN Connector Specifications

➡️ Shop JST SAN Housings, Terminals & Pre-Crimped Assemblies

JST SAN A-Type vs B-Type Terminals: The Critical Difference

➡️ Shop JST SAN Terminals (A-Type & B-Type)

The most important technical decision when specifying JST SAN connectors is choosing between the A-type and B-type terminal. This choice is determined entirely by your PCB thickness and is not interchangeable.

Selection rule:

• If your PCB is 1.2mm thick: use A-type only (SAN-002T-0.8A)
• If your PCB is 1.6mm thick: either A-type or B-type works; B-type provides more secure retention
• If unsure: measure with calipers. Standard FR4 PCBs are typically 1.6mm; thin compact consumer electronics PCBs are often 1.2mm

➡️ Shop JST SAN A-Type & B-Type Terminals

JST SAN Housing Part Numbers: 2P to 15P

The SAN housing is designated NP-SAN where N is the circuit count. Default color is yellow (no suffix). Color variants: K (black), H (white), R (red).

Note: Yellow is the default and most visually distinctive color in the SAN series — useful for assembly line identification and field service in multi-connector PCB assemblies.

➡️ Shop JST SAN Housings — 2P to 15P, All Colors

JST SAN Part Number System Explained

Terminal Part Number Breakdown

SAN-002T-0.8A breaks down as: SAN (series) — 002 (wire range AWG#30~#24) — T (crimp terminal) — 0.8 (terminal size) — A (A-type, 1.2/1.6mm PCB) or K (B-type, 1.6mm PCB only).

Housing Part Number Breakdown

4P-SAN-K breaks down as: 4 (circuits) — P (plug/housing) — SAN (series) — K (black; omit for yellow; H=white; R=red).

➡️ Shop JST SAN Parts — Housings & Terminals

What Is a Board-In Connector? How JST SAN Mounts to PCB

➡️ Shop JST SAN Pre-Crimped Board-In Cable Assemblies

The JST SAN uses a board-in (direct PCB mount) connection method that is fundamentally different from the wire-to-board approach used by most other JST series.

In a standard wire-to-board connector (like JST PH): a PCB header is soldered onto the PCB, then a wire housing plugs into it — two separate components on the PCB side.

In the JST SAN board-in system:

1. Holes are drilled in the PCB at 2.0mm pitch
2. SAN terminals (crimped onto wires) are pressed directly into the PCB holes
3. The PCB itself acts as the connector body — no separate header needed
4. The SAN housing slides over the terminals to organize and protect the wire bundle

Advantages of board-in design:

• Higher mounting density — no header footprint required on PCB surface
• Lower BOM cost — eliminates the PCB header component entirely
• Faster assembly — no header soldering step required
• Suitable for automated assembly — terminals can be machine-inserted

Limitation: PCB must be designed specifically for board-in with correct hole pattern and thickness (1.2mm or 1.6mm). Less flexible than PH for prototyping, but more efficient for high-volume production.

➡️ Shop JST SAN Board-In Connector Assemblies

JST SAN Applications: VTR, Automotive Audio & Consumer Electronics

➡️ Shop JST SAN Connectors for Consumer Electronics

The JST SAN series was specifically developed for consumer electronics applications where high mounting density, low cost, and reliable connections are required. Official JST applications:

• VTR (Video Tape Recorder) — internal wiring harnesses connecting heads, motors, and control boards
• Automotive stereo systems (car audio) — internal connections in head units and amplifiers
• Home audio equipment — internal wiring in amplifiers, receivers, and speakers
• General consumer electronics — any compact device requiring multi-circuit internal wiring

Why SAN is preferred in these applications:

• 2.0mm pitch provides adequate 2A capacity for signal and low-power connections
• Board-in design reduces PCB real estate and eliminates header soldering in high-volume production
• Yellow housing provides easy visual identification during assembly and service
• UL and CSA certifications meet consumer electronics safety requirements
• −25°C to +85°C covers automotive and home electronics environments

➡️ Shop JST SAN Connectors

JST SAN vs JST PH: Same Pitch, Different Mounting

➡️ JST PH 2.0mm Complete Guide →  |  Shop JST PH 2.0mm

JST SAN vs JST PA: Same Pitch, Different Everything

➡️ JST PA 2.0mm Complete Guide →  |  Shop JST PA 2.0mm

JST SAN Complete Series Comparison

➡️ 12 Most Common JST Connector Types →  |  Wire-to-Board Connector Types: Complete Guide →  |  Shop JST SAN

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a JST SAN connector?

The JST SAN is a 2.0mm pitch board-in crimp connector series manufactured by JST. It uses NP-SAN housings (2–15 pin, yellow default) and SAN-002T-0.8A/K crimp terminals. Rated 2A, 250V, AWG#30–#24. Designed for VTR, automotive audio, and consumer electronics. The board-in design eliminates the need for a separate PCB header. ➡️ Shop JST SAN at Keszoox

What is the JST SAN connector pitch?

The JST SAN connector pitch is 2.0mm — the same pitch as JST PH and PA, but the SAN uses a board-in mounting method rather than wire-to-board or wire-to-wire.

What is the difference between JST SAN A-type and B-type terminals?

SAN-002T-0.8A (A-type) fits PCBs of 1.2mm or 1.6mm thickness. SAN-002T-0.8K (B-type) fits 1.6mm PCBs only. Both use AWG#30–#24 and crimp tool AP-K2N, but require different crimp dies. Choose A-type for 1.2mm PCBs; either works for 1.6mm.

What is the JST SAN connector used for?

JST SAN connectors are used in VTR internal wiring, automotive stereo systems, home audio equipment, and consumer electronics requiring high-density board-in connections. ➡️ Shop JST SAN Connectors

What is the JST SAN housing part number?

SAN housings: NP-SAN (N = circuits, 2–15). Yellow: 4P-SAN. Black: 4P-SAN-K. White: 4P-SAN-H. Red: 4P-SAN-R. ➡️ Shop JST SAN Housings

What is the JST SAN terminal part number?

SAN-002T-0.8A (A-type, 1.2mm or 1.6mm PCB) and SAN-002T-0.8K (B-type, 1.6mm PCB only). Both AWG#30–#24, brass, tin-plated. Crimp tool: AP-K2N. ➡️ Shop JST SAN Terminals

Why is the JST SAN connector yellow?

Yellow is the default housing color for the JST SAN series (no color suffix in part number). This distinctive color helps identify SAN connectors quickly during PCB assembly and field service. Black (-K), white (-H), and red (-R) variants are also available.

JST SAN vs JST PH — what's the difference?

Both use 2.0mm pitch, but JST SAN is a board-in connector (terminals press directly into PCB, no header needed) while JST PH is wire-to-board (requires B-PH PCB header). SAN is for high-volume consumer electronics production; PH is more flexible for prototyping. Not interchangeable. ➡️ Shop SAN  |  Shop PH

What PCB thickness does JST SAN require?

A-type terminals (SAN-002T-0.8A): 1.2mm or 1.6mm PCB. B-type terminals (SAN-002T-0.8K): 1.6mm PCB only. Standard FR4 PCBs are typically 1.6mm; thin compact consumer electronics PCBs are often 1.2mm — use A-type in that case.

What crimp tool for JST SAN?

Official JST crimp tool: AP-K2N press with MKS-L die (A-type) or *MKS-SC die (B-type). Accessory dies: MK/SAN-002-08 + APLMK.SAN002-08 (A-type) or SC/SAN-002-08 + APLSC.SAN002-08 (B-type). ➡️ Shop JST SAN Pre-Crimped Assemblies

Is JST SAN the same as JST San Antonio?

No. "JST SAN" refers to the JST SAN connector series — a 2.0mm pitch board-in crimp connector for consumer electronics. "JST San Antonio" refers to JST's sales office in San Antonio, Texas. They are unrelated.

Shop JST SAN 2.0mm Connectors at Keszoox

We stock JST SAN 2.0mm connectors — NP-SAN housings in 2–15 pin configurations and multiple colors, SAN-002T-0.8A/K crimp terminals, and pre-crimped cable assemblies, ready to ship worldwide.

• JST SAN Housings (2P-SAN to 15P-SAN, Yellow/Black/White/Red)
• JST SAN Terminals (SAN-002T-0.8A / SAN-002T-0.8K)
• JST SAN Pre-Crimped Cable Assemblies

Related guides:

• How to Crimp JST Connectors: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Identify JST Connectors by Pitch & Series
• JST PH 2.0mm Connector: Complete Guide
• JST PA 2.0mm Connector: Complete Guide
• Wire-to-Board Connector Types: Complete Guide
• 12 Most Common JST Connector Types