JST SCN Connector: Complete Guide to Board-In Crimp Specs, Part Numbers & PCB Layout
Most JST connector guides cover the same territory: XH, PH, GH — the wire-to-board series that dominate Arduino projects and 3D printers. The JST SCN is different. It is a board-in crimp connector — a category that most engineers encounter only when they need to eliminate a PCB header entirely and connect a wire harness directly to the board. There is almost no practical guidance available online for the SCN series, despite it being a UL-recognized, RoHS2-compliant connector used in consumer electronics, car audio, and VCR systems for decades.
This guide covers everything: what board-in means and when to use it, complete electrical specifications, all housing part numbers from 2P to 16P in four colors, terminal selection between standard and K-type contacts, PCB layout dimensions, and a direct SCN vs XH comparison.
What Is a Board-In Connector? How the JST SCN Works
A conventional wire-to-board connector system has two parts: a PCB header (soldered to the board) and a wire-side housing (crimped to the cable). The wire-side housing plugs into the PCB header.
The JST SCN eliminates the PCB header entirely. The wire-side housing — loaded with crimp contacts — inserts directly into holes in the PCB. The contacts make electrical connection by pressing against the PCB hole walls or pads, and the housing body sits flush against the board surface. This is what "board-in" means.
Advantages of board-in over conventional wire-to-board:
- Lower component count — no separate PCB header to source, stock, or solder
- Lower PCB cost — no header footprint required, only through-holes
- Lower assembly height — the housing sits at board level rather than above a header
- Faster assembly — no header soldering step; the wire harness plugs directly into the board
Trade-offs:
- PCB hole size and thickness must match the terminal specification exactly
- Not suitable for applications requiring frequent mating/unmating cycles
- Two terminal variants required for different PCB thicknesses (standard vs K-type)
JST SCN Electrical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 2.5mm |
| Connector type | Board-in crimp (direct PCB insertion, no header required) |
| Current rating | 3A AC/DC (AWG #22) |
| Voltage rating | 250V AC/DC |
| Temperature range | -25°C to +85°C |
| Insulation resistance | 1,000MΩ min. |
| Withstanding voltage | 800V AC/minute |
| Applicable wire | AWG #28 to AWG #22 |
| PCB board thickness | 1.2mm (K-type terminal) / 1.6mm (standard terminal) |
| PCB hole size | φ1.0mm (+0.05 / -0.00) |
| Housing material | PA-95, UL94V-0, ivory / black / red / yellow |
| Contact material | Phosphor bronze (standard) / Brass (K-type) |
| Contact finish | Tin-plated (reflow treatment) |
| UL recognition | E60389 |
| RoHS compliance | Yes (RoHS2) |
| Circuit count range | 2 to 16 circuits |
Note on withstanding voltage: The SCN is rated at 800V AC/minute — lower than the XH series (1,500V AC). This reflects the board-in contact geometry and is appropriate for consumer electronics applications. Do not use the SCN in high-voltage isolation applications.
➡️ Browse the full JST SCN 2.5mm cable assembly range at Keszoox, including single-headed, same-side-head, and reverse-side-head configurations.
JST SCN Crimp Terminals: Standard vs K-Type
The SCN series uses two crimp terminal variants that differ in material and PCB thickness compatibility. Selecting the wrong terminal will result in poor contact retention and unreliable electrical connection.
| Part Number | Type | PCB Thickness | Wire Gauge | Conductor (mm²) | Insulation O.D. | Material | Qty/Reel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCN-001T-P1.0 | Standard | 1.6mm | #28–#22 | 0.06–0.33 | 0.9–1.7mm | Phosphor bronze | 11,000 |
| SCN-001T-P1.0K | K-type | 1.2mm | #28–#22 | 0.06–0.33 | 0.9–1.7mm | Brass | 11,000 |
How to choose: 1.6mm PCB → SCN-001T-P1.0 (phosphor bronze, higher spring force). 1.2mm PCB → SCN-001T-P1.0K (brass, K-type geometry). Both cover AWG #28–#22. Crimping machine: AP-K2N with MKS-L applicator.
Material note: Phosphor bronze offers higher spring force and better fatigue resistance than brass. For repeated insertion cycles, prefer the standard terminal on a 1.6mm PCB where possible.
JST SCN Housing Part Numbers: 2P to 16P in Four Colors
SCN housings are available in four colors — ivory (no suffix), black (K), red (R), yellow (Y). All colors share identical electrical and mechanical specifications. Housing material: PA-95, UL94V-0.
| Circuits | Ivory | Black (K) | Red (R) | Yellow (Y) | Dim A (mm) | Dim B (mm) | Qty/Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2P-SCN | 2P-SCN-K | 2P-SCN-R | 2P-SCN-Y | 2.5 | 6.5 | 1,000 |
| 3 | 3P-SCN | 3P-SCN-K | 3P-SCN-R | 3P-SCN-Y | 5.0 | 9.0 | 1,000 |
| 4 | 4P-SCN | 4P-SCN-K | 4P-SCN-R | 4P-SCN-Y | 7.5 | 11.5 | 1,000 |
| 5 | 5P-SCN | 5P-SCN-K | 5P-SCN-R | 5P-SCN-Y | 10.0 | 14.0 | 1,000 |
| 6 | 6P-SCN | 6P-SCN-K | 6P-SCN-R | 6P-SCN-Y | 12.5 | 16.5 | 1,000 |
| 7 | 7P-SCN | 7P-SCN-K | 7P-SCN-R | 7P-SCN-Y | 15.0 | 19.0 | 1,000 |
| 8 | 8P-SCN | 8P-SCN-K | 8P-SCN-R | 8P-SCN-Y | 17.5 | 21.5 | 1,000 |
| 9 | 9P-SCN | 9P-SCN-K | 9P-SCN-R | 9P-SCN-Y | 20.0 | 24.0 | 1,000 |
| 10 | 10P-SCN | 10P-SCN-K | 10P-SCN-R | 10P-SCN-Y | 22.5 | 26.5 | 1,000 |
| 11 | 11P-SCN | 11P-SCN-K | 11P-SCN-R | 11P-SCN-Y | 25.0 | 29.0 | 1,000 |
| 12 | 12P-SCN | 12P-SCN-K | 12P-SCN-R | 12P-SCN-Y | 27.5 | 31.5 | 1,000 |
| 13 | 13P-SCN | 13P-SCN-K | 13P-SCN-R | 13P-SCN-Y | 30.0 | 34.5 | 1,000 |
| 14 | 14P-SCN | 14P-SCN-K | 14P-SCN-R | 14P-SCN-Y | 32.5 | 37.0 | 1,000 |
| 15 | 15P-SCN | 15P-SCN-K | 15P-SCN-R | 15P-SCN-Y | 35.0 | 39.5 | 1,000 |
| 16 | 16P-SCN | 16P-SCN-K | 16P-SCN-R | 16P-SCN-Y | 37.5 | 41.5 | 1,000 |
Dim A = pitch × (n−1). Dim B = housing body width. Housing height: 4.5mm. Depth: 3.7mm.
Color coding convention: ivory = signal, red = power positive, black = ground, yellow = auxiliary/warning.
PCB Layout Requirements
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| PCB hole diameter | φ1.0mm (+0.05 / -0.00) |
| Hole pitch | 2.5mm |
| PCB thickness (standard) | 1.6mm |
| PCB thickness (K-type) | 1.2mm |
| Hole tolerance | ±0.05mm cumulative |
| Hole type | Through-hole, piercing method |
| Soldering side | Contact exits from soldering side (bottom of PCB) |
Critical notes: Holes must not be undersized (+0.05/-0.00). Cumulative pitch tolerance ±0.05mm — use a single drill operation. The datasheet assembly diagram is viewed from the soldering side — mirror the footprint if designing from the component side.
JST SCN vs JST XH: When to Use Each
The SCN and XH are both 2.5mm pitch, 3A/250V connectors — but they represent fundamentally different connection architectures. They are not interchangeable and serve different design requirements.
| Feature | JST SCN | JST XH |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 2.5mm | 2.5mm |
| Current | 3A AC/DC | 3A AC/DC |
| Voltage | 250V AC/DC | 250V AC/DC |
| Temperature | -25°C to +85°C | -25°C to +85°C |
| Withstanding voltage | 800V AC/min | 1,500V AC/min |
| Connection type | Board-in (no header) | Wire-to-board (header required) |
| Assembly height | Lower | Higher |
| Component count | Lower | Higher |
| Mating cycles | Limited | Higher |
| Housing colors | 4 | 1 |
| UL recognition | E60389 | — |
| Best for | Consumer electronics, car audio, cost-optimized PCB | 3D printers, Arduino, RC vehicles |
Choose SCN: eliminate PCB header, constrained height, 1.2/1.6mm PCB, consumer electronics, color coding needed.
Choose XH: frequent mating cycles, higher withstanding voltage, non-standard PCB thickness, prototyping/Arduino.
➡️ JST XH 2.5mm Complete Guide →
JST SCN in the 2.5mm Connector Ecosystem
| Series | Type | Pitch | Current | PCB Header | Colors | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JST SCN | Board-in | 2.5mm | 3A | Not required | 4 | Consumer electronics, car audio |
| JST XH | Wire-to-board | 2.5mm | 3A | Required | 1 | 3D printers, Arduino |
| JST XA | W-W + W-B | 2.5mm | 3A | Optional | 1 | Appliances, glow wire certified |
| XHS2.5 (Yeonho) | Wire-to-board | 2.5mm | 3A | Required | 1 | Vibration-resistant, belt-lock |
| JST SAN | Board-in | 2.0mm | — | Not required | 1 | Compact board-in at 2.0mm |
➡️ Wire-to-Board Connector Types → | Common JST Connector Types → | JST XA Guide →
How to Select the Right JST SCN Connector
- Confirm PCB thickness — 1.6mm: SCN-001T-P1.0. 1.2mm: SCN-001T-P1.0K.
- Confirm PCB hole size — φ1.0mm (+0.05/-0.00). Do not reuse holes from other footprints without verifying diameter.
- Determine circuit count — 2P to 16P available.
- Choose housing color — Ivory (standard), black (-K), red (-R), yellow (-Y).
- Select wire gauge — AWG #28–#22. Use AWG #22 for full 3A rating.
- Verify mating cycles — If frequent disconnection needed, use JST XH instead.
➡️ Shop ready-to-use SCN assemblies: JST SCN2.5 Single-Headed Cable 2–12P, UL1007 | JST SCN2.5 Same-Side-Head Cable 2–12P, UL1007 | JST SCN2.5 Reverse-Side-Head Cable 2–12P, UL1007
Common Applications
- VCR and video equipment — Originally developed for VCR internal wiring; low-profile headerless connections reduce assembly cost
- Car stereo and automotive audio — Color-coded housings enable quick identification in multi-connector head unit assemblies
- Consumer audio products — Amplifiers, receivers, portable audio where PCB space and height are constrained
- Home appliances — Internal wiring where BOM cost reduction is a priority
- Industrial electronics — Control boards requiring UL-recognized (E60389), RoHS2-compliant board-in connector
- Multi-board assemblies — Daughter board to main board connections without header height penalty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JST SCN connector?
The JST SCN is a 2.5mm pitch board-in crimp connector rated for 3A AC/DC and 250V AC/DC, -25°C to +85°C. It inserts directly into PCB through-holes without a separate PCB header, reducing BOM cost and assembly height. Available 2P–16P in four colors. UL recognized E60389, RoHS2. ➡️ Shop JST SCN cable assemblies at Keszoox
What is the difference between JST SCN and JST XH?
Both are 2.5mm pitch, 3A/250V, but fundamentally different architectures. SCN is board-in — no PCB header required, lower height, lower BOM cost. XH is conventional wire-to-board requiring a PCB header, supports more mating cycles and higher withstanding voltage (1,500V vs 800V). Not interchangeable. ➡️ JST XH Complete Guide
What PCB thickness does the JST SCN require?
1.6mm PCB: use SCN-001T-P1.0 (phosphor bronze). 1.2mm PCB: use SCN-001T-P1.0K (brass, K-type). PCB hole: φ1.0mm (+0.05/-0.00). Wrong terminal = poor contact retention.
What is the part number for a 6-pin JST SCN housing?
Ivory: 6P-SCN. Black: 6P-SCN-K. Red: 6P-SCN-R. Yellow: 6P-SCN-Y. Terminal (1.6mm PCB): SCN-001T-P1.0. Terminal (1.2mm PCB): SCN-001T-P1.0K. Dim A=12.5mm, B=16.5mm. ➡️ Shop JST SCN
What is the difference between SCN-001T-P1.0 and SCN-001T-P1.0K?
Same wire range (AWG #28–#22), different PCB thickness and material. SCN-001T-P1.0: 1.6mm PCB, phosphor bronze. SCN-001T-P1.0K: 1.2mm PCB, brass. Do not mix within the same connector.
What housing colors are available for the JST SCN?
Four: ivory (no suffix), black (-K), red (-R), yellow (-Y). Identical specs across all colors. Used for circuit identification and mis-mating prevention.
Is the JST SCN UL recognized?
Yes. UL Recognized file number E60389, RoHS2 compliant. Housing: PA-95, UL94V-0 flame retardant.
➡️ JST XH Guide → | JST XA Guide → | Wire-to-Board Types → | JST Connector Types → | Shop JST SCN →