Molex 0879202003 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Molex 0879202003 is a surface mount rectangular connector header with 20 positions arranged in 2 rows at 0.100" (2.54mm) pitch. This connector is part of the C-Grid 87920 series and features male pins with solder termination, designed for board-to-board or cable applications. The part is active in production with 898 units in stock. Substitute parts are identified based on matching electrical and mechanical parameters including pitch, position count, row configuration, mounting type, and contact specifications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	0879202003
Manufacturer	Molex
Category	Rectangular Connectors
Connector Type	Header, Breakaway
Contact Type	Male Pin
Pitch - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)
Number of Positions	20
Number of Rows	2
Row Spacing - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Termination	Solder
Fastening Type	Push-Pull
Contact Finish - Mating	Tin
Contact Material	Copper Alloy
Insulation Material	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), Glass Filled
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the Molex 0879202003 are qualified based on the following critical parameters that must match or be compatible:

Mandatory Matching Parameters:

Pitch - Mating: 0.100" (2.54mm)
Number of Positions: 20
Number of Rows: 2
Row Spacing - Mating: 0.100" (2.54mm)
Contact Type: Male Pin
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Termination: Solder
Fastening Type: Push-Pull
Connector Type: Header (Breakaway or Cuttable variants acceptable)
Style: Board to Board or Cable
Shrouding: Unshrouded
Material Flammability Rating: UL94 V-0
RoHS Status: ROHS3 Compliant or RoHS Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL): 1 (Unlimited)

Acceptable Variations:

Contact Finish - Mating: Tin or Gold (both acceptable for interchangeability)
Contact Material: Copper Alloy, Brass, or Phosphor Bronze
Insulation Material: Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), Thermoplastic, or Polyamide (PA6T)
Packaging: Tape & Reel (TR), Tube, Bulk, or Cut Tape (CT)
Contact Length - Mating: Variations within 0.228" to 0.320" acceptable for board-to-board applications
Insulation Height: Variations within 0.090" to 0.100" acceptable

The following substitute parts meet these criteria and are direct functional equivalents.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	Molex 0879202003	Amphenol ICC 95278-402A20LF	Harwin M20-8761042P	Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV-001	Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV-A-P-TR	Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV-P-TR	Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV	Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV-A-P-TR	Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV-P-TR	Samtec TSM-110-02-T-DV	Samtec TSM-110-02-T-DV-P-TR
Pitch - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)
Number of Positions	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	20
Number of Rows	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Row Spacing - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)
Contact Type	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount
Termination	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder
Fastening Type	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull
Contact Finish - Mating	Tin	Tin	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold	Tin	Tin
Contact Material	Copper Alloy	Phosphor Bronze	Brass	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze
Insulation Material	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), Glass Filled	Thermoplastic	Polyamide (PA6T), Nylon 6T	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)
Contact Length - Mating	0.230" (5.84mm)	0.315" (8.00mm)	0.228" (5.80mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)	0.320" (8.13mm)
Insulation Height	0.090" (2.29mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)	0.100" (2.54mm)
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	RoHS Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)
Packaging	Tape & Reel (TR)	Tape & Reel (TR)	Tube	Bulk	Tape & Reel (TR)	Cut Tape (CT)	Tube	Tape & Reel (TR)	Tape & Reel (TR)	Tube	Cut Tape (CT)
Operating Temperature Range	Not specified	-65°C ~ 125°C	-40°C ~ 105°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 105°C	-55°C ~ 105°C
Current Rating	Not specified	3A per Contact	3A per Contact	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Voltage Rating	Not specified	Not specified	250V	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Product Status	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

All listed substitute parts are active products with equivalent functional specifications for the Molex 0879202003. Selection among substitutes should be based on the following criteria:

Packaging Availability: The Molex 0879202003 is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) packaging. Direct packaging equivalents include Amphenol ICC 95278-402A20LF (TR), Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV-A-P-TR (TR), Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV-A-P-TR (TR), and Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV-P-TR (TR). Alternative packaging options (Tube, Bulk, Cut Tape) are available from Harwin and Samtec for different procurement requirements.

Compliance Status: All substitute parts maintain UL94 V-0 flammability rating and MSL 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity level, matching the original part. RoHS compliance is confirmed across all substitutes (ROHS3 Compliant or RoHS Compliant).

Contact Finish Considerations: The Molex 0879202003 features tin-plated mating contacts. Tin-finish equivalents are available from Samtec (TSM-110-02-T-DV and TSM-110-02-T-DV-P-TR). Gold-plated alternatives from Samtec and Harwin offer enhanced corrosion resistance and are functionally interchangeable for board-to-board applications.

Temperature Range: The Molex part does not specify an operating temperature range. Samtec TSM series parts provide -55°C to 125°C or -55°C to 105°C ranges. Amphenol ICC 95278-402A20LF extends to -65°C to 125°C. Harwin M20-8761042P operates from -40°C to 105°C. Selection should align with application requirements.

Inventory Availability: Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV-A-P-TR offers the highest inventory (3200 units), followed by Samtec TSM-110-02-S-DV-P-TR (2100 units) and Harwin M20-8761042P (2795 units).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute the Molex 0879202003 with any of the listed parts without PCB redesign?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts share identical pitch (0.100"), position count (20), row configuration (2 rows), and mounting type (surface mount). The connector footprint remains compatible. Minor variations in contact length and insulation height fall within acceptable tolerances for board-to-board applications and do not require PCB redesign.

Q: What is the difference between tin-plated and gold-plated contact finishes?

A: The Molex 0879202003 uses tin plating on mating contacts. Tin-plated substitutes (Samtec TSM-110-02-T-DV series) provide direct functional equivalence. Gold-plated alternatives (Samtec TSM-110-02-L-DV and TSM-110-02-S-DV series, Harwin M20-8761042P) offer improved corrosion resistance and are electrically interchangeable for board-to-board connections. Gold plating does not affect mechanical compatibility.

Q: Does packaging format affect electrical or mechanical performance?

A: No. Tape & Reel (TR), Tube, Bulk, and Cut Tape (CT) packaging formats are logistics and assembly considerations only. They do not affect the connector's electrical characteristics, mechanical fit, or performance. Selection should be based on assembly equipment compatibility and procurement volume requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. All listed substitutes are either ROHS3 Compliant or RoHS Compliant, matching the compliance status of the Molex 0879202003. All parts maintain MSL 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity level.

Q: What is the significance of "Breakaway" versus "Cuttable" connector types?

A: The Molex 0879202003 is classified as "Breakaway," while most Samtec substitutes are "Cuttable." Both designations indicate the connector can be separated into individual positions. This feature does not affect interchangeability for standard board-to-board applications where the full 20-position connector is used.

Q: Which substitute offers the widest operating temperature range?

A: Amphenol ICC 95278-402A20LF provides the widest specified range at -65°C to 125°C. Samtec TSM series parts operate from -55°C to 125°C (L and S variants) or -55°C to 105°C (T variants). The Molex 0879202003 does not specify an operating temperature range, so selection should align with application requirements.

Q: Can I mix tin and gold-plated connectors in the same assembly?

A: Yes. Tin and gold-plated connectors are electrically and mechanically interchangeable in board-to-board applications. However, for consistency and to avoid potential galvanic corrosion in high-humidity environments, it is preferable to use uniform plating across all connectors in a single assembly.

Q: What is the current rating for these connectors?

A: The Molex 0879202003 does not specify a current rating. Amphenol ICC 95278-402A20LF and Harwin M20-8761042P are rated at 3A per contact. Samtec parts do not specify current ratings in the provided data. For applications requiring specific current handling, consult detailed datasheets or contact manufacturers directly.

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