TE Connectivity 3-644616-4 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The TE Connectivity 3-644616-4 is a rectangular connector header, vertical orientation, 4-position configuration with 0.156" (3.96mm) pitch designed for through-hole mounting. This connector is part of the MTA-156 series and features shrouded design with friction lock fastening. The part is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of active equivalent and substitute components for ongoing applications and new designs. Substitute parts maintain core electrical and mechanical compatibility while offering active product status and improved availability.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Connector Type	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin
Pitch - Mating	0.156" (3.96mm)
Number of Positions	4
Number of Rows	1
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Termination	Solder
Shrouding	Shrouded - 1 Wall
Fastening Type	Friction Lock
Contact Length - Mating	0.450" (11.43mm)
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the 3-644616-4 are selected based on strict electrical and mechanical parameter alignment. The primary substitution criteria include:

Core Compatibility Parameters:

Connector type: Header
Contact type: Male Pin
Pitch - mating: 0.156" (3.96mm)
Number of positions: 4
Number of rows: 1
Mounting type: Through Hole
Termination: Solder
Shrouding: Shrouded - 1 Wall
Fastening type: Friction Lock
Contact length - mating: 0.450" (11.43mm)
Material flammability rating: UL94 V-0
RoHS status: ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture sensitivity level: 1 (Unlimited)

All substitute parts listed maintain these core parameters. Variations in contact post length, contact finish composition, and contact shape (circular versus square) do not affect functional interchangeability in standard applications. Substitute parts from Molex KK396 and related series provide active product status with equivalent performance characteristics.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	3-644616-4 (TE)	0026604040 (Molex)	0026604042 (Molex)	0026604043 (Molex)	0026606040 (Molex)	0026606042 (Molex)	0026614040 (Molex)	0026624040 (Molex)	0026624041 (Molex)	0026624046 (Molex)	0026654040 (Molex)
Connector Type	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin
Pitch - Mating	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)	0.156" (3.96mm)
Number of Positions	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Number of Rows	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Termination	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder	Solder
Shrouding	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall	Shrouded - 1 Wall
Fastening Type	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Friction Lock
Contact Length - Mating	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)	0.450" (11.43mm)
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	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

All listed Molex substitute parts maintain full compatibility with the TE Connectivity 3-644616-4 across core electrical and mechanical parameters. Selection among substitute options is determined by specific application requirements:

For Standard Applications (0026604040, 0026604042, 0026604043): These parts provide tin-plated mating contacts with polyester glass-filled insulation. The 0026604040 and 0026604042 variants feature 0.140" (3.56mm) post length, while 0026604043 provides extended 0.170" (4.32mm) post length for applications requiring deeper board penetration.

For Enhanced Reliability (0026606040, 0026606042, 0026614040, 0026654040): These variants incorporate brass contact material and board lock features. The 0026606042 and 0026614040 provide gold-plated mating contacts (20.0µin thickness) for superior corrosion resistance and contact reliability in demanding environments. The 0026654040 includes board guide features and polyester insulation.

For Partial Loading Configurations (0026624040, 0026624041, 0026624046): These parts accommodate reduced position loading (2 or 3 positions loaded) while maintaining the 4-position header footprint. These are applicable only when partial position loading is required by circuit design.

All substitute parts carry ROHS3 compliance, UL94 V-0 flammability rating, and MSL 1 classification, ensuring regulatory and environmental compliance equivalent to the original part.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can Molex KK396 series connectors directly replace the TE Connectivity MTA-156 3-644616-4?

A: Yes. All listed Molex substitute parts maintain identical pitch (0.156"), position count (4), mounting type (through hole), termination method (solder), shrouding configuration (shrouded 1 wall), and fastening mechanism (friction lock). These core parameters ensure mechanical and electrical interchangeability.

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

A: Contact finish affects corrosion resistance and contact reliability. Tin-plated contacts (60.0µin thickness) provide standard performance for general industrial applications. Gold-plated contacts (20.0µin thickness over tin base) offer enhanced corrosion resistance and lower contact resistance, suitable for high-reliability and medical applications.

Q: Are there differences in post length among the substitute parts?

A: Yes. Post length varies: 0.140" (3.56mm) for most variants, and 0.170" (4.32mm) for the 0026604043. Post length affects board penetration depth. Selection depends on PCB thickness and solder joint requirements. Overall contact length ranges from 0.720" to 0.750" across variants.

Q: What does "Number of Positions Loaded" mean?

A: This parameter indicates how many of the 4 available positions contain contacts. The 3-644616-4 has all 4 positions loaded. Molex variants 0026624040 (3 positions), 0026624041 (2 positions), and 0026624046 (3 positions) provide partial loading for applications requiring fewer connection points while maintaining the same physical footprint.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All listed Molex substitute parts carry ROHS3 compliance certification, matching the original TE Connectivity part. All parts also maintain UL94 V-0 flammability rating and MSL 1 moisture sensitivity classification.

Q: What is the difference between KK396 and KK396 series variants with different base numbers?

A: Base product numbers (002660, 002661, 002662, 002665) indicate different connector series within the Molex KK396 family. These variations reflect different design generations and feature sets (such as board lock versus board guide) while maintaining core pitch and position compatibility. Selection depends on specific mechanical mounting requirements.

Q: Can I use a substitute part with board lock features in place of the original part without board lock?

A: Yes. Board lock features provide additional mechanical retention but do not affect electrical or basic mechanical compatibility. Parts with board lock (0026606040, 0026606042) can replace the original 3-644616-4 without modification to PCB or mating connector design.

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