Amphenol ICC 68438-272 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Amphenol ICC 68438-272 is a rectangular connector header featuring 72 positions arranged in 2 rows with 0.100" (2.54mm) pitch. This through-hole component is designed for board-to-board applications with solder termination and push-pull fastening. The part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	68438-272
Manufacturer	Amphenol ICC (FCI)
Series	BERGSTIK® II
Connector Type	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin
Number of Positions	72
Number of Rows	2
Pitch - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)
Row Spacing - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Termination	Solder
Fastening Type	Push-Pull
Contact Shape	Square
Contact Material	Phosphor Bronze
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold or Gold, GXT™
Insulation Color	Black
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the 68438-272 is determined by strict alignment of electrical and mechanical parameters. The critical parameters defining substitutability are:

Number of positions: 72
Number of rows: 2
Pitch - mating: 0.100" (2.54mm)
Row spacing - mating: 0.100" (2.54mm)
Connector type: Header
Contact type: Male Pin
Mounting type: Through Hole
Termination: Solder
Fastening type: Push-Pull
Style: Board to Board or Board to Board/Cable
Shrouding: Unshrouded
Material flammability rating: UL94 V-0

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on contact geometry and material composition:

Category A: Square Contact Geometry (Samtec MTLW Series) Parts with square contact shape and phosphor bronze material, matching the original contact geometry. These include MTLW-136-06-F-D-220, MTLW-136-06-T-D-240, MTLW-136-07-F-D-230, MTLW-136-07-F-D-250, MTLW-136-07-F-D-255, and MTLW-136-07-F-D-260.

Category B: Circular Contact Geometry (3M 2300 Series and Preci-Dip 450 Series) Parts with circular contact shape and brass or copper alloy material. These include 2372-6121-TG (3M), 450-10-272-00-013101, 450-80-272-00-001101, and 450-V3-272-00-006101 (Preci-Dip).

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	68438-272 (Main)	2372-6121-TG (3M)	450-10-272-00-013101 (Preci-Dip)	450-80-272-00-001101 (Preci-Dip)	450-V3-272-00-006101 (Preci-Dip)	MTLW-136-06-F-D-220 (Samtec)	MTLW-136-06-T-D-240 (Samtec)	MTLW-136-07-F-D-230 (Samtec)	MTLW-136-07-F-D-250 (Samtec)	MTLW-136-07-F-D-255 (Samtec)	MTLW-136-07-F-D-260 (Samtec)
Number of Positions	72	72	72	72	72	72	72	72	72	72	72
Number of Rows	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
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)
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)
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
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
Fastening Type	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull
Shrouding	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded
Contact Shape	Square	Square	Circular	Circular	Circular	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square
Contact Material	Phosphor Bronze	Copper Alloy	Brass	Brass	Brass	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze	Phosphor Bronze
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold or Gold, GXT™	Gold	Gold	Tin	Gold	Gold	Tin	Gold	Gold	Gold	Gold
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
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	RoHS non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Operating Temperature Range	Not specified	-55°C ~ 105°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 105°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C	-55°C ~ 125°C
Current Rating	Not specified	3A	3A	3A	3A	5.2A per Contact	5.2A per Contact	5.2A per Contact	5.2A per Contact	5.2A per Contact	5.2A per Contact
Voltage Rating	Not specified	Not specified	150VDC	150VDC	150VDC	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
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)

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For RoHS3 Compliance Requirements: Select from the Preci-Dip 450 series (450-10-272-00-013101, 450-80-272-00-001101, 450-V3-272-00-006101) or Samtec MTLW series (MTLW-136-06-F-D-220, MTLW-136-06-T-D-240, MTLW-136-07-F-D-230, MTLW-136-07-F-D-250, MTLW-136-07-F-D-255, MTLW-136-07-F-D-260). All are ROHS3 Compliant. The 3M 2372-6121-TG remains RoHS non-compliant.

For Contact Geometry Matching: The Samtec MTLW series maintains square contact geometry identical to the original 68438-272. The Preci-Dip 450 series and 3M 2300 series feature circular contact geometry, representing a geometric departure from the original design.

For Extended Temperature Operation: The Samtec MTLW series and Preci-Dip 450 series support -55°C to 125°C operating range. The 3M 2372-6121-TG is limited to -55°C to 105°C.

For Higher Current Capacity: The Samtec MTLW series provides 5.2A per contact, exceeding the 3A rating of the 3M and Preci-Dip alternatives.

For Active Product Status: All substitute parts listed are in active production status, ensuring long-term availability and supply chain stability compared to the obsolete 68438-272.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I directly replace the 68438-272 with any of these substitute parts? A: Direct mechanical and electrical substitution is possible with all listed parts due to matching pitch, position count, row configuration, and connector type. However, contact geometry differs between the Samtec MTLW series (square contacts) and the 3M/Preci-Dip alternatives (circular contacts). PCB footprint compatibility must be verified for each application.

Q: What is the primary difference between the Samtec MTLW series and the Preci-Dip 450 series? A: The Samtec MTLW series maintains square contact geometry matching the original 68438-272, while the Preci-Dip 450 series uses circular contacts. The Samtec series also provides higher current capacity (5.2A per contact vs. 3A) and features Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) insulation material. The Preci-Dip series uses PCT/Polyester glass-filled insulation.

Q: Are there RoHS compliance differences among the substitutes? A: Yes. The Preci-Dip 450 series and Samtec MTLW series are ROHS3 Compliant. The 3M 2372-6121-TG and the original 68438-272 are RoHS non-compliant. For new designs subject to RoHS regulations, select from the Preci-Dip or Samtec alternatives.

Q: What are the contact finish options available? A: Gold-plated contacts are available across all substitutes. The Samtec MTLW series offers both gold and tin finishes. The Preci-Dip 450-80-272-00-001101 features tin finish on mating contacts. Contact finish selection affects corrosion resistance and mating force characteristics.

Q: How do the operating temperature ranges compare? A: The original 68438-272 does not specify an operating temperature range. The 3M 2372-6121-TG operates from -55°C to 105°C. The Samtec MTLW-136-06-T-D-240 operates from -55°C to 105°C. All other Samtec MTLW variants and Preci-Dip 450 series support -55°C to 125°C, providing extended thermal capability.

Q: What packaging options are available? A: Most substitute parts are supplied in bulk packaging. The Samtec MTLW-136-07-F-D-230 is specified as bulk packaging. Packaging specifications should be confirmed with the supplier for specific procurement requirements.

Q: Are there differences in contact length specifications? A: Yes. Contact length varies across substitutes, affecting mating depth and overall connector height. The original 68438-272 specifies 0.230" (5.84mm) mating contact length. Samtec MTLW variants range from 0.220" to 0.260" mating contact length. Preci-Dip 450 series ranges from 0.134" to 0.156" mating contact length. PCB design and mating connector specifications must accommodate these variations.

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