Amphenol ICC 78208-304 Rectangular Connector - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Amphenol ICC 78208-304 is a through-hole, right-angle rectangular connector header with 4 positions at 0.100" (2.54mm) pitch, designed for board-to-cable/wire applications. The connector features shrouded 2-wall construction with friction lock fastening and solder termination. This part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Connector Type	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin
Pitch - Mating	0.100" (2.54mm)
Number of Positions	4
Number of Rows	1
Mounting Type	Through Hole, Right Angle
Termination	Solder
Shrouding	Shrouded - 2 Wall
Fastening Type	Friction Lock
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold or Gold, GXT™
Insulation Material	Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate (PCT), Glass Filled
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 105°C
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the 78208-304 is determined by the following critical parameters:

Pitch - Mating: 0.100" (2.54mm)
Number of Positions: 4
Mounting Type: Through Hole, Right Angle
Connector Type: Header
Contact Type: Male Pin
Termination: Solder
Material Flammability Rating: UL94 V-0

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Direct Amphenol ICC Equivalent: The 78208-304HLF maintains identical electrical and mechanical specifications with active product status and RoHS compliance.

Cross-Manufacturer Alternatives: Molex KK254 series (0022286043, 0022287041, 0022287043, 0423760549) and TE Connectivity HE13/HE14 series (281698-4, 281699-4) provide functional equivalence with variations in shrouding, contact finish, and insulation material. These alternatives share the core mating pitch, position count, mounting configuration, and solder termination.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	78208-304	78208-304HLF	0022286043	0022287041	0022287043	0423760549	281698-4	281699-4
Manufacturer	Amphenol ICC	Amphenol ICC	Molex	Molex	Molex	Molex	TE Connectivity	TE Connectivity
Connector Type	Header	Header	Header, Breakaway	Header, Breakaway	Header, Breakaway	Header, Breakaway	Header	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin	Male Pin
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)
Number of Positions	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Number of Rows	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Mounting Type	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle	Through Hole, Right Angle
Termination	Solder	Solder	Solder	Kinked Pin, Solder	Kinked Pin, Solder	Kinked Pin, Solder	Solder	Solder
Shrouding	Shrouded - 2 Wall	Shrouded - 2 Wall	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Unshrouded	Shrouded - 2 Wall	Shrouded - 2 Wall
Fastening Type	Friction Lock	Friction Lock	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Push-Pull	Friction Lock	Friction Lock
Contact Length - Mating	0.230" (5.84mm)	0.230" (5.84mm)	0.405" (10.29mm)	0.405" (10.29mm)	0.405" (10.29mm)	0.405" (10.29mm)	0.276" (7.00mm)	0.276" (7.00mm)
Contact Length - Post	0.120" (3.05mm)	0.120" (3.05mm)	0.120" (3.05mm)	0.135" (3.43mm)	0.135" (3.43mm)	0.135" (3.43mm)	0.114" (2.90mm)	0.114" (2.90mm)
Insulation Height	0.203" (5.16mm)	0.203" (5.16mm)	0.090" (2.29mm)	0.090" (2.29mm)	0.090" (2.29mm)	0.090" (2.29mm)	0.200" (5.08mm)	0.200" (5.08mm)
Contact Shape	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square	Square
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold or Gold, GXT™	Gold or Gold, GXT™	Gold	Tin	Gold	Tin	Tin	Gold
Insulation Material	PCT, Glass Filled	PCT, Glass Filled	Polyamide (PA), Nylon, Glass Filled	Polyamide (PA), Nylon, Glass Filled	Polyamide (PA), Nylon, Glass Filled	Polyamide (PA), Nylon, Glass Filled	Thermoplastic	Thermoplastic
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 105°C	-40°C ~ 105°C	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified	-40°C ~ 100°C	-40°C ~ 100°C
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
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	RoHS Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	RoHS Compliant	RoHS Compliant
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: 78208-304HLF (Amphenol ICC)

The 78208-304HLF is the direct equivalent of the obsolete 78208-304. It maintains identical electrical and mechanical specifications, including shrouded 2-wall construction, friction lock fastening, and solder termination. The primary advantage is active product status with RoHS compliance, ensuring long-term availability and regulatory alignment.

Secondary Recommendations: TE Connectivity HE13/HE14 Series (281698-4, 281699-4)

The TE Connectivity 281698-4 and 281699-4 provide functional equivalence with shrouded 2-wall construction and friction lock fastening matching the original design. Both maintain UL94 V-0 flammability rating and RoHS compliance. Contact finish options (tin or gold) accommodate different application requirements. Operating temperature range of -40°C to 100°C covers most industrial applications, with a 5°C reduction from the original specification.

Alternative Options: Molex KK254 Series (0022286043, 0022287041, 0022287043, 0423760549)

Molex KK254 series connectors provide functional substitution with key differences: unshrouded construction, push-pull fastening, and longer contact mating lengths (0.405" vs. 0.230"). These alternatives are suitable for applications where shrouding is not critical and where the different fastening mechanism is acceptable. The 0423760549 variant has only 3 positions loaded, making it unsuitable for full 4-position applications.

Compliance Considerations

All substitute parts meet UL94 V-0 flammability requirements. The 78208-304HLF, TE Connectivity, and Molex alternatives all provide RoHS compliance, addressing regulatory requirements absent in the original obsolete part.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use the Molex KK254 series as a direct replacement for the 78208-304?

A: Molex KK254 connectors share the same 0.100" (2.54mm) pitch, 4-position configuration, and solder termination. However, they differ in shrouding (unshrouded vs. shrouded 2-wall), fastening type (push-pull vs. friction lock), and contact mating length (0.405" vs. 0.230"). These differences may affect mechanical fit and mating force characteristics in your application. Verify compatibility with your mating connector before selection.

Q: What is the difference between the TE Connectivity 281698-4 and 281699-4?

A: Both parts are functionally equivalent with identical mechanical specifications. The primary difference is contact finish: 281698-4 features tin mating contact finish, while 281699-4 features gold mating contact finish. Gold finish provides superior corrosion resistance and lower contact resistance, making it suitable for low-signal applications. Tin finish is cost-effective for general-purpose applications.

Q: Why does the 78208-304HLF have RoHS compliance while the original 78208-304 does not?

A: The 78208-304 is classified as obsolete, predating modern RoHS regulations. The 78208-304HLF is the active production equivalent with updated material composition and manufacturing processes to meet current RoHS3 compliance requirements. This ensures compatibility with modern supply chain and regulatory standards.

Q: Can I use the Molex 0423760549 as a substitute?

A: The 0423760549 is configured with only 3 positions loaded, while the 78208-304 requires all 4 positions. This part is unsuitable for applications requiring full 4-position connectivity.

Q: What are the implications of different contact mating lengths?

A: Contact mating length affects insertion depth and mating force. The original 78208-304 has a 0.230" (5.84mm) mating contact length, while TE Connectivity alternatives provide 0.276" (7.00mm) and Molex alternatives provide 0.405" (10.29mm). Longer contacts may require different mating connector specifications. Verify that your mating connector accommodates the substitute part's contact geometry.

Q: Are there temperature rating differences I should consider?

A: The original 78208-304 and 78208-304HLF operate from -40°C to 105°C. TE Connectivity alternatives (281698-4, 281699-4) operate from -40°C to 100°C, a 5°C reduction at the upper limit. For applications operating near 100°C, verify that this reduced range is acceptable for your thermal environment.

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