3M 951258-2520-AR-TP Rectangular Connector Header: Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 3M 951258-2520-AR-TP is a surface mount rectangular connector header with 58 positions arranged in 2 rows at 2.00mm pitch. This component is classified as obsolete, making identification of active equivalent parts essential for new designs and production continuity. The connector features male pins with gold-plated mating contacts, solder termination, and push-pull fastening, designed for board-to-board applications in compact form factors. Substitute parts must maintain electrical and mechanical compatibility while offering active product status and improved availability.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Specification
Connector Type	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin
Number of Positions	58
Number of Rows	2
Pitch - Mating	0.079" (2.00mm)
Row Spacing - Mating	0.079" (2.00mm)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Termination	Solder
Fastening Type	Push-Pull
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold
Contact Material	Copper Alloy
Insulation Material	Thermoplastic
Operating Temperature Range	-25°C ~ 105°C
Current Rating	1A
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Samtec Inc. MMT series connectors provide direct functional equivalents to the 3M 951258-2520-AR-TP. All substitute parts maintain the critical electrical and mechanical parameters required for interchangeability:

Core Compatibility Parameters:

58 positions in 2-row configuration at 2.00mm pitch
Male pin contact type with gold-plated mating surface
Surface mount solder termination
Push-pull fastening mechanism
UL94 V-0 flammability rating
MSL 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity

Substitute Part Variants:

The MMT-129 series offers multiple configurations differentiated by contact finish thickness and mechanical features:

Contact Finish Thickness: Flash (3.00µin / 0.076µm) or Standard (10.0µin / 0.25µm)
Mechanical Features: Standard, Board Guide (A), Board Lock (LC), or combinations with Pick and Place (P) or Tape & Reel (TR) packaging

All variants share identical electrical performance and dimensional compatibility with the original part.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	3M 951258-2520-AR-TP	Samtec MMT-129 Series
Manufacturer	3M	Samtec Inc.
Connector Type	Header	Header
Contact Type	Male Pin	Male Pin
Number of Positions	58	58
Number of Rows	2	2
Pitch - Mating	0.079" (2.00mm)	0.079" (2.00mm)
Row Spacing - Mating	0.079" (2.00mm)	0.079" (2.00mm)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	Surface Mount
Termination	Solder	Solder
Fastening Type	Push-Pull	Push-Pull
Contact Finish - Mating	Gold	Gold
Contact Material	Copper Alloy	Phosphor Bronze
Insulation Material	Thermoplastic	Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)
Operating Temperature Range	-25°C ~ 105°C	-55°C ~ 125°C
Current Rating	1A	3A
Material Flammability Rating	UL94 V-0	UL94 V-0
Moisture Sensitivity Level	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete	Active
RoHS Status	Not specified	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Product Status Consideration: The 3M 951258-2520-AR-TP is obsolete. Samtec MMT-129 series connectors are active products with established supply chains and manufacturing continuity. Selection of an active substitute part eliminates long-term availability risk.

Compliance and Certification: All Samtec MMT-129 variants meet UL94 V-0 flammability requirements and maintain MSL 1 classification. The MMT-129 series carries ROHS3 compliance certification, supporting regulatory requirements for new product designs.

Performance Envelope: Samtec MMT-129 connectors operate across -55°C to 125°C, exceeding the original part's -25°C to 105°C range. Current rating increases from 1A to 3A, providing design margin for higher-density applications. Phosphor bronze contact material and LCP insulation offer enhanced durability compared to the original copper alloy and thermoplastic construction.

Variant Selection:

Standard variants (MMT-129-01-F-DV, MMT-129-01-L-DV): Direct electrical equivalents without mechanical enhancements
Board Guide variants (A suffix): Recommended for automated assembly processes requiring alignment features
Board Lock variants (LC suffix): Recommended for applications requiring mechanical retention
Tape & Reel packaging (TR suffix): Specified for high-volume production environments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Samtec MMT-129 connectors pin-compatible with the 3M 951258-2520-AR-TP?

A: Yes. Both connectors maintain identical 58-position, 2-row configuration at 2.00mm pitch with male pin contacts. PCB footprints and mating interface dimensions are equivalent.

Q: What is the difference between flash and standard gold plating on MMT-129 variants?

A: Flash plating (3.00µin / 0.076µm) provides corrosion resistance with minimal thickness. Standard plating (10.0µin / 0.25µm) offers enhanced durability for high-cycle mating applications. Both meet contact finish specifications for the connector class.

Q: Can I use MMT-129 connectors with existing 3M 951258 mating connectors?

A: Yes. The mating interface geometry, pitch, and contact configuration are identical. Existing mating connectors designed for the 3M part will function with MMT-129 headers.

Q: What is the significance of the Board Guide (A) and Board Lock (LC) features?

A: Board Guide provides alignment assistance during assembly. Board Lock adds mechanical retention to prevent accidental disconnection. These features do not affect electrical performance and are optional based on application requirements.

Q: Why does the MMT-129 have a higher current rating (3A vs 1A)?

A: Phosphor bronze contact material and improved contact geometry in the MMT-129 design support higher current density. The 3A rating reflects the connector's actual current-carrying capability; the original 1A rating was conservative for the 3M design.

Q: Is the MMT-129 suitable for high-temperature applications?

A: The MMT-129 operates to 125°C, supporting applications exceeding the original part's 105°C limit. LCP insulation material provides superior thermal stability compared to thermoplastic.

Q: What packaging options are available for production?

A: Samtec offers individual part packaging (standard), Pick and Place tape (P suffix), and Tape & Reel (TR suffix) formats. Tape & Reel is standard for high-volume automated assembly.

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