Connector selection should never rely on appearance alone. Brand, complete part number, compatible series and operating conditions must be checked together to reduce mismatches between housings, terminals, headers and accessories.
1. Confirm the brand and complete part number
TE Connectivity, Molex and Aptiv each offer multiple connector families with similar shapes. Keep every digit, letter, hyphen and suffix when requesting a quotation. A suffix may identify color, packaging, plating, sealing or a product revision.
可从本站规范品牌页开始查找：TE Connectivity connectors,Molex connectors和Aptiv connectors。还可按产品类别,产品系列或应用领域继续缩小范围。
2. Verify the compatible connector series
- Housing: check positions, keying, latch, color and sealing requirements.
- Terminal: check wire range, plating, reel or loose-piece packaging, and contact gender.
- Header: check pitch, mounting direction, PCB retention and mating interface.
- Accessories: confirm that secondary locks, cavity plugs, seals and backshells belong to the same family.
3. Match the application requirements
汽车电子重点关注振动、温度、密封和端子保持力；工业自动化关注插拔寿命、抗干扰和维护便利；新能源设备还应核对电流、电压、温升及爬电距离。本文只提供核对框架，不代替具体料号的制造商规格书、对插图纸、受控BOM或工程批准。
四、使用制造商官方目录确认范围
不同制造商使用的产品系列、属性名称和筛选方式并不完全相同。应在完整料号和项目条件明确后，分别查阅对应制造商的现行目录：
目录页面用于确认产品范围和继续查找资料；涉及线径、额定值、材料、镀层、密封、工装或兼容关系时，仍应以对应完整料号的最新产品页和受控制造商文件为准。
Frequently asked questions
Can a connector be identified from photos only?
Photos can narrow the search, but they do not replace a complete part number, dimensions and circuit count. Include front-interface, side and latch views, plus any existing labels.
Will connectors with the same brand and position count mate?
Not necessarily. Pitch, keying, terminal design and locking mechanisms can differ between families, so the mating relationship must be verified.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the brand, complete part number, quantity, packaging, application and required delivery date. If the number is incomplete, add clear photos, dimensions, wire range and mating-part information.