Memcon Question of the Week: Where is Pin 1 on a latching connector?

In electronics a pinout (sometimes written "pin-out") is a cross-reference between the contacts, or pins, of a connector and their functions.

These connectors can have identification for Pin "1" with dots, arrows or printed "1" it is not always the case. For rectangular single row connectors there is an industry standard to follow that these markings verify.

The method is to orientate the female contact connector, with the polarizing feature (can be a notch or as in latching connector cases the fins) on top. The left most contact is Pin "1".

For the male connectors, orientate the same way with polarization on top - Pin "1" will be on the right.

The standard will hold for all single row polarized, latching or locking styles.

2 Row connectors have the same rule for Pin "1" but can vary as to Pin "2" which may be either next to Pin "1" or below it, depending on application.

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