A Female Header Connector is a type of electrical connector commonly used in electronics to provide a reliable interface between components, modules, or boards. It consists of a row (or multiple rows) of sockets designed to accept the pins of a male header connector or other pin-type components.

Key Features:

• Structure: Plastic housing with metal receptacles inside. The receptacles are small conductive sleeves designed to grip and hold male pins securely.

• Pitch (spacing): The most common pin pitch is 2.54mm (0.1 inch), but smaller pitches like 2.0mm, 1.27mm, or 1.0mm are also available for compact designs.

• Mounting: Can be through-hole or surface mount soldered onto a PCB.

• Configuration: Available in single row, double row, or custom configurations, with vertical or right-angle orientations.

Applications:

• PCB-to-PCB connections: For stacking boards, e.g., Arduino shields.

• Module connections: Easily connect modules (sensors, displays, communication modules) to main boards.

• Prototyping: Widely used in development kits because they allow easy plug-and-play connections.

• Industrial/Consumer electronics: Found in devices requiring modular and replaceable connections.

Advantages:

• Easy mating/unmating with male headers or pin headers.

• Low-cost and versatile for many electronic designs.

• Supports high pin counts in compact spaces.