SMD/SMT Pogo Pin

How to Choose the Right SMD/SMT Pogo Pin

An SMD/SMT pogo pin reflow-solders directly onto a pad, so it needs no through-hole and adds almost no height to the board. The right pin depends on your working height budget, current, and plating. Use the steps below to spec it before requesting samples.

1. Confirm your working height budget first. Our SMD/SMT pins run 1.2 mm to 11 mm in working height, among the lowest in our pogo pin range. Pick the height that clears your stack without adding board thickness. Send your Z-axis clearance and we’ll match the pin.
2. Match the pin length to your pad and stack. These pins run 1.6 mm to 13 mm long. A shorter pin suits thin, space-tight boards, while a longer pin reaches deeper stacks. Share your board thickness for a fit check.
3. Set the current rating for your load. SMD/SMT pins carry 1A to 5A depending on diameter and plating. Match the rating to your peak current with margin. We widen the barrel and plating when your design needs more.
4. Choose the spring force for your solder joint. Spring force spans 20 gf to 400 gf across the range. Lighter force protects the solder joint on thin, flexible boards. Higher force holds contact under vibration in rugged designs.
5. Pick the plating for your signal or cost target. Gold is our standard finish for low, stable contact resistance. Nickel and Palladium-Nickel options add wear resistance at a lower cost. Tell us your cycle count and we’ll match the finish.
6. Confirm the reflow process fits your line. SMD/SMT pins solder in the same reflow pass as the rest of your board components. That cuts a separate assembly step compared to through-hole pins. Tell us your solder profile and we’ll confirm compatibility.
7. Not sure which pin fits? Talk to our engineers. Send us your working height budget, current, and board layout. We’ll match a catalog pin or design a custom SMD/SMT pogo pin. Free samples ship within two weeks.

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