Pogo pin connectors and spring-loaded contacts, built to your exact spec
CFE designs and manufactures pogo pin connectors for engineers who cannot
afford a connection failure. You may know them as spring-loaded connectors or spring contact
connectors. Our standard range spans 1.27 mm SMT arrays through solder cup styles, with contact
ratings from 1 A to 5 A. Every connector ships with full test data and ISO 9001 traceability.
tolerance stack-up, so contact holds every time the device docks.
What is a pogo pin connector?
A pogo pin connector is a spring-loaded electrical connector. Each contact is a plunger,
held inside a barrel by a spring. The plunger travels along its stroke to absorb vibration and
tolerance stack-up. So the contact stays closed through thousands of mating cycles. You may also
hear it called a spring-loaded connector, spring contact connector or spring pin connector.
That is why pogo pin connectors are the default choice for repeated connections. Think
charging docks, test fixtures, wearables and PCB-to-PCB links. They connect and disconnect
thousands of times, without the wear a standard header connector would suffer.
How it differs from a fixed header
A fixed pin relies on friction inside a receptacle. It wears with every insertion. A pogo
pin uses spring force instead. So it tolerates surface wear, slight misalignment and mechanical
shock, while contact resistance stays stable. See the
pogo pin vs spring pin comparison for the full
breakdown.
When to add magnets
Does the user dock the device by hand? Then pair the pins with a magnetic ring. This
guarantees alignment and polarity every time. CFE builds both as one assembly. See
magnetic pogo pin connectors.
Five standard connector families, plus custom tooling
Every family below is stocked as a standard design. Each one can be re-pitched, re-plated or
re-housed to your drawing. Pin counts run from 1 to 12 as standard.
SMT / SMD pogo pin connector
These arrays are reflow-ready, on tape and reel. They give you the lowest profile when board space is tight.
- Pitch1.27 – 3.0 mm
- CurrentUp to 3 A
- Pin count2 – 12 pins
DIP (through-hole) pogo pin connector
This style anchors mechanically through the board. As a result, it survives repeated docking forces better than a surface-mount footprint.
- Pitch1.27 – 3.0 mm
- CurrentUp to 3 A
- Pin count2 – 12 pins
Right-angle pogo pin connector
It mates horizontally against a docking face, while the connector body stays parallel to the board.
- Pitch2.54 mm
- CurrentUp to 3 A
- Pin count2 – 10 pins
Solder cup pogo pin connector
This terminates straight to a discrete wire. That keeps a cable harness repairable out in the field.
- Pitch2.54 mm
- CurrentUp to 5 A
- Pin count2 – 8 pins
Custom pogo pin connector
We tool this in-house, so turnaround runs 3 to 5 days. Every quote starts with a free DFM review.
- PitchYour specification
- CurrentYour specification
- Pin countYour specification
| Connector type | Pitch range | Current rating | Pin count | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMT / SMD pogo pin connector | 1.27 – 3.0 mm | Up to 3 A | 2 – 12 pins | High-density PCB assembly with automated pick-and-place |
| DIP (through-hole) pogo pin connector | 1.27 – 3.0 mm | Up to 3 A | 2 – 12 pins | Hand-soldered assemblies, prototyping and low-volume runs |
| Right-angle pogo pin connector | 2.54 mm | Up to 3 A | 2 – 10 pins | Edge-mount contacts in space-constrained enclosures |
| Solder cup pogo pin connector | 2.54 mm | Up to 5 A | 2 – 8 pins | Wire-to-board and field-serviceable assemblies |
| Custom pogo pin connector | Your specification | Your specification | Your specification | Any footprint, stroke, force or plating not covered above |
Where CFE pogo pin connectors are specified
CFE contacts show up in TWS earbuds, smart rings, EV charging, service robots and POS
terminals. Each one is qualified for consumer, industrial, automotive or medical-grade use.
TWS earbuds and charging cases
Most designs use four to six contacts at 1.27–2.0 mm pitch. We rate them for 10,000-plus mating cycles, since the case opens several times a day.
Smartwatches and fitness bands
A two- or four-pin interface is standard here. We usually pair it with a magnetic ring and sweat-resistant plating.
Smart rings
Rings need sub-2 mm pitch micro pins, with a short stroke and low contact force to match the small dock.
AI glasses and AR headsets
Slim right-angle and SMT arrays fit inside a temple arm or hinge. Here, every tenth of a millimetre counts.
Service robots and drones
Autonomous docking needs contacts that tolerate misalignment on every approach. Current rating is engineered to your robot’s specification.
POS terminals and payment docks
One docking face carries both power and data. It is rated for years of daily insertion in retail and hospitality.
Handheld and industrial scanners
These builds use ruggedised housings and higher contact force. Waterproof variants are available for warehouse and field use.
Medical wearables and monitors
We offer biocompatible plating options here, plus documented contact-resistance data for devices with a regulatory file.
Why manufacturers choose CFE
- 17+ years, one product familySpring-loaded connection systems are all CFE
makes. Tooling, plating and spring design stay in-house, not outsourced. - Free DFM review on every custom quoteAn engineer checks stroke, force, pitch
and plating against your enclosure, before tooling gets cut. - Test data with every shipmentYou get contact resistance, insulation resistance
and cycle-life results, traceable to the production lot. - Global logisticsWe ship to 100+ countries and handle export documentation
in-house.
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. RoHS and REACH declarations are available on
request. View all certifications
Pogo pin connector FAQ
What is the difference between a pogo pin and a pogo pin connector?
A pogo pin is the individual spring-loaded contact. It has three parts: a plunger, a spring and a barrel. A pogo pin connector is the assembled part. One or more pogo pins sit inside a housing, at a set pitch and pin count. It is ready to mount to a PCB or terminate to cable.
What pitch and current rating do I need?
Pitch follows your board footprint. A range of 1.27 mm to 3.0 mm covers most consumer electronics. Current rating follows your power draw instead, and standard contacts carry 1 A to 5 A. Need a higher rating? Tell us your spec, since high-current builds are engineered per customer requirement. CFE engineers confirm the right pitch and current during your free DFM review.
Do you offer waterproof or high-vibration variants?
Yes. We offer waterproof pogo pin connectors rated to IP67, qualified for automotive, industrial and outdoor smart-device use. Higher current variants are engineered to your specification on request.
How many mating cycles does a pogo pin connector last?
Standard CFE contacts are rated for 10,000 mating cycles. Extended-life builds reach 50,000 to 100,000 cycles. This depends on stroke, plating thickness and contact force. Cycle life is listed on the test report that ships with every order.
Can a pogo pin connector carry data as well as power?
Yes. Pogo pin connectors routinely carry USB 2.0, I2C, UART and SPI alongside power. Signal integrity depends on pitch, pin length and ground placement. We check all three during the DFM review, before tooling starts.
What plating do you use, and why does it matter?
Gold over nickel is our standard finish. Gold thickness typically runs 0.5 to 3.0 µm, based on the cycle life and corrosion resistance you need. Thicker gold lowers contact resistance over the life of the part. It also resists sweat, humidity and salt spray in wearables.
Do you supply test data and certification documents?
Yes. Every shipment includes test data for contact resistance, insulation resistance and cycle life. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates are available on request, along with RoHS and REACH declarations.
Ready to spec your connector?
Send your requirements today. Our engineering team replies within 24 hours with a DFM
review and quote. Drawings, sketches and reference samples are all welcome.
Prefer to talk first? Contact the CFE team.