Quick answer: “Molex Pico-SPOX” (also written “MX1.5”) is the trade shorthand for Molex’s 1.50mm-pitch, single-row, wire-to-board connector system. It is available in 2 to 15 circuits, uses a friction lock with polarization keys, and is rated 250V AC (RMS)/DC. Its current rating is a ladder, not a number: Molex documents 2.5A at AWG #24, but only 2.0A at AWG #26 and 1.5A at AWG #28 and #30. The dielectric withstanding voltage is 500V AC (RMS) for one minute — a value Molex states in its product specification and KONNRA states identically for the KR1500. The applicable ambient temperature range is −55°C to +105°C on the Molex side and −40°C to +105°C on the KONNRA side. The KONNRA KR1500 series is documented as the cross-reference equivalent, offered as nine separately orderable components — three wafer families, a housing family and a terminal — under document
PS-KR1500-01.
At a glance
| Common trade name | Molex Pico-SPOX · Molex MX1.5 · “Pico SPOX” |
| Official Molex product family | Pico-SPOX (1.50mm) — distinct from Mini-SPOX 2.50mm, PicoBlade 1.25mm, Pico-Clasp 1.00mm and CLIK-Mate |
| Pitch | 1.50mm |
| Configuration | Single row, wire-to-board |
| Circuits | 2 to 15 |
| Voltage rating (max.) | 250V AC (RMS)/DC |
| Rated current (max.) | 2.5A at AWG #24 · 2.0A at AWG #26 · 1.5A at AWG #28 and #30 |
| Reference derating | Up to 3.5A at 2 circuits (AWG #24), down to 1.5A at 15 circuits (AWG #28, #30) |
| Applicable wire | AWG #24 to #30 |
| Insulation O.D. | φ 0.70 to 1.15mm (machine specification) · terminal-specific windows of 0.70–1.00mm and 0.95–1.20mm |
| Contact resistance | 20mΩ max (5mΩ max for the crimped portion; 40mΩ max after environmental exposure) |
| Insulation resistance | 1000MΩ min |
| Dielectric withstanding voltage | 500V AC (RMS), 1 minute — no breakdown or flashover |
| Operating temperature | −55°C to +105°C (including terminal temperature rise) |
| Durability | 10 cycles (gold plating) |
| Contact design | Spring-box terminal with two inward-facing contact grooves |
| Retention | Friction lock plus polarization keys |
| Plating | Header contact area tin over nickel (brass base) · receptacle terminal pre-tin or gold, 2.540µm tin / 0.100–1.000µm min gold |
| Mounting | SMT headers (KONNRA documents SMT only); Molex also lists through-hole headers in the family |
| Assembly feature | Pick-and-place cap option on SMT headers (cap retention 0.49N min) |
| Standards | UL File E29179 Vol.10 · CSA File LR 19980-367 |
| KONNRA equivalent | KR1500 |
What Is the Molex Pico-SPOX 1.50mm Connector?
The Pico-SPOX is Molex’s 1.50mm-pitch, single-row, wire-to-board connector system, documented by Molex as saving 30% of the space of a 2.00mm-pitch wire-to-board connector of the same circuit count. It is a crimp-style system with three functional pieces: a crimp terminal, a receptacle housing and a PCB header. Molex publishes it in both vertical and right-angle orientations across 2 to 15 circuits, and positions it for compact consumer devices, vehicles, appliances, industrial equipment and medical equipment.
Three design choices define it:
- A friction lock with polarization keys. Molex states that the combination “ensure[s] connectors are mated in the correct orientation, which helps prevent failures due to incorrect connections.” There is no separate latch to release — retention comes from friction between the mated halves, and the keys prevent a reversed or offset mate.
- A spring-box terminal with an SMT-type plug. Molex describes a “spring-box-shaped terminal with an SMT-type plug … designed to facilitate efficient automatic assembly.” KONNRA describes the same geometry from the other side: “a box-type contact plate … with two inward-facing grooves that allow the contacts to contact the plug pins.”
- A 1.50mm pitch and a very small profile. Molex’s stated benefit is space: “the friction lock mechanism, no nail function, 1.50mm fine-pitch design, and very small profile in height and length of the connectors contribute to more efficient use of space on PCBs.”
Key characteristics:
- 1.50mm pitch, single row, 2 to 15 circuits
- 250V AC (RMS)/DC maximum voltage
- Current rated per wire gauge — 2.5A at AWG #24, 2.0A at #26, 1.5A at #28 and #30
- Reference derating table published by gauge and circuit count, up to 3.5A at 2 circuits
- 500V AC (RMS) one-minute dielectric withstanding voltage
- 1000MΩ minimum insulation resistance and 20mΩ maximum contact resistance
- −55°C to +105°C operating range, including terminal temperature rise
- 10-cycle durability
- Vertical and right-angle headers, SMT and through-hole, in Nylon and LCP body materials
- Pick-and-place cap option on some SMT headers for standard nozzles
- UL File E29179 Vol.10 and CSA File LR 19980-367
- RoHS compliant, and Molex lists the family as not low-halogen
A short glossary, because this series uses specific terms
- Receptacle housing — the wire-side half. Molex’s Pico-SPOX housing series is 87439.
- Receptacle crimp terminal — the crimp contact that goes into the housing. Molex’s Pico-SPOX terminal series is 87421, split across four part numbers by wire gauge and plating.
- PCB header — the board-mounted half. Molex’s Pico-SPOX headers are 87437 (vertical, Nylon), 87438 (right angle, Nylon), 78047 (vertical, LCP) and 78048 (right angle, LCP).
- Friction lock — retention by friction between the housing and the header, with no positive latch to release.
- Polarization key — a molded key feature that only allows the housing to enter the header in the correct orientation.
- Spring-box terminal — a box-shaped female contact with inward-facing grooves that grip the header pin at two points.
- Rated current — the current the connector is rated to carry continuously. Molex quotes it per wire gauge, which is the single most important detail on this series.
- Current derating — a lower current limit that applies as more circuits carry current at once and the assembly heats up. Molex publishes this separately and marks it as reference data only.
- Allowable voltage — the maximum working voltage. Molex’s term for the 250V figure.
- Dielectric withstanding voltage — a high-potential proof test, not a working voltage. Molex applies 500V AC (RMS) for one minute between adjacent terminals, and the pass criterion is that the product suffers no damage to function.
- Insulation O.D. — the outside diameter of the wire’s insulation. The crimp barrel must match it, and Molex quotes a different window for each terminal family.
- Pick-and-place cap — a flat cap on top of an SMT header sized for an automated placement nozzle.
Pico-SPOX, SPOX, “Micro SPOX”, PicoBlade and CLIK-Mate — How They Relate
These five names get mixed up constantly, and only one of them is the 1.50mm series. Working from Molex’s own wire-to-board connector listing and its Pico-SPOX ordering table:
| Name | What it actually is | Pitch | Current | Voltage | Wire | KONNRA equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pico-SPOX | The 1.50mm wire-to-board system. This is the family “MX1.5” refers to. | 1.50mm | Up to 3.5A | 250V AC RMS/DC | 30 to 24 AWG | KR1500 |
| Mini-SPOX | A separate, larger 2.50mm wire-to-board family listed by Molex alongside Pico-SPOX | 2.50mm | Up to 3.0A | Up to 250V | 28 to 22 AWG | Not documented |
| SPOX | The original SPOX name belongs to the 2.50mm / 2.54mm pitch class. It is not a 1.50mm connector | 2.50mm class | — | — | — | Not documented |
| “Micro SPOX” | Appears in distributor listings but does not appear as a Molex product family on Molex’s own wire-to-board connector listing. Treat the label as unverified | — | — | — | — | Not documented |
| PicoBlade | Molex’s 1.25mm wire-to-board and wire-to-wire system — a different pitch and a different family | 1.25mm | Up to 3.0A | Up to 250V | 32 to 26 AWG | KR1250 (W2B) · KR1251 (W2W) |
| CLIK-Mate | Molex’s positive-latch system with an audible click, offered at 1.25, 1.50 and 2.00mm | 1.25 / 1.50 / 2.00mm | Up to 4.0A | Up to 250V | 30 to 24 AWG | KR1507 |
| Pico-Clasp | Molex’s 1.00mm wire-to-board system | 1.00mm | Up to 2.0A | Up to 100V | 32 to 28 AWG | Not documented |
| Micro-Lock Plus | Molex’s enhanced-locking system, also offered at 1.50mm | 1.25 / 1.50 / 2.00mm | Up to 4.7A | Up to 250V | 30 to 22 AWG | Not documented |
Four things this table settles:
- “1.50mm” identifies a pitch, not a connector. Molex alone runs three different 1.50mm wire-to-board systems — Pico-SPOX, CLIK-Mate and Micro-Lock Plus — and they differ in retention concept and current class. CLIK-Mate adds a positive latch with an audible click; Pico-SPOX uses a friction lock with polarization keys. Getting the pitch right is only the first step.
- Do not conflate Pico-SPOX with PicoBlade. PicoBlade is 1.25mm, and although Molex’s family summary page quotes it at “up to 3.0A / up to 250V,” Molex’s own product specification for the PicoBlade receptacle system states 1.0A and 125V. If you are cross-referencing from a 1.50mm part number, the answer is KR1500; the 1.25mm answers are KR1250 and KR1251.
- KONNRA’s own numbering keeps these apart, and it is worth reading carefully. KR1501 is the JST ZH 1.5mm equivalent — a different product on a nominally similar pitch, and not interchangeable with a Pico-SPOX. KR1507 is the Molex CLIK-Mate equivalent — single row 3A/100V and dual row 1.5A/100V, a positive-latch system. Neither is a KR1500.
- “Micro SPOX” should not be quoted as a Molex family without verification. No Molex product family of that name appears on Molex’s own wire-to-board connector listing; the two SPOX-class families Molex lists there are Mini-SPOX (2.50mm) and Pico-SPOX (1.50mm). If a drawing or a BOM says “Micro SPOX,” confirm the pitch and the series number on the manufacturer’s own documentation before you cross-reference anything.
Rule of thumb: on any Molex sub-2mm connector, confirm the series number on the drawing before cross-referencing — not just the pitch. Molex runs multiple non-mating systems at 1.50mm, and Pico-SPOX is only one of them.
Molex Pico-SPOX 1.50mm and KONNRA KR1500 Specifications
| Parameter | Molex Pico-SPOX 1.50mm (Molex documentation) | KONNRA KR1500 (KONNRA documentation) |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 1.50mm | 1.50mm |
| Row configuration | Single row | Single row |
| Connection type | Wire-to-Board | Wire-to-Board |
| Circuits | 2 to 15 | 2 to 15 |
| Voltage rating (max.) | 250V AC (RMS)/DC | 250V |
| Rated current (max.) | 2.5A (AWG #24) · 2.0A (AWG #26) · 1.5A (AWG #28, #30) | 2.5A (24 AWG) per the product specification; a flat 2.5A in the web specification table, and a “3.0A system rating” in the web advantages text |
| Reference derating | Up to 3.5A at 2 circuits (AWG #24); 1.5A at 15 circuits (AWG #28, #30) | Not documented |
| Applicable wire | AWG #24 to #30 | AWG #24 to #28 |
| Insulation O.D. | φ 0.70 to 1.15mm (machine spec); 0.70–1.00mm and 0.95–1.20mm per terminal family | 0.7 to 1.1mm |
| Dielectric withstanding voltage | 500V AC (RMS) / 1 minute | 500V AC / minute |
| Contact resistance | 20mΩ max (5mΩ max crimped portion; 40mΩ max after environmental exposure) | 20mΩ max |
| Insulation resistance | 1000MΩ min | 1000MΩ min (web specification table and product specification); the web advantages text says “100MΩ“ |
| Operating temperature | −55°C to +105°C (including terminal temperature rise) | −40°C to +105°C |
| Durability | 10 cycles (gold plating) | 30 cycles (product specification) |
| Temperature rise | 30°C max (UL498) | 30°C max |
| Housing material | Nylon 87439 / 87437; LCP 87438 / 78047 / 78048 | Housing PA66 (UL94 V-0); wafer base LCP (UL94 V-0) — per the product specification |
| Contact material | Phosphor Bronze (terminal); Brass (header) | Phosphor Bronze (terminal); Brass (wafer contact) |
| Plating | Header contact area tin over nickel; receptacle terminal contact area pre-tin or gold, 2.540µm tin / 0.100µm or 1.000µm min gold, nickel underplate | “Tin over Nickel” (web) · terminal “Tin/Gold Plated Over Nickel”, wafer “Matte-tin/Gold Plated Over Nickel” (product specification). Thickness Not documented |
| Contact design | Spring-box terminal, two inward-facing grooves | Box-type contact plate, two inward-facing grooves |
| Lock | Friction lock plus polarization keys | Friction lock; “polarity keys on the plugs and sockets ensure accurate mating” |
| Mounting | SMT and through-hole, vertical and right-angle | SMT only (SMT 180° straight and SMT 90° right angle) as documented |
| Assembly feature | Pick-and-place cap option (retention 0.49N min) | Not documented |
| Crimp terminal retention force | 9.8N (1.0 kgf) min | 1.0 kgf (9.8N) min |
| Header pin retention force | 9.8N min (Pico-SPOX datasheet); 6.9N (0.7 kgf) min after reflow (product specification) | 1.0 kgf (9.8N) min |
| Crimp pull-out / crimp strength | 29.4N #24 · 19.6N #26 · 9.8N #28 · 4.9N #30 | 3.63 kgf #24 · 2.27 kgf #26 · 1.36 kgf #28 |
| Standards | UL File E29179 Vol.10 · CSA File LR 19980-367 · RoHS | RoHS compliant. Agency file numbers Not documented |
| Mates with | Pico-SPOX connectors (87347 / 87438 / 78047 / 78048) and housing 87439 with terminal 87421 | KR1500 wafer / KR1500 housing |
Where the two documents agree. The pitch, the single-row configuration, the wire-to-board connection type, the 2 to 15 circuit range, the 250V voltage rating, the 2.5A figure at AWG #24, the 500V AC one-minute dielectric withstanding voltage, the 20mΩ contact resistance, the 1000MΩ insulation resistance, the 30°C maximum temperature rise, the two-groove spring-box contact geometry, the friction lock with polarization keys, the crimp terminal retention force of 9.8N (1.0 kgf) minimum, the pin retention force of 9.8N minimum, the 500V DC / 1 minute insulation-resistance test condition, the 245±5°C solderability bath, and the UL94 V-0 flammability rating all match.
Where they differ. The current rating below AWG #24, the applicable wire range, the insulation diameter window, the operating temperature range at the cold end, the durability cycle count, the withdrawal force minimum, the environmental test severities, the mounting options, the plating thicknesses and the agency approvals. Each is covered below. On this series the agreement at the top level is broad — which makes the differences in the detail more important, not less, because they are exactly where a cross-reference quietly goes wrong.
“—” or “Not documented” indicates the parameter is not stated in the manufacturer documentation reviewed for this guide.
KR1500 series 1.50mm pitch Pico-SPOX wire-to-board pin connector
Figure 1 — KONNRA KR1500 series: 1.50mm pitch Pico-SPOX wire-to-board connector
➡️ View the KONNRA KR1500 MX1.5 (Pico-SPOX) Connector
The Current Rating Is a Ladder, Not a Number
This is the parameter most often quoted wrong on the Pico-SPOX, because Molex’s headline figure and Molex’s specification are not the same thing.
Level 1 — the allowable current, by wire size. Molex’s product specification for the series states it explicitly, one row per gauge:
| Wire size | Allowable current (MAX.) | Insulation O.D. |
|---|---|---|
| AWG #24 | 2.5A | φ0.70–1.15mm |
| AWG #26 | 2.0A | φ0.70–1.15mm |
| AWG #28 | 1.5A | φ0.70–1.15mm |
| AWG #30 | 1.5A | φ0.70–1.15mm |
Level 2 — the reference derating table, by gauge and circuit count. Molex publishes this separately, and marks it as reference data:
| AWG | 2 circuits | 8 circuits | 15 circuits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 3.5A | 2.5A | 2.5A |
| 26 | 3.0A | 2.0A | 2.0A |
| 28 | 3.0A | 2.0A | 1.5A |
| 30 | 2.5A | 1.5A | 1.5A |
Molex’s conditions for that table: values are for reference only, deratings are based on not exceeding a 30°C temperature rise, temperature rise is measured in the barrel area of the crimp terminal, the data is for all circuits powered, and — the line that matters in practice — PCB trace design can greatly affect temperature rise results.
Level 3 — the headline. Molex’s product page and its wire-to-board family listing both quote the family as “up to 3.5A.” That figure is real, and it is also the top of the ladder: 3.5A is a 2-circuit, AWG #24, reference-derating number at a 30°C rise. It is not the rating for your 12-circuit connector on AWG #28.
What this means for a cross-reference. KONNRA’s product specification states the rated current as 2.5A (24 AWG) — which matches Molex exactly at that one gauge — while KONNRA’s web specification table states a flat 2.5A, and KONNRA’s web advantages text states a “system rating of 3.0 A.” Three numbers, from two pages of the same supplier, for the same series. Two consequences follow:
- At AWG #24 the two companies agree at 2.5A. Nothing to resolve.
- Below AWG #24 the KONNRA side publishes no ladder. A design drawing that reads “2.5A” and a harness built on AWG #28 has no margin: Molex’s allowable current at AWG #28 is 1.5A. The flat 2.5A is 67% optimistic at that gauge. Settle the gauge-specific figure before you release.
And a warning about the derating table. The 3.5A at 2 circuits is real, and it is also the most misquoted number on this connector. It is reference data for a 30°C temperature rise with all circuits powered on a specific test board — not a rating, and not independent of your layout. Molex says so in the specification. If your design needs more than the 2.5A allowable at AWG #24, the number to work from is your own temperature-rise test on your own board.
Molex Pico-SPOX = KONNRA KR1500: Part Number Cross-Reference
| Molex Pico-SPOX component | Molex series / part number | KONNRA equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Receptacle crimp housing | 87439 series (87439****) |
KR1500 Housing |
| Crimp terminal, AWG #30–26 | 874210100 (pre-plated tin, 2.540µm) · 874210102 (gold, 0.100µm min) |
KR1500 Terminal |
| Crimp terminal, AWG #26–24 | 874210000 (tin, 2.540µm) · 874210002 (gold, 1.000µm) |
KR1500 Terminal |
| Vertical PCB header, Nylon | 87437 series (87437****) |
KR1500 straight wafer |
| Right-angle PCB header, Nylon | 87438 series (87438****) |
KR1500 right-angle wafer |
| Vertical PCB header, LCP | 78047 series | KR1500 straight wafer |
| Right-angle PCB header, LCP | 78048 series | KR1500 right-angle wafer |
The nine orderable components on the KONNRA side, each with its own page on the KR1500 product entry:
| Component | KONNRA page |
|---|---|
| Right Angle Wafer | Right Angle Wafer |
| Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle | Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle |
| Straight Wafer | Straight Wafer |
| Straight Wafer Have Buckle | Straight Wafer Have Buckle |
| Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle B | Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle B |
| Straight Wafer Have Buckle B | Straight Wafer Have Buckle B |
| Housing | KR1500 Housing |
| Housing Have Buckle | KR1500 Housing Have Buckle |
| Terminal | KR1500 Terminal |
The KONNRA product specification assigns internal part numbers to the same three functional groups, which is what you will see on a drawing or a packing list:
| Functional group | KONNRA part number format |
|---|---|
| Housing | H150001****01A · H150001****02A |
| Terminal | T15000PG0101A (gold) · T15000PT0101A (tin) |
| Wafer | C1500RS1*********RA (right angle) · C1500VS1*********RA (straight) |
Note the naming logic: undefined is right angle, undefined is straight, and the undefined / undefined suffix on the terminal distinguishes gold from tin plating. That is a useful check when a BOM line reads only “KR1500 terminal” — the plating is in the part number, not in the family name.
Which crimp terminal goes with which wire — and which finish
Molex splits the Pico-SPOX terminal across four part numbers: two wire ranges, each in two plating finishes, all in phosphor bronze.
| Terminal | Wire range | Plating | Insulation O.D. | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
874210100 |
AWG #30–26 | Pre-plated tin, 2.540µm | 0.70–1.00mm | Lighter wire, tin-terminated interface |
874210102 |
AWG #30–26 | Gold, 0.100µm min (nickel barrier 1.270µm) | 1.00mm max | Lighter wire, low-level-signal interface |
874210000 |
AWG #26–24 | Tin, 2.540µm | 0.95–1.20mm | Heavier wire, tin-terminated interface |
874210002 |
AWG #26–24 | Gold, 1.000µm min | 0.95–1.20mm | Heavier wire, specified gold thickness |
The two families overlap at AWG #26, and there the plating spec decides as much as the wire. All four terminals carry the same headline ratings — 2.5A, 250V, 10 mating cycles — so the selection question is really two independent questions: which gauge family, and which finish. Note also that the gold thickness itself is not one number: the lighter-wire gold terminal is specified at 0.100µm minimum and the heavier-wire one at 1.000µm minimum, a tenfold difference. A BOM line reading simply “gold plated” records none of that.
KONNRA documents one terminal, offered as “Tin/Gold Plated Over Nickel” in the product specification, with the plating split into undefined (tin) and undefined (gold). Two things follow: the staged gold thickness is not documented, and the insulation diameter window is published as a single 0.7–1.1mm band rather than the two terminal-specific windows Molex uses. If your qualification names a gold thickness, or your cable insulation sits near a window boundary, both are worth raising on the enquiry.
Which header goes with which body material
| Molex header | Orientation | Body | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
87437 |
Vertical | Nylon | The mainstream SMT vertical header; pick-and-place cap variants exist |
87438 |
Right angle | Nylon | The mainstream SMT right-angle header |
78047 |
Vertical | LCP | Higher-temperature body material |
78048 |
Right angle | LCP | Higher-temperature body material |
A detail worth pinning down: the current rating quoted in the Molex Pico-SPOX summary datasheet is not the same for all four headers. That document lists 2.5A max (AWG #24) for the 78047/78048 LCP headers and 3.5A max (AWG #24) for the 87437/87438 Nylon headers. The product specification’s per-gauge ratings — 2.5A at #24 — are the conservative set. Molex’s own two documents are not expressed identically, which is exactly why the gauge-specific table above should be the one you work from.
KONNRA documents wafers in LCP as the wafer base material (UL94 V-0) with brass contacts, in straight (SMT 180°) and right-angle (SMT 90°) configurations, and does not publish a separate Nylon-versus-LCP header split. If your board profile or reflow process was qualified against a specific Molex body material, name that material on the enquiry.
KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer with buckle, variant B
Figure 2 — KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer, “Have Buckle B” variant
➡️ Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle B
Specification Differences to Verify Before You Cross-Reference
Ten points deserve attention before you sign off an MX1.5 cross-reference. The first is the one most often assumed wrong in the opposite direction, so it is dealt with first.
- The dielectric withstanding voltage is correct, and both sides agree at 500V AC. This is worth stating plainly because the suspicion is reasonable: KONNRA’s page carries a 250V figure and a withstanding-voltage row, and 250V is also the rated voltage — which would be a red flag if the field had been filled with the rating by mistake. It has not been. KONNRA’s General Specification table states “Withstanding Voltage: 500V AC/minute,” the Overview text repeats “withstand voltage spikes of up to 500V AC/minute,” and the product specification
PS-KR1500-01§5.3 states: “apply 500V AC for 1 minute between adjacent terminal or ground … No Breakdown and Flashover.” Molex’s product specificationPS-87437-001-001§5-1-3 states: “apply 500V AC (rms) for 1 minute between adjacent terminal or ground … No Damage on function.” Same test potential, same duration, same pass criterion. The 250V on the KONNRA page is the rated (allowable) voltage, and it matches Molex’s 250V allowable voltage as well. On this parameter there is nothing to resolve.
- The current rating is gauge-dependent on the Molex side and flat on the KONNRA web side. Molex’s product specification gives 2.5A at AWG #24, 2.0A at #26 and 1.5A at #28 and #30. KONNRA’s product specification gives 2.5A (24 AWG) — consistent at that gauge — but the KONNRA web specification table presents a flat 2.5A with no gauge qualifier. A KR1500 design drawing that quotes 2.5A while the harness is built on AWG #28 is 67% above Molex’s allowable current for that gauge. State the gauge, every time.
- KONNRA’s own page quotes three different current figures for the same series. The web specification table says 2.5A; the web Overview prose says “a rated current of up to 2.5A“; the web “Compact Design” advantages text says “a system rating of 3.0 A.” Molex’s own maxima are 2.5A (LCP headers 78047/78048) and 3.5A (Nylon headers 87437/87438) at AWG #24 — so neither of KONNRA’s two numbers equals the higher Molex figure, and 3.0A matches nothing on either side. Resolve which figure applies before quoting it.
- The insulation resistance disagrees with itself on the KONNRA page, but the authoritative document agrees with Molex. The KONNRA web specification table states 1000MΩ min, and the product specification §5.2 states 1000 Megohms Min. — identical to Molex’s 1000MΩ min. The outlier is the web Overview prose, which says “high insulation resistance (min. 100MΩ).” Note also that KONNRA’s own product specification §7.7 requires only 100 Megohms Min. after the humidity test — a separate, post-conditioning requirement that is not the same as the base specification. Quote 1000MΩ for the unmated baseline, and 100MΩ as the post-humidity floor if that is the figure your programme needs.
- The operating temperature range is 15°C narrower at the cold end on the KONNRA side. Molex documents −55°C to +105°C in both the tin-plating and gold-plating product specifications, and the cold-resistance test is run at −55±3°C for 96 hours. KONNRA documents −40°C to +105°C and runs its cold test at −40±2°C for 96 hours. The hot end matches; the cold end does not. If your product is qualified to −55°C, the KR1500 as documented does not cover it, and this is a specification gap rather than a test-report gap.
- Durability: 10 cycles on the Molex side, 30 cycles on the KONNRA side. Molex specifies 10 cycles durability (gold-plated) and a repeated insertion/withdrawal test of 10 cycles, with the “after 10X durability” condition appearing as a distinct column in its own force table. KONNRA’s product specification §7.1 specifies 30 cycles at a rate of no more than 10 cycles per minute, referenced to EIA-364-09C. A threefold claim against the original is a claim to verify rather than an equivalence to assume — the reference standards differ, so the two numbers are not directly comparable. Note also that the KONNRA web page publishes no cycle count at all; the 30-cycle figure exists only in the specification PDF, which is the more complete document.
- The withdrawal force minimum is the single largest mechanical difference on this series. Both documents publish a force table by circuit count, and both are in kilogram-force on the KONNRA side and newtons with a kilogram-force equivalent on the Molex side:
| Circuits | Molex withdrawal (MIN.) | KONNRA withdrawal (MIN.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 9.8N (1.0 kgf) | 0.2 kgf (2.0N) |
| 5 | 9.8N (1.0 kgf) | 0.5 kgf (4.9N) |
| 8 | 15N (1.5 kgf) | 0.8 kgf (7.8N) |
| 10 | 15N (1.5 kgf) | 1.0 kgf (9.8N) |
| 15 | Not documented in the excerpt reviewed | 1.5 kgf (14.7N) |
At 2 circuits the two documents differ by roughly a factor of five. The insertion force maxima, by contrast, track each other closely — KONNRA specifies 2.50 kgf (24.5N) max at 2 circuits and Molex specifies 25N (2.5 kgf) max — so the divergence is specifically in retention, not in mating effort. Since the friction lock is the only retention mechanism on a Pico-SPOX, this is the number to test on your own samples rather than to infer.
- The environmental test severities differ even where the acceptance limit is identical. Both documents use 40mΩ max as the contact-resistance limit after environmental exposure, but the exposures are not the same:
| Test | Molex | KONNRA |
|---|---|---|
| Heat resistance | 105±2°C for 168 hours | 105±2°C for 96 hours |
| Cold resistance | −55±3°C for 96 hours | −40±2°C for 96 hours |
| Humidity | 85±2°C / 85±3% RH for 168 hours | 40±2°C / 90–95% RH for 96 hours |
| Temperature cycling | −55°C / +105°C, 2 hours each, 10 cycles | −40°C / +105°C, 30 minutes each, 5 cycles |
| Salt spray | 48±4 hours at 35±2°C, 5±1% NaCl | 24 hours at 35±2°C, 5±1% NaCl |
| Vibration | 1.52mm P-P, 10–55–10Hz, 2 hours per axis | 1.5mm P-P, 10–55–10Hz, 2 hours per axis |
| Mechanical shock | 490 m/s² (50G), 11ms, 18 shocks | 490 m/s² (50G), 3 strokes per axis |
| Solderability | 245±5°C for 5±0.5 seconds | 245±5°C for 3±0.5 seconds |
The humidity test is the widest gap — 85°C/85% RH is a materially harsher exposure than 40°C/90–95% RH — and the two are not interchangeable as evidence. If your qualification calls up an 85/85 humidity test, the KONNRA document does not evidence it as written.
- The applicable wire range stops at AWG #28 on the KONNRA side. Molex’s applicable wire range is AWG #24 to #30, split across two terminal families. KONNRA’s product specification §4 states “Applicable wire insulation O.D.: AWG 24# to 28#,” and the web entry states “24-28 AWG.” AWG #30 is outside the published KONNRA range. AWG #30 is the finest and least current-capable gauge in the family (1.5A, and a 4.9N minimum crimp pull-out force on the Molex side), so the practical risk is low — but if your harness uses #30, raise it rather than assume.
- The insulation diameter window is a single band on the KONNRA side and two windows on the Molex side. Molex’s machine specification allows φ0.70 to 1.15mm, but its two terminal families are individually qualified at 0.70–1.00mm (the #30–26 terminal) and 0.95–1.20mm (the #26–24 terminal). KONNRA publishes 0.7 to 1.1mm as a single band across the series. A cable with 0.9mm insulation passes the Molex machine window and sits outside the Molex lighter-wire terminal’s window, while sitting inside KONNRA’s band — so the same wire can be acceptable on one side and not the other, depending on which terminal is fitted. Check both ends against the actual terminal, not against the family figure.
- Two remaining structural differences are worth naming. First, mounting: KONNRA documents SMT wafers only — the product specification labels them “SMT 180°” (straight) and “SMT 90°” (right angle) — while Molex lists both SMT and through-hole headers in the Pico-SPOX ordering table. If your design needs a through-hole header, that configuration is Not documented for KR1500. Second, agency approvals: Molex cites UL File E29179 Vol.10 and CSA File LR 19980-367 in the product specification, while the KONNRA product specification carries no agency file numbers — Not documented, and worth requesting if your qualification requires UL recognised status for the specific part.
Design Cautions Worth Carrying Into Your Review
Molex publishes a detailed set of constraints and test conditions for this series, and they describe the failure modes the product is known to have. Use them as your review checklist; the corresponding KONNRA document does not repeat them.
- Size the circuit count against the force table, not against the drawing. At 2 circuits the withdrawal force is modest on both sides, and on the KONNRA document it is specified at 0.2 kgf (2.0N) minimum. A friction lock of that order keeps a mated pair together; it does not carry a cable load.
- Tie the cable down; do not hang the harness from the connector. With no positive latch, the correct retention answer is a cable tie or a strain-relief feature on the harness, not the friction lock.
- Check the sum of current, not just the per-circuit figure. The derating table is stated for all circuits powered, which is the worst case; a design that passes on two circuits will not necessarily pass on fifteen.
- Derate from your own board. Molex states that PCB trace design can greatly affect temperature rise results. The published table is reference data for a 30°C rise on a specific test board.
- Respect the 30°C maximum temperature rise. Both documents specify 30°C max — Molex referencing UL498, KONNRA referencing EIA-364-70B — and both include terminal temperature rise inside the operating temperature range.
- Do not reflow past the documented profile. KONNRA’s product specification §9.0 gives a 255±5°C peak for 5–10 seconds, a minimum of 230°C, and a 150–200°C preheat, and states that the condition changes with the soldering device and the PCB. Molex qualifies its SMT headers to three IR reflow passes.
- Watch the solder-joint stress on SMT headers. A 1.50mm-pitch SMT header carries real insertion and withdrawal forces — up to 7.0 kgf (68.6N) insertion at 15 circuits on the KONNRA document. Solder-tab retention is specified at 9.8N (1.0 kgf) minimum on both sides, which is the number to design against if the harness will be pulled.
- Check the polarity key engagement as part of the build instruction. Both the Molex and KONNRA descriptions rely on polarization keys to prevent mis-mating; a key that is not engaged means the housing is not seated, and the friction lock alone will not hold it.
- Plan a new housing after terminal extraction. Extracting a crimp terminal deforms the housing lance, which is the feature that holds the terminal. Molex’s PicoBlade-family guidance to fit a new housing after extraction is the safe assumption here too, and the same applies on the KONNRA side.
- Decide the plating before you qualify, not after. On this interface the finish sits in the part number — Molex offers pre-tin, 0.100µm min gold and 1.000µm min gold, and KONNRA offers tin and gold terminal part numbers. A BOM line reading “gold plated” does not record which one you qualified.
Components and Configuration Options
The KR1500 is specified as nine separately orderable components — three wafer families, a housing family and a terminal — which is what lets the same series serve straight and right-angle SMT designs with and without an additional buckle feature.
Wafer (board-mounted headers)
Six wafer options, covering both SMT orientations and the buckle variants.
KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer with buckle
Figure 3 — KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer, “Have Buckle” variant
➡️ Right Angle Wafer Have Buckle
KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer
Figure 4 — KR1500 right-angle SMT wafer (SMT 90°)
KR1500 straight SMT wafer with buckle
Figure 5 — KR1500 straight SMT wafer, “Have Buckle” variant
KR1500 straight SMT wafer
Figure 6 — KR1500 straight SMT wafer (SMT 180°)
KR1500 straight wafer with buckle, variant B
Figure 7 — KR1500 straight wafer, “Have Buckle B” variant
➡️ Straight Wafer Have Buckle B
Two notes on the wafer range. First, KONNRA documents the wafer base as LCP, UL94 V-0, with brass contacts and a brass solder tab — and does not publish a separate Nylon-header option, so if your layout was qualified against a Molex Nylon header (87437 / 87438) rather than an LCP one (78047 / 78048), name the body material when you enquire. Second, the “Have Buckle” and “Have Buckle B” variants are KONNRA additions that do not appear as distinct entries in Molex’s Pico-SPOX ordering table; if your design relies on the plain friction lock, order the plain wafer and keep the buckle variants for the applications that need extra retention.
On the pick-and-place route. Molex offers SMT headers with a pick-and-place cap, and specifies cap retention at 0.49N (50gf) minimum. KONNRA does not document an equivalent placement feature. If the board runs through a standard SMT line with a nozzle that needs a flat top, raise it before tooling.
Series documentation
- KR1500 series engineering drawing (PDF)
- KR1500 product specification (PDF)
- KR1500 package specification (PDF)
Note that the engineering drawing is published as vector PDF artwork: dimensional values must be read from the drawing itself, and the figures are not exposed as machine-readable text. Ask for the specific circuit count and orientation you intend to order, so the correct sheet is supplied.
➡️ Request drawings for your circuit count and orientation
What the Molex Pico-SPOX Is Used For
Molex positions the Pico-SPOX for “consumer and vehicle designs with tight PCB constraints,” and lists applications by industry across automotive, appliances, industrial automation and data-centre/telecom equipment. Its published application examples include control modules, infotainment systems, network interfaces, industrial and switching equipment, Ethernet switches and networking routers. The Molex connector-family datasheet adds white goods, gaming machines, drones, air conditioners, laser printers, vacuum cleaners, desktop PCs, power tools, in-room/patient monitoring equipment and medical devices.
| Application | Why the Pico-SPOX fits |
|---|---|
| Compact consumer electronics and handhelds | 1.50mm pitch at 2 to 15 circuits, with Molex stating a 30% space saving against a 2.00mm wire-to-board connector |
| Boards with tight height and length budgets | Molex cites a “very small profile in height and length” plus a “no nail” design that frees PCB space |
| Assemblies with automated SMT placement | SMT-type plug header “allows automatic assembly,” with pick-and-place cap variants on specific headers |
| Mixed miniaturised harnesses | A crimp-terminal system, so the harness end is built with standard crimp tooling rather than a soldered pigtail |
| Appliances and white goods | UL94 V-0 body materials on both sides, 250V rating, and a 2.5A class at AWG #24 |
| Automotive interior and control modules | Molex lists automotive control modules and infotainment; KONNRA positions the 1500 series toward automotive use — confirm the automotive-grade variant and any LV214 / US CAR-2 certification if your programme requires it |
| Industrial and telecom equipment | −55°C to +105°C on the Molex side, up to 250V, and vibration and shock tests specified at 50G |
| Medical and monitoring equipment | A 250V rating and a qualification route through KONNRA’s ISO13485 system; note the cold-end range difference if your environment goes below −40°C |
What it is not for. At a rated 2.5A at AWG #24 — and only 1.5A at AWG #28 and #30 — the Pico-SPOX is a small-power and signal interface, not a power connector. And although Molex cites a “no nail function,” a 1.50mm-pitch friction-lock pair is not a board-to-board retention system: do not design a service procedure or a cable route that loads the mated pair.
Choosing Between the 1.50mm KONNRA Options: KR1500, KR1501 and KR1507
Three KONNRA series sit at or near 1.50mm, and they are three different products. Read the row, not the pitch.
| KONNRA series | Cross-references to | Pitch | Retention | Current / voltage | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR1500 | Molex Pico-SPOX | 1.50mm | Friction lock with polarization keys | 2.5A / 250V | Your original is a Pico-SPOX / MX1.5 crimp-type wire-to-board connector |
| KR1501 | JST ZH (1.5mm) | 1.50mm | Friction lock | JST ZH class | Your original is a JST ZH 1.5mm connector. A different product — not interchangeable with a Pico-SPOX |
| KR1507 | Molex CLIK-Mate | 1.50mm (also 1.25 / 2.00mm) | Positive latch with audible click | Single row 3A / 100V; dual row 1.5A / 100V | Your original is a CLIK-Mate, i.e. you need a latch that clicks and confirms engagement |
Why KR1501 and KR1500 must not be treated as one thing. They share a nominal 1.50mm pitch, which is exactly why they get confused. But the mating interface, the terminal geometry and the header are different products from different original manufacturers — Molex and JST. A Pico-SPOX housing does not mate with a JST ZH-equivalent header, and vice versa.
Why KR1507 is a different conversation. CLIK-Mate is a positive-latch system with an audible click, and Molex positions it for blind mating and for assembly lines where the operator cannot see the connector seat. That is a functional upgrade, not a drop-in: it changes the header envelope, the mating force and the harness-side housing. If your drawing specifies CLIK-Mate, cross-referencing to KR1507 is right; if it specifies Pico-SPOX, do not substitute a latch series without re-validating the layout.
And note the voltage difference. Molex rates CLIK-Mate at “up to 250V” on its family page, while the KONNRA KR1507 figures are documented at 100V. If your circuit runs above 100V, that is the number to settle first.
Cable Assembly Options
KONNRA builds assemblies on the KR1500 interface in the standard harness configurations:
| Cable type | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Single-headed | Housing on one end, bare wire leads on the other | Pigtail from a board header to a termination point |
| Same-side-head | Housing on both ends, same orientation | Extending a run between two boards |
| Reverse-side-head | Housing on both ends, reversed orientation | Routing through a fold or hinge |
| Adapter and transition cables | KR1500 on one end, another interface on the other — for example Pico-SPOX to a 1.50mm JST ZH interface, or Pico-SPOX to a 1.00mm interface | Where the two ends of a run use different series |
| Harness with buckle-side housing | KR1500 housing with the buckle feature, paired with the matching wafer | Where the connector needs additional retention beyond the friction lock |
Two assembly notes that come straight from the two source documents.
First, on crimp setting, KONNRA’s product specification §6.5 publishes the crimp dimensions per gauge, and they are gauge-specific rather than one setting for the family:
| Wire size | Crimp height (conductor) | Crimp height (insulation, max.) | Crimp strength (min.) | Strip length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWG #24 | 0.70 ± 0.05mm | 1.45mm | 3.63 kgf | 1.2–1.6mm |
| AWG #26 | 0.65 ± 0.05mm | 1.40mm | 2.27 kgf | 1.2–1.6mm |
| AWG #28 | 0.55 ± 0.05mm | 1.25mm | 1.36 kgf | 1.2–1.6mm |
with a conductor crimp width of 0.9–1.0mm and an insulation crimp width of 1.15mm max. These are more detailed than most connector datasheets, and they are the numbers your harness house should be crimping to. Note that KONNRA’s minimum crimp strength is higher than Molex’s crimp pull-out minimum at the same gauges (3.63 vs 3.0 kgf at #24, 2.27 vs 2.0 kgf at #26, 1.36 vs 1.0 kgf at #28) — but the two are tested to different standards, so treat that as encouraging rather than equivalent.
Second, if you are assembling in volume, Molex publishes a separate application specification per series rather than folding the crimp process into the product specification — the product specification for the 87437 header series points to application specification 874370000-AS. If your harness house needs the original crimp standard, it lives there, not in the main connector document.
Connector lead time is typically 2–3 weeks; wiring harness lead time is typically 3–4 weeks. Key materials are prestocked, and complete connector set samples can be delivered within 45 days.
➡️ Explore KONNRA wiring harness capabilities
Sourcing the Molex Pico-SPOX: What Procurement Teams Ask
Engineering decides that a connector will work. Procurement decides whether the supply chain around it is safe.
“Can you be a second source without changing our design?” That is what a documented cross-reference is for. The KR1500 is specified against the Molex Pico-SPOX 1.50mm system at component level — housing, terminal and six wafer variants — with matching 1.50mm pitch, 250V rating, 500V AC withstanding voltage, 20mΩ contact resistance, 1000MΩ insulation resistance, 30°C maximum temperature rise and a two-groove spring-box contact. We confirm equivalence against your specific part number, because wire gauge, orientation, plating and circuit count all change the answer.
“What are your lead times?” Connector production lead time is typically 2–3 weeks. Wiring harness lead time is typically 3–4 weeks. Key materials are prestocked.
“How long for samples?” Complete connector set samples can be delivered within 45 days. Where you need to validate withdrawal force or crimp pull-out before committing — the two figures where the documents differ most — sample harnesses can be supplied from the same process used in production.
“What qualifications do you hold?” ISO9001, ISO14001, IATF16949, ISO45001:2018, ISO13485, IPC620, and UL product and operational safety certifications. Automotive-grade series additionally hold LV214 and US CAR-2.
“How do we know the parts match your documentation?” A CNAS-accredited laboratory with 45+ sets of precision testing instruments, with dimensional and electrical verification data available on request. 95% of production processes carry full-line intelligent visual CCD inspection; automotive series receive 100% CCD inspection.
“Are you a manufacturer or a trader?” A manufacturer. Dongguan Konnra Electronics Co., Ltd., founded 2004, with in-house mould design, injection moulding, stamping, assembly, and inspection — so the connector and the cable assembly come from one quality system.
“What volumes can you support?” KONNRA reported 2025 sales of RMB 310 million, with connectors at 60% and wiring harnesses at 40% of the product mix, across four production bases with automation coverage exceeding 95%.
“Who else buys from you?” KONNRA states that it serves global cooperative clients including BYD, Volkswagen, and DJI.
➡️ Request the vendor qualification pack — certificates, test capability summary, product drawings, and a sample plan in one enquiry.
How to Get a Cross-Reference Check on Your MX1.5 Part Number
Most MX1.5 enquiries stall on the same thing: the buyer is not sure what information the supplier needs, so the enquiry never gets sent. Here is the complete list.
Send us:
- The original part number, if you have it — a housing such as
87439****, a terminal such as874210000, or a header such as87437**** - Circuit count — the range is 2 to 15
- Wire gauge, and specifically whether it is AWG #28 or #30. Molex’s allowable current is 1.5A at both of those gauges, while the KONNRA web page shows a flat 2.5A, so those two gauges need to be raised explicitly
- Insulation outside diameter, not just the gauge. Molex allows φ0.70–1.15mm in the machine specification, but only 0.70–1.00mm on the lighter-wire terminal; KONNRA publishes 0.7–1.1mm
- Plating finish required — tin or gold, and if gold, at what thickness. Molex offers 0.100µm min and 1.000µm min as distinct options, and the KONNRA documentation does not state a thickness
- Mounting and orientation — straight or right-angle, and confirm whether you need through-hole, because KONNRA documents SMT only
- Whether the design needs a buckle variant — the “Have Buckle” and “Have Buckle B” wafers are KONNRA additions, so say which one your retention strategy relies on
- Your load current per circuit and the number of circuits carrying it, so the gauge-specific allowable current and the derating position can be settled rather than assumed
- Minimum operating temperature, if your product goes below −40°C — the Molex range reaches −55°C and the KONNRA range is documented to −40°C
- Application and annual volume, so configuration, tooling and packaging can be matched to your programme
- A drawing or photo, if the part number is unreadable or the design has been reverse-engineered
When you send a part number, we will confirm four things against Molex’s own documentation: the terminal that matches your wire gauge and insulation diameter, the plating and its thickness, the header orientation and mounting type, and whether your design needs the plain friction-lock wafer or a buckle variant. Those four are where an MX1.5 cross-reference most often goes wrong.
What you get back: a mapped KONNRA part number with the relevant product and engineering drawings, a specification comparison against your original part, and a sample and quote plan.
Engineer’s Pre-Release Checklist
Run this before you release a drawing for a Pico-SPOX-family connector.
- Pitch and series confirmed, not assumed. 1.50mm is Molex Pico-SPOX, CLIK-Mate or Micro-Lock Plus — plus the non-mating JST ZH class. Confirm the series number, not just the pitch.
- The part is a Pico-SPOX and not a PicoBlade. PicoBlade is 1.25mm; the KONNRA equivalents are KR1250 and KR1251, not KR1500.
- The KONNRA equivalent is KR1500 — not KR1501 and not KR1507. KR1501 is the JST ZH 1.5 equivalent; KR1507 is the Molex CLIK-Mate equivalent.
- Wire gauge confirmed inside the range both sides cover — Molex documents AWG #24 to #30; the published KR1500 range is AWG #24 to #28. If you are on AWG #30, raise it.
- Current checked per gauge, not per family — 2.5A at AWG #24, 2.0A at AWG #26, 1.5A at AWG #28 and #30. A flat 2.5A on a AWG #28 harness is 67% optimistic.
- The KONNRA page’s own three current figures reconciled — 2.5A in the specification table, 2.5A in the Overview, “3.0A system rating” in the advantages text. Pick one, in writing.
- Dielectric withstanding voltage confirmed at 500V AC for one minute — this one agrees on both sides; no action, but record it, because 250V is the rated voltage and the two must not be swapped on a drawing.
- Insulation resistance quoted from the right place — 1000MΩ min is the base figure on both sides; 100MΩ appears in KONNRA’s Overview prose and again as the post-humidity floor in its product specification.
- Derating position established from your own board, not the datasheet table. Molex’s 3.5A-at-2-circuits figure is reference data for a 30°C rise with all circuits powered on a test board, and Molex states that PCB trace design greatly affects the result.
- Sum of current across circuits checked against the maximum allowable, not just the per-circuit figure.
- Insulation outside diameter confirmed against the actual terminal — Molex’s machine window is φ0.70–1.15mm, but its lighter-wire terminal is qualified at 0.70–1.00mm; KONNRA publishes 0.7–1.1mm.
- Plating finish and thickness specified. Molex offers tin, 0.100µm min gold and 1.000µm min gold, with the finish encoded in the terminal part number. KONNRA documents no thickness.
- Durability considered — Molex specifies 10 cycles; KONNRA’s product specification specifies 30 cycles. Design so this connector is not the one cycled in service.
- Retention sized against reality. Molex specifies a 9.8N (1.0 kgf) minimum withdrawal at 2 circuits; the KONNRA specification gives 0.2 kgf (2.0N) at the same circuit count. Test it, do not infer it.
- Cable tie or strain relief provided, because a friction lock retains the pair but does not carry a cable load.
- Operating temperature range checked at the cold end — Molex −55°C, KONNRA −40°C.
- Environmental test severities matched to your qualification — heat 168h vs 96h, humidity 85/85 vs 40°C/90–95% RH, salt spray 48h vs 24h, thermal cycling 10 cycles vs 5.
- Temperature rise checked against the 30°C maximum, including terminal temperature rise inside the operating range.
- Wafer orientation and mounting type matched to your layout — SMT 180° or SMT 90°, with or without the buckle feature, and confirm the pick-and-place requirement if the board runs through an SMT line.
- Agency approval requirement stated. Molex cites UL File E29179 Vol.10 and CSA LR 19980-367; the KONNRA product specification lists no agency file numbers.
➡️ Send us your drawing. We will review it against the KR1500 specification and come back with any mismatch we find — before you commit tooling. Submit a drawing for review
Why Source MX1.5 Connectors from KONNRA
Dongguan Konnra Electronics Co., Ltd. (brand: KONNRA) was founded in 2004 and is a National High-Tech Enterprise specialising in connector and wiring harness research, development, production, and sales.
Manufacturing depth. A vertically integrated process covering precision mould design and manufacturing, automation design, precision injection moulding, stamping, assembly, and CCD visual inspection. Automation coverage exceeds 95% across production lines.
Testing and validation. A CNAS-accredited laboratory with 45+ sets of precision testing instruments, and CAE analysis — contact nonlinear analysis, material nonlinear analysis, motion simulation, thermal field analysis, and high-frequency analysis — performed in Ansys 2022 R1. Verification data is available on request.
Inspection coverage. Full-line intelligent visual CCD inspection covers 95% of production processes, using Mitsubishi and Panasonic PLC control systems with FA25–35mm optical lenses and 5-megapixel cameras. Automotive connector series receive 100% CCD visual inspection.
Quality systems. ISO9001, ISO14001, IATF16949, ISO45001:2018, ISO13485, IPC620, and UL product and operational safety certifications, with automotive-grade series additionally certified to LV214 and US CAR-2.
Capacity and delivery. Production bases in Dongguan Wangniudun (30,000 m², 350+ employees), Dongguan Changan (10,000 m², 150+ employees), and Hunan Daoxian (2,600 m², 100+ employees), with regional offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Hunan, Shanghai, and Kunshan. Key materials are prestocked, and complete connector set samples can be delivered within 45 days. KONNRA reported 2025 sales of RMB 310 million, with connectors at 60% and wiring harnesses at 40% of the product mix, and has served global cooperative clients including BYD, Volkswagen, and DJI.
Custom and joint R&D. Where a standard part does not fit — an AWG #30 path, a specific gold thickness, a non-standard harness length, a buckle variant, or a transition to another interface — KONNRA supports customer joint R&D customisation.
How to Identify Whether Your Connector Is a Pico-SPOX
If you are holding a connector and a drawing you cannot match, work through these in order:
- Measure the pitch. 1.50mm points at Molex Pico-SPOX, CLIK-Mate or Micro-Lock Plus — or at the JST ZH class. 1.25mm points at PicoBlade; 1.20mm at Pico-EZmate; 1.00mm at Pico-Clasp.
- Count the positions. The Pico-SPOX is documented from 2 to 15 circuits. More than 15 is not a standard Pico-SPOX.
- Look at the contact geometry. A spring-box terminal with two inward-facing grooves is the Pico-SPOX signature. A single-point contact at this pitch indicates a different series.
- Check the retention mechanism. Pico-SPOX is a friction lock with polarization keys — no separate latch to release. If there is a positive latch that clicks, you are holding a CLIK-Mate (KONNRA KR1507), not a Pico-SPOX.
- Look for a “no nail” body. Molex lists the Pico-SPOX as having “no nail function.” Fitting nails would point at a different family.
- Check the number of functional pieces. A Pico-SPOX assembly is a crimp terminal + receptacle housing + PCB header — three pieces, with the harness end crimped rather than soldered.
- Read the part number if there is one. 87439 is the receptacle housing, 87421 the crimp terminal, 87437 / 87438 the Nylon headers and 78047 / 78048 the LCP headers.
- Check the header top. A flat pick-and-place cap is consistent with an SMT Pico-SPOX header intended for automated placement.
If you are still unsure, photograph the connector next to a ruler, with any part number markings visible, and send it to us. At this pitch, the measurement identifies the family; the part number identifies the variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Molex Pico-SPOX connector?
It is Molex’s 1.50mm-pitch, single-row, wire-to-board connector system, available in 2 to 15 circuits, with a friction lock and polarization keys, rated 250V AC (RMS)/DC and up to 2.5A at AWG #24. “MX1.5” is trade shorthand for the same thing — Molex does not sell a product named “MX1.5.”
Is Pico-SPOX the same as SPOX?
No. The SPOX name belongs to the 2.50mm / 2.54mm pitch class of Molex wire-to-board connectors. Pico-SPOX is the 1.50mm family. They are different pitches and different products, and Molex lists Mini-SPOX (2.50mm) and Pico-SPOX (1.50mm) as separate entries on its own wire-to-board connector page.
Does Molex make a “Micro SPOX”?
Not documented. No Molex product family of that name appears on Molex’s own wire-to-board connector listing, which lists Mini-SPOX (2.50mm) and Pico-SPOX (1.50mm) in the SPOX class. The name appears in distributor listings. Confirm the pitch and series number on the manufacturer’s documentation before cross-referencing a part described as “Micro SPOX.”
What is the difference between Pico-SPOX and PicoBlade?
Pitch, and the wire-to-wire option. Pico-SPOX is 1.50mm and wire-to-board. PicoBlade is 1.25mm and covers both wire-to-board and wire-to-wire. They are not intermateable, and the KONNRA equivalents differ — KR1500 for Pico-SPOX, KR1250 / KR1251 for PicoBlade.
What is the difference between Pico-SPOX and CLIK-Mate?
Retention concept. Pico-SPOX uses a friction lock with polarization keys — no latch to release. CLIK-Mate uses a positive latch with an audible click, which Molex positions for blind mating and for confirming engagement when the connector cannot be seen. Molex offers CLIK-Mate at 1.25, 1.50 and 2.00mm — so the 1.50mm versions compete directly, but they are not drop-in replacements. The KONNRA CLIK-Mate equivalent is KR1507.
What is the current rating of the Pico-SPOX?
It depends on the wire. Molex’s product specification gives 2.5A at AWG #24, 2.0A at AWG #26 and 1.5A at AWG #28 and AWG #30. Molex also publishes a reference derating table by gauge and circuit count that runs up to 3.5A at 2 circuits with AWG #24 — but Molex marks those values as reference only, based on a 30°C temperature rise with all circuits powered, and states that PCB trace design greatly affects the result.
What does “reference derating” mean on the Pico-SPOX?
It means the values are not part of the rating. Molex’s derating table assumes a 30°C temperature rise, measures temperature rise in the barrel area of the crimp terminal, applies with all circuits powered, and carries the explicit note that PCB trace design can greatly affect the result. If your design depends on a derated figure, establish it by temperature-rise testing on your own board.
What is the voltage rating of the Pico-SPOX?
250V AC (RMS)/DC, and both the tin-plating and gold-plating product specifications state the same figure. That is the allowable (working) voltage — distinct from the dielectric withstanding voltage.
What is the dielectric withstanding voltage of the Pico-SPOX?
500V AC (RMS) for one minute, applied between adjacent terminals or between a terminal and ground, with a pass criterion of no damage to function. KONNRA states the same test for the KR1500 — 500V AC for one minute, no breakdown or flashover — so on this parameter the two documents agree. Do not confuse the 500V proof test with the 250V rating; they are different parameters, and the KR1500 documentation carries both correctly.
How many circuits does the Pico-SPOX come in?
2 to 15, across all four header series and the housing. This matches KONNRA’s documented 2 to 15 pin range for the KR1500.
What wire does the Pico-SPOX use?
AWG #24 to #30, with a machine insulation window of φ0.70 to 1.15mm, split into terminal-specific windows of 0.70–1.00mm (the #30–26 terminal) and 0.95–1.20mm (the #26–24 terminal). Note that the published KONNRA range is AWG #24 to #28.
Which Pico-SPOX crimp terminal do I need?
There are four: undefined and undefined for AWG #30–26, and undefined and undefined for AWG #26–24. Within each pair the difference is the plating — the 100 / 000 parts are tin at 2.540µm, and the 102 / 002 parts are gold. At AWG #26 both families fit, so there the plating specification decides as much as the gauge.
How much gold is on the Pico-SPOX gold terminals?
Two different thicknesses, depending on the terminal. 874210102 (AWG #30–26) is specified at 0.100µm minimum with a 1.270µm nickel termination plating; 874210002 (AWG #26–24) is specified at 1.000µm minimum. That is a tenfold difference between two terminals that both read as “gold plated.” KONNRA documents tin and gold terminal part numbers but does not state a thickness.
What is the durability of the Pico-SPOX?
Molex specifies 10 cycles for gold-plated parts, and its repeated insertion/withdrawal test runs 10 cycles. KONNRA’s product specification specifies 30 cycles. The reference standards differ, so treat the KONNRA figure as a claim to verify on samples rather than as an equivalence.
What is the insertion and withdrawal force?
Molex’s force table gives, by circuit count: at 2 circuits, insertion 25N (2.5 kgf) max and withdrawal 9.8N (1.0 kgf) min; at 8 circuits, insertion 54N (5.5 kgf) max and withdrawal 15N (1.5 kgf) min. KONNRA’s table gives insertion 2.50 kgf max at 2 circuits rising to 7.00 kgf at 15 circuits, and withdrawal 0.2 kgf min at 2 circuits rising to 1.5 kgf at 15 circuits. The insertion forces track closely; the withdrawal minimum at low circuit counts does not — it differs by roughly a factor of five at 2 circuits. Because the friction lock is the only retention on this series, test the withdrawal force on your own samples.
What is the operating temperature range of the Pico-SPOX?
−55°C to +105°C on the Molex side, and Molex states this includes terminal temperature rise. KONNRA documents −40°C to +105°C. The hot end matches; the cold end differs by 15°C.
What standards does the Pico-SPOX hold?
Molex cites UL File E29179 Vol.10 and CSA File LR 19980-367 in the product specification, and lists the family as RoHS compliant and not low-halogen. KONNRA’s product documentation states RoHS compliance and the UL94 V-0 flammability rating of its body materials, but no agency file numbers — ask for the file reference if your qualification requires UL recognised status for the specific part.
What is the KONNRA equivalent of the Pico-SPOX?
KR1500, documented at 1.50mm pitch, 2 to 15 circuits, 250V, a rated current of 2.5A (24 AWG), 500V AC dielectric withstanding voltage, 20mΩ contact resistance and 1000MΩ insulation resistance, offered as nine separately orderable components — six wafers, two housings and a terminal.
Does the Pico-SPOX come in wire-to-wire?
Not documented. The Pico-SPOX is a wire-to-board system. Molex’s wire-to-wire family at a comparable miniature pitch is PicoBlade 1.25mm, which KONNRA cross-references as KR1251.
How long does it take to get samples?
KONNRA can deliver complete connector set samples within 45 days. Connector production lead time is typically 2–3 weeks and wiring harness lead time typically 3–4 weeks.
Start Your Cross-Reference Check
KONNRA supplies the KR1500 series as individual components or as complete pre-crimped cable assemblies, and builds adapter and transition harnesses to order.
- Request a quote — KR1500 pricing, MOQ and configuration options for your circuit count, orientation and wafer variant
- Request a sample — complete connector set samples within 45 days
- Request cross-reference verification — confirm KR1500-to-Pico-SPOX equivalence against your specific part number, including the terminal for your wire gauge and insulation diameter
- Request the withdrawal-force data — this is the parameter where the two documents differ most, and it is worth testing rather than inferring
- Request AWG #30 confirmation — this gauge is inside Molex’s range and outside the published KR1500 range
- Request plating thickness data — Molex specifies 0.100µm and 1.000µm minimum gold options; KONNRA documents no thickness
- Request drawings — series engineering drawing, product specification and package specification
- Request a vendor qualification pack — certificates, test capability summary and quality documentation
- Request adapter harnesses — Pico-SPOX to a 1.50mm JST ZH interface, Pico-SPOX to a 1.00mm interface, or another interface on the far end
- Submit a drawing for review — we will flag any specification mismatch before you commit tooling
Contact KONNRA Electronics
- Phone: (86)-769-85449875
- Email: info@konnra.com
- Address: No.6 Nanchang South Road, Chijiao, Wangniudun, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
- Contact us
➡️ Explore the full 1.50mm pitch range · Molex connector alternatives · Wire-to-board connector catalogue
Sources and method. Every figure in this guide is traceable to a named document. Molex Pico-SPOX figures are taken from three Molex publications: PS-87437-001-001 Rev G, Pico-SPOX 1.5mm Pitch Wire to Board Single Row Connectors (Tin-Plating) Product Specification; 2027051000-PS-000 Rev B, Pico-SPOX 1.5 Wire to Board Single Row Connector (Gold-Plating) Product Specification; and Molex’s published product and part-list data for the 87421, 87437 and 87439 series together with the Pico-SPOX connector-family datasheet.
From PS-87437-001-001: the scope statement covering the Pico-SPOX 1.5 wire-to-board connector (tin plating); the part numbers 874210*00 (receptacle crimp terminal), 87439**** (receptacle housing), 87437**** (vertical header) and 87438**** (right-angle header) with their drawing numbers; UL File Number E29179 Vol.10 and CSA File Number LR 19980-367; the 250V AC (RMS)/DC allowable voltage; the allowable current and applicable wire table (2.5A at AWG #24, 2.0A at #26, 1.5A at #28 and #30, each with insulation O.D. φ0.7–1.15mm); the −55°C to +105°C ambient temperature range including terminal temperature rise; the storage conditions; the reference current derating table by gauge and circuit count with its five stated conditions; the 20mΩ max contact resistance and 5mΩ max crimped-portion contact resistance; the 1000 Megohms min insulation resistance at 500V DC; the 500V AC (rms) for 1 minute dielectric strength test between adjacent terminals or terminal-to-ground with the “no damage on function” criterion; the 40mΩ max post-exposure contact resistance limit; the heat, cold, temperature-cycling, humidity, vibration, mechanical shock, salt spray, SO₂ and NH₃ test conditions; the 30°C max temperature rise to UL498; the solderability condition at 245±5°C for 5±0.5 seconds with 95% wetting; the reflow and manual-soldering heat conditions including 350±5°C for 5 seconds maximum with a soldering iron; the application specification reference 874370000-AS; and the insertion and withdrawal force table.
From 2027051000-PS-000: the gold-plating variant’s scope; the plug assembly part number 202705****; the 250V voltage; the same 2.5A / 2.0A / 1.5A / 1.5A allowable current ladder by gauge with the same insulation window; the same reference derating table; UL File E29179 Vol. 10 and CSA File Number 152514 (LR 19980); the −55°C to +105°C range; the 10-cycle durability for gold-plated parts; the crimping pull-out force minima of 29.4N (3.0 kgf) at AWG #24, 19.6N (2.0 kgf) at #26, 9.8N (1.0 kgf) at #28 and 4.9N (0.5 kgf) at #30; the 9.8N (1.0 kgf) min crimp terminal retention force; the 9.8N (1.0 kgf) max crimp terminal insertion force; the 6.9N (0.7 kgf) min header terminal retention force after reflow; the 0.49N (50gf) min pick-and-place cap retention force; the 10-cycle repeated insertion/withdrawal test; and the insertion and withdrawal force table by circuit count in newtons and kilogram-force.
From Molex’s part-list and product pages: the 87437 header data (2.5A, 250V AC (RMS)/DC, −55° to +105°C, brass contact, 2.540µm tin plating, Nylon body, UL94 V-0, pick-and-place cap, 1.50mm pitch); the 87421 terminal data including the four part numbers 874210100, 874210102, 874210000 and 874210002 with their wire ranges (30-26 AWG and 24-26 AWG), plating (pre-plated tin 2.540µm, gold 0.100µm min, gold 1.000µm min), termination plating (1.270µm nickel, 2.540µm tin), insulation diameters (0.70–1.00mm and 0.95–1.20mm) and 10-cycle durability; the 87439 housing range in 2 to 15 circuits, Nylon, UL94 V-0; the Pico-SPOX ordering table listing 87421 (terminal, AWG 24–30), 87439 (housing), 87437 (vertical header), 87438 (right-angle header), 78047 (vertical header, LCP) and 78048 (right-angle header, LCP); the mates-with list (87347 / 87438 / 78047 / 78048); and the Pico-SPOX product-page statements on the 30% space saving against 2.00mm, the friction lock and polarization keys, the spring-box terminal with SMT-type plug, the “no nail function,” the vertical and right-angle orientations, the 2 to 15 circuit range, the “up to 3.5A” family figure, and the application examples by industry. The Pico-SPOX family datasheet additionally supplies the 2.5A max (AWG #24) for 78047/78048 versus 3.5A max (AWG #24) for 87437/87438 distinction, the 7kg (15P) crimp terminal insertion force and 9.8N pin retention force figures, and the body-material and plating summary. The neighbouring-family figures in the comparison table come from Molex’s published wire-to-board connector listing: Mini-SPOX (2.50mm, up to 3.0A, 28 to 22 AWG, up to 250V, through hole), PicoBlade (1.25mm, 32 to 26 AWG, through hole and SMT), CLIK-Mate (1.25 / 1.50 / 2.00mm, up to 4.0A, 30 to 24 AWG, up to 250V, through hole and SMT), Micro-Lock Plus (1.25 / 1.50 / 2.00mm, up to 4.7A, 30 to 22 AWG, up to 250V, SMT) and Pico-Clasp (1.00mm, up to 2.0A, 32 to 28 AWG, up to 100V, SMT).
KONNRA KR1500 figures are taken from the KR1500 product page and the KR1500 Product Specification undefined (rev A1, issued 2022/2/26). From the product page: the 1.50mm pitch, 2-15 pin, 2.5A and 250V headline table; the General Specification table listing PA66/LCP/Phosphor Bronze, insulation O.D. 0.7mm–1.1mm, Withstanding Voltage 500V AC/minute, temperature range −40°C to +105°C, contact resistance 20mΩ max, insulation resistance 1000MΩ min and Tin over Nickel plating; the Overview text stating a rated current of 2.5A, a rated voltage of 250V, 20mΩ maximum contact resistance, 100MΩ minimum insulation resistance and 500V AC/minute withstand; the “Compact Design” advantages text stating a 1.50mm pitch for 24 AWG wire and a 3.0A system rating; the component list of nine separately orderable parts with their page addresses; and the download links to the engineering drawing, product specification and package specification. From undefined: the part-number groups H150001****01A / H150001****02A (housing), T15000PG0101A / T15000PT0101A (terminal) and C1500RS1*********RA / C1500VS1*********RA (wafer); the material and surface-treatment table (PA66 housing UL94 V-0, phosphor bronze terminal with tin/gold over nickel, LCP wafer base UL94 V-0 with brass contacts and brass solder tab in matte-tin or gold over nickel); the ratings table (250V rated voltage, 2.5A (24AWG) rated current, −40°C to +105°C, applicable wire AWG 24# to 28#, insulation O.D. 0.7 to 1.1mm max); the electrical performance table (20 milliohms max contact resistance to EIA-364-23C, 1000 Megohms min insulation resistance to EIA-364-21B, 500V AC for 1 minute dielectric strength to EIA-364-20A with no breakdown or flashover); the mechanical performance table (0.5 kgf / 4.9N max terminal insertion force, 1.0 kgf / 9.8N min terminal-to-housing retention force, 1.0 kgf / 9.8N min pin retention force, and the crimp specification with widths, heights, crimp strengths of 3.63 / 2.27 / 1.36 kgf min and a 1.2–1.6mm strip length); the environmental performance table (30 cycles durability to EIA-364-09C, 30°C max temperature rise to EIA-364-70B, vibration at 1.5mm P-P, shock at 490 m/s² (50g), heat at 105±2°C for 96 hours, cold at −40±2°C for 96 hours, humidity at 40±2°C and 90–95% RH for 96 hours with a 100 Megohms min insulation resistance requirement, thermal shock across −40°C and +105°C for 5 cycles, salt spray for 24 hours at 35±2°C and 5±1% NaCl, solderability at 245±5°C for 3±0.5 seconds, and SMT solder-heat resistance to EIA-364-56D); the insertion and withdrawal force table by circuit count from 2 to 15 pins; and the SMT infrared reflow profile with a 255±5°C peak for 5–10 seconds, a 230°C minimum and a 150–200°C preheat.
Company figures in the “Why source from KONNRA” section are KONNRA’s own published company information. Figures that could not be traced to a source document are marked Not documented in place of a number, and are flagged for confirmation rather than estimated. The KR1500 engineering drawing is published as vector artwork and its dimensional values are not exposed as machine-readable text, so dimensions must be read from the drawing itself.
