RAST Connectors: What Buyers Need To Know

RAST connectors are standardized electrical connectors originally developed for home appliances, mainly white goods. Over time, their use has expanded to automotive systems, especially lighting applications like LEDs. These connectors use standard block terminals to handle the increasing complexity of electronic connections.

This article explains the RAST technology concept and highlights its benefits, applications, connector numbers, and top manufacturers.

What Are Rast Connectors?

RAST is an acronym for Raster Anschluss SteckTechnik, a German term that translates to “pitch connection plug technology” or “grid connection plug technology.” The original design for these connectors had a crimp-style contact, but modern ones use Insulation Displacement Technology (IDT) for either direct or indirect mating, which simplifies installation, enhances the connection quality, and eliminates mismating errors.

Direct mating refers to connectors that attach directly to the PCB, while indirect mating means there is an intermediary connection in between, which can be a header or another connector.

RAST connectors have many applications in the electronics industry, which include:

• Wire harness to PC board pairing in freezers, HVACs, microwaves, washing machines, and other white goods
• Direct or indirect mating in automotive system interfaces
• Interconnecting components like relays, pressure sensors, rotary switches, and pumps
• Linking PCBs with switches, motor controls, and other components either directly or indirectly

Understanding Rast Connector Numbers

Each RAST connector features a number in its designation to denote the contact pitch, the distance between the contact centers. A RAST 2.5 connector, for instance, has a 2.5mm pitch. Here’s an explanation of these RAST numbers.

RAST 1.5

1.5mm pitch RAST 1.5 connectors come in two varieties: one with closed sides and the other with open sides. The former is used for direct mating, while the latter can provide either direct or indirect mating. However, both handle low load currents of up to 3A in cable-to-board connections and can be used in home appliances and automotive systems.

RAST 2.5

With a pitch of 2.5mm and 5.0mm, RAST 2.5 (series 35) connectors also provide direct or indirect mating, but this time for cable-to-cable and cable-to-board connections in IDT. RAST 2.5 2.5mm pitch connectors for signal and low load currents can handle up to 4A, while RAST 2.5 5.0mm pitch power connectors for signal and load currents can handle up to 10A. These glow-wire-capable connectors are also suitable for home appliances and automotive applications.

RAST 5

RAST 5 connectors might have the same pitch as their RAST 2.5 5.0mm pitch counterparts, but they can handle up to 16A for signal and load currents. Also, they come in numerous tab headers and socket boards that are free to configure, plus special versions that can withstand high temperatures. While these provide cable-to-cable and cable-to-board connections in direct or indirect mating, they do so with either IDT or screw clamp termination.

RAST 7.5

RAST 7.5 standard connectors are only suitable for indirect mating for cable-to-board connections with IDT. The connector features an exterior locking mechanism, while its header has a positioning spigot for upright placement. This setup targets high-power applications because it can handle load currents of up to 25A.

6 Top RAST Connector Suppliers

If you’re in the market for RAST connectors, consider these suppliers for quality parts.

Wiringo

As a custom wire harness and cable assembly service provider, Wiringo has worked with various RAST connector manufacturers to develop its harnesses for automotive, home appliances, and other electronics. Over the years, the company has identified the top connector brands and built strong partnerships with leading RAST connector system manufacturers known for quality and reliability.

In addition to using these components in its production plants, Wiringo stocks and provides component sourcing services, leveraging its vast supply chain to deliver high-quality connectors at reasonable prices.

TE Connectivity

TE is one of the most notable brands in the wire-to-board RAST connector system market because it develops components used in various home gadgets and appliances plus PCB interfaces in industrial applications. The company specializes in RAST 2.5 and RAST 5 standards, with some of the key products in their lineup being:

• AMP multifitting mark II 
• Monoplug 2.5
• FASTIN-FASTON tab header
• AMP mono shape
• Standard timer contact
• RAST 5 tab header
• Positive lock connector
• DUOPLUG power connector
• RAST 2.5 tab header

Molex

Molex specializes in making RAST 2.5, RAST 5, RAST power, and RAST R5 connector systems, which are engineered for maximum durability and reliability. This is evidenced by their adherence to UL94 V-0 and GWT flammability standards for global design compatibility. Additionally, they meet the European IEC-60335-1 4th Edition safety standard, meaning European home appliance manufacturers can readily use them.

All Molex RAST connectors feature color stripe markings for easy identification, but their 2.5 connector varieties have pip-lock, side-lock, and internal-lock latching mechanisms to enhance PCB retention when directly mated.

On the other hand, RAST 5 Molex connectors have external locking latches for secure indirect mating. In contrast, their power connectors feature internal locking latches for direct or indirect mating and can support up to 16A.

However, all have 4 points of contact at the mating surface to maximize reliability and can mate directly with 93070 and 93071 series headers.

JST

JST manufactures right-angle, low-insertion-force RAST connectors primarily for home appliances. These RoHS-compliant, UL-recognized components have a positive locking mechanism to prevent unintended disengagement and pair with standard male PCB tabs. They are available in various standard terminal, keying, housing, and color-coding options to suit broad applications.

Standard JST RAST systems have up to 12 contacts on a 5mm pitch, can handle up to 15A, and operate in a temperature range of -40°C to +105°C.

Lumberg

Lumberg offers various RAST connector systems, which include the popular 35 and 36 series.

Lumberg 35 Series

The 35 series comprises RAST 2.5 connectors and IDCs with 2.5mm or 5.0mm pitch contacts. Within this series are the RAST 2.5, RAST 2.5 Power, RAST 2.5 Plus, and RAST 2.5 Power Plus subseries. These contain several connector variants with indirect and direct mating capability for cable-to-cable and cable-to-board connection capability. Lumberg provides keying in these components to prevent mismating.

Lumberg 36 Series

Series 36 are 5.0mm pitch RAST connectors for cable-to-cable and cable-to-board links that either feature screw clamp termination or insulation displacement technology. This series has numerous tab headers, free-to-configure socket boards, and specially built connectors for high-temperature applications, all of which can handle up to 16A.

Wieland

The WIECON RAST 5 8105 series PCB connector from Wieland is specifically engineered for heating applications because it is made of materials that meet the requisite laws (RoHS and DIN EN 60335-1). The system has a 5.0mm pitch screw connection and allows shoulder-to-shoulder layout mounting with zero pole loss. This combines various color and physical coding options and custom labeling for easy identification in complex wiring systems.

The connectors can handle 400V max and 10A, with 26–12 AWG wire. Structurally, they have two sections.

• Solderable Part: Located on the PCB face (also known as the pin connector)
• Pluggable Part: Located on the wiring face

Only The Highest Quality RAST Connectors

If you need high-quality RAST connectors for your wire harness projects, trust an experienced manufacturer. At Wiringo, our dedicated team handles component sourcing to ensure we stock only high-performance, top-quality RAST connectors from the most reputable global manufacturers. We can also source custom connectors built to your exact specifications. 

 Contact us for more details or to get a free quote.