Hirose has announced commercial availability of the ZE150HV Series, a high-voltage wire-to-board connector for electric vehicle and hybrid electric vehicle powertrains. The 4.5 mm-pitch connector supports 1000 V AC/DC and 10 A per pin, with an operating temperature of up to 125°C.
Designed to meet IEC 60664 standards for Pollution Degree 2 at altitudes up to 6,000 m, the ZE150HV also features a three-point contact structure and built-in Connector Position Assurance (CPA) mechanism.
4.5 mm Pitch for 1000 V Systems
Traditionally, a distance of 6.8 mm between pins is required to achieve 1000 V. For the ZE150HV, Hirose has placed proprietary ribs between the contacts, reducing the pitch to 4.5 mm while maintaining the 1000 V rating.
The connector uses heat-resistant, RoHS2-compliant materials and is designed for high-voltage automotive systems where space is limited.
The terminal uses a three-point contact structure to maintain the electrical connection under vibration. A double-spring structure increases contact pressure, strengthening the connection in environments exposed to movement and vibration, including locations near EV motors and inverters.
Connector Position Assurance for High-Voltage Connections
The ZE150HV also uses a robust housing and built-in Connector Position Assurance (CPA) mechanism to help prevent incomplete mating. In high-voltage systems, an incomplete connection can increase the risk of electrical arcing or exposure, making confirmation of full mating an important part of the connector design.
Hirose is targeting the ZE150HV at EV and HEV powertrains and other high-voltage automotive systems requiring compact wire-to-board connections in environments exposed to vibration and elevated temperatures.
The ZE150HV Series was selected as a CES Innovation Awards 2026 Honoree in the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility category and is commercially available now.
Learn more and read the original announcement at hirose.com.
Technology Overview
The Hirose ZE150HV is a high-voltage wire-to-board connector designed for automotive powertrain applications. Proprietary ribs between the contacts reduce the spacing required for its 1000 V rating, while a three-point contact and double-spring terminal structure are used to maintain contact under vibration.
A built-in CPA mechanism provides confirmation of complete mating, which is particularly relevant in high-voltage connections.
FAQs
What is the Hirose ZE150HV?
The ZE150HV is a 4.5 mm-pitch high-voltage wire-to-board connector for EV and HEV powertrains. It supports 1000 V AC/DC, 10 A per pin and operating temperatures up to 125°C.
How does the ZE150HV achieve a 4.5 mm pitch at 1000 V?
Hirose uses proprietary ribs between the contacts to reduce the distance required between pins. The company says this allows the ZE150HV to support 1000 V with a 4.5 mm pitch rather than the 6.8 mm spacing traditionally required.
How does the ZE150HV address vibration and incomplete mating?
The terminal uses a three-point contact and double-spring structure to maintain contact under vibration. A built-in Connector Position Assurance mechanism is used to help prevent incomplete mating.
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