IDC Cable Assemblies Built Around Your Connector and Pinout
IDC cable assemblies provide a practical way to terminate multiple conductors in a flat ribbon cable at once. They are widely used for internal signal distribution between PCBs, control panels, displays, drives, I/O modules, and legacy interfaces. This collection covers completed cable assemblies—not loose IDC connectors—and includes standard-pitch ribbon assemblies, mixed-pitch transitions, compact branded connector systems, and IDC-to-D-Sub configurations.
BespokeCable manufactures custom IDC assemblies to your drawing, sample, or application requirements. Common projects use 2.54mm, 2.0mm, or 1.27mm connector centerlines, but pitch alone does not fully define an assembly. The connector series, number of positions, ribbon conductor spacing, cable gauge, mating interface, polarization, strain relief, connector orientation, and electrical mapping must also match the equipment.
Choose straight-through, reversed, crossed, or custom pin mapping; same-side or opposite-side connector orientation; single-ended, double-ended, transition, or multi-connector layouts; and application-specific cable lengths, folds, labels, and breakout features. Where a specified manufacturer part is required, include its complete part number and approved sourcing requirements in the RFQ. Where an equivalent is acceptable, define the critical mechanical and electrical requirements so the proposed component can be reviewed before production.
For a faster quotation, send the mating connector or header details, pin count, finished length, pin-1 reference, orientation view, and required inspection or test criteria. If the IDC assembly is one part of a larger machine harness, see our computer and industrial cable capabilities.
IDC Ribbon Cables by Pitch
A versatile option for traditional board headers, control equipment, embedded systems, and replacement assemblies. Define the connector style, number of positions, mating header, ribbon conductor spacing, wire gauge, connector orientation, and pin map. Choose this family when the equipment uses a 2.54mm connector centerline and has sufficient installation space.
Designed for equipment that needs a smaller interface than conventional 2.54mm IDC systems. Because connector pitch and ribbon conductor spacing are different measurements, specify both or provide the exact connector part number. This option suits compact internal board connections where you must control mechanical fit, keying, and cable exit direction.
A fine-pitch choice for dense electronics and space-limited internal interconnects. Match component selection, cable geometry, and termination tooling as a system. Send the mating connector, position count, and approved component reference so we can evaluate the assembly for fit, orientation, and manufacturability before volume production.
Use a mixed-pitch transition when two boards or modules use different connector systems. The RFQ should include the exact connector required at each end, the pin-to-pin mapping, and the viewing direction used in the wiring table. A controlled sample is recommended when adapting an existing product or legacy assembly.
Compact and Branded IDC Systems
For designs calling out the Molex 87568 family, provide the complete housing or receptacle part number, mating part, and ribbon cable requirements. Confirm the brand, series, and part number independently; similar-looking components are not automatically interchangeable. State whether genuine specified parts or an approved equivalent are required.
Micro-MaTch is a compact 1.27mm interconnect system used in space-conscious equipment. Specify the exact TE Connectivity component, position count, mating connector, and cable construction. This product family is appropriate when the design already uses the Micro-MaTch interface and requires a drawing-controlled ribbon assembly rather than a generic fine-pitch IDC cable.
Choose this assembly for equipment designed around the Molex PicoFlex 90327 wire-to-board system. Include the full receptacle part number and matching header information because position count, polarization, and component details vary within the family. Check the proposed cable and termination against the selected parts before approval.
P/N: BC-CAI005
Specialized flat ribbon cable assembly using insulation-displacement contact (IDC) connectors matched to a 1.27 mm pitch SMC connector interface.
A vertical, cable-to-board IDC (Insulation Displacement Contact) connector designed for 1.27 mm centerline ribbon cables. Available in various pin counts (commonly ranging from 4 to 20 positions; e.g., base part suffixes like -4 for 4 pos, -6 for 6 pos, -8 for 8 pos, or 8-215570-0 for 10 pos)
IDC-to-D-Sub Ribbon Cables
Connect an internal ribbon interface to a 9-position D-Sub port or equipment interface. Specify D-Sub gender, termination side, mounting hardware, backshell or bracket requirements, IDC connector details, and the complete pin map. Do not rely on a protocol name alone, because identical DB9 shells may use different signal assignments.
Combines a DB9 interface and mounting bracket with an internal IDC ribbon connection. Provide bracket dimensions, hole pattern, connector gender, mounting hardware, cable exit, internal header details, and motherboard or controller pinout. This helps prevent a mechanically fitting bracket cable from being electrically incompatible with the target system.
Suitable for custom equipment, I/O panels, and legacy interfaces using a 15-position D-Sub connector. Identify whether the required interface is a two-row DB15 or a three-row high-density format; these are different connector families. Include gender, hardware, mating direction, and a pin-by-pin wiring table in the request.
Provides an internal ribbon transition to a 25-position D-Sub interface for control, communication, or legacy equipment. Specify connector gender, shell and hardware, cable length, IDC end, orientation, and mapping. Optional bracket, backshell, or strain-relief requirements should be shown on the mechanical drawing rather than inferred from a reference photo.
A higher-position-count transition for industrial I/O, test equipment, and custom control systems. Confirm D-Sub gender, mounting arrangement, IDC connector or board header, cable conductor count, and signal map. Where only part of the connector is populated, identify every connected and unused position in the wiring documentation.
Custom IDC Configuration Examples
The following assemblies are genuine examples within our IDC manufacturing range. They do not require a dedicated product page to begin an inquiry. Use the configuration name when sending a photo, sample, or drawing so we can review the connector, cable construction, mounting, and pinout details.
This configuration combines an IDC ribbon extension with a screw-mounted connector, bracket, or adapter. Confirm the screw hole locations, spacing, and hardware, plus the connector gender, pitch, number of positions, cable length, and pin mapping. A panel or equipment drawing helps verify mechanical fit and installed orientation.
Use an IDC extension cable to increase the distance between an existing board, header, or cable interface and the connected module. Specify both end connectors rather than assuming they match, along with pitch, position count, orientation, finished length, and wiring. Equipment photos are useful when extending a legacy internal connection.
A male-to-female IDC cable can extend or adapt between complementary internal interfaces. Identify the male and female ends from the mating face, since informal gender descriptions can be ambiguous. Include the connector series, pitch, positions, keying, cable exit direction, and complete pin-to-pin mapping.
IDC-to-DIP Configurations by Pitch
This mixed-interface assembly transitions from a 2.54mm IDC ribbon connector to a dual-inline board connection. Define the IDC position count and orientation, DIP row spacing, pin dimensions, insertion direction, finished length, and wiring map. Submit the mating-board drawing when the cable must replace an existing internal adapter.
Choose this configuration when the DIP-side interface uses a 2.54mm pitch. The name alone does not define the opposite termination or the spacing between DIP rows, so include both end interfaces, position count, pin size, row spacing, insertion direction, and pin assignment in the inquiry.
This finer-pitch DIP cable is intended for board interfaces that use a 2.0mm connection pattern. Confirm whether 2.0mm refers to the pin pitch, row spacing, or another controlled dimension, then provide the mating-board drawing, opposite connector, position count, cable construction, and electrical mapping.
Use this compact DIP configuration where the mating board requires a 1.27mm interface. Fine-pitch dimensions leave less room for interpretation, so specify the exact plug or header, row spacing, pin geometry, orientation, opposite termination, and wiring table. A first-article fit check is recommended before repeat production.
Ribbon and Shielding Configurations
Consider a shielded IDC cable where the installation requires additional noise-control measures or mechanical protection. Specify whether the cable should remain flat or use another overall construction, plus the required foil, braid, drain wire, and shield termination. Shielding requirements must be evaluated with the equipment grounding scheme.
This configuration retains a flat ribbon layout while adding a specified shielding layer or protective construction. Confirm shield coverage, drain or bonding method, connector-end termination, fold and routing requirements, finished thickness, and flexibility. Do not assume the shield will solve every EMC issue without considering signal assignment and grounding.
Color-coded conductors make visual identification easier during assembly, inspection, and troubleshooting. Define connector pitch, conductor count, color sequence, pin-1 reference, cable length, orientation, and pinout. Rainbow coloring improves identification but does not, by itself, change the cable’s electrical rating or guarantee compatibility with a selected connector.
Pitch and Component Matching
We review the complete interconnect system rather than selecting a connector from pitch alone. The engineering review can cover connector centerline, ribbon conductor spacing, position count, cable thickness and gauge, polarization, keying, strain relief, mating header, and available termination tooling. This is especially important for compact 2.0mm and 1.27mm systems, mixed-pitch assemblies, and branded connector families. Provide a manufacturer part number when exact compatibility is required; otherwise, state which dimensions and performance characteristics are critical.
Orientation, Polarity and Pinout Control
IDC connectors can look correct while still being assembled in the wrong orientation. Your drawing should identify pin 1, the cable edge reference, connector viewing direction, and whether both connectors face the same or opposite sides of the ribbon. We can build straight-through, reversed, and custom-mapped assemblies according to an approved wiring table. First-article review, clear work instructions, and defined electrical checks help keep polarity and mapping consistent across prototype and repeat production orders.
Custom Layouts and Interface Transitions
Available layouts include single-ended pigtails, IDC-to-IDC cables, daisy-chain and multi-drop ribbon assemblies, mixed-pitch transitions, IDC-to-DIP formats, and IDC-to-D-Sub cables. Cable length, intermediate connector spacing, fold location, exit direction, mounting hardware, labels, and breakouts can be defined around the equipment layout. Shielding or jacketed construction may also be reviewed where routing, abrasion, or noise exposure requires more protection than standard flat ribbon cable provides.
Drawing, Sample and Revision-Based Production
Projects can begin with a controlled drawing, bill of materials, approved sample, or a clearly documented mating-interface requirement. Before production, align the connector part, cable construction, dimensions, tolerances, orientation, pin map, workmanship standard, and test plan. For replacement cables with incomplete documentation, a physical sample can help identify the construction, but final approval should still be based on an agreed drawing or golden sample. When preparing a supplier audit or qualification package, ask about our cable quality control and custom cable manufacturing process.
Yes. Photos and a sample can support initial identification, especially for replacement cables. However, dimensions, pin mapping, connector part numbers, and any hidden material requirements should be converted into an approved drawing or golden-sample standard before repeat production.
Yes. Send a separate drawing, part number, and quantity for each model. A consolidated bill of materials or cable schedule helps keep revisions, labels, and packaging requirements clear across the project.
Review specified components for availability and manufacturability. Include the complete manufacturer part number and state whether authorized sourcing, lot traceability, or particular documentation is required. Brand names or partial series numbers are not sufficient.
An equivalent may be reviewed when the application permits substitution. The customer should define the critical form, fit, material, mating, and performance requirements, then approve the proposed component and sample before production. No substitution should be assumed automatically.
Yes, provided it is compatible with the selected connector and conductor construction. State the required color, conductor count, and any color sequence or pin-1 convention on the drawing.
Yes. Provide label text, size, material preference, placement, barcode format, and any serialization or lot-code rules. Packaging labels can also be defined for line-side or service-part use.
These configurations can be reviewed. Show each connector location, orientation, cable datum, fold direction, branch or continuation, and the complete electrical mapping. An installed-space drawing is useful for mechanically constrained layouts.
Yes. Define the D-Sub gender, shell size, bracket geometry, hole pattern, screw hardware, cable exit, and mounting direction. Provide the target panel or equipment drawing when the bracket must fit an existing opening.
You may include sample or first-article requirements in the quotation. State the required quantity, approval checks, and whether the production order must wait for written sample approval.
Use a customer part number and approved revision for every assembly. When requesting a repeat order, reference the previous order and confirm whether the drawing, components, labels, test plan, or packaging have changed.
Document availability depends on the selected components, cable materials, order requirements, and agreed supply chain. List the specific declaration, test report, material record, or certificate needed so that its scope and availability can be confirmed before order placement.
We can review the original sample, drawing, and mating equipment. If a component is unavailable, the customer may need to validate any proposed replacement dimensionally, for mating, and electrically. A new approved drawing helps separate the replacement design from the obsolete reference.
Yes. Please provide the expected annual usage, order quantity by release, packaging format, and forecast. Then we can evaluate production planning, component sourcing, and commercial terms for the specific cable models and volumes.
Related Products
How to Specify a Custom IDC Ribbon Cable Assembly
An IDC cable is simple only after every interface detail has been defined. Two assemblies may use the same visible connector pitch but differ in conductor spacing, position count, polarization, connector orientation, or pin mapping. The following specification process helps buyers obtain a cable that fits the equipment, mates correctly, and can be repeated without ambiguity.
1. Start with the Mating Interface
Identify what the cable must connect to at each end. The most reliable references are complete manufacturer part numbers for the board headers, cable receptacles, and any transition connectors. If part numbers are unavailable, provide dimensioned drawings, clear photos, equipment model information, and a physical sample where possible.
A connector description such as “20-pin IDC” is not enough. It does not define pitch, number of rows, keying, polarization, latch style, strain relief, contact plating, or cable compatibility. The mating header also determines whether the cable connector requires a keyed slot, center bump, ejector-latch compatibility, or another retention feature. Treat the cable connector and mating header as one system.
2. Distinguish Connector Pitch from Ribbon Conductor Spacing
“Pitch” is often used loosely in IDC inquiries. For a connector, it normally means the center-to-center distance between adjacent contact positions. For ribbon cable, it means the spacing between neighboring conductors. In many double-row IDC systems, ribbon conductor spacing is half the connector contact centerline, but you should never assume that relationship for every product family.
For example, a conventional 2.54mm double-row IDC connector commonly terminates 1.27mm-spaced ribbon cable, while some 2.0mm systems use 1.0mm-spaced cable. Fine-pitch and proprietary systems may use their own matched cable construction. State both measurements or provide the exact connector and cable part numbers. This prevents a common sourcing error: selecting a cable that matches the stated pitch numerically but cannot be terminated into the specified connector.
3. Define Position Count and Cable Conductor Count
Specify the total number of connector positions, the number of rows, and the number of conductors in the ribbon. A 2 × 10 connector has 20 positions, but buyers sometimes describe it only as “10-pin,” creating avoidable ambiguity. If the cable has more conductors than the connector uses, or if selected positions are intentionally unpopulated, show this clearly in the drawing and wiring table.
For multi-drop assemblies, identify every connector and its position along the cable. Include the distance from the cable datum to each connector centerline or another unambiguous measurement reference. Also identify whether the ribbon continues past an intermediate connector, ends at that connector, or branches into separate sections.
4. Control Connector Orientation and Pin 1
Orientation errors are among the most common IDC assembly problems. Define whether connector bodies and strain-relief pieces face the same side or opposite sides of the cable. Mark the pin-1 edge of the ribbon and show the connector from a stated viewing direction, such as mating face or cable-entry side.
A red edge stripe is often used as a pin-1 indicator, but color alone should not replace the drawing. Rainbow cable can identify conductors, but if you use color for assembly control, you must also define the color sequence and viewing direction. Where the connector is polarized or keyed, show how the key relates to pin 1 and the cable edge.
5. Specify the Electrical Mapping
Choose straight-through, reversed, crossed, or fully custom wiring. A straight ribbon assembly typically preserves conductor order, but connector row numbering and viewing direction can make the finished relationship appear reversed. Avoid informal instructions such as “one-to-one” unless the associated views and pin numbers are shown.
For an IDC-to-D-Sub, IDC-to-DIP, or mixed-connector cable, provide a pin-to-pin table. Protocol names such as serial, VGA, GPIO, or control cable are not adequate substitutes because equipment manufacturers may assign signals differently. Note unused pins, common connections, jumpers, and shield or drain terminations explicitly.
6. Select Cable Construction for the Installation
Define ribbon conductor spacing, conductor size, insulation material or approved cable part number, conductor count, and color. Also state whether standard gray ribbon, color-coded ribbon, split ribbon, jacketed ribbon, or another construction is required. The connector’s accepted cable range must match the selected cable; changing wire size or insulation geometry can change termination quality.
Cable length should be stated with a clear datum and tolerance. If the cable must fold inside an enclosure, show the fold position, direction, and installed routing. Avoid specifying an excessively sharp bend directly at the connector. Repeated-flex applications require a cable construction and routing method designed for movement; do not assume a general-purpose IDC ribbon assembly is a continuous-flex cable.
7. Define Mechanical Protection and Retention
Strain-relief clamps can support the cable near the termination and help control the exit direction, but the accessory must match the connector. For cables routed across metal edges or moving service panels, consider sleeves, jackets, grommets, or additional retention. For D-Sub transitions, define the backshell, screw hardware, bracket, and mounting direction.
Flat ribbon cable is compact and easy to organize, but its geometry does not eliminate crosstalk or electromagnetic interference. Signal speed, edge rate, cable length, return-path arrangement, and nearby noise sources all influence performance. If the assembly carries sensitive or higher-speed signals, provide the electrical requirements so grounding, shielding, conductor assignment, or an alternative cable construction can be evaluated.
8. Use the Correct IDC Family
Traditional ribbon-cable IDC, discrete-wire IDC, FFC, and FPC connections are not interchangeable terms. An FFC is a flat flexible cable with exposed contact areas that typically mates to an FFC/FPC connector; an FPC is a flexible printed circuit. Neither should be described as the “next generation” of a standard IDC ribbon assembly. If the application actually requires FFC, FPC, or discrete-wire mass termination, request that product family separately.
Named systems such as Micro-MaTch and PicoFlex also need exact component identification. A family name may cover multiple position counts, mating styles, and parts. If the bill of materials requires a genuine TE Connectivity, Molex, or other manufacturer component, state this in the RFQ and approve the sourcing route. If an alternative may be considered, define which form, fit, material, and performance criteria must be equivalent.
9. Agree on Approval and Test Requirements
Before volume production, approve a drawing or controlled sample that records the component part numbers, cable, finished dimensions, orientation, pin map, labels, and workmanship expectations. For equipment replacement projects, a sample can help reconstruct the assembly, but unidentified internal materials or obsolete components may require an engineering proposal and customer approval.
Specify the test plan according to the application. Typical checks may include visual inspection, dimensions, orientation, and electrical continuity or mapping. State requirements such as contact resistance, insulation resistance, dielectric withstand, pull force, environmental testing, or full traceability during quotation because they require defined methods, fixtures, and acceptance limits. Do not assume that every test applies to every IDC assembly.
10. Prepare a Complete RFQ Package
For the fastest technical review, include:
– Connector manufacturer and full part number at each end
– Mating header or equipment interface details
– Connector centerline and ribbon conductor spacing
– Number of positions, rows, and ribbon conductors
– Cable construction, gauge, color, and finished length
– Connector orientation, pin-1 reference, and viewing direction
– Pin-to-pin wiring table
– Strain relief, keying, latch, bracket or hardware requirements
– Fold, branch, breakout, and intermediate-connector locations
– Labels, barcode, packaging and traceability needs
– Inspection, electrical test and compliance requirements
– Prototype quantity and expected production volume
– Controlled drawing, sample photos and revision level
A complete package reduces quotation assumptions and makes samples easier to evaluate. If some details are not yet fixed, identify them as open points so they can be resolved before the assembly is released for production.
Request a Custom IDC Cable Assembly Quote
Send your drawing, sample photos, or connector part numbers. Include the pitch, conductor count, cable length, orientation, pin map, quantity, and test requirements. Our team will review the interface details and identify any open points before quotation.
