| Feature | Details |
| Pin Count | 40-Pin (2 x 20) |
| Socket Type | Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) |
| Compatibility | 0.3" to 0.6" wide ICs (8 to 40 pins) |
| Material | Plastic & Gold-Plated Copper Alloy |
| Lever Material | Metal / Durable Plastic |
| Pitch | 2.54mm (0.1 inch) |
Product Description The 40-Pin ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) Socket is an indispensable tool for engineers, hobbyists, and students who frequently swap or program integrated circuits (ICs). Unlike standard IC sockets that require physical force to push the chip into the pins—risking bent legs—the ZIF socket features a mechanical lever. When the lever is raised, the internal contacts open, allowing the IC to be dropped in effortlessly. Closing the lever locks the pins securely in place with high-pressure contact. At Robogears, we recommend this socket for universal programmers, IC testers, and prototyping boards where chips like the ATmega328P or 8051 are frequently moved.
Key Highlights
Zero Damage Prototyping: Eliminates the risk of bending or breaking delicate IC pins during insertion or removal, significantly extending the life of your microcontrollers and memory chips.
Universal Width Compatibility: Designed to accept a wide variety of Dual In-line Package (DIP) ICs, ranging from narrow 0.3" (like 74-series logic) to wide 0.6" (like 40-pin microcontrollers).
High-Durability Contacts: Constructed with gold-plated or high-quality copper alloy contacts to ensure low resistance and reliable electrical connection over thousands of cycles.
Easy Breadboard Integration: The bottom pins feature a standard 2.54mm pitch, allowing it to be soldered onto PCBs or plugged directly into large breadboards for temporary testing.
Color Coded Identification: Typically available in a distinct green color, making it easy to identify as a testing point on complex development boards.
Technical Specifications
Contact Resistance: ≤ 20mΩ
Insulation Resistance: ≥ 1000MΩ
Dielectric Strength: 500V AC for 1 minute
Operating Temperature: -55°C to +105°C
Dimensions: ~65mm x 23mm x 12mm (excluding lever)
Installation Tip from Robogears To use the socket, simply pull the lever up to a 90-degree angle to open the jaws. Place your IC (ensuring pin 1 matches your circuit's orientation) into the slot. Push the lever back down to lock the IC. Note: If you are soldering this onto a PCB, be careful not to let solder wick up into the mechanical parts of the socket. Using a standard 40-pin IC socket underneath the ZIF socket on your board can make it easier to replace the ZIF socket itself if it ever wears out from extreme use.
Note: This product is the ZIF socket ONLY. ICs and development boards are not included. Product images are for illustration purposes only.