Pogo pin receptacles (also called sockets) hold spring-loaded probes in your fixture's probe plate and provide the electrical path to your test instrumentation. The receptacle you choose must match your probe series -- an incompatible receptacle won't grip the probe barrel correctly, causing misalignment, intermittent contact, or probes that fall out during testing. We carry press-fit and solder-mount receptacles across standard probe series, available individually with no minimum order.
Why receptacle selection matters#
Receptacles are the mechanical foundation of your probe interface. Every pogo pin sits inside a receptacle, and that receptacle determines three things: whether the probe stays in place, whether it makes consistent electrical contact with your instrumentation, and whether you can replace worn probes without reworking the entire plate.
Get the receptacle wrong and problems cascade. A receptacle that's too loose lets probes shift under spring force, creating position errors that compound across hundreds of test points. A receptacle that's the wrong series physically accepts the probe but doesn't retain it at the correct depth, changing your probe's working stroke and contact force. Both show up as intermittent test failures that are maddening to diagnose because the fixture looks right.
Series compatibility is non-negotiable
Receptacle series are engineered to match specific probe series -- an Ingun KS-075 receptacle pairs with E-075 probes, not with 050 or 100 series probes. Mixing series won't work: barrel diameter, retention mechanism, and installed height are all series-specific. Start with your probe selection, then choose the matching receptacle series.
Press-fit vs. solder-mount receptacles#
Receptacles divide into two categories based on how they connect to your fixture: press-fit and solder-mount. Your probe plate design determines which type you need.
Press-fit receptacles#
Press-fit receptacles install by pressing into an undersized drilled hole in the probe plate. The interference fit holds the receptacle in place without adhesive or fasteners. This is the standard mounting method for CNC-drilled probe plates and production fixtures.
Press-fit receptacles are available in two mounting geometries:
- Collar mount -- The receptacle collar sits on the plate surface, controlling probe height and self-fixturing during assembly. Easier to install and inspect.
- Through-hole mount -- The receptacle presses directly into the plate without a collar. More compact, but requires tighter hole tolerances.
Both geometries work with the same probe series. The choice depends on your plate design and whether you need the collar for height control.
Solder-mount receptacles#
Solder-mount receptacles attach by soldering to a PCB pad or wire termination. They're the standard choice for test point carrier boards (TPCBs) and fixtures where the probe interface is built on a circuit board rather than a drilled plate.
Solder-mount variants include:
- Solder cup -- Cup-style terminations for soldering wire connections. Best for fixtures with direct wiring to instrumentation.
- Surface-mount -- Reflow-compatible pads for TPCB integration. Standard for wireless receptacle configurations in production fixtures.
- Wired -- Pre-crimped wire (typically 30-32 AWG) for direct connection to instrumentation. Best for simple fixtures with low test point counts.
| Feature | Press-Fit | Solder-Mount |
|---|---|---|
| Mounts to | CNC-drilled probe plate | PCB pad or wire termination |
| Best for | Standard bed-of-nails fixtures | TPCB-based and wired fixtures |
| Retention method | Interference fit in drilled hole | Solder joint to pad or wire |
| Variants | Collar mount, through-hole | Solder cup, surface-mount, wired |
| Serviceability | Push out and replace | Desolder and resolder |
| Most common use | Dev Pro and Production fixtures | Production fixtures with TPCBs |
Choosing the right receptacle#
Start with these four criteria, in order of priority:
| Criterion | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Series compatibility | Match receptacle series to your pogo pin series (e.g., KS-075 with E-075) | Mismatched series won't retain probes correctly |
| Mounting method | Press-fit for drilled plates, solder-mount for TPCBs | Determined by your probe plate design |
| Plate thickness | Receptacle length must suit your probe plate material thickness | Too short and the receptacle won't seat; too long and it protrudes |
| Connection type | Wire-wrap, solder cup, wired, or wireless (TPCB) | Determines how the receptacle connects to your instrumentation |
Always choose probes first
Probe tip style and pitch determine which probe series you need, and the probe series determines the receptacle series. Working backward -- buying receptacles before selecting probes -- creates compatibility problems that require re-drilling the probe plate. See the pogo pin selection guide for help choosing probes.
For replacement receptacles on an existing fixture, match the series and mounting method of what's currently installed. If you're not sure which series your fixture uses, check the fixture documentation or contact us with photos -- we can identify the receptacle model from the barrel diameter and collar style. The probe selection guide covers series pairing in detail.
Specifications#
Key parameters vary by receptacle series. Here are the ranges across our standard inventory:
| Specification | Range |
|---|---|
| Pitch options | 50 mil (1.27mm), 75 mil (1.91mm), 100 mil (2.54mm) |
| Barrel diameter | 0.6mm -- 1.4mm (series-dependent) |
| Current rating | Matches paired probe series (typically 2-9A) |
| Mounting | Press-fit, collar mount, solder cup, surface mount, wired |
| Connection types | Wire-wrap post, solder cup, crimped wire, wireless (TPCB) |
| Materials | Brass barrel, nickel or gold plating |
For detailed specifications by receptacle model -- including drill sizes, press-fit tolerances, and collar heights -- see the receptacles guide.
Featured products#
We stock receptacles from Ingun and budget-compatible alternatives across all standard pitch options. The same parts we use in our own fixtures.
- Ingun KS-075 series -- 75 mil pitch press-fit receptacles. Our most-used series for Dev Pro and Production fixtures. Available with wire-wrap, solder cup, and wireless terminations.
- Ingun KS-100 series -- 100 mil pitch press-fit receptacles. Standard for Development fixtures and applications with wider test point spacing. Most durable pitch option.
- Ingun KS-050 series -- 50 mil pitch press-fit receptacles. For high-density boards where test points are tightly spaced. Requires careful handling.
- Budget R75/R100 receptacles -- Cost-effective alternatives for development work and prototyping. Compatible with standard probe series at 75 and 100 mil pitch.
Browse all receptacles and order at shop.fixturfab.com.
FAQ#
What is a pogo pin receptacle?#
A pogo pin receptacle (also called a socket) is a precision sleeve that mounts in a fixture's probe plate and holds a spring-loaded pogo pin in position. It provides mechanical retention so the probe stays aligned with the test point, and electrical connection between the probe and your test instrumentation. Receptacles are designed for specific probe series -- an Ingun KS-075 receptacle works with E-075 probes, for example.
Press-fit vs. solder-mount receptacle -- which should I use?#
It depends on your probe plate design. Press-fit receptacles go into CNC-drilled plates (G10, FR4, or aluminum) and are the standard choice for most bed-of-nails fixtures. Solder-mount receptacles attach to circuit boards and are used in TPCB-based fixtures and wire-harness configurations. If you're building a conventional drilled-plate fixture, use press-fit. If your fixture design uses a test point carrier board, use solder-mount.
Which receptacle is compatible with my pogo pin series?#
Receptacles and probes must be from the same series. Ingun KS-050 receptacles pair with E-050 probes, KS-075 with E-075, and KS-100 with E-100. The series number corresponds to pitch -- 50 mil, 75 mil, and 100 mil respectively. Mixing series won't work: the barrel diameters are different, so the probe either won't fit or won't be retained properly. If you're not sure which series you need, start with your test point spacing and work from there.
Can I replace receptacles in an existing fixture?#
Yes. Receptacles are designed to be a serviceable component. Press-fit receptacles can be pushed out from the bottom of the probe plate and replaced with a new one drilled to the same hole size. This is standard fixture maintenance -- worn receptacles that no longer grip probes tightly are one of the most common causes of fixture performance degradation over time.
What's the difference between collar-mount and through-hole press-fit receptacles?#
Both are press-fit, but they sit in the plate differently. Collar-mount receptacles have a flange that rests on the plate surface, which controls probe height and makes installation self-fixturing. Through-hole receptacles press flush into the plate without a collar, giving a more compact installation but requiring tighter hole tolerances. Collar-mount is easier to work with and more forgiving during assembly.
Shop receptacles#
We stock receptacles across all standard series and pitch options -- the same parts we use in our own fixtures. No minimum order. Buy what you need.
Browse receptacles
Press-fit and solder-mount receptacles across all standard series. No minimum order.
Not sure which receptacle matches your probes? Ask an engineer.