What Connectors Are Commonly Used in Drones? XT30, XT60, JST-GH, and DF13 Explained

Connectors used in drones generally fall into two main groups.

XT30 and XT60 power connectors are commonly used between batteries, power-distribution systems, electronic speed controllers, and charging equipment. JST-GH and DF13 signal connectors are commonly associated with flight controllers, GPS modules, CAN devices, telemetry systems, and sensors.

Connectors that appear similar—or even share the same pitch and number of contacts—are not necessarily interchangeable. Proper selection requires verification of the exact connector series, terminal, wire size, pinout, current requirements, locking structure, and mating interface.

Why Do Drones Use Different Types of Connectors?

A drone contains both high-current power circuits and low-level control or communication circuits. These circuits perform different functions and operate under very different electrical and mechanical conditions.

Common connection points include:

• Battery to power-distribution system
• Battery to charging equipment
• Electronic speed controller to power system
• Flight controller to GPS module
• Flight controller to CAN or DroneCAN device
• Telemetry radio, receiver, and sensor connections
• Camera, gimbal, and payload connections

Battery and motor-related circuits may carry relatively high current. GPS, CAN, UART, and I²C connections generally prioritize compact size, correct pin assignment, secure retention, and resistance to vibration and electrical interference.

Connector selection should therefore be based on the actual circuit and operating conditions—not simply on connector size or appearance.

Comparison of Common Drone Connectors

These applications are representative rather than universal. The connector specifications provided by the flight-controller, battery, ESC, or peripheral manufacturer should always take precedence.

What Are XT30, XT60, and XT90 Connectors?

XT30, XT60, and XT90 are polarized power-connector families commonly used with lithium batteries, controllers, chargers, RC equipment, and drones.

In general:

• XT30 is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for applications with tight space and weight restrictions.
• XT60 provides a practical balance of size and current capability and is widely used for drone batteries and charging harnesses.
• XT90 is physically larger and is typically considered for higher-power applications. Certain variants also incorporate anti-spark features.

The numbers in the names XT30, XT60, and XT90 should not automatically be interpreted as guaranteed continuous-current ratings.

Actual current capability varies by product version, terminal design, conductor size, assembly method, ambient temperature, allowable temperature rise, and manufacturer specifications. For example, AMASS publishes different electrical ratings and configurations across XT-series wire-to-wire, wire-to-board, hybrid-pin, waterproof, and anti-spark products.

Purchasing specifications should therefore identify the complete connector part number rather than referring only to an “XT60 connector.”

What Is a JST-GH Connector?

JST-GH is a 1.25 mm-pitch wire-to-board crimp connector series developed for compact, high-density internal connections.

The GH series uses a locking structure and is available in multiple contact counts and board-mount configurations. These characteristics make it suitable for compact electronic systems in which connector retention and space efficiency are important.

In flight-control ecosystems based on the Pixhawk connector standard, JST-GH connectors are commonly associated with:

• CAN and DroneCAN
• GPS
• Telemetry
• I²C
• UART
• Power and control signals

PX4 documentation states that standard CAN connections commonly use four-position JST-GH connectors, and some CAN devices provide two ports for daisy-chain connections. This makes JST-GH particularly relevant to modern flight-controller and DroneCAN systems, although other autopilot platforms may use different connector families.

What Is a DF13 Connector?

DF13 is a 1.25 mm-pitch miniature crimp connector series manufactured by Hirose.

The series includes single-row and double-row configurations, vertical and right-angle headers, and through-hole or surface-mount options. It was developed for compact, multi-contact wire-to-board connections.

Earlier Pixhawk 1 flight-controller designs used Hirose DF13 connectors. Later Pixhawk connector standards moved toward JST-GH connectors. PX4 also warns that some visually similar Pixhawk-compatible products used other connector families, such as Molex PicoBlade, which should not be assumed to mate with DF13.

Although DF13 and JST-GH both use a 1.25 mm contact pitch, they differ in:

• Housing geometry
• Contact design
• Retention structure
• PCB header design
• Mating orientation
• Compatible crimp terminals

They are separate connector systems and should not be mixed.

How Should a Drone Connector Be Selected?

Identify Whether the Circuit Carries Power or Signals

Battery, ESC, and power-distribution circuits should be evaluated according to maximum continuous current, peak load, wire gauge, voltage drop, and acceptable temperature rise.

GPS, CAN, telemetry, and sensor circuits should prioritize correct pin assignment, communication requirements, retention, weight, and noise immunity.

Confirm the Exact Connector Series and Part Number

A description such as “1.25 mm connector” is not sufficient.

The following information should be confirmed:

• Manufacturer and connector series
• Plug and receptacle part numbers
• Crimp-terminal part number
• PCB-header part number
• Number of positions
• Cable-exit or mating orientation

Different connector families may share the same pitch but use completely different housings, contacts, and mating structures.

Verify the Pinout

The same connector housing and contact count do not guarantee the same wiring sequence.

Confirm the location of:

• Positive supply voltage
• Ground
• CAN_H
• CAN_L
• TX
• RX
• SCL
• SDA

The device manufacturer’s pinout should always be treated as the primary reference. Incorrect wiring may prevent communication and may damage the flight controller or connected module.

Match the Wire Gauge to the Terminal

Power connectors require adequate conductor size for current capacity, voltage drop, and thermal performance.

Small signal connectors require verification of the terminal’s supported wire-size and insulation-diameter range.

Wire that is too large may not fit or crimp correctly. Wire that is too small may result in insufficient conductor compression, low pull strength, or unstable electrical contact.

Evaluate Vibration Resistance and Strain Relief

Drones are exposed to vibration generated by motors, propellers, and airframe movement.

Connector and harness design should therefore consider:

• Positive locking or latching
• Mating and retention force
• Harness clamping points
• Strain relief
• Minimum bend radius
• Protection from direct cable loading

The connector should not serve as the primary structural support for the cable. The wire harness should be secured so that vibration and pulling forces are not transferred directly to the contacts or PCB header.

Common Selection Mistakes

Assuming an XT60 Is Automatically Rated for 60 A

This is incorrect.

The usable current depends on the exact product version, wire size, assembly quality, temperature-rise limit, ambient conditions, and manufacturer specifications.

Assuming All 1.25 mm-Pitch Connectors Are Interchangeable

They are not.

JST-GH, Hirose DF13, and other 1.25 mm-pitch connector families use different terminals, housings, headers, and mating structures.

Assuming the Same Contact Count Means the Same Pinout

It does not.

Two GPS modules or flight controllers may use the same connector size but assign power, ground, and communication signals differently.

Using a Small Signal Connector for a High-Current Circuit

This should be avoided unless the connector manufacturer explicitly approves the application.

Compact signal connectors have limited contact current and wire-size ranges.

Assuming a Soldered Connector Automatically Creates a Reliable Harness

Harness reliability also depends on:

• Solder quality
• Crimp quality
• Pull strength
• Insulation
• Heat-shrink application
• Strain relief
• Harness routing
• Vibration environment

Official Technical References

AMASS — XT-Series Product Documents

J.S.T. — GH Connector Series

Hirose — DF13 Series

PX4 — CAN and DroneCAN Wiring

PX4 — mRo Pixhawk Flight Controller

Technical Support from SyncTronics

SyncTronics can evaluate connectors, power cables, signal cables, and custom wire harnesses according to the drone model, battery specifications, flight-controller interface, pinout, cable length, and operating environment.

Technical support may include:

• XT30, XT60, and other power-connector selection
• JST-GH, DF13, and miniature wire-to-board connector evaluation
• Battery, ESC, GPS, CAN, and telemetry harnesses
• Pinout and wire-sequence verification
• AWG wire size, cable length, and current requirements
• Crimping, soldering, and strain-relief methods
• New Product Introduction and prototype cable assemblies
• Evaluation based on drawings, samples, or alternative connector requirements

SyncTronics supports High-Mix, Low-Volume electronic interconnect solutions.

SyncTronics also offers an XT 60 Drone Battery Harness. Connector brand, complete part number, current capability, and equipment compatibility must be confirmed for each individual application and project.

Need Wire Harnesses, Connectors, Electromechanical Components, or Custom Solutions? Contact Us Today

Whether you are looking for connectors, cables, wire harness assemblies, electromechanical components, or complete electronic interconnect solutions, SyncTronics provides professional technical support and engineering evaluation for product selection, specification verification, New Product Introduction (NPI), OEM/ODM customization, as well as high-speed transmission, high-reliability, and other specialized application requirements.

We welcome you to visit our Contact Us page and share your project requirements and contact information. Our team is committed to responding quickly and professionally, evaluating the most suitable products and electronic interconnect solutions based on your product specifications, application requirements, and project objectives. We also provide technical recommendations and customized engineering support to help shorten product selection and development time, reduce project risks, and accelerate your path to mass production. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and provide reliable technical support and practical solutions for every stage of your project.

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This content is compiled based on publicly available information and industry experience, intended solely for reference during technical exchanges. It does not constitute any commercial, technical, or legal advice or basis.

The specifications, materials, manufacturing processes, application methods, and related information described herein may vary due to differing design conditions, environmental factors, or usage scenarios. No guarantees are made regarding the completeness, correctness, or suitability of such content.

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