# Title: Tag-Connect TC2050-IDC Plug-of-Nails™ 10-Pin IDC Cable ## Description: Tag-Connect's TC2050-IDC "Legged" Plug-of-Nails™ programming cable is a 10-conductor cable fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 0.1″ ribbon connector. Plugs straight to your PCB – No mating connector or header required! Requires only a tiny footprint of pads and locating holes in your PCB. Zero Cost Per Board! Tiny Footprint! High-Reliability Spring-Pins make a Secure Connection and are rated for over 100,000 operations. Footprint has no height and can reduce the size and space requirements of your PCB. A great way to make test and debug signals available at no cost and with minimal board space. Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB's while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB.The legged version footprint takes about the same board space as two or three SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired.This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 0.1″ ribbon connector on the other and is suitable for use with most many MCUs / FPGAs and JTAG programming and debug operations.A growing range of adaptors are available for specific and generic applications such as Xilinx SPARTAN and VERTEX FPGAs, TI MSP430 (TC2050-IDC-430), etc ## Product type: Cable ## Vendor: Tag-Connect, LLC ## Tags: 10-Pin, ARM Cortex, AVR, Cable, DSP FPGA CPLD, Programmer, Tag Connect, tag-connect-llc, Test Cable ## Price range: 50.0 - 60.0 GBP ## Link: https://thedebugstore.com/products/tag-connect-tc2050-idc-cable-uk ## Options - IDC Connector: Female (default), Male ## Collections - [New Products](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/new-products-debug-store) - [Tag-Connect LLC](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/tag-connect-catalogue) - [Test Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/test-cables-catalogue) - [Device Programmer Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/device-programmer-cables-catalogue) - [Atmel AVR Programmers](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/avr-programmers-catalogue-uk) - [Tag-Connect Pogo Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/tag-connect-pogo-cables-catalogue) - [10-Pin Tag-Connect Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/10-pin-tag-connect-cables-tc2050-catalogue) - [ARM Cortex Tag-Connect Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/arm-cortex-tag-connect-cables-catalogue) - [AVR Tag-Connect Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/avr-tag-connect-cables-catalogue) - [DSP/FPGA/CPLD Tag-Connect Cables](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/dsp-fpga-cpld-tag-connect-cables-catalogue) - [Device Programmers](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/device-programmer-types) - [Programmers](https://thedebugstore.com/a/llms/collections/programmers) ## Variants - Female (default), SKU: TC2050-IDC, Available: yes, Inventory: 5 - Male, SKU: TC2050-IDC-M, Available: yes, Inventory: 2 ## Metafields - full_description:

Tag-Connect's TC2050-IDC "Legged" Plug-of-Nails™ programming cable is a 10-conductor cable fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 0.1″ ribbon connector.

Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB's while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB.

The legged version footprint takes about the same board space as two or three SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired.

This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 0.1″ ribbon connector on the other and is suitable for use with most many MCUs / FPGAs and JTAG programming and debug operations.

A growing range of adaptors are available for specific and generic applications such as Xilinx SPARTAN and VERTEX FPGAs, TI MSP430 (TC2050-IDC-430), etc

- description_tag: Tag-Connect TC2050-IDC Plug-of-Nails™ cable for JTAG/SWD. Legged 10-pin to 0.1″ IDC; tiny PCB footprint, no header needed. View specs, variants & order from Debug Store. - manufacturer: Tag-Connect, LLC - warranty: 6 Months - amazon_enable: TRUE - amazon_title: Tag Connect TC2050-IDC Cable - amazon_product_type: computercomponent - amazon_block: FALSE - amazon_prime_enable: FALSE - amazon_search: Tag-Connect - amazon_uk_price: 51.425 - amazon_uk_currency: GBP - amazon_de_currency: EUR - amazon_de_price: 58.11025 - amazon_fr_currency: EUR - amazon_fr_price: 58.11025 - amazon_es_currency: EUR - amazon_es_price: 58.11025 - amazon_nl_currency: EUR - amazon_nl_price: 58.11025 - amazon_it_currency: EUR - amazon_it_price: 58.11025 - amazon_se_curency: SEK - amazon_se_price: 586.245 - amazon_product_id: 5055383606764 - amazon_product_id_type: EAN - amazon_update: Update - amazon_short_description: The Tag Connect TC2050-IDC, 10-Pin legged cable with IDC, ribbon cable connector. - amazon_long_description:

Tag-Connect’s TC2050-IDC “Legged” Plug-of-Nails™ programming cable is a 10-conductor cable fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 0.1″ ribbon connector.

Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB’s while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB.

The legged version footprint takes about the same board space as two or three SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired.

This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 0.1″ ribbon connector on the other and is suitable for use with most many MCUs / FPGAs and JTAG programming and debug operations.

A growing range of adaptors are available for specific and generic applications such as Xilinx SPARTAN and VERTEX FPGAs, TI MSP430 (TC2050-IDC-430), etc

- amazon_main_image: https://www.thedebugstore.com/images/product/lg-tc2050-idc-debug-cable.jpg - amazon_other_image_1: https://www.thedebugstore.com/images/product/lg-tc2050-idc-debug-cable.jpg - amazon_other_image_2: https://www.thedebugstore.com/images/product/lg-tc2050-idc-debug-cable.jpg - amazon_browse_node: 428655031 - related_products: TC-ADI,TC-ADI-M,TC-C2000-F-180,TC-LATTICE-10,TC-LATTICE,TC-XILINX6,TC2050-IDC-050,GRIP-10-3-Pack,U2W-AMCC,U2D-AMCC,TC2050-ARM2010,ARM20-CTX - condition: new - custom_product: false - mpn: TC2050-IDC - google_product_category: Electronics - custom_label_0: Cable - badge: - widget:

Customer Reviews

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Paul McKenna
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Fantastic service. Pulled out all the stops to help us! Thank you very much

Thank you Paul. We always try and help our customer meet their needs. We appreciate good customer service from our suppliers and aim to offer good service to ours.

John Legg

- rating: {"scale_min":"1.0","scale_max":"5.0","value":"5.0"} - rating_count: 1 - myordercount: {"ordercount":7,"recentcount":2} - warranty: 6 months - brand: Tag Connect - manufacturer: Tag-Connect, LLC - brands: gid://shopify/Metaobject/56257806559 - breadcrumbs: ["gid://shopify/Collection/269202686141"] - review_snippet_widget:
- customhs_code: 854442 - detailed_description: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Tag-Connect's "},{"type":"text","value":"TC2050-IDC","bold":true},{"type":"text","value":" \"Legged\" Plug-of-Nails™ programming cable is a 10-conductor cable fitted with a spring-pin Tag-Connector that conveniently plugs directly into your PCB and terminates in a 0.1″ ribbon connector."}]},{"type":"list","listType":"unordered","children":[{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Plugs straight to your PCB – No mating connector or header required!"}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Requires only a tiny footprint of pads and locating holes in your PCB."}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Zero Cost Per Board!"}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Tiny Footprint!"}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"High-Reliability Spring-Pins make a Secure Connection and are rated for over 100,000 operations."}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Footprint has no height and can reduce the size and space requirements of your PCB."}]},{"type":"list-item","children":[{"type":"text","value":"A great way to make test and debug signals available at no cost and with minimal board space."}]}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Tag-Connect cables provide a simple, reliable means of connecting Debuggers and Programmers or other test equipment to your PCB's while lowering board costs and facilitating efficient production programming. Tag-Connect uses a specially designed (Patent Pending) connector which eliminates the need for putting a programming header or other mating connector on every PCB. Instead, Tag-Connect uses tried and tested spring-pins rated for over 100,000 operations to make a secure connection to a special footprint pattern of pads and locating holes in your PCB."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"The legged version footprint takes about the same board space as two or three SMT resistors which means you can locate the footprint right next to the MCU if desired."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"This 10-conductor cable has a TC2050 Tag-Connector on one end and a standard 0.1″ ribbon connector on the other and is suitable for use with most many MCUs / FPGAs and JTAG programming and debug operations."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"A growing range of adaptors are available for specific and generic applications such as Xilinx SPARTAN and VERTEX FPGAs, TI MSP430 ("},{"type":"link","url":"https://www.tag-connect.com/product/tc2050-idc-430-legged-cable-for-use-with-msp430-fet430","children":[{"type":"text","value":"TC2050-IDC-430"}]},{"type":"text","value":"), etc"}]}]} - title_tag: Tag-Connect TC2050-IDC Cable (TC2050-IDC) – 10-Pin Plug-of-Nails to 0.1″ IDC | Debug Store - key_feature_1: Legged 10-pin spring-pin cable to 0.1″ IDC for JTAG/SWD—no on-board header required. - key_feature_2: Legged, hands-free retention - key_feature_2_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Clips into the footprint so you can debug without holding the plug."}]}]} - key_feature_3: No on-board header - key_feature_3_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Saves PCB area and removes a BOM line on every unit."}]}]} - key_feature_4: Spring-pins >100k cycles - key_feature_4_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"High mating-cycle rating supports development and production."}]}]} - key_feature_5: 10-pin to 0.1″ IDC - key_feature_5_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Connects easily via standard 0.1″ ribbon to adapters/debuggers."}]}]} - key_feature_6: JTAG/SWD suitable - key_feature_6_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Works across common embedded debug/program interfaces."}]}]} - key_feature_7: Tiny, low-profile footprint - key_feature_7_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Pads + holes only; zero permanent connector height on the PCB."}]}]} - key_feature_8_tooltip: {"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"No-legs, 0.05″ IDC and LONGLEGS variants cover many toolchains."}]}]} - key_feature_8: Interoperable family - why_people_choose_3_title: Toolchain Flexibility - why_people_choose_2_title: Stable Hands-Free Debug - why_people_choose_1_title: Space & BOM Savings - why_people_choose_1: Removes fitted header; frees board area. - why_people_choose_3: Works with adapters across JTAG/SWD setups. - why_people_choose_2: Legs latch for secure, repeatable contact. - 1562201: What does “legged” mean on the TC2050-IDC?***SIMP***It refers to plastic retention legs that engage locating holes in the PCB footprint, providing a stable, hands-free connection during longer debug sessions. - 1562202: How is this different from a standard 10-pin Cortex header?***SIMP***The cable lands on a small footprint so the target PCB doesn’t carry a mating header; that saves space and removes a BOM part, while still supporting JTAG/SWD via adapters. - 1562203: Is it compatible with SEGGER J-Link, ST-Link, ULINK and similar tools?***SIMP***Yes—use the appropriate adapter (e.g., TC2050-ARM2010 for 20-pin ARM headers, or the 0.05″ variants for micro-headers) to connect to your toolchain. - 1562204: When would I choose the no-legs TC2050-IDC-NL instead?***SIMP***Choose no-legs for the smallest footprint or when a hand-held or clip-retained connection is preferred in production programming. - 1562205: Does it support both JTAG and SWD?***SIMP***Yes. The cable is commonly used for JTAG (IEEE-1149.1) and ARM SWD workflows when wired via the matching adapter. - 1562206: How many mating cycles can I expect?***SIMP***The spring-pins are rated for over 100,000 operations when used within the datasheet guidelines. - 1562207: Any footprint do’s and don’ts?***SIMP***Follow the datasheet: keep-out near pads, avoid solder paste on pads, and place the NPTHs for legs/alignment to spec. - 1562209: How does this compare with premium needle-adapters?***SIMP***Needle-adapters from debugger vendors also land on pads, but Tag-Connect’s board-side legs give mechanical retention and the ecosystem supports multiple tools via adapters. - 1562210: Is there a hands-free option for no-legs footprints?***SIMP***Yes—use a retaining clip/fixture with TC2050-IDC-NL to hold the plug in place during debug. - summary:

The Tag-Connect TC2050-IDC is a 10-conductor, legged Plug-of-Nails™ programming/debug cable designed to land directly on a small PCB footprint, eliminating the need for a fitted header. A spring-pin tag-connector mates with pads and locating holes on the target board, while the opposite end terminates in a standard 0.1″ IDC ribbon for straightforward connection to adapters and debuggers.

This format is widely used for JTAG and ARM SWD tasks across MCUs, FPGAs and CPLDs. The legged design positively latches into the footprint for a secure, hands-free connection during extended debug sessions. For setups that favour a hand-held approach or maximum footprint minimisation, consider the TC2050-IDC-NL (no-legs). If you need a direct 0.05″ micro-header connection (e.g., ULINK2/FTSH-105), see TC2050-IDC-050. To connect from a 20-pin ARM header, pair this cable with the TC2050-ARM2010 adapter.

Engineers choose TC2050 because it saves board space, removes an extra BOM line, and standardises a reliable connection method across development and production. If your design uses thicker PCBs, a LONGLEGS variant is available. Follow the datasheet footprint guidelines to ensure reliable, repeatable contact.