These Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) sockets clamp onto a chip, making a good electrical connection, when you push the lever down. When you release the lever, it releases the chip. This allows you to repeatedly insert or remove a chip from the socket without damage to either.

These are great for two situations: When you want to replace the chip that goes in a given place frequently, or when you want to program one chip after another in the same fixture. (For example, we use them to program the chips in our open-source kits!)

We have two different sizes of ZIF DIP sockets available: 20-pin and 28-pin, both 0.3" wide.

The 20-pin ZIF sockets (shown above) are perfect for programming microcontrollers in DIP packages with up to 20 pins, including 8-pin, 16-pin, 18-pin, and 20-pin devices. There's even a little bar to indicate where to put a DIP-8, if you want to use one. We use these 20-pin ZIF sockets (amongst other places) for programming the ATtiny2313 chips that go in our open source menorah and micro-readerboard kits.

The 28-pin ZIF sockets are perfect for working with chips in narrow DIP packages with up to 28 pins, including the popular ATmega48/88/168 series of AVR microcontrollers.

When using ZIF sockets, keep in mind that the pins are a bit wider than regular IC pins-- they fit in most pad-per-hole type prototyping boards, but may not fit in a chip socket or circuit board that was meant to hold a chip alone. (They do fit nicely in version 1.1 of our ATmegaXX8 target boards, as you can see.)

All of our ZIF sockets are surplus parts in factory-new condition, and cost much less than you'll find them for elsewhere.

Get 20-pin ZIF Sockets!
By the each or by the set of four.

Socket, 20-pin ZIF, Each	$3
Socket, 20-pin ZIF, 4-pk	$10

Get 28-pin ZIF Sockets!
By the each or by the set of four.

Socket, 28-pin ZIF, Each	$4
Socket, 28-pin ZIF, 4-pk	$12

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