Connector Types
Audio and Video Connectors
Audio connectors are used to affix cables to other audio equipment, providing electronic signal transference and grounding protection. Applications for audio connectors can be general purpose, telephone, or microphone. Most audio connectors are for commercial purposes, but some may conform to military specifications.
Automotive Electrical Connectors
Automotive electrical connectors are designed to be used specifically in vehicles.
Board Mount Connectors
Board Mounted Connectors, or Circuit Board Connectors, are connectors that can be used as components embedded on a computer board.
Board to Board Connectors
Board mount connectors or circuit board connectors are connectors that can be used as components embedded on a computer board. The boards can be customized to meet the user application.
Centronics Connectors
Centronics connectors are standard parallel interface devices for connecting printers and other peripherals such as portable disc drives, tape backup drives, and CD-ROM players to computers. Centronics connectors are named after the printer that first used them and include two rows of flat contacts.
Circular Connectors
Circular connectors are multi-pin connectors primarily used for external interfacing. They can be used for data transfer, electrical signal transmissions, or for powering electrical devices. In some cases, circular connectors have been designed to carry what may be referred to as a mixed signal and may be described as a power and control connector. These types of multi-pin connectors are used for both power and signal transmissions.
Coaxial Connectors
Coaxial connectors are composed of an insulated central conducting wire wrapped in another cylindrical conductor (the shield). The cable is usually wrapped in another insulating layer and an outer protective layer. Coaxial cables and connectors have the capacity to carry vast quantities of information. They are typically used in high-speed data and CATV applications.
DIN Connectors
DIN connectors are high frequency, multi-pin, electrical connectors that meet standards established by Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), a German national organization for standardization. The ends of DIN connectors are round, notched, and protected by a metal skirt to ensure that pins line up correctly.
D-Subminiature Connectors
D-subminiature or D-sub connectors are sturdy electrical connectors with a mating face shaped like the letter D. They provide polarization because male and female connectors can fit together in only one way.
Edge Connectors
Card edge connectors (also called edge card connectors) are embedded devices that mate with the edges of single-sided or double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs) in order to provide an external electrical connection. Industry standards define power specifications such as voltage levels, power pin placements, and power requirements. For example, PICMG 1.0/1.2 standards define the power specifications for peripheral component interconnect (PCI) and industry standard architecture (ISA) buses.
Fiber Channel Connectors
Fiber Channel connectors are high-speed connectors used in Fiber Channel systems.
FireWire® Connectors
IEEE 1394 connectors are used to connect FireWire® devices such as host controllers, adapters, hard drives, hubs, repeaters, and card readers. FireWire, a registered trademark of Apple Computer, is a communications protocol for the transmission of data, video, and audio over a single cable at very high bit rates.
Gender Changers
Gender changers are devices that change the end of a cable into another type, allowing two cable assemblies with the same or different genders to mate.
Heavy Duty Rectangular Connectors
Heavy duty rectangular connectors are designed to accommodate large electrical loads and direct signals under a multitude of operating conditions. They are normally used in industrial applications where the delivery of high power is required. For this reason special terminations such as solder cup, wire wrap, and other heavy duty terminals, are used to secure the safe delivery of power.
IC Interconnect Components
IC interconnect interface or connect microelectronic semiconductor chips to printed circuit boards (PCB) or larger-scale devices. An electronic interconnect device bridges a gap between two conductors and allows the flow of current or light waves from one to the other. Electronic packaging consists of a plastic, ceramic, or metal enclosure that houses an integrated circuit (IC) on a silicon or metal die.
Instrument and Computer Power Connectors
Instrument power connectors and computer (disk drive) power connectors are used to connect a computer’s power supply to a hard disk, floppy disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or other type of disk drive. They are also used with removable media drives such as Zip disks, and computer cooling devices such as fans and electro-thermal coolers.
Medical Electronic Connectors
Medical electronics connectors are used with medical devices and medical equipment in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and other health-care facilities.
Micro Connectors and Nano Connectors
Micro connectors and nano connectors exhibit contact pitches of 0.05” (micro) and 0.025” (nano), respectively. They have one or more rows of plated contacts and are either straight or right-angled. Some micro connectors and nano connectors are circular or cylindrical. Others are designed for coaxial cables or RF and microwave applications. Both male and female devices are available. Micro connectors and nano connectors are used in a variety of industries and applications.
Military (MIL-SPEC) Connectors
Military (MIL-SPEC) connectors are shell-type connectors that are built in accordance with military specifications. Their design takes into account the need to protect the connection from environmental factors, allowing them to be used in military and aerospace applications. The type AN (Army-Navy) connector set the standard for modern day connectors. They are often referred to as Military Standard, "MIL-STD", or "MIL-SPEC" connectors.
Modular Connectors and RJ Connectors
Modular connectors and RJ connectors include two similar, yet distinct styles of connectors. Modular connectors are made of "plug-in units" that can be added together to make the system larger, improve the capabilities, or expand its size. Registered Jack (RJ) is a telephone and data jack application specific connector registered with the FCC.
Panel Interface Connectors
Panel interface connectors (PICs) are devices installed in the outside of a panel that houses a PLC, a computer, or other devices. The PIC allows the user to interface the PLC or the computer without opening the panel door avoiding potential safety hazards. Power receptacles and communication ports can be placed in a number of combinations to produce various customizable products.
PC Card Connectors
PC card connectors are used to connect PC cards, CompactFlash cards, and other devices to computers. The PC card form factor is defined and maintained by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), a U.S. computer industry trade organization. Known originally as PCMCIA, or PCMCIA cards, PC cards were designed for computer storage expansion. They are now used as network cards, modems, and even hard disks.
Phone Jacks and Plugs
Phone jacks and plugs are connectors used with telephones. They are also known as modular jacks (female) and modular plugs (male).
RF and Microwave Connectors
Radio frequency (RF) and microwave connectors are used to connect the ends of cables in systems that operate in the radio frequency or microwave spectrum. Microwave refers to electromagnetic energy with a frequency higher than 1 gigahertz and a wavelength shorter than 30 centimeters. Radio frequency refers to alternating current that generates an electromagnetic field suitable for wireless broadcasting and/or communications if the current is input to an antenna. An RF connector can be found in transmission systems and allows for the coupling or uncoupling of system components. A mated pair consists of a plug and a jack.
Solar Connectors
Solar connectors facilitate electrical connectivity in solar energy systems. Numerous versions of connectors or standard non-connector junction boxes are employed in the solar industry and are the primary characteristic elements of solar modules.
Solenoid Valve Connectors
Solenoid valve connectors are used to connect solenoid valves and pressure switches. Solenoid valve connectors are often used as environmentally resistant junction boxes. These protective enclosures can be used with either hydraulic or pneumatic solenoid valves or pressure switches. Specific devices are capable of working with either AC or DC voltages, although some types can handle both.
Terminal Blocks
Terminal blocks are modular, insulated blocks that secure two or more wires together. Terminal blocks are used to secure and/or terminate wires and, in their simplest form, consist of several individual terminals arranged in a long strip. Terminals are useful for connecting wiring to a ground or, in the case of electrical power, for connecting electrical switches and outlets to the mains.
Thermocouple Connectors
Thermocouple connectors are used to transmit temperature readings from a thermocouple (T/C). These specialized connectors are designed to extend the thermocouple wire and must be rated for a particular T/C. Lettered choices for thermocouple types include B, C, E, J, K, N, R, S, T, and W.
USB Connectors
USB connectors are used with universal serial bus (USB) ports. They can be used to connect USB products together, or to connect USB wires and peripherals to other standard port types.
Wire Terminals
Wire terminals are passive conductors used to facilitate a connection that is not soldered. They are two-piece assemblies that consist of a receptor (female) and blade (male), which help to provide repeated connection and disconnection. There are many types of products. Examples include spade terminals, ring terminals, blade terminals, and heat-sinkable terminals.
Wire to Board Connectors
Wire-to-board connectors are used to interconnect printed circuit boards (PCBs) by using connectors attached to wires.
Wire to Wire Connectors
Wire-to-wire connectors are used to connect two wire-terminated connectors. They are used as electrical connectors, electronic connectors, and computer connectors. General specifications for a wire-to-wire connector include mating combination or gender, number of circuits or positions, and wire size. Male wire-to-wire connectors are designed to plug into female wire to wire connectors.
