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{{Short description|Device used to join electrical conductors}} | |||
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}} | |||
An '''electrical connector''' is a ] for joining ]s together. The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, or may require a tool for assembly and removal, or may be a permanent electrical joint between two wires or devices. There are hundreds of types of electrical connectors. In computing, an electrical connector can also be known as a '''physical interface''' (compare ] in ] of networking). Connectors may join two lengths of flexible wire or cable, or may connect a wire or cable to an electrical ]. | |||
])}}]] | |||
== Properties of electrical connectors == | |||
] features a variety of electrical connectors]] | |||
An ideal electrical connector would have a low contact resistance and high insulation value. It would be resistant to vibration, water, oil, and pressure. It would be easily mated/unmated, unambiguously preserve the orientation of connected circuits, reliable, carry one or multiple circuits. Desirable properties for a connector also include easy identification, compact size, rugged construction, durability (capable of many connect/disconnect cycles), rapid assembly, simple tooling, and low cost. No single connector has all the ideal properties. The proliferation of types is a reflection of the differing importance placed on the design factors. | |||
] | |||
Components of an ] are '''electrically connected''' if an ] can run between them through an ]. An '''electrical connector''' is an ] device used to create an electrical connection between parts of an electrical circuit, or between different electrical circuits, thereby joining them into a larger circuit.<ref name="ieee">{{cite web |url=https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/electrical_electronic_components/connectors/connectors_electrical |title=Electrical Connectors Information |publisher=IEEE GlobalSpec |website=Engineering360 |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> | |||
The connection may be removable (as for portable equipment), require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points.<ref name="RSM98">{{cite book |title=Electrical Connector Handbook: Theory and Applications |last1=Mroczkowski |first1=Robert S. |publisher=McGraw Hill |year=1998 |isbn=0-07-041401-7 |chapter=Ch 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XGkw8YR-uXsC}}</ref> An ] can be used to join dissimilar connectors. Most electrical connectors have a ]{{snd}}i.e. the male component, called a ''plug'', connects to the female component, or ''socket''. | |||
Thousands of configurations of connectors are manufactured for ], ], and ] applications.<ref name="elliott">{{cite book |title=Electromechanical Devices & Components |last1=Elliott |first1=Brian S. |publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-07-147752-9 |edition=2nd |chapter=Chapter 9: Connectors}}</ref> Electrical connectors can be divided into four basic categories, differentiated by their function:<ref name="sparkfun">{{cite web |url=https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/connector-basics/all |title=Connector Basics |website=SparkFun |author1=SFUptownMaker |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> | |||
* ''inline'' or ''cable'' connectors permanently attached to a cable, so it can be plugged into another ] (either a stationary instrument or another cable)<ref name="connector-def">{{cite web |url=http://www.interfacebus.com/Glossary-of-Terms_C5.html |at=Connector|title=Engineering Definitions – 'Com' to 'Con' |website=Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms |date=17 March 2012 |last1=David |first1=Larry |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> | |||
* ''Chassis'' or ''panel'' connectors permanently attached to a piece of equipment so users can connect a cable to a stationary device | |||
* ''PCB mount'' connectors soldered to a ], providing a point for ] or ] attachment.<ref name="taoe" />{{rp|56}} (e.g. ]s, ]s, ]s) | |||
* ''Splice'' or ''butt'' connectors (primarily ]s) that permanently join two lengths of wire or cable | |||
In computing, electrical connectors are considered a physical interface and constitute part of the ] in the ] of networking. | |||
==Physical construction== | |||
In addition to the classes mentioned above, connectors are characterised by their ], ], materials, size, ], ], mechanical durability, ], ] (number of cycles), and ease of use. | |||
It is usually desirable for a connector to be easy to identify visually, rapid to assemble, inexpensive, and require only simple tooling. In some cases an equipment manufacturer might choose a connector specifically because it is ''not'' compatible with those from other sources, allowing control of what may be connected. No single connector has all the ideal properties for every application; the proliferation of types is a result of the diverse yet specific requirements of manufacturers.<ref name="zvei">{{cite book |url=https://www.zvei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Presse_und_Medien/Publikationen/2016/November/Connectors_Technologies-and-Trends_engl/2016-11_Imagebroschuere_Steckverbinder_engl.pdf |title=Connectors – Technologies and Trends |date=August 2016 |publisher=ZVEI – German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association}}</ref>{{rp|6}} | |||
===Materials=== | |||
Electrical connectors essentially consist of two classes of materials: conductors and insulators. Properties important to conductor materials are contact resistance, ], ], ], and ].<ref name="molex">{{cite web |url=http://www.piclist.com/images/com/marvin3m/www/http/connect/index.htm |title=Molex Connectors Explained, as used in Pinball |date=4 March 2005 |website=Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> Insulators must have a high ], withstand high temperatures, and be easy to manufacture for a precise fit | |||
]s in connectors are usually made of ]s, due to their good conductivity and ].<ref name="zvei" />{{rp|15}} Alternatives include ], ], and ]. The base electrode metal is often coated with another inert metal such as ], ], or ].<ref name="molex" /> The use of a coating material with good conductivity, mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance helps to reduce the influence of passivating oxide layers and surface adsorbates, which limit metal-to-metal contact patches and contribute to contact resistance. For example, copper alloys have favorable mechanical properties for electrodes, but are hard to solder and prone to corrosion. Thus, copper pins are usually coated with gold to alleviate these pitfalls, especially for analog signals and high-reliability applications.<ref name="gold-tin">{{cite web |url=https://www.connector.com/gold-or-tin-versus-gold-and-tin/#ixzz4irNbDrRT3 |title=Gold or Tin versus Gold and Tin? |website=Molex |last1=Endres |first1=Herbert |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="golden-rules">{{cite web |author=AMP Incorporated |title=Golden Rules: Guidelines For The Use Of Gold On Connector Contacts |date=29 July 1996 |publisher=Tyco Electronic Corporation |url=https://www.te.com/documentation/whitepapers/pdf/aurulrep.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329092427/https://www.te.com/documentation/whitepapers/pdf/aurulrep.pdf |archive-date=29 March 2018 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 July 2019 |quote=Gold is generally specified as a contact coating for low level signal voltage and current applications, and where high reliability is a major consideration}}</ref> | |||
Contact ''carriers'' that hold the parts of a connector together are usually made of plastic, due to its insulating properties. ''Housings'' or '']'' can be made of molded plastic and metal.<ref name="zvei" />{{rp|15}} Connector bodies for high-temperature use, such as ]s or associated with large ]s, may be made of fired ceramic material. | |||
===Failure modes=== | |||
The majority of connector failures result in intermittent connections or open contacts:<ref name="navy">{{cite web |url=https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/NSWC_Crane/SD-18/PDFs/Products/Connectors/ConnectorsFailure.pdf |title=Connectors: Failure Mechanisms and Anomalies |access-date=1 July 2019 |website=Naval Sea Systems Command}}</ref><ref>Normalized failure mode distributions were originally compiled from a combination of: MIL-HDBK-978, “NASA Parts Application Handbook”, 1991; MIL-HDBK-338, “Electronic Reliability Design Handbook”, 1994; “Reliability Toolkit: Commercial Practices Edition", Reliability Analysis Center (RAC), 1998; and “Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA)”, RAC, 1993.</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! Failure mode | |||
! Relative probability | |||
|- | |||
| Open circuit || 61% | |||
|- | |||
| Poor contact || 23% | |||
|- | |||
| Short circuit || 16% | |||
|} | |||
Connectors are purely ] components{{snd}}that is, they do not enhance the function of a circuit{{snd}}so connectors should affect the function of a circuit as little as possible. Insecure mounting of connectors (primarily chassis-mounted) can contribute significantly to the risk of failure, especially when subjected to extreme shock or vibration.<ref name="navy" /> Other causes of failure are connectors inadequately rated for the applied current and voltage, connectors with inadequate ingress protection, and threaded ] that are worn or damaged. | |||
High temperatures can also cause failure in connectors, resulting in an "avalanche" of failures{{snd}}ambient temperature increases, leading to a decrease in insulation resistance and increase in conductor resistance; this increase generates more heat, and the cycle repeats.<ref name="navy" /> | |||
] (so-called ''dynamic corrosion'') is a common ] in electrical connectors that have not been specifically designed to prevent it, especially in those that are frequently mated and de-mated.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |url=http://dlnmh9ip6v2uc.cloudfront.net/datasheets/Robotics/ENG_CS_82012_Ribbon_Cable_Interconnect_Sol_0412.pdf |title=Ribbon Cable Interconnect Solutions |page=30 |date=April 2012 |access-date=1 July 2019 |quote=By its design the traditional failure mode in tin plated connections, fretting corrosion, is prevented}}.</ref> Surface ] is a risk for many metal parts in connectors, and can cause contacts to form a thin surface layer that increases resistance, thus contributing to heat buildup and intermittent connections.<ref name="reliability">{{cite web |url=http://ieee-holm.org/h2004/h2004antler.pdf |title=A Perspective on Connector Reliability |last1=Mroczkowski |first1=Dr. Robert S. |publisher=connNtext |website=IEEE |access-date=1 July 2019 |date=15 October 2004 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025000712/https://ieee-holm.org/h2004/h2004antler.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, remating or reseating a connector can alleviate the issue of surface corrosion, since each cycle scrapes a microscopic layer off the surface of the contact(s), exposing a fresh, unoxidised surface. | |||
===Circular connectors=== | |||
Many connectors used for industrial and high-reliability applications are circular in cross section, with a cylindrical housing and circular contact interface geometries. This is in contrast to the rectangular design of some connectors, e.g. ] or ]. They are commonly used for easier engagement and disengagement, tight environmental sealing, and rugged mechanical performance.<ref name="glenair">{{cite web |url=https://cdn.glenair.com/interconnects/pdf/intro2.pdf |title=Essential Connector Terms and Definitions for Specifiers of Interconnect Wiring Systems |publisher=Glenair, Inc |date=2004 |access-date=2019-06-25}}</ref> They are widely used in military, aerospace, industrial machinery, and rail, where ] and ] are commonly specified. Fields such as ] and ] also use circular connectors, such as ] and ]. ] are also commonly circular, for example, ] plugs and ]. | |||
] cabling using M12 connectors]] | |||
The ], specified in IEC 61076-2-101, is a circular electrical plug/receptacle pair with 12mm OD mating threads, used in ], ], ], some kinds of ], etc.<ref> | |||
. | |||
2017. | |||
</ref><ref> | |||
Dietmar Röring. | |||
. | |||
2014. | |||
</ref> | |||
A disadvantage of the circular design is its inefficient use of panel space when used in arrays, when compared to rectangular connectors. | |||
Circular connectors commonly use ], which provide physical and electromagnetic protection, whilst sometimes also providing a method for locking the connector into a receptacle.<ref name="amphenol-backshells" /> In some cases, this backshell provides a ], or some degree of ], through the use of ]s, ]s, or ].<ref name="glenair" /> | |||
===Hybrid connectors=== | |||
Hybrid connectors allow the intermixing of many connector types, usually by way of a housing with inserts.<ref>{{cite book |section-url=https://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-018/_2625.htm |section=Hybrid connector |url=https://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/fs-1037c.htm |title=Telecommunications: Glossary of Telecommunication Terms (FS1037C) |publisher=National Telecommunications and Information Administration |date=23 August 1996}}</ref> These housings may also allow intermixing of electrical and non-electrical interfaces, examples of the latter being pneumatic line connectors, and ]. Because hybrid connectors are modular in nature, they tend to simplify assembly, repair, and future modifications. They also allow the creation of composite cable assemblies that can reduce equipment installation time by reducing the number of individual cable and connector assemblies. | |||
==Mechanical features== | |||
===Pin sequence=== | |||
Some connectors are designed such that certain pins make contact before others when inserted, and break first on disconnection.<ref name="ieee" /> This is often used in ] to protect equipment, e.g. connecting ] first. It is also employed for digital signals, as a method to sequence connections properly in ]. | |||
===Keying=== | ===Keying=== | ||
{{multiple image | |||
], showing the notch for alignment.]] | |||
| align = right | |||
] ] cable: the notches are the keying showing the keying.]] | |||
| direction = vertical | |||
] ]: the off-center rectangle and surrounding notches are a key.]] | |||
| width = 150 | |||
Many connectors are '''keyed,''' meaning that they have some component which prevents mating except with specific connectors or in a specific orientation. This can be used to prevent incorrect or damaging interconnections, either preventing pins from being damaged by being jammed in at the wrong angle or fitting into imperfectly fitting plugs, or to prevent damaging connections, such as plugging an audio cable into a power outlet. For instance, ]s have a notch to ensure proper orientation, while ] plugs have a plastic projection, which fits into a corresponding hole in the socket and prevent different connectors from being pushed together (they also have a notched metal skirt to provide secondary keying). | |||
| header = Examples of keyed connectors | |||
| image1 = XLR pinouts.svg | |||
| caption1 = ], showing the notch for alignment | |||
| image2 = SVideoConnector.jpg | |||
| caption2 = A 4-pin ] ] cable, with notches and a rectangular alignment pin | |||
}} | |||
Many connectors are '''keyed''' with some mechanical component (sometimes called a ''keyway''), which prevents mating in an incorrect orientation.<ref name="nykcs-circular" /> This can be used to prevent mechanical damage to connectors, from being jammed in at the wrong angle or into the wrong connector, or to prevent incompatible or dangerous electrical connections, such as plugging an audio cable into a power outlet.<ref name="ieee" /> Keying also prevents otherwise symmetrical connectors from being connected in the wrong orientation or ''polarity''. Keying is particularly important for situations where there are many similar connectors, such as in signal electronics.<ref name="zvei" />{{rp|26}} For instance, ]s have a notch to ensure proper orientation, while ] plugs have a plastic projection that fits into a corresponding hole in the socket (they also have a notched metal skirt to provide secondary keying).<ref name="lsf">{{cite book |last1=Evans |first1=Bill |title=Live sound fundamentals |year=2011 |url=https://archive.org/details/livesoundfundame00evan |url-access=limited |publisher=Course Technology |isbn=978-1-4354-5494-1 |pages=, 29}}</ref> | |||
===Locking mechanisms=== | |||
==Types of electrical connectors== | |||
Some connector housings are designed with locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent disconnection or poor environmental sealing.<ref name="ieee" /> Locking mechanism designs include locking levers of various sorts, ]s, screw-in shells, ], and toggle or ] systems. Some connectors, particularly those with large numbers of contacts, require high forces to connect and disconnect. Locking levers and jackscrews and screw-in shells for such connectors frequently serve both to retain the connector when connected and to provide the force needed for connection and disconnection. Depending on application requirements, housings with locking mechanisms may be tested under various environmental simulations that include physical shock and vibration, water spray, dust, etc. to ensure the integrity of the electrical connection and housing seals. | |||
A ''terminal'' is a simple type of electrical connector that connects two or more wires to a single connection point. ]s are another type of single point connector. | |||
] | |||
===Terminal blocks=== | |||
] (also called terminal ''boards'' or ''strips'') provide a convenient means of connecting individual electrical wires. They are usually used to connect wiring among various items of equipment within an enclosure or to make connections among individually enclosed items. Since terminal blocks are readily available for a wide range of wire sizes and terminal quantity, they are one of the most flexible types of electrical connector available. Some disadvantages are that connecting wires is more difficult than simply plugging in a cable and the terminals are generally not very well protected from contact with persons or foreign conducting materials. | |||
===Backshells=== | |||
One type of terminal block accepts wires that are prepared only by removing (''stripping'') a short length of ] from the end. Another type accepts wires that have ring or spade terminal ''lugs'' crimped onto the wires. ] (PCB) mounted terminal blocks allow individual wires to be connected to the circuit board. PCB mounted terminal blocks are soldered to the board, but they are available in a pull-apart version that allows the wire-connecting half of the block to be unplugged from the part that is soldered to the PCB. | |||
'''Backshells''' are a common accessory for industrial and high-reliability connectors, especially ].<ref name="amphenol-backshells">{{cite web |url=https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/1593/0900766b815933a9.pdf |title=Backshells by Amphenol Socapex |website=RS Components Ltd |publisher=Amphenol Socapex |date=2 November 2016 |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref> Backshells typically protect the connector and/or cable from environmental or mechanical stress, or shield it from ].<ref name="cdm-backshells">{{cite web |url=https://cdmelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/How_To_Select_the_Proper_Backshell_31.pdf |title=How to Select the Proper Backshell |website=CDM Electronics |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref> Many types of backshells are available for different purposes, including various sizes, shapes, materials, and levels of protection. Backshells usually lock onto the cable with a clamp or moulded boot, and may be threaded for attachment to a mating receptacle.<ref name="backshell-def">{{cite web |url=http://www.interfacebus.com/Glossary-of-Terms-Back-shell.html |title=Back Shell Definition |website=Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms |date=17 March 2012 |last1=David |first1=Larry |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> Backshells for military and aerospace use are regulated by SAE AS85049 within the USA.<ref name="backshellworld">{{cite web |url=https://www.amphenol.co.uk/sites/default/files/file/How%20to%20select%20a%20backshell.pdf |title=How to select a backshell |publisher=BackShellWorld.com |website=Amphenol Corporation |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214185126/https://www.amphenol.co.uk/sites/default/files/file/How%20to%20select%20a%20backshell.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Hyperboloid contacts=== | ||
To deliver ensured signal stability in extreme environments, traditional pin and socket design may become inadequate. Hyperboloid contacts are designed to withstand more extreme physical demands, such as vibration and shock.<ref name="nykcs-circular">{{cite web |url=https://www.nykcs.com/circular-connector-terminology-guide/ |title=Circular Connector Terminology Guide |website=NYK Component Solutions |last1=Worley |first1=Jon |date=31 July 2018 |access-date=2018-10-15}}</ref> They also require around 40% less insertion force<ref name="hyperboloid-connsupp" />{{snd}} as low as {{convert|0.3|N|oz-f|0}} per contact,<ref name="ieh-catalog">{{cite web |url=https://www.iehcorp.com/_uploads/pdf/catalogs/hgm.pdf |title=IEH Hyperboloid Connectors |website=IEH Corporation |date=October 2017 |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref>{{snd}}which extends the lifespan, and in some cases offers an alternative to ] connectors.<ref name="ieh-hyperboloid">{{cite web |url=https://www.iehcorp.com/about/technology/ |website=IEH Corporation |title=Our Technology |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="hyperboloid-connsupp">{{cite web |url=https://www.connectorsupplier.com/modern-hyperboloid-contacts-for-circular-io-connectors/ |title=Modern Hyperboloid Contacts for Circular I/O Connectors |date=8 June 2015 |last1=Lascelles |first1=Robert |website=ConnectorSupplier.com |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref> | |||
] (red and black) adaptor.]] | |||
{{details|Binding post}} | |||
In a connector with hyperboloid contacts, each female contact has several equally spaced longitudinal wires twisted into a hyperbolic shape. These wires are highly resilient to strain, but still somewhat elastic, hence they essentially function as linear springs.<ref name="hyperboloid-connector-tips">{{cite web |url=https://www.connectortips.com/would-you-trust-your-life-to-a-50-year-old-connector-design/ |title=Would you trust your life to a 50-year old connector design? |author=David Brearley |date=9 October 2015 |website=Connector Tips |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="hyperboloid-su-patent">{{cite patent |country=SU |number=1125684A1 |status=application |title=Hyperboloid-shaped socket for connection device |invent1=Pustynskij Nikolaj |pubdate=1983 |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/SU1125684A1}}.</ref> As the male pin is inserted, axial wires in the socket half are deflected, wrapping themselves around the pin to provide a number of contact points. The internal wires that form the hyperboloid structure are usually anchored at each end by bending the tip into a groove or notch in the housing.<ref name="hyperboloid-uk-patent">{{cite patent |country=GB |publication-number=2366097A |status=application |title=Hyperboloid electrical socket |pubdate=27 February 2002 |invent1=Donald Richard Lacoy |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6464546B2}}.</ref> | |||
A general type of connector simply screws or clamps bare wire to a post; such connectors are frequently used in ] and audio. | |||
Whilst hyperboloid contacts may be the only option to make a reliable connection in some circumstances, they have the disadvantage of taking up greater volume in a connector, which can cause problems for high-density connectors.<ref name="hyperboloid-connsupp" /> They are also significantly more expensive than traditional pin and socket contacts, which has limited their uptake since their invention in the 1920s by Wilhelm Harold Frederick.<ref name="hyperboloid-us-patent">{{cite patent |country=US |publication-number=1833145A |status=patent |title=Connecter |pubdate=7 July 1925 |invent1=Wilhelm Harold Frederick |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US1833145A}}.</ref> In the 1950s, Francois Bonhomme popularised hyperboloid contacts with his "Hypertac" connector, which was later acquired by ]. During the following decades, the connectors steadily gained popularity, and are still used for medical, industrial, military, aerospace, and rail applications (particularly trains in Europe).<ref name="hyperboloid-connector-tips" /> | |||
===Crimp-on terminals=== | |||
Most types of crimp-on terminals (or ''lugs'') are attached to wires to allow the wires to be easily connected to screw terminals and fast-on or quick-disconnect terminals. There are also crimp-on terminals for connecting two wires together either permanently or with disconnect capability. Crimp-on terminals are attached by inserting the ]ped end of a ] into the tubular portion of the terminal. The tubular portion of the terminal is then compressed tightly around the wire or ''crimped'' by squeezing it with a special ]. | |||
===Pogo pins=== | |||
===Insulation displacement connectors=== | |||
{{main| |
{{main|Pogo pin}} | ||
] | |||
Since stripping the insulation from wires is time-consuming, many connectors intended for rapid assembly use ]s so that insulation need not be removed from the wire. These generally take the form of a fork-shaped opening in the terminal, into which the insulated wire is pressed and which cut through the insulation to contact the conductor within. To make these connections reliably on a production line, special tools are used which accurately control the forces applied during assembly. If properly assembled, the resulting ] are gas-tight and will last the life of the product. A common example is the multi-conductor flat ribbon cable used in computer disk drives; to terminate each of the many (approximately 40) wires individually would be slow and error-prone, but an insulation displacement connector can terminate all the wires in (literally) one stroke. Another very common use is so-called "punch down" blocks used for terminating telephone wiring. | |||
''Pogo pin'' or ''spring loaded'' connectors are commonly used in consumer and industrial products, where mechanical resilience and ease of use are priorities.<ref name="ccp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pccp.com.tw/product_detail.php?type_d=1&PNo=33 |website=C.C.P. Contact Probes Co. |title=Basic Pogo Pin Intro |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415022752/https://www.pccp.com.tw/product_detail.php?type_d=1&PNo=33 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The connector consists of a barrel, a spring, and a plunger. They are in applications such as the ] connector where a quick disconnect is desired for safety. Because they rely on spring pressure, not friction, they can be more durable and less damaging than traditional pin and socket design, leading to their use in ]ing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qualmax.com/ |title=Welcome to Qualmax |website=Qualmax |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
===Crown spring connectors=== | |||
Insulation displacement connectors are usually used with small conductors for signal purposes and at low voltage. Power conductors carrying more than a few amperes are more reliably terminated with other means, though "hot tap" press-on connectors find some use in automotive applications for additions to existing wiring. | |||
] | |||
Crown spring connectors are commonly used for higher current flows and industrial applications. They have a high number of contact points, which provides a more electrically reliable connection than traditional pin and socket connectors.<ref>{{cite book |url={{Google books |_ghEDwAAQBAJ |page=408 |plainurl=yes |onepage=yes}} |title=Electrical Contacts: Principles and Applications |edition=2nd |last=Slade |first=Paul G. |publisher=CRC Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4398-8130-9 |page=408}}</ref> | |||
==Methods of connection== | |||
===Plug and socket connectors=== | |||
{{multiple image | |||
{{main|Gender of connectors and fasteners}} | |||
|align=right | |||
{{also|Pinout}} | |||
|width=125 | |||
].]] | |||
|title=Plug and socket connectors | |||
Plug and socket connectors are usually made up of a male plug and a female socket, although ''hermaphroditic'' connectors exist, such as the original IBM ] LAN connector. Plugs generally have one or more pins or prongs that are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be sufficiently tight to make a good electrical connection and complete the circuit. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is helpful to have a ] diagram to identify the wire or circuit node connected to each pin. | |||
|direction=vertical | |||
|image1=Amphenol 16pin male front.jpg | |||
|caption1=Male ] plug | |||
|image2=SVGA port.jpg | |||
|caption2=Female ] | |||
|image3=Serial port.jpg | |||
|caption3=Male ] connector | |||
|image4=IBMtrconnector detail.jpg | |||
|caption4=Mating surfaces of a ] | |||
}} | |||
Whilst technically inaccurate, electrical connectors can be viewed as a type of adapter to convert between two connection methods, which are permanently connected at one end and (usually) detachable at the other end.<ref name="zvei" />{{rp|40}} By definition, each end of this "adapter" has a different connection method{{snd}}e.g. the solder tabs on a male ], and the male phone connector itself.<ref name="elliott" /> In this example, the solder tabs connected to the cable represent the permanent connection, whilst the male connector portion interfaces with a female socket forming a detachable connection. | |||
There are many ways of applying a connector to a cable or device. Some of these methods can be accomplished without specialized tools. Other methods, while requiring a special tool, can assemble connectors much faster and more reliably, and make repairs easier. | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
<br clear=all> | |||
The number of times a connector can connect and disconnect with its counterpart while meeting all its specifications is termed as ''mating cycles'' and is an indirect measure of connector lifespan. The material used for connector contact, plating type and thickness is a major factor that determines the mating cycles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Learn More about Connector Mating Cycles|url=https://www.amphenol-icc.com/connect/learn-more-about-connector-mating-cycles.html|access-date=2021-08-23|website=www.amphenol-icc.com}}</ref> | |||
===Component and device connectors=== | |||
Electrical and electronic components and devices sometimes have plug and socket connectors or terminal blocks, but individual screw terminals and fast-on or quick-disconnect terminals are more common. Small components have bare lead wires for soldering. They are manufactured using casting | |||
===Blade connector=== | |||
] | |||
A '''blade connector''' is a type of single wire connection using a flat blade which is inserted into a blade receptacle. Usually both blade connector and blade receptacle have wires attached to them either through soldering of the wire to the blade or ] of the blade to the wire. In some cases the blade is a manufactured part of a component (such as a switch or a speaker unit) and a blade receptacle is pushed onto the blade to form a connection. | |||
==={{Anchor|plug|socket}}Plug and socket connectors=== | |||
A common type of blade connector is the "'''faston'''". Faston connectors come in male and female types. They have been commonly used since 1970s. | |||
{{see also|Gender of connectors and fasteners|Pinout}} | |||
Plug and socket connectors are usually made up of a male '''plug''' (typically pin contacts) and a female '''socket''' (typically receptacle contacts). Often, but not always, sockets are permanently fixed to a device as in a chassis connector {{See above}}, and plugs are attached to a cable. | |||
Plugs generally have one or more pins or prongs that are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be sufficiently tight to make a good electrical connection and complete the circuit. An alternative type of plug and socket connection uses ], which makes a more reliable electrical connection. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is helpful to have a ] diagram to identify the wire or circuit node connected to each pin. | |||
===Ring and Spade Terminals=== | |||
The connectors in the top row of the image are known as '''ring terminals''' and '''spade terminals''' (sometimes called split ring terminals). Electrical contact is made by passing a screw or bolt through them. The spade terminal form factor facilitates connections since the screw or bolt can be left partially screwed in as the spade terminal is removed or attached. Their sizes can be determined by the size of the conducting wire ] and/or the ]/Bolt diameter size designation. | |||
Some connector styles may combine pin and socket connection types in a single unit, referred to as a ].<ref name="taoe">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LAiWPwAACAAJ |title=The Art of Electronics |edition=2nd |last1=Horowitz |first1=Paul |last2=Hill |first2=Winfield |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1989 |isbn=0-521-37095-7}}</ref>{{rp|56}} These connectors includes mating with both male and female aspects, involving complementary paired identical parts each containing both protrusions and indentations. These mating surfaces are mounted into identical fittings that freely mate with any other, without regard for gender (provided that the size and type match). | |||
==Commonly used connectors== | |||
===8P8C connector=== | |||
] | |||
{{main|8P8C}} | |||
'''8P8C''' is short for "eight positions, eight conductors", and so an 8P8C modular connector (plug or jack) is a ] with eight positions, all containing conductors. The 8P8C modular plugs and jacks look very similar to the plugs and jacks used for FCC's registered jack ] variants, although the true and extremely uncommon RJ45 is not really compatible with 8P8C modular connectors. It neither uses all eight conductors (but only two of them for wires plus two for shorting a programming resistor) nor does it fit into 8P8C because the true RJ45 is "keyed". The connector is probably most famous for its use in ] and widely used on ] cables. | |||
Sometimes both ends of a cable are terminated with the same gender of connector, as in many ] patch cables. In other applications the two ends are terminated differently, either with male and female of the same connector (as in an ]), or with incompatible connectors, which is sometimes called an ''] cable''. | |||
===D-subminiature connectors=== | |||
] plug.]] | |||
The ] electrical connector is commonly used for the ] ] on ]s and ] computers. The D-subminiature connector is used in many different applications, for computers, telecommunications, and test and measurement instruments. A few examples are monitors (], ], ]), the ], ], ], ], and ] joysticks and mice, and game consoles such as Atari and ]. | |||
Plugs and sockets are widely used in various connector systems including blade connectors, ]s, ]s, ], ]s, and ]. | |||
===USB connectors=== | |||
{{main|USB}} | |||
===={{Anchor|jack}}Jacks and plugs==== | |||
] series A plug]] | |||
]]] | |||
The '''Universal Serial Bus''' is a serial bus standard to interface devices, founded in 1996. It is currently widely used among ], ] and many other devices. There are several types of USB connectors, and some have been added as the specification has progressed. The most commonly used is the (male) series "A" plug on ]s, when the cable is fixed to the peripheral. If there is no cable fixed to the peripheral, the peripheral always needs to have a USB "B" socket. In this case a USB "A" plug to a USB "B" plug cable would be needed. USB "A" sockets are always used on the host PC and the USB "B" sockets on the peripherals. It is a 4-pin connector, surrounded by a shield. There are several other connectors in use, the mini-A, mini- B and mini-AB plug and socket (added in the On-The-Go Supplement to the USB 2.0 Specification). | |||
A '''jack''' is a connector that installs on the surface of a bulkhead or enclosure, and mates with its reciprocal, the '''plug'''.<ref name="jack-plug">{{cite web |url=https://www.cosjwt.com/jack-plug-male-female-connectors/ |title=Jack/Plug – Jack, Plug, Male, Female Connectors |website=An Engineer's Review |date=15 July 2009 |access-date=1 July 2019 |last1=Huggins |first1=John S.}}</ref> According to the ],<ref name="asme-ref">{{cite book | title = Reference Designations for Electrical and Electronics Parts and Equipment: ASME Y14.44-2008 : Section 2.1.5.3 (2) | publisher = ASME, Fairfield, NJ | year = 2008 | url = http://catalog.asme.org/Codes/PrintBook/Y1444_Reference_Designations.cfm | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100313114131/http://catalog.asme.org/Codes/PrintBook/Y1444_Reference_Designations.cfm | archive-date = 2010-03-13 | quote = the stationary (more fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated J or X ... The movable (less fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated P | access-date = 2012-02-03 }}</ref> the stationary (more fixed) connector of a pair is classified as a ''jack'' (denoted J), usually attached to a piece of equipment as in a chassis-mount or panel-mount connector. The movable (less fixed) connector is classified as a ''plug'' (denoted P),<ref name="asme-ref" /> designed to attach to a wire, cable or removable electrical assembly.<ref name="IEEE and ANSI, New York, NY">{{cite book | title = Graphic Symbols for Electrical and Electronics Diagrams (Including Reference Designation Letters): IEEE-315-1975 (Reaffirmed 1993): Section 22 | publisher = IEEE and ANSI, New York, NY | year = 1993 | url = https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ieee-315-1975}}</ref> This convention is currently defined in ASME Y14.44-2008, which supersedes ], which in turn derives from the long-withdrawn MIL-STD-16 (from the 1950s), highlighting the heritage of this connector naming convention.<ref name="jack-plug" /> IEEE 315-1975 works alongside ASME Y14.44-2008 to define jacks and plugs. | |||
The term ''jack'' occurs in several related terms: | |||
===Power connectors=== | |||
* The ''']''' or ''']''' in RJ11, RJ45 and other similar connectors used for ] and ]ing | |||
See ], ], ] for discussions of connectors used for electric power. ]s must protect people from accidental contact with energized conductors. Power connectors often include a safety ] connection as well as the power conductors. In larger sizes, these connectors must also safely contain any ] produced when an energized circuit is disconnected or may require interlocking to prevent opening a live circuit. | |||
* The '''telephone jack''' of manual ]s, which is the socket fitting the original {{convert|1/4|in|mm|2}} ] | |||
* The {{convert|1/4|in|mm|2}} ''']''' common to many electronic applications in various configurations, sometimes referred to as a ''headphone jack'' | |||
* The ''']''', also known as a ''phono jack'', common to consumer audiovisual electronics | |||
* The ''']''' for consumer appliances requiring a power supply of less than 18.0 volts | |||
=== |
===Crimp-on connectors=== | ||
] | |||
{{details3|] and ]}} | |||
{{main|Crimp (electrical)}} | |||
Connectors used at radio frequencies must not change the ] of the ] of which they are part, otherwise ] and losses will result. A ] must not allow external signals into the circuit, and must prevent leakage of energy out of the circuit. At lower radio frequencies simple connectors can be used with success, but as the radio frequency increases, ] effects become more important, with small ] variations from connectors causing the signal to reflect from the connector, rather than to pass through. At ] and above, silver-plating of connectors is common to reduce losses. | |||
'''Crimped connectors''' are a type of solderless connection, using mechanical friction and uniform deformation to secure a connector to a pre-stripped wire (usually stranded).<ref name="ieee" /> Crimping is used in ] connectors, crimped multipin plugs and sockets, and crimped coaxial connectors. Crimping usually requires a specialised crimping tool, but the connectors are quick and easy to install and are a common alternative to solder connections or insulation displacement connectors. Effective crimp connections deform the metal of the connector past its ] so that the compressed wire causes ] in the surrounding connector, and these forces counter each other to create a high degree of ]. Due to the elastic element in crimped connections, they are highly resistant to ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rfcoaxconnectors.com/technical-crimp-vs-solder.php |title=Crimp vs Solder: Pros and Cons |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=1 July 2019 |website=RF Connectors |archive-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701075755/http://www.rfcoaxconnectors.com/technical-crimp-vs-solder.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
Crimped contacts are permanent (i.e. the connectors and wire ends cannot be reused).<ref name="crimp-vs-solder">{{cite book |section-url=http://www.avielelectronics.com/Downloads/Catalog/Ref-Crimp-vs-Solder.pdf |title=Aviel Electronics Catalog |date=2013 |section=Crimp vs. Solder |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
For ] antennas the ] connectors are used. A ] is common for radio and test equipment used up to about 1 GHz. | |||
] plug-and-socket connectors can be classified as ''rear release'' or ''front release''. This relates to the side of the connector where the pins are anchored:<ref name="nykcs-circular" /> | |||
===DC Connectors=== | |||
* '''Front release contacts''' are released from the front (contact side) of the connector, and removed from the rear. The removal tool engages with the front portion of the contact and pushes it through to the back of the connector. | |||
* '''Rear release contacts''' are released and removed from the rear (wire side) of the connector. The removal tool releases the contacts from the rear and pulls the contact out of the retainer. | |||
===Soldered connectors=== | |||
A ] is an electrical connector for supplying direct current (DC) power | |||
{{see also|Soldering}} | |||
Many plug and socket connectors are attached to a wire or cable by '''soldering''' conductors to electrodes on the back of the connector. Soldered joints in connectors are robust and reliable if executed correctly, but are usually slower to make than crimped connections.<ref name="ieee" /> When wires are to be soldered to the back of a connector, a ] is often used to protect the connection and add strain relief. Metal ''solder buckets'' or ''solder cups'' are provided, which consist of a cylindrical cavity that an installer fills with solder before inserting the wire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/field-installable-the-secret-to-mastering-connectors |title=Field Installable: The secret to mastering connectors |website=Design Spark |publisher=RS Components |date=16 March 2017 |access-date=1 July 2019 |at=Solder connectors}}</ref> | |||
When creating soldered connections, it is possible to melt the ] between pins or wires. This can cause problems because the thermal conductivity of metals causes heat to quickly distribute through the cable and connector, and when this heat melts plastic dielectric, it can cause ]s or "flared" (conical) insulation.<ref name="crimp-vs-solder" /> Solder joints are also more prone to mechanical failure than crimped joints when subjected to vibration and compression.<ref name="hpacademy">{{cite web |url=https://www.hpacademy.com/technical-articles/solder-vs-crimping/ |last1=Simon |first1=Andre |website=High Performance Academy |title=Solder Vs Crimping |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> | |||
==Electrical cables== | |||
{{also|Electrical cable}} | |||
===Termination and gender=== | |||
{{main|Gender of connectors and fasteners}} | |||
When used to ] cables, in some applications both ends of the cable are terminated using identical connectors (generally male), as in ] telephone cables or ] network cables, while in other applications the two ends are terminated differently, either with male and female of the same connector (as in an ]), which ends can be connected to each other in a loop, or with incompatible connectors, in an ] cable. | |||
===Insulation-displacement connectors=== | |||
===Wiring=== | |||
{{main|IDC (electrical connector)}} | |||
{{details|Pinout}} | |||
Since stripping insulation from wires is time-consuming, many connectors intended for rapid assembly use '''insulation-displacement connectors''' which cut the insulation as the wire is inserted.<ref name="ieee" /> These generally take the form of a fork-shaped opening in the terminal, into which the insulated wire is pressed, which cut through the insulation to contact the conductor. To make these connections reliably on a production line, special tools accurately control the forces applied during assembly. On small scales, these tools tend to cost more than tools for crimped connections. | |||
{{also|Crossover cable}} | |||
], showing wiring at each end.]] | |||
When a cable is terminated by a connector, the various wires in the cable are connected to contacts (pins) in the connector. | |||
If one has specified wires within a cable (for instance, the colored Ethernet cable wires in ]), then which color wire connects to which number pin is the wiring. Different ways of wiring the two ends yield different cables which are superficially identical, but behave differently. | |||
Insulation displacement connectors are usually used with small conductors for signal purposes and at low voltage. Power conductors carrying more than a few amperes are more reliably terminated with other means, though "hot tap" press-on connectors find some use in automotive applications for additions to existing wiring. | |||
If both ends of a cable have the same connector, or male and female versions of a connector, or even similar connectors (such as ] and ], both of which often have 6P4C (6 positions and 4 contacts)), there is a notion of '''straight through cable''' and '''crossover cable:''' | |||
* in a '''straight through cable,''' pins on one end correspond exactly to the corresponding pins on the other end (pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2, etc.). | |||
A common example is the multi-conductor flat ribbon cable used in computer disk drives; to terminate each of the many (approximately 40) wires individually would be slow and error-prone, but an insulation displacement connector can terminate all the wires in a single action. Another very common use is so-called ]s used for terminating ] wiring. | |||
*:Using the same wiring (a given color wire connects to a given number pin, the same at both ends) at each end yields a straight through cable. | |||
* in a '''crossover cable,''' pins do not so correspond; most often in crossover cables some cables are swapped, meaning that if pin 1 on one end goes to pin 2 on the other end, then pin 2 on the first end goes to pin 1 on the second end, and not to pin 3 or some other: such crossover cables are symmetric, meaning that they work identically regardless of which way you plug them in (if you turn the cable around, it still connects the same pins as before). | |||
]s on a ] loudspeaker]] | |||
*:Using different wiring (a given color wire connects to one number pin at one end, and a different number pin at the other) at each end yields a crossover cable. | |||
===Binding posts=== | |||
{{main|Binding post}} | |||
Binding posts are a single-wire connection method, where stripped wire is screwed or clamped to a metal electrode. Such connectors are frequently used in ] and audio. Many binding posts also accept a ]. | |||
===Screw terminals=== | |||
{{Main|Screw terminal block}} | |||
Screw connections are frequently used for semi-permanent wiring and connections inside devices, due to their simple but reliable construction. The basic principle of all screw terminals involves the tip of a bolt clamping onto a stripped conductor. They can be used to join multiple conductors,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/W0001868.pdf |title=Datasheet 563: Cable Connector |publisher=Clipsal |access-date=1 July 2019}}</ref> to connect wires to a ], or to terminate a cable into a plug or socket.<ref name="zvei" />{{rp|50}} The clamping screw may act in the longitudinal axis (parallel to the wire) or the transverse axis (perpendicular to the wire), or both. Some disadvantages are that connecting wires is more difficult than simply plugging in a cable, and screw terminals are generally not very well protected from contact with persons or foreign conducting materials. | |||
] | |||
'''Terminal blocks''' (also called terminal ''boards'' or ''strips'') provide a convenient means of connecting ] electrical wires without a splice or physically joining the ends. Since terminal blocks are readily available for a wide range of wire sizes and terminal quantity, they are one of the most flexible types of electrical connector available. One type of terminal block accepts wires that are prepared only by stripping a short length of ] from the end. Another type, often called ''barrier strips'', accepts wires that have ring or spade terminal ''lugs'' crimped onto the wires. | |||
] (PCB) mounted '''screw terminals''' let individual wires connect to a PCB through leads soldered to the board. | |||
===Ring and spade connectors=== | |||
] | |||
The connectors in the top row of the image are known as '''ring terminals''' and '''spade terminals''' (sometimes called fork or split ring terminals). Electrical contact is made by the flat surface of the ring or spade, while mechanically they are attached by passing a screw or bolt through them. The spade terminal form factor facilitates connections since the screw or bolt can be left partially screwed in as the spade terminal is removed or attached. Their sizes can be determined by the ] of the conducting wire, and the interior and exterior diameters. | |||
In the case of insulated crimp connectors, the crimped area lies under an insulating sleeve through which the pressing force acts. During crimping, the extended end of this insulating sleeve is simultaneously pressed around the insulated area of the cable, creating strain relief. The insulating sleeve of insulated connectors has a color that indicates the wire's ]. Colors are standardized according to DIN 46245: | |||
* Red for cross-section areas from 0.5 to 1 mm² | |||
A well-known crossover cable is the ], which converts between ] and ] termination. | |||
* Blue for cross-section areas from 1.5 to 2.5 mm² | |||
* Yellow for cross-section areas over 4 to 6 mm² | |||
===Blade connectors=== | |||
What matters specifically is not "which contact corresponds to which wire", but rather | |||
{{see also|FASTON terminal}} | |||
"which contact on one connector corresponds to which contact on the other connector": to illustrate the distinction, ] straight through cables and ] straight through cables are electrically identical: pin 1 on one end corresponds to pin 1 on the other end, though in the T568A it is a green/white striped wire that connects them, while in T568B it is an orange/white striped wire that connects them. | |||
] | |||
However, a cable wired with T568A at one end and T568B at the other is a crossover cable. | |||
A '''blade connector''' is a type of single wire, plug-and-socket connection device using a flat conductive blade (plug) that is inserted into a receptacle. Wires are typically attached to male or female blade connector terminals by either ] or ]. Insulated and uninsulated varieties are available. In some cases the blade is an integral manufactured part of a component (such as a switch or a speaker unit), and the reciprocal connector terminal is pushed onto the device's connector terminal. | |||
===Other connection methods=== | |||
The name "straight through" is suggestive but slightly misleading: if one has a ], such that all wires are in fact straight and in a line, the pinouts at the two ends are actually the ''mirror'' of each other: the left-most wire on one end is the right-most wire on the other. | |||
* ] – conductive clamps used for temporary connections, e.g. ]s | |||
* ]s – e.g. ]s or ] | |||
* ]s (e.g. wire nuts) – used in ] power circuits for wires up to about 10 AWG | |||
* ]ping – used in older circuit boards | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{div col}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] for a termination on a high voltage electric power cable | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
{{div col end}} | |||
===Connectors=== | ===Connectors=== | ||
{{div col}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] connector | * ] connector | ||
* ] | |||
{{div col end}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
;General | |||
* Foreman, Chris, "Sound System Design", ''Handbook for Sound Engineers'', Third Edition, Glen M. Ballou, Ed., Elsevier Inc., 2002, pp. 1171–72. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category-inline|Electrical connectors}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 22:34, 3 November 2024
Device used to join electrical conductorsComponents of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between parts of an electrical circuit, or between different electrical circuits, thereby joining them into a larger circuit.
The connection may be removable (as for portable equipment), require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points. An adapter can be used to join dissimilar connectors. Most electrical connectors have a gender – i.e. the male component, called a plug, connects to the female component, or socket.
Thousands of configurations of connectors are manufactured for power, data, and audiovisual applications. Electrical connectors can be divided into four basic categories, differentiated by their function:
- inline or cable connectors permanently attached to a cable, so it can be plugged into another terminal (either a stationary instrument or another cable)
- Chassis or panel connectors permanently attached to a piece of equipment so users can connect a cable to a stationary device
- PCB mount connectors soldered to a printed circuit board, providing a point for cable or wire attachment. (e.g. pin headers, screw terminals, board-to-board connectors)
- Splice or butt connectors (primarily insulation displacement connectors) that permanently join two lengths of wire or cable
In computing, electrical connectors are considered a physical interface and constitute part of the physical layer in the OSI model of networking.
Physical construction
In addition to the classes mentioned above, connectors are characterised by their pinout, method of connection, materials, size, contact resistance, insulation, mechanical durability, ingress protection, lifetime (number of cycles), and ease of use.
It is usually desirable for a connector to be easy to identify visually, rapid to assemble, inexpensive, and require only simple tooling. In some cases an equipment manufacturer might choose a connector specifically because it is not compatible with those from other sources, allowing control of what may be connected. No single connector has all the ideal properties for every application; the proliferation of types is a result of the diverse yet specific requirements of manufacturers.
Materials
Electrical connectors essentially consist of two classes of materials: conductors and insulators. Properties important to conductor materials are contact resistance, conductivity, mechanical strength, formability, and resilience. Insulators must have a high electrical resistance, withstand high temperatures, and be easy to manufacture for a precise fit
Electrodes in connectors are usually made of copper alloys, due to their good conductivity and malleability. Alternatives include brass, phosphor bronze, and beryllium copper. The base electrode metal is often coated with another inert metal such as gold, nickel, or tin. The use of a coating material with good conductivity, mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance helps to reduce the influence of passivating oxide layers and surface adsorbates, which limit metal-to-metal contact patches and contribute to contact resistance. For example, copper alloys have favorable mechanical properties for electrodes, but are hard to solder and prone to corrosion. Thus, copper pins are usually coated with gold to alleviate these pitfalls, especially for analog signals and high-reliability applications.
Contact carriers that hold the parts of a connector together are usually made of plastic, due to its insulating properties. Housings or backshells can be made of molded plastic and metal. Connector bodies for high-temperature use, such as thermocouples or associated with large incandescent lamps, may be made of fired ceramic material.
Failure modes
The majority of connector failures result in intermittent connections or open contacts:
Failure mode | Relative probability |
---|---|
Open circuit | 61% |
Poor contact | 23% |
Short circuit | 16% |
Connectors are purely passive components – that is, they do not enhance the function of a circuit – so connectors should affect the function of a circuit as little as possible. Insecure mounting of connectors (primarily chassis-mounted) can contribute significantly to the risk of failure, especially when subjected to extreme shock or vibration. Other causes of failure are connectors inadequately rated for the applied current and voltage, connectors with inadequate ingress protection, and threaded backshells that are worn or damaged.
High temperatures can also cause failure in connectors, resulting in an "avalanche" of failures – ambient temperature increases, leading to a decrease in insulation resistance and increase in conductor resistance; this increase generates more heat, and the cycle repeats.
Fretting (so-called dynamic corrosion) is a common failure mode in electrical connectors that have not been specifically designed to prevent it, especially in those that are frequently mated and de-mated. Surface corrosion is a risk for many metal parts in connectors, and can cause contacts to form a thin surface layer that increases resistance, thus contributing to heat buildup and intermittent connections. However, remating or reseating a connector can alleviate the issue of surface corrosion, since each cycle scrapes a microscopic layer off the surface of the contact(s), exposing a fresh, unoxidised surface.
Circular connectors
Many connectors used for industrial and high-reliability applications are circular in cross section, with a cylindrical housing and circular contact interface geometries. This is in contrast to the rectangular design of some connectors, e.g. USB or blade connectors. They are commonly used for easier engagement and disengagement, tight environmental sealing, and rugged mechanical performance. They are widely used in military, aerospace, industrial machinery, and rail, where MIL-DTL-5015 and MIL-DTL-38999 are commonly specified. Fields such as sound engineering and radio communication also use circular connectors, such as XLR and BNC. AC power plugs are also commonly circular, for example, Schuko plugs and IEC 60309.
The M12 connector, specified in IEC 61076-2-101, is a circular electrical plug/receptacle pair with 12mm OD mating threads, used in NMEA 2000, DeviceNet, IO-Link, some kinds of Industrial Ethernet, etc.
A disadvantage of the circular design is its inefficient use of panel space when used in arrays, when compared to rectangular connectors.
Circular connectors commonly use backshells, which provide physical and electromagnetic protection, whilst sometimes also providing a method for locking the connector into a receptacle. In some cases, this backshell provides a hermetic seal, or some degree of ingress protection, through the use of grommets, O-rings, or potting.
Hybrid connectors
Hybrid connectors allow the intermixing of many connector types, usually by way of a housing with inserts. These housings may also allow intermixing of electrical and non-electrical interfaces, examples of the latter being pneumatic line connectors, and optical fiber connectors. Because hybrid connectors are modular in nature, they tend to simplify assembly, repair, and future modifications. They also allow the creation of composite cable assemblies that can reduce equipment installation time by reducing the number of individual cable and connector assemblies.
Mechanical features
Pin sequence
Some connectors are designed such that certain pins make contact before others when inserted, and break first on disconnection. This is often used in power connectors to protect equipment, e.g. connecting safety ground first. It is also employed for digital signals, as a method to sequence connections properly in hot swapping.
Keying
Examples of keyed connectorsXLR connector, showing the notch for alignmentA 4-pin Mini-DIN S-Video cable, with notches and a rectangular alignment pinMany connectors are keyed with some mechanical component (sometimes called a keyway), which prevents mating in an incorrect orientation. This can be used to prevent mechanical damage to connectors, from being jammed in at the wrong angle or into the wrong connector, or to prevent incompatible or dangerous electrical connections, such as plugging an audio cable into a power outlet. Keying also prevents otherwise symmetrical connectors from being connected in the wrong orientation or polarity. Keying is particularly important for situations where there are many similar connectors, such as in signal electronics. For instance, XLR connectors have a notch to ensure proper orientation, while Mini-DIN plugs have a plastic projection that fits into a corresponding hole in the socket (they also have a notched metal skirt to provide secondary keying).
Locking mechanisms
Some connector housings are designed with locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent disconnection or poor environmental sealing. Locking mechanism designs include locking levers of various sorts, jackscrews, screw-in shells, push-pull connector, and toggle or bayonet systems. Some connectors, particularly those with large numbers of contacts, require high forces to connect and disconnect. Locking levers and jackscrews and screw-in shells for such connectors frequently serve both to retain the connector when connected and to provide the force needed for connection and disconnection. Depending on application requirements, housings with locking mechanisms may be tested under various environmental simulations that include physical shock and vibration, water spray, dust, etc. to ensure the integrity of the electrical connection and housing seals.
Backshells
Backshells are a common accessory for industrial and high-reliability connectors, especially circular connectors. Backshells typically protect the connector and/or cable from environmental or mechanical stress, or shield it from electromagnetic interference. Many types of backshells are available for different purposes, including various sizes, shapes, materials, and levels of protection. Backshells usually lock onto the cable with a clamp or moulded boot, and may be threaded for attachment to a mating receptacle. Backshells for military and aerospace use are regulated by SAE AS85049 within the USA.
Hyperboloid contacts
To deliver ensured signal stability in extreme environments, traditional pin and socket design may become inadequate. Hyperboloid contacts are designed to withstand more extreme physical demands, such as vibration and shock. They also require around 40% less insertion force – as low as 0.3 newtons (1 ozf) per contact, – which extends the lifespan, and in some cases offers an alternative to zero insertion force connectors.
In a connector with hyperboloid contacts, each female contact has several equally spaced longitudinal wires twisted into a hyperbolic shape. These wires are highly resilient to strain, but still somewhat elastic, hence they essentially function as linear springs. As the male pin is inserted, axial wires in the socket half are deflected, wrapping themselves around the pin to provide a number of contact points. The internal wires that form the hyperboloid structure are usually anchored at each end by bending the tip into a groove or notch in the housing.
Whilst hyperboloid contacts may be the only option to make a reliable connection in some circumstances, they have the disadvantage of taking up greater volume in a connector, which can cause problems for high-density connectors. They are also significantly more expensive than traditional pin and socket contacts, which has limited their uptake since their invention in the 1920s by Wilhelm Harold Frederick. In the 1950s, Francois Bonhomme popularised hyperboloid contacts with his "Hypertac" connector, which was later acquired by Smiths Group. During the following decades, the connectors steadily gained popularity, and are still used for medical, industrial, military, aerospace, and rail applications (particularly trains in Europe).
Pogo pins
Main article: Pogo pinPogo pin or spring loaded connectors are commonly used in consumer and industrial products, where mechanical resilience and ease of use are priorities. The connector consists of a barrel, a spring, and a plunger. They are in applications such as the MagSafe connector where a quick disconnect is desired for safety. Because they rely on spring pressure, not friction, they can be more durable and less damaging than traditional pin and socket design, leading to their use in in-circuit testing.
Crown spring connectors
Crown spring connectors are commonly used for higher current flows and industrial applications. They have a high number of contact points, which provides a more electrically reliable connection than traditional pin and socket connectors.
Methods of connection
Plug and socket connectorsMale MIL-DTL-5015 plugFemale VGA connectorMale serial port connectorMating surfaces of a hermaphroditic connectorWhilst technically inaccurate, electrical connectors can be viewed as a type of adapter to convert between two connection methods, which are permanently connected at one end and (usually) detachable at the other end. By definition, each end of this "adapter" has a different connection method – e.g. the solder tabs on a male phone connector, and the male phone connector itself. In this example, the solder tabs connected to the cable represent the permanent connection, whilst the male connector portion interfaces with a female socket forming a detachable connection.
There are many ways of applying a connector to a cable or device. Some of these methods can be accomplished without specialized tools. Other methods, while requiring a special tool, can assemble connectors much faster and more reliably, and make repairs easier.
The number of times a connector can connect and disconnect with its counterpart while meeting all its specifications is termed as mating cycles and is an indirect measure of connector lifespan. The material used for connector contact, plating type and thickness is a major factor that determines the mating cycles.
Plug and socket connectors
See also: Gender of connectors and fasteners and PinoutPlug and socket connectors are usually made up of a male plug (typically pin contacts) and a female socket (typically receptacle contacts). Often, but not always, sockets are permanently fixed to a device as in a chassis connector (see above), and plugs are attached to a cable.
Plugs generally have one or more pins or prongs that are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be sufficiently tight to make a good electrical connection and complete the circuit. An alternative type of plug and socket connection uses hyperboloid contacts, which makes a more reliable electrical connection. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is helpful to have a pinout diagram to identify the wire or circuit node connected to each pin.
Some connector styles may combine pin and socket connection types in a single unit, referred to as a hermaphroditic connector. These connectors includes mating with both male and female aspects, involving complementary paired identical parts each containing both protrusions and indentations. These mating surfaces are mounted into identical fittings that freely mate with any other, without regard for gender (provided that the size and type match).
Sometimes both ends of a cable are terminated with the same gender of connector, as in many Ethernet patch cables. In other applications the two ends are terminated differently, either with male and female of the same connector (as in an extension cord), or with incompatible connectors, which is sometimes called an adapter cable.
Plugs and sockets are widely used in various connector systems including blade connectors, breadboards, XLR connectors, car power outlets, banana connectors, and phone connectors.
Jacks and plugs
A jack is a connector that installs on the surface of a bulkhead or enclosure, and mates with its reciprocal, the plug. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the stationary (more fixed) connector of a pair is classified as a jack (denoted J), usually attached to a piece of equipment as in a chassis-mount or panel-mount connector. The movable (less fixed) connector is classified as a plug (denoted P), designed to attach to a wire, cable or removable electrical assembly. This convention is currently defined in ASME Y14.44-2008, which supersedes IEEE 200-1975, which in turn derives from the long-withdrawn MIL-STD-16 (from the 1950s), highlighting the heritage of this connector naming convention. IEEE 315-1975 works alongside ASME Y14.44-2008 to define jacks and plugs.
The term jack occurs in several related terms:
- The registered jack or modular jack in RJ11, RJ45 and other similar connectors used for telecommunications and computer networking
- The telephone jack of manual telephone switchboards, which is the socket fitting the original 1⁄4 inch (6.35 mm) telephone plug
- The 1⁄4 inch (6.35 mm) phone jack common to many electronic applications in various configurations, sometimes referred to as a headphone jack
- The RCA jack, also known as a phono jack, common to consumer audiovisual electronics
- The EIAJ jack for consumer appliances requiring a power supply of less than 18.0 volts
Crimp-on connectors
Main article: Crimp (electrical)Crimped connectors are a type of solderless connection, using mechanical friction and uniform deformation to secure a connector to a pre-stripped wire (usually stranded). Crimping is used in splice connectors, crimped multipin plugs and sockets, and crimped coaxial connectors. Crimping usually requires a specialised crimping tool, but the connectors are quick and easy to install and are a common alternative to solder connections or insulation displacement connectors. Effective crimp connections deform the metal of the connector past its yield point so that the compressed wire causes tension in the surrounding connector, and these forces counter each other to create a high degree of static friction. Due to the elastic element in crimped connections, they are highly resistant to vibration and thermal shock.
Crimped contacts are permanent (i.e. the connectors and wire ends cannot be reused).
Crimped plug-and-socket connectors can be classified as rear release or front release. This relates to the side of the connector where the pins are anchored:
- Front release contacts are released from the front (contact side) of the connector, and removed from the rear. The removal tool engages with the front portion of the contact and pushes it through to the back of the connector.
- Rear release contacts are released and removed from the rear (wire side) of the connector. The removal tool releases the contacts from the rear and pulls the contact out of the retainer.
Soldered connectors
See also: SolderingMany plug and socket connectors are attached to a wire or cable by soldering conductors to electrodes on the back of the connector. Soldered joints in connectors are robust and reliable if executed correctly, but are usually slower to make than crimped connections. When wires are to be soldered to the back of a connector, a backshell is often used to protect the connection and add strain relief. Metal solder buckets or solder cups are provided, which consist of a cylindrical cavity that an installer fills with solder before inserting the wire.
When creating soldered connections, it is possible to melt the dielectric between pins or wires. This can cause problems because the thermal conductivity of metals causes heat to quickly distribute through the cable and connector, and when this heat melts plastic dielectric, it can cause short circuits or "flared" (conical) insulation. Solder joints are also more prone to mechanical failure than crimped joints when subjected to vibration and compression.
Insulation-displacement connectors
Main article: IDC (electrical connector)Since stripping insulation from wires is time-consuming, many connectors intended for rapid assembly use insulation-displacement connectors which cut the insulation as the wire is inserted. These generally take the form of a fork-shaped opening in the terminal, into which the insulated wire is pressed, which cut through the insulation to contact the conductor. To make these connections reliably on a production line, special tools accurately control the forces applied during assembly. On small scales, these tools tend to cost more than tools for crimped connections.
Insulation displacement connectors are usually used with small conductors for signal purposes and at low voltage. Power conductors carrying more than a few amperes are more reliably terminated with other means, though "hot tap" press-on connectors find some use in automotive applications for additions to existing wiring.
A common example is the multi-conductor flat ribbon cable used in computer disk drives; to terminate each of the many (approximately 40) wires individually would be slow and error-prone, but an insulation displacement connector can terminate all the wires in a single action. Another very common use is so-called punch-down blocks used for terminating unshielded twisted pair wiring.
Binding posts
Main article: Binding postBinding posts are a single-wire connection method, where stripped wire is screwed or clamped to a metal electrode. Such connectors are frequently used in electronic test equipment and audio. Many binding posts also accept a banana plug.
Screw terminals
Main article: Screw terminal blockScrew connections are frequently used for semi-permanent wiring and connections inside devices, due to their simple but reliable construction. The basic principle of all screw terminals involves the tip of a bolt clamping onto a stripped conductor. They can be used to join multiple conductors, to connect wires to a printed circuit board, or to terminate a cable into a plug or socket. The clamping screw may act in the longitudinal axis (parallel to the wire) or the transverse axis (perpendicular to the wire), or both. Some disadvantages are that connecting wires is more difficult than simply plugging in a cable, and screw terminals are generally not very well protected from contact with persons or foreign conducting materials.
Terminal blocks (also called terminal boards or strips) provide a convenient means of connecting individual electrical wires without a splice or physically joining the ends. Since terminal blocks are readily available for a wide range of wire sizes and terminal quantity, they are one of the most flexible types of electrical connector available. One type of terminal block accepts wires that are prepared only by stripping a short length of insulation from the end. Another type, often called barrier strips, accepts wires that have ring or spade terminal lugs crimped onto the wires.
Printed circuit board (PCB) mounted screw terminals let individual wires connect to a PCB through leads soldered to the board.
Ring and spade connectors
The connectors in the top row of the image are known as ring terminals and spade terminals (sometimes called fork or split ring terminals). Electrical contact is made by the flat surface of the ring or spade, while mechanically they are attached by passing a screw or bolt through them. The spade terminal form factor facilitates connections since the screw or bolt can be left partially screwed in as the spade terminal is removed or attached. Their sizes can be determined by the gauge of the conducting wire, and the interior and exterior diameters.
In the case of insulated crimp connectors, the crimped area lies under an insulating sleeve through which the pressing force acts. During crimping, the extended end of this insulating sleeve is simultaneously pressed around the insulated area of the cable, creating strain relief. The insulating sleeve of insulated connectors has a color that indicates the wire's cross-section area. Colors are standardized according to DIN 46245:
- Red for cross-section areas from 0.5 to 1 mm²
- Blue for cross-section areas from 1.5 to 2.5 mm²
- Yellow for cross-section areas over 4 to 6 mm²
Blade connectors
See also: FASTON terminalA blade connector is a type of single wire, plug-and-socket connection device using a flat conductive blade (plug) that is inserted into a receptacle. Wires are typically attached to male or female blade connector terminals by either crimping or soldering. Insulated and uninsulated varieties are available. In some cases the blade is an integral manufactured part of a component (such as a switch or a speaker unit), and the reciprocal connector terminal is pushed onto the device's connector terminal.
Other connection methods
- Alligator and Crocodile clips – conductive clamps used for temporary connections, e.g. jumper cables
- Board to board connectors – e.g. card-edge connectors or FPGA mezzanine connectors
- Twist-on wire connectors (e.g. wire nuts) – used in low-voltage power circuits for wires up to about 10 AWG
- Wire wrapping – used in older circuit boards
See also
- Adapter
- Bent pin analysis
- Cable gland
- Electrical contact
- Electrical network
- Electrical termination
- Gender of connectors and fasteners
- InCa3D
- Lightbulb socket
- Line splice
- Pothead for a termination on a high voltage electric power cable
- Tee connector
- Tube socket
- Twist-on wire connector
Connectors
- AC power plugs and sockets
- Audio and video interfaces and connectors
- Banana connector
- Battery holder
- Battery terminal
- Coaxial power connector
- Computer port (hardware)
- Crocodile clip
- DC connector
- DIN connector
- Dock connector
- D-sub connectors
- Edge connector
- Elastomeric connector
- IEC appliance couplers (IEC 60320)
- JST connector
- Mini-DIN connector
- Optical fiber connector
- Phone connector (audio)
- Pin header
- RCA connector
- RJ-XX connector
- Flexible electronics
References
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By its design the traditional failure mode in tin plated connections, fretting corrosion, is prevented
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the stationary (more fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated J or X ... The movable (less fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated P
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- General
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External links
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