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About Electrical Connectors
Electronic connectors basically establish an inseparable
connection between two points. This electronic connection allows a signal
to pass between the points with very little distortion or loss. The contact
system of electric connectors is its essential functional element. The
contact system consists of the dimensional configuration, base metal
and contact finish or plating. The design of electronic connectors is
a sophisticated material system. The application environments are complex
and strongly interactive with the design. Electronic connectors housings,
which are typically made of glass and mineral-filled thermoplastics,
insulate individual leads and provide a reaction plate for preloaded
leads and a means by which pick-and-place machines grasp the connector.
The electronic connectors housings sometimes contain alignment pins that
aid in accurate placement.
The dimensional configuration of a contact system establishes the mechanical
features, contact forces and density requirements of electronic connectors.
These requirements are highly influenced by space and density specifications.
The base metal is the element through which a signal passes in DC circuits
and that establishes contact spring rates and the bulk resistance of
a contact system. Unprotected base metals will degrade electrical performance
by forming electrically disruptive films and oxides. The base metal is
protected by a contact finish. The plating gives special properties,
such as corrosion resistance and signal carrying capacity at high frequency,
to the base metal.
There is a staggering array of electronic connectors types. AC power
connectors transfer alternating current through several different types
of devices and are sometimes equipped with important safety features,
such as ground fault interruption indicators, integrated surge or fuse
protection devices or a quick-mating geometry so the electronic connectors
can be rapidly connected and disconnected. Audio connectors connect cables
to audio equipment. Audio connectors often have features that include
XLR connectors and RCA connectors and may be shielded, lockable, waterproof
and field replaceable. Circular connectors are mostly used for external
interfacing in applications such as measuring equipment, industrial sensors,
industrial equipment, machines, computers, etc. Other types of connectors
include PCB, card edge, test and mil-spec connectors and many, many more.
There are many options for the features of electronic connectors that
permit their usage in a wide variety of industries, including braking
systems manufacturers, medical instruments, precision laboratory equipment,
metering devices, fiber optics, industrial components, etc. Electronic
connectors may be male or female. Male electronic connectors, also referred
to as "headers" or "free connectors," are plugs that
mate with receptacles, jacks, outlets, etc. Female electronic connectors
are jacks or other devices into which plugs may be inserted. Base metals
may be plated with nickel, silver, gold or copper, if they are plated
at all. The geometry of electronic connectors may be straight or bent
at a right angle. Three types of mounting styles are surface mount technology
(SMT), PC mount and receptacles. SMT allows small components to be placed
directly onto a circuit board. PC mounted connectors are directly attached
to the printed circuit board through pre-drilled holes in the board or
by soldering them permanently to the PC board. Electronic connectors
with receptacle mounting are utilized in applications that require the
connector to fit a panel cutout.
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Types of Electronic Connectors
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vary by gender, geometry and configuration and are used to transfer
alternating current (AC) through electronic devices. AC power connectors,
which range from simple AC inlets and outlets to sophisticated power
entry modules, are used in a wide variety of industries within the commercial,
industrial and residential sectors.
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range in amperage, which determines their application. Amp connectors
can be applied to either AC or DC applications and are used as PV array,
small power and battery, solar panel array and subarray connections,
among others.
- make connections between cable cords and electronic components.
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are used on personal computers to establish connections for parts, such
as processors, motherboards and graphics ports. Card edge connectors
have higher maximum heat capabilities than many other connectors, due
to the heated internal environment of a PC.
- are single-conductor cables that have braided shields.
Coax connectors were used primarily in the 1980s for data transmission
purposes but can still be found in many video applications today.
- are round multi-pin connectors. DIN and
mini-DIN plugs, such as S-video connections, are considered audio connectors.
- transmit electricity between a power source and devices that rely on electric power to run.
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are connectors in which identical or similar sections can be assembled
to provide the ideal connector size or type for the application.
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are 1⁄4 inch in diameter and were originally used for telephone
connections. Mono phone jacks are used for a number of microphones,
while stereo phone jacks are often used for connecting headphones to
audio components.
- transmit power between sources and devices that rely on power to function.
- are a connection type that is designed to function
at radio frequencies. Variations of RF connectors include BNC, TNC,
N, SMA, SMB, SMC and F connectors.
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are by far the most commonly used audio connections. RCA connectors
are used for coaxial and composite-video cables.
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provide secure, corrosion-free contact without the risk of fraying wires.
Speaker connectors include banana plugs, binding posts, screw terminals,
spades and spring clips.
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are a type of computer connection with a maximum data transfer rate
of about 12 megabits per second. USB 2 is an upgrade to the original
USB connector, offering a higher data transfer rate among other benefits.
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