Find electronic connectors including DIN connectors, power connectors and more. From cable connectors and coax connectors to amp connectors, you will find the electronic connector you need. Use the time-saving Request for Quote tool to submit your inquiry to all the electronic connector manufacturers and suppliers you select.
PUI is an authorized distributor of high-quality electronic components. Through a variety of product lines, we offer items such as electronic connectors including cable connectors as well as capacitors, switches, relays, terminals and more. We are a NEDA Supplier Authorized Distributor.
PEI-Genesis is global distributor of connectors. Operating since 1946, we specialize in electronic connectors, transportation connectors, & industrial connectors. We offer 48-hour assembly of connectors & assembly-to-order. We meet & exceed standards for both military & industrial connectors.
As a division of Keltron Electronics Corp., KCC supplies reliable UL certified electronic connectors, cable assemblies and datacomm products at competitive prices. From wire-to-wire and wire-to-board connectors to USB and SMT connectors, you will find the connection you require.
Our job is to save customers time and money on electronic connectors & components, and we do this so well that our status as a full service distribution company has flourished over 30 years. Hard-to-find, obsolete and long lead time components in as little as 2 days at 30 percent less than franchise.
Ulti-Mate Connector is an experienced provider of many connector types. We offer coax connectors, power connectors, electrical connectors, as well as a full range of other micro interconnection devices. Our company’s goal is to provide unique connectors for your specific application.
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.
Types of Electronic Connectors
AC power connectors
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.
Amp
connectors
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.
Cable connectors make connections between cable cords and electronic components.
Card edge connectors
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.
Coax
(short for coaxial) connectors 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.
Electrical connectors transmit electricity between a power source and devices that rely on electric power to run.
Modular connectors
are connectors in which identical or similar sections can be assembled
to provide the ideal connector size or type for the application.
Phone connectors
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.
Power connectors transmit power between sources and devices that rely on power to function.
Radio frequency (RF)
connectors 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.
RCA connectors
are by far the most commonly used audio connections. RCA connectors
are used for coaxial and composite-video cables.
Speaker cable connectors
provide secure, corrosion-free contact without the risk of fraying wires.
Speaker connectors include banana plugs, binding posts, screw terminals,
spades and spring clips.
Universal serial bus (USB) connectors
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.
Electronic Connectors Terms
Action Pin Contact
– A style of contact that has a split pin which provides gastight
retention when used in conjunction with a printed circuit board.
Angular Misalignment – Loss
at a connector resulting from the skewing of fiber end face angles.
Back Mounted – A type of configuration
in which the connector is attached to the interior of a box or panel,
along with its flanges for mounting.
Body – The largest or main section
of a connector to which all other parts are attached.
Bulkhead – A connector that
is inserted into a panel cutout from the component side of the panel.
Center Fastener – A fastening
device located in the center of a pair of mating connectors. On one connector
there is a threaded screw that attaches to the threaded bushing on its
mating connector.
Connector Plug – A device that
terminates an electrical or optical cable.
Connector Receptacle – The stationary
half of a connection that mates with a plug. Connector receptacles are
mounted on a panel or bulkhead.
Contact – An electrically conductive
piece used in multi-circuit connectors.
Contact Durability – The number
of withdrawal and insertion cycles a connector must be able to withstand,
while remaining within performance levels of certain specifications.
Dust Cap – A device that is
attached to connectors to provide protection from foreign debris and dust.
Extraction Tool – A tool that
is used to remove a contact from a connector.
Flange – A projection that extends
from a connector and contains holes for mounting a connector to a panel
or mating connector.
Guide Pin – A device that provides
alignment when connecting mating connectors. Guide pins also prevent contact
damage due to the mismating of connectors.
Holding Strength – The capability
of a connector to stay assembled to a wire or cable under tension.
Interface – The surfaces of
a multi-contact connector that face each other while the connector is
assembled.
Jack – A connecting mechanism
into which a plug is inserted to make circuit connections.
Jumper – A short fiber optic
cable that has connectors on either end.
Loss – The amount of signal
power lost due to defects in connectors, splices or fibers. Loss is expressed
in decibels (dB).
Panel Mount – A method used
to attach a connector to a panel, board or frame.
PC (Physical Contact) – A term that refers to an optical
connector whose fiber ends physically touch, which minimizes backreflection
and insertion loss.
Sealing Plug – A plug that is
used to seal unoccupied contact cavities. Sealing plugs are especially
critical in environmental connectors.
Withstanding Voltage – The voltage
that a connector is able to withstand for a minute without showing signs
of electrical breakdown.
