An electronic connector is a type of conductive device that is used in order to join two or more electrical circuits together. These electrical circuits can refer to either two lengths of flexible cable, or it can refer to a cable and an electrical terminal.
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There are many different types of electronic connectors, although some are more commonly used in industrial-type applications than others. Some of the more common types of electronic connectors include pin connectors, cable connectors and wire connectors, fiber optic connectors and amp connectors. Pin connectors, on the other hand, refer to male-configured electronic connectors that have pins that allow them to plug into female electrical circuits or connectors. Pin connectors can have one or multiple pins for connecting. Cable connectors and wire connectors are also extremely broad categories of electronic connectors, and refer to the material used to make the electronic connector. A cable is a strong, heavy rope with a large diameter made from steel or fiber materials (which may be covered with an electrically-insulating material), whereas a wire is a pliable metallic strand, also called a rod, that can be made in varied lengths and diameters that can, if appropriate, be electrically insulated. Also referring to the material the connector is constructed from, fiber optic connectors are manufactured from very fine, flexible glass or plastic fibers. Conversely, amp connectors refer to the electrical current flow being transmitted rather than the material the connector is manufactured from. An amp is a unit of measurement that is defined as the basic unit of electrical current.
There are other types of electronic connectors that are widely-used, though are less common than those previously listed due to their more specific intentions. These types include DIN connectors, coaxial connectors, PCB connectors and RF connectors. A DIN connector is an electronic connector that meets the standards established by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which is the German national standards organization. A DIN connector must specifically state the relevant DIN standard that it adheres to. At times referred to as coax connectors, coaxial connectors are a broad category in which many different sub-types of electronic connectors fall within. The term coaxial refers to having or being mounted on a common axis, and coaxial cables are able to maintain this form across the electrical connection. PCB connectors specifically refer to electronic connectors used with printed circuit boards, which are insulated boards on which interconnected circuits and components (for example, microchips) are either mounted or etched. Lastly, a RF connector is a type of electronic connector used to work with radio frequencies within the multi-megahertz range. RF connectors are typically a type of coaxial connector.
- A style of contact that has a split pin which provides gastight
retention when used in conjunction with a printed circuit board.
- Loss
at a connector resulting from the skewing of fiber end face angles.
- A type of configuration
in which the connector is attached to the interior of a box or panel,
along with its flanges for mounting.
- The largest or main section
of a connector to which all other parts are attached.
- A connector that
is inserted into a panel cutout from the component side of the panel.
- 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.
- A device that
terminates an electrical or optical cable.
- The stationary
half of a connection that mates with a plug. Connector receptacles are
mounted on a panel or bulkhead.
- An electrically conductive
piece used in multi-circuit connectors.
- The number
of withdrawal and insertion cycles a connector must be able to withstand,
while remaining within performance levels of certain specifications.
- A device that is
attached to connectors to provide protection from foreign debris and dust.
- A tool that
is used to remove a contact from a connector.
- A projection that extends
from a connector and contains holes for mounting a connector to a panel
or mating connector.
- A device that provides
alignment when connecting mating connectors. Guide pins also prevent contact
damage due to the mismating of connectors.
- The capability
of a connector to stay assembled to a wire or cable under tension.
- The surfaces of
a multi-contact connector that face each other while the connector is
assembled.
- A connecting mechanism
into which a plug is inserted to make circuit connections.
- A short fiber optic
cable that has connectors on either end.
- The amount of signal
power lost due to defects in connectors, splices or fibers. Loss is expressed
in decibels (dB).
- A method used
to attach a connector to a panel, board or frame.
- A term that refers to an optical
connector whose fiber ends physically touch, which minimizes backreflection
and insertion loss.
- A plug that is
used to seal unoccupied contact cavities. Sealing plugs are especially
critical in environmental connectors.
- The voltage
that a connector is able to withstand for a minute without showing signs
of electrical breakdown.
