Types of Electrical Connectors Used in Electronic Devices and Electrical Circuits
Electrical Connectors: An Overview
Electrical connectors are non-integrated links that connect two or more electrical circuits. Connectors create contact between wires, cables, printed circuits, and electronic parts to ensure current flow within a component. As with other devices, these electrical connectors come in predefined and custom options catering for appeal needs. Connectors are used across many branches of industry, like automotive, telecommunications, power generation, and consumer electronics.
Electrical Connectors fall under two main categories:
1. Plugs and Sockets (Male/Female Connectors):
● Male connector: Usually has pins that fit into the female connector.
● Female connector: Usually has receptacles or sockets to take the male pins for connectivity.
● Example: Power cables, audio-video cables, and USB connections.
2. Screw Terminals:
● Wires are fed into a terminal block and screwed in place by a screw which is pulled tighter to make the connection stronger.
Below given are illustrations of some commonly used connectors:
● Male/Female connectors: Usually found in plugs and sockets.
● Screw Terminal connectors: For securely fastening wires.
● Butt and Crimp connectors: For splicing wires.
● Spade/Ring connectors: For specific attachment to studs or screws.
● D-Sub and RJ connectors: To fulfill the requirements in data communication and networking.
● Coaxial and fiber-optic connectors: To meet the needs for specialized transmission
Types of Electrical Connectors
unikeyic Electronics has got a huge stock of common connectors and their accessories as well.
Rectangular connectors are a type of electrical connectors having a rectangular shape and are used to maintain a stable electrical connection between different parts of the components. These connectors are suitable for many applications, ranging from industrial equipment to consumer electronics, telecommunications, etc.
Rectangular Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
●D-Sub Connectors: Commonly available in the computer's serial ports, telecommunication devices, network systems, and audio-video devices.
●Eurostyle Terminal Blocks: Used extensively in control circuits, distribution systems of power, and in industrial automation systems.
●PCI Connectors: Mostly found in desktop, personal computers, servers, and workstations connecting internal expansion cards.
●IDC Insulation Displacement Connectors: Used in data transfer in systems such as hard drives, computers, and telecommunication devices.
●Molex Connectors: Typically found in computer systems, consumer electronics, and industrial devices.
●Rectangular Board-to-Board Connectors: Used in industrial equipment and telecommunications devices for PCB-to-PCB interconnection.
Availability: Different varieties of rectangular connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
One type of electrical connector that is distinguished by its round, circular shape is the circular connector. These connectors are especially well-known for their strong construction and excellent dependability, and they are utilized to join electrical circuits in many different applications. When robustness, safe mating, and resistance to environmental factors (like moisture, dust, or vibration) are crucial, circular connectors are usually utilized.
Circular Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
●Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) Connectors: Commonly found in television, video cameras, networking devices, and testing instruments.
●Circular MIL-Spec (Military Standard) Connectors: Defense, Military, and Aerospace
●DIN Connectors: Musical keyboards, telecommunications, instrumentation, and control systems.
●M12 Connectors: Industrial Automation and Automotive Systems.
●M23 Connectors: PLC, Robotics, and bulky industrial machines.
●SMA (Sub-Miniature version A) Connectors: RF, antennas, and microwave equipment.
●Circular Power Connectors (CPC): Power distribution systems and renewable energy systems.
●Luer Lock Connectors: Medical instruments and blood collection systems.
Availability: Different varieties of circular connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
lighting connectors are some devices used to connect various components of the lighting system such as light fixtures, bulbs, wires, as well as electrical panels.
Lighting Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
● Wago Connectors: Commonly used in the lighting systems, both domestically and commercially.
● Push-in Connectors: Low-voltage lighting systems as well as light fittings in homes.
● Screw Terminal Connectors: light switches, ceiling lights, and other lighting devices.
● Twist-on Wire Connectors: Cover medium and light domestic electrical work.
● XLR Connectors: Used in Theatre or Stage Lighting Control Systems.
● IEC Connectors: Domestic and commercial grade lighting.
● Quick-Connect Lighting Connectors: LED strip lighting
● Lutron Connectors: Dimmer switches and controls alongside smart lighting systems.
Availability: Different varieties of Lighting Connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
Ethernet connectors allow to unify several devices in a single network, facilitating the exchange of data between computers, routers, switches, and other networking devices.
Ethernet Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
● RJ45 Connector: Provides connections of computers, switches, routers and other network devices within a Local Area Network (LAN).
● RJ11 Connector: Usually installed in homes.
● Shielded RJ45 (STP or S/FTP): Common in noisy electrical environments or industrial surroundings.
● Ethernet Jack (Wall Outlet): Used in offices or households for connecting devices in a cable network to structured cabling.
● Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8 Connectors: To achieve high data rates over shorter and longer distances.
● M12 Ethernet Connector: Industrial Automation and Manufacturing.
● LC, SC, and ST Fiber Optic Connectors: Used for high-speed, long-distance networking.
● PoE (Power over Ethernet) Connectors: Used for devices that require both power and a network connection through a single Ethernet cable.
Availability: Different varieties of Ethernet Connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
Memory connectors mostly refer to interfaces meant for memory devices and slots that enable their easy mobility. These types include RAM, memory cards, and other devices that store data. Defined in simple terms, these connectors guarantee movement of information and communication within the memory and other devices. Furthermore, each type of connector is explicitly made for specific devices like desktops, laptops, and even portable systems like storage solutions or embedded systems.
Memory Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
RAM Connectors Types and Usage:
● DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) Slots: Desktop computers and servers.
● SO-DIMM (Small Outline DIMM) Slots: Laptops, small form-factor PCs.
● LR-DIMM (Load-Reduced DIMM): High-end server memory, for larger memory capacities with better stability.
● UDIMM (Unbuffered DIMM): Standard desktop memory.
● RDIMM (Registered DIMM): Servers, workstations offering higher capacity and error-checking.
Flash Memory Card Connectors Types and Usage:
● SD (Secure Digital) Card Connectors: DSLR Cameras, smartphones, and other portable electronic devices.
● CF (CompactFlash) Connectors: DSLR cameras, industrial equipment, and embedded systems.
● mSATA (Mini-SATA) Connectors: Smaller form-factor SSDs, laptops and ultra-compact devices.
● M.2 Connectors: NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs
● SPI Flash Connectors: Interfacing Flash memory via Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
Availability: Different varieties of Memory Connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
Card Edge Connectors serve the purpose of joining device peripherals like a printed circuit board (PCB) or a memory card with other components of a system. These connectors make use of the edges of the cards to access edges for signal or power contact. As with other connectors, these are mostly used in embedded system, computers, circuits used in industrial machines, and even devices meant for personal use.
Card Edge Connectors: Types, Applications and Availability
● PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Card Edge Connectors: Found in desktop computers, workstations, and servers. Used for connecting expansion cards like graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to the motherboard.
● SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) Card Edge Connectors: Used for connecting RAM modules (such as the older SIMM memory) to the motherboard.
● DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) Card Edge Connectors: Used for connecting RAM modules (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) to the motherboard in desktops, laptops, and servers.
● Memory Card Edge Connectors (for SD, MicroSD, and others): Inserting SD cards or MicroSD cards into consumer devices such as cameras, smartphones, or other portable electronics.
● M.2 Card Edge Connectors: Used for connecting M.2 SSDs, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other peripheral devices to a motherboard. Found in modern laptops, ultra-books, and desktops.
Availability: Different varieties of Card Edge Connectors are available for purchase from Unikeyic Electronics.
