Connector types

 

What are the connectors?

 

A connector is a coupling device that links electrical terminations to establish an electrical circuit. Connectors enable contact between wires, cables, printed circuit boards, and electronic components.

The function of various connectors is to establish or break the circular path of electric current. Connectors are designed to withstand extreme conditions such as dirt, water, contaminants, high temperatures, and vibrations while ensuring ease of connection, mating type compatibility, insulation between pins, and durability.

 

 

 

What type of connectors does it have?

 

 Connectors are classified into different types based on their function, termination level, and type. Like connecting way, it has wire to wire, wire to board, board to board, box to box, chip to package, etc. Like connecting functions, it has a terminal block, plug and socket, ring and spade, etc. Like connecting applications, it has an auto connector, communication cable, medical connector, consumer electric connector, heavy-duty connector, etc. In this article, let us learn about various types of connectors by choosing the connectors that we use a lot.

 

• Auto connector
• Data cable connector
• Power connector

 

 

Auto connectors

An automotive connector is a component used to join electrical and electronic circuits in vehicles, enabling the transmission of power and data. These connectors are crucial for the functionality and reliability of a vehicle's electrical system, linking various components such as sensors, control units, lights, and other electronic devices. Here we collect the top 10 global electronic connector manufacturers in 2024.

 

• TE Connectivity
• Molex
• JST
• Aptiv
• Yazaki
• Amphenol
• JAE
• Hirose
• Luxshare
• Foxconn

 

Notes: Auto connectors are one of the main parts of the auto wire harness, we work closely with these brands to provide custom wire harnesses to our customers, any high-level agency in China has these brand connectors in stock, you can contact me to send your lists to me, we may have large needs.

Any customer needs one of these brand connectors to custom your wire harness, you can contact us immediately, we offer not only original brand connectors but also provide more than 5000pcs of Chinese alternative parts to help you save costs (replacements are the same quality and size but better price and short lead time, no patent problem).

 

 

TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity is an American Swiss-domiciled technology company that designs and manufactures connectors and sensors for several industries, such as automotive, industrial equipment, data communication systems, aerospace, defense, medical, oil and gas, consumer electronics, and energy. TE Connectivity has a global workforce of 89,000 employees, including more than 8,000 engineers. The company serves customers in approximately 140 countries.

 

Molex

Molex LLC is a manufacturer of electronic, electrical, and fiber optic connectivity systems. Molex offers over 100,000 products across a variety of industries, including data communications, medical, industrial, automotive and consumer electronics. They are notable for pioneering the Molex connector, which has seen universal adoption in personal computing. The company is considered the second-largest electronic connector company in the world.

 

JST

JST Mfg. Co., Ltd. was established in 1957, as the first manufacture of Solderless Terminals in Japan. Since then, JST’s reputation for innovation and excellence has kept JST as one of the top ten connector manufacturers in the world with annual sales of approximately 100 billion Japan Yen. JST Group has a global network of production sites, R&D facilities, and service centers, can provide customers with the most reliable, technologically advanced and cost-efficient products.

 

Aptiv

Aptiv PLC is an Irish-American automotive technology supplier with headquarters in Dublin. Aptiv grew out of the now-defunct American company, Delphi Automotive Systems, which itself was formerly a component of General Motors.

 

Yazaki

Yazaki Corporation is a global automotive parts supplier with a focus on wire harnesses, instruments and components such as connectors and terminals. The company’s origin and headquarters are in Japan, but in 2011, roughly 90% of its employees were outside the home country. The company’s product lineup includes electrical cables, meter and auto instruments, gas equipment, air-conditioning, and solar-powered systems. As a first-tier supplier, Yazaki sells chiefly to auto manufacturers, and, to a lesser extent, electric power, gas, and general construction companies. Yazaki is among the top 100 companies receiving the most US patents.

 

Amphenol

Amphenol is one of the world’s largest providers of high-technology interconnect, sensor and antenna solutions. Our products enable the Electronics Revolution across virtually every end market, including Automotive, Broadband Communications, Commercial Aerospace, Industrial, Information Technology and Data Communications, Military, Mobile Devices and Mobile Networks. Founded in 1932, Amphenol trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker APH and is headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA.

 

JAE

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd. is a Japanese corporation specializing in the manufacture and sales of electrical connectors such as high-speed LVDS, HDMI, PCI express, high density, micro coaxial, automotive, and board-to-board connectors. It also makes systems equipment and aerospace products.

 

Hirose

Ever since it first began developing industry-leading original connectors with its own technologies, Hirose Electric has established its position in growing trust and recognition as a specialized manufacturer of connectors. Today, we are accelerating our efforts to further expand our global business.

 

Luxshare

Luxshare is a global designer and manufacturer of cable assembly and connector system solutions for consumer, automotive, cloud, and enterprise applications. Luxshare’s product portfolio includes cables, connectors, motors, wireless charges, FPCs, antennas, and acoustic and electronic modules. Luxshare provides one-stop solutions for a broad range of industries, including consumer electronics (computers, devices and peripherals), enterprise and cloud applications, automotive and medical.

 

Foxconn

Established in Taiwan in 1974, Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer. Foxconn is also the leading technological solution provider, and it continuously leverages its expertise in software and hardware to integrate its unique manufacturing systems with emerging technologies.

 

 

Data Cable Connectors

 

Data cable connectors play a crucial role in facilitating seamless data transmission between devices. These hardware interfaces not only physically connect cables but also ensure efficient and reliable communication. With the advancement of technology, there is a wide range of connector types available to cater to different data transmission standards. Here are some common types of data cable connectors:

 

• USB cable Connector
• D-Sub cable and VGA cable Connector
• RCA cable Connector
• Ethernet cable connector
• BNC cable connector
• DIN cable Connector
• Aviation connector
• HDMI cable connector
• DVI cable connector
• OBD cable connector

 

USB cable connector

A USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector is a standardized interface designed to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, external storage devices, and other electronic devices to computers or other hosts. The USB standard supports data transfer, power supply, and communication between devices, making it a versatile and widely used technology in the realm of computing and consumer electronics.

 

 

 

D-Sub Cable and VGA Cable Connector

D-Sub (short for D-subminiature) connectors are a type of electrical connector commonly used in a wide range of applications, including computers, telecommunications, and industrial equipment. The name comes from the D-shaped metal shield that surrounds the connector, providing mechanical strength and shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI).

VGA (Video Graphics Array) connectors are a specific type of D-Sub connector used primarily for video output. VGA connectors transmit analog video signals from a computer's graphics card to a monitor or other display device.

 

 

 

RCA Cable Connector

The RCA connector is a commonly used electrical connector for transmitting audio and video signals. The term "RCA" originates from the Radio Corporation of America, the company that introduced this design in the 1930s. The male plug and female jack of this connector are referred to as RCA plug and RCA jack.

 

 

 

Ethernet Cable Connector

The Ethernet connector, also referred to as an RJ45 connector, is a standardized physical interface utilized for establishing network connections within a computer network. It represents the most prevalent type of connector employed for Ethernet connections. Typically, this connector facilitates the interconnection of devices such as computers, routers, switches, and other networking equipment. Its primary function involves enabling data transmission over a network through the utilization of Ethernet protocols.

 

 

 

BNC Cable Connector

The Bayonet Neill–Concelman (BNC) connector is a widely used coaxial cable connector in video and networking applications. It facilitates secure connection between two coaxial cables by employing a rotating ring mechanism. Each cable's inner conductor is linked to a pin, which is then inserted into the corresponding connector. Finally, the rotating ring is twisted to ensure a reliable connection.

 

 

 

DIN Cable Connector

DIN is short for Deutsches Institut für Normung, or German Institute for Standardization, a German standards group for the manufacturing industry. DIN connectors are round with pins arranged in a circular pattern and were widely used for PC keyboards, MIDI instruments, and specialized equipment. Another type of DIN connector is the mini-DIN which is smaller in size than regular DIN connectors. Mini-DIN connectors have pins arranged in horizontal rows instead of a circular pattern and are used for S-video connections, PS/2 mouse & keyboards, and other applications. Both DIN and mini-DIN connectors are held in place by friction and pins.

 

 

 

Aviation Cable Connector

The aviation cable connectors, commonly known as aviation plugs due to their usage in the military industry, facilitate easy connection to power sources while simultaneously transmitting signals. They find extensive applications in aviation, navigation, electric power, and other related fields. Proper utilization of these connectors ensures circuit reliability and minimizes the occurrence of accidents. Commonly available are GX12, GX16, GX20, GX25, GX30, GX35 and GX40, etc. Though the shape of GX connector is the same, but the size is not the same. The number behind the GX represents the size of the hole in the chassis, which is the thread diameter of the socket.

 

 

 

HDMI Cable Connector

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a proprietary specification meticulously designed to ensure seamless compatibility between various video and audio devices over a singular digital interface. This standardized protocol is extensively utilized in consumer electronics, encompassing high-definition and ultra-HD TVs, DVD and Blu-ray players, game consoles, streaming devices like Roku, soundbars, laptops and PCs. Additionally, it finds application in the automotive and commercial sectors. HDMI cables serve as the conduit for connecting these devices while transmitting both uncompressed digital audio and video signals through a solitary cable.

 

 

 

DVI Cable Connector

DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface and offers a distinctly sharper, better picture than VGA. It’s a unique connector because it can carry both digital and analog signals. DVI can also easily convert to other standards like HDMI and VGA.

 

 

 

OBD Cable Connector

The OBD Connector is a standardized port that enables mechanics to conduct tests and diagnostics on the computer system of your vehicle. This port specifically refers to the designated space where the mechanic can connect their OBD equipment, consisting of a computer and a long cable. Its purpose is to assess the condition of various subsystems in your car, allowing for early detection of faults or maintenance issues before they become more serious.

 

 

 

 

Power Cable Connector

The power connectors are devices designed exclusively for providing electrical power to a device, excluding any data streams or complex functionalities. They can be used with various types of electronics, but customers need to find the specific connector that matches their electronics' geometry and electrical requirements. The power connectors come in various types and designs, tailored for different applications, voltages, and current ratings.

 

• DC power cable connector
• AC power cable connector
• Battery cable Connector

 

 

 

DC power cable connector

DC power connectors, also called DC plugs or barrel connectors, are a common interface for delivering direct current power to small devices and equipment. This plug and socket type connector comes in a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and configurations and is typically used to power electrical devices or deliver power within low-voltage systems, such as subsystems within a vehicle. Common examples of DC connectors include barrel connectors, coaxial power connectors, audio connectors, power jacks, and USB connectors.

 

 

 

 

AC power cable connector

AC power connector is typically determined by two criteria: the intended regions or countries for power supply usage, and whether the application requires two or three conductors. Most countries have well-defined combinations of plugs and sockets, as well as standardized voltages and frequencies. As wall plug voltages are standardized, AC power connectors are also rated to provide sufficient insulation for these standard voltages. Additionally, the maximum current rating for connectors is standardized. Different ratings often utilize physically distinct connector contacts to prevent engagement with mismatched plug and socket combinations.

 

 

 

 

Battery Cable Connector

The battery connector is a device that integrates electrical circuits. Most battery packs require multiple connectors. The primary battery connector serves as both the mechanical and electrical interface between the battery and the PDA or other electronic devices. Commonly used battery connector types are:

• XT30/XT60/XT90 Connectors
• T-plug Connector
• EC2, EC3, EC5, EC6, and EC8 Battery Connectors
• Anderson Powerpole Connector for Battery
• JST Connector
• Molex Connector
• Car Battery Connector
• Solar Power Battery Connector
• 9V Battery Clip Connector
• SAE Battery Connector
• New Energy Battery Connector

 

 

Summary

Different connectors serve different purposes and are designed to meet specific needs in various industries. For instance, USB connectors are commonly used for connecting devices such as computers, smartphones, and printers to transfer data or charge batteries. On the other hand, HDMI connectors are primarily used for transmitting high-definition audio and video signals between electronic devices like televisions, projectors, and gaming consoles.

 

In addition to these widely known connectors, there is a vast array of specialized connectors available in the market. For example, coaxial connectors are commonly used in telecommunications and broadcasting industries to transmit radio frequency signals with minimal loss. Similarly, Ethernet connectors enable reliable internet connectivity by facilitating data transmission between network devices.

 

Furthermore, power connectors play a crucial role in delivering electrical power safely and efficiently. They come in various forms such as AC plugs for household appliances or DC jacks for laptops and mobile phones. These connectors ensure proper electrical connections while minimizing the risk of short circuits or electric shocks.

 

It is essential to understand the specific requirements of your application when selecting a connector. Factors such as voltage rating, current capacity, environmental conditions (such as temperature or moisture), mechanical durability (such as insertion cycles), and compatibility with other components should be carefully considered.