Connectors

Connector Product Categories

Circular Connectors

Circular connectors consist of two mating halves or shells, each of which contains multiple pin or socket configurations. Internal insulating spacers, or inserts, support the contacts in their proper orientation. The plug end normally contains pin contacts and mates with the receptacle half, which normally contains the socket contacts. By nature of their shape and construction, circular connectors tend to be rugged and are generally used in hostile environments.

Circular Connectors - 38999

38999 (a type of circular connector) is one of the most popular connector series for modern military applications, and it is becoming more prevalent in high tech commercial applications such as telecommunications base stations.

D-Sub Connectors

D-subminiature connectors (D-subs) have rectangular shells with D-shaped mating faces. Plug connectors hold pin contacts while receptacle connectors hold socket contacts. The mating face provides polarization to prevent mismating, while the shell of the connector provides rugged protection for otherwise exposed pin contacts. D-subs connect the electronics' inside equipment to the "outside world" either directly, by mounting to the PC board, or indirectly, by means of jumper wires.

Ethernet & Modular Connectors

Ethernet/modular connectors are found in nearly all industries where small pin count connections (generally 8 or less) are needed. They are most widely used in telecommunications applications with the most obvious example being their use in modular telephones to connect cords, handsets, etc. Crimp, solder, and insulation displacement are the most common methods of termination for these devices.

IC & Component Sockets

Some applications require that integrated circuits (IC's) and IC chips be placed on a PC board in such a manner that they can be easily plugged in or removed. To accomplish this, IC sockets and chip carriers are used. SIP and DIP sockets, Pin Grid Arrays (PGA's) and Plastic Leaded Chip Carriers (PLCC's) are the most common socket products used.

RF Connectors

RF connectors are used to transmit signals from point to point with minimal energy loss while reducing noise. They can be used for DC and audio frequency signals when effective shielding is desired and are used to transmit radio frequency energy up to 18 billion cycles per second. Used on signal carrying systems such as audio, data communications and CATV systems, coaxial connectors come in hundreds of sizes and shapes designed to meet performance requirements for both military and commercial markets. There are four basic types of RF connectors: plug, receptacle, jack and adapter. Although there are many different styles of RF connectors, most of them are used to terminate a single coax cable and have a center contact, an insulator and a shell.

Terminal Blocks

Terminal blocks consist of one or more electrical terminals mounted on a solid insulation material. Each is used to terminate a discrete wire or wires. The most common are screw-type with each screw or pair of screws isolated from the next. Terminations involve either connecting power wires to a system or connecting signal or sensor wires to a computer, telephone system, or control system. The barrier blocks are usually positioned just outside the protective cover of the system for ease in hookup. The primary function is to protect against shorting.

Terminals

Terminals and splices are used in almost every electronic application. They are used anywhere a discrete wire needs to be spliced, terminated or attached to a terminal block or post. Terminals and Splices come in various styles and are available with insulated and uninsulated barrels. Two other important characteristics to consider are the wire range the terminal or splice will accept, and the stud size that the terminals will be used on.

Electrical Factors

Resistance: Critical if connectors are in series and the impedances are low.
Maximum current & voltage: Influenced by the connector, the size of conductors connected to it and the number of circuits passing the current.
Intercontact capacitance: Important at all frequencies but becomes more important at higher frequencies because of its effect on delay, crosstalk and the impedance of a circuit.

Mechanical Factors

Mounting: Includes the appropriate shape of the connector for the application, the dimensional tolerances, the accessibility of the connector location, the protection required of the shell and contacts, and assembly format (thru-hole vs. surface mount). It also includes consideration of the hardware required to mount the connector.
Wire termination: Involves specifying the appropriate contact type used, the termination technique most efficient for the wire used, and the number of connections made.
Connector mating: Several factors are involved here...frequency of mating, the need for polarity and other mating alignment features for contacts and shells, the need for quick connect and disconnect, contact insertion/extraction force requirement levels, the need to protect against excessive vibration, and the support structures needed for the cable assembly.
Environmental conditions: Included in this category are temperature extremes, humidity, salt spray, corrosion-causing chemicals, and contaminates. These environmental factors are determined by the location in which the equipment containing the connector must operate.