Depending on the design, a flat-blade screwdriver, a cross-blade screwdriver, hex key, Torx key, or other tool may be required to properly tighten the connection for reliable operation. Insulation displacement connectors are usually used with small conductors for signal purposes and at low voltage. Power conductors carrying more than a few amperes are more reliably terminated with other means, though "hot tap" press-on connectors find some use in automotive applications for additions to existing wiring.

a b "Essential Connector Terms and Definitions for Specifiers of Interconnect Wiring Systems" (PDF). Glenair, Inc. 2004 . Retrieved 2019-06-25. In the case of insulated crimp connectors, the crimped area lies under an insulating sleeve through which the pressing force acts. During crimping, the extended end of this insulating sleeve is simultaneously pressed around the insulated area of the cable, creating strain relief. The insulating sleeve of insulated connectors has a color that indicates the wire's cross-section area. Colors are standardized according to DIN 46245: RS supply a wide range of high quality components. They include heavy duty industrial connectors, power connectors, modular connectors, electrical connectors, electronic and data connectors. They are divided into the following categories: inline or cable connectors permanently attached to a cable, so it can be plugged into another terminal (either a stationary instrument or another cable) [5] Another familiar connector group are those used for audio-visual applications--RCA and phono. While these can't truly be considered to be of the same family, as the various USB connectors are, we'll consider both of them to be in the same vein. "Phone" Type Connectors

Plug or male

a b Elliott, Brian S. (2007). "Chapter 9: Connectors". Electromechanical Devices & Components (2nded.). McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-147752-9. David, Larry (17 March 2012). "Engineering Definitions – 'Com' to 'Con' ". Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms. Connector . Retrieved 30 June 2019.

PCB mount connectors soldered to a printed circuit board, providing a point for cable or wire attachment. [6] :56 (e.g. pin headers, screw terminals, board-to-board connectors) A screw terminal is a type of electrical connection where a wire is held by the tightening of a screw. Printed circuit board (PCB) mounted screw terminals let individual wires connect to a PCB through leads soldered to the board.a b Reference Designations for Electrical and Electronics Parts and Equipment: ASME Y14.44-2008: Section 2.1.5.3 (2). ASME, Fairfield, NJ. 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-03-13 . Retrieved 2012-02-03. the stationary (more fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated J or X ... The movable (less fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated P USB connectors come in two flavors: host and peripheral. In the USB standard, there is a difference between the two, and the connectors on cables and devices reflect this. However, all USB connectors will have some things in common: Polarity is the final aspect to consider; most often, the sleeve will be considered 0V and the tip will be a positive voltage relative to the sleeve. Many devices will have a small diagram indicating the polarity expected by the device; care should be taken to adhere to this, as an improper power supply may damage the device.

Screw terminals are low in cost when compared to other types of connectors, and can be readily designed into products for circuits carrying currents of from a fraction of an ampere up to several hundred amperes at low to moderate frequencies. The terminals easily can be re-used in the field, allowing for the replacement of wires or equipment, generally with standard hand tools. Screw terminals usually avoid the requirement for a specialized mating connector to be applied to the ends of wires. Alternatives to screw terminals include spring terminals (a.k.a. "push-in", "cage-clamp", or "poke-home" connectors). Spring terminals work in a similar fashion as screw terminals. However, instead of tightening a screw to make a connection with piece of wire, a spring clamps together pieces of metal together.Grounding screws are often color-coded green and, when used on consumer electronics, often have a washer with gripping "teeth", to ensure better connections. a b Horowitz, Paul; Hill, Winfield (1989). The Art of Electronics (2nded.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-37095-7. a b "Molex Connectors Explained, as used in Pinball". Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum. 4 March 2005 . Retrieved 1 July 2019. Shielding - USB connectors are shielded, such that a metal shell which is not part of the electrical circuit is provided. This is important to keep the signal intact in environments with a lot of electrical "noise". Applications [ edit ] Two paired screw terminals, typically used for connecting ceiling-mounted light fixtures

It is usually desirable for a connector to be easy to identify visually, rapid to assemble, inexpensive, and require only simple tooling. In some cases an equipment manufacturer might choose a connector specifically because it is not compatible with those from other sources, allowing control of what may be connected. No single connector has all the ideal properties for every application; the proliferation of types is a result of the diverse yet specific requirements of manufacturers. [7] :6 Materials [ edit ] Twist-on wire connectors (e.g. wire nuts) – used in low-voltage power circuits for wires up to about 10AWG

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a b c d e f g "Electrical Connectors Information". Engineering360. IEEE GlobalSpec . Retrieved 30 June 2019.