Questions tagged [connector]

Mechanical part providing electrical contacts for a cable or electronic circuit board.

Electrical connectors are mechanical parts designed to physically join circuits together by means of electrical contacts separated by some kind of housing of appropriate material and mechanical format. Connectors can have a multitude of forms depending on the environment and application where they are used. This Wikipedia article presents many common connectors and their applications.

Glossary of electrical connector-related terms (EIA).

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Why was Mini USB deprecated in favor of Micro USB?

Mini USB connectors were standardized as part of USB 2.0 in 2000. In 2007, the USB Implemeters Forum standardized Micro USB connectors, deprecating Mini USB connectors four months later. Why? What are the advantages of Micro USB over Mini USB that…
Dan Fabulich
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How can I tell the size of a barrel power connector?

Spring cleaning, and I'm trying to get power supplies for all my devices with missing power supplies. They're all the typical barrel power connector, and I'm having a dickens of a time trying to figure out the pin/hole diameter. I ordered the power…
dwwilson66
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How to connect USB Connector shield?

How should I route USB Connector shield on PCB? Should it be connected to GND plane right where USB is placed, or should the shield be isolated from GND, or should it be connected to ground through ESD protection chip, high resistance resistor or…
Andrzej H
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Why aren't headphone jack shaped plugs used for data?

With Apple's lightning cable, and USB 3.0, reversible cables are taking off, and I personally think this is very convenient. But we have had better than reversible for a long time, in the form of the headphone jack, which can be inserted in any…
Drew
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What are the advantages of this gold finger shape?

Some PCBs, like the PCI card specification have gold fingers which start very narrow near the bottom edge, and gain their usual width much higher, where the actual contact is expected to be made. What is the advantage of having the narrow part? Why…
akwky
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Why do banana plugs need these holes?

Why do banana plugs need these holes?
Arseniy
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What to do with third contact in DC barrel plug with only two input contacts

My AC-DC adapter gives output of 12V and GND. I tried to search for suitable DC barrel plugs and found that most of them have three terminals So, pin 1 is positive in my case. 1. Which pin should I connect to GND, 2 or 3, in my PCB? 2. What should…
user23699
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How can I make connection on pcb (circuit board) holes without solder (for prototyping)?

I have a Pro Micro board (very small -- see pic below) and it has connector holes in the printed circuit board. Best Non-Solder Connection (Easy and Removable) I'm wondering the best way to make non-solder connections for doing my prototype work. By…
raddevus
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What does "For disconnect use only" mean on a connector?

I recently bought some Andersen connectors for connecting high-amp devices to my camping setup in my truck. The idea is they hold together through much rougher conditions than a regular cigarette lighter 12v plug would, as well as being superior in…
Mark Henderson
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Why are the contacts for the Data lines in USB A and B plugs shorter than the contacts for Ground and Power?

I was reading up on USB connectors on Wikipedia and I've noticed that the contacts for the data lines (D+ and D-) are shorter in both the Type A and Type B plug. What could be the reasoning behind this design?
Wilhelm Schuster
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Connectorless USB on a PCB

I would like to make a board which can be plugged directly into the USB port of a computer, instead of using a separate male "USB-A" connector. I have seen this system used for very small USB memory keys, such as this one . How would I lay out a PCB…
drxzcl
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Why don't we have a circular USB port?

From what I understand, USB has 4 lines just like an audio port. So why can't we have a USB port which is circular? I feel it can be more convenient to plug in and also would have a smaller form factor. May be, we can have the same 3.5 mm jack port…
samwise_the_wise
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What does "no fit" mean in electronics?

I have found at some places, especially: Raspberry Pi Forums eLinux RPi Hardware page the following wording: S2: DSI interface. 15-pin surface mounted flat flex connector (possibly no-fit) S5: MIPI CSI-2 interface. 15-pin surface mounted flat flex…
dash17291
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Preferences: Male or Female connector on board

On a prototyping board for use by students, should one place male (pin) headers or female headers on the PCB, considering that most of the pins will be unused most of the time. I'm inclined to place the female headers on the PCB and have male pins…
Arne
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Why does the SATA power connector have so many pins?

With only 4 cables, two of which are ground, it seems like it has way too many pins. Why is this so?
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