The following points highlight the five main types of connectors used in electronic equipments. The types are: 1. Audio Connectors 2. RF Connectors 3. PC Board Connectors 4. Standard Rack and Panel Connectors 5. Standard Threaded Circular Connectors.
Type # 1. Audio Connectors:
Audio connectors are designed for use in audio and other low-level signal applications such as test instruments, computers and medical instrumentation.
Audio connectors can be classified in two categories-commercial and broadcast. Commercial includes high-fidelity, home tape recording, and armature use. Broadcast includes use in inter connecting broadcasting, recording studio, television, computer and medical electronics equipment.
Plugs and Jacks:
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These connectors are used for a lot of applications besides plugging in earphones and telephone switchboards. Jack panels and patchcords (short cables terminated at each end with a phone plug) provide unlimited flexibility in interconnecting audio equipment in broadcast and television stations and sound recording studios.
Type # 2. RF Connectors:
RF connectors arc available in several series having dissimilar characteristic. There is not much choice available with these types of connectors for radio-frequency application.
Some of the common RF connectors are explained as follows:
a. BNC Connectors:
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These connectors are small, weather proof, lightweight, 50 ohm nominal impedance bayonet-locking quick disconnect connectors. These are used in electronic measuring instruments like CRO, communication receivers, DVM, Radar, TV etc.
b. TNC Connectors:
These connectors are similar to BNC connectors, except that they use a threaded instead of a bayonet coupling. They are also small, weather proof, lightweight, and have a 50 ohm nominal impedance. These feature let them withstand vibration better and extend the usable frequency range upto 11 GHz.
c. N Connectors:
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These medium size 50 ohm connectors are weather proof, use a threated coupling, and are rated at 1000 V. An air dielectric is used at the mating face. The centre contacts are supported by dielectric beads at the rear of the mating face. They have excellent electrical characteristic from DC to 11 GHz.
d. UHF Connectors:
These connectors are low cost, general purpose threaded connectors used in low frequency applications where mismatch is not a problem. They have been extensively used in video applications. They operate satisfactorily upto 300 MHz and have a peak voltage rating of 500 V.
Type # 3. PC Board Connectors:
Two types of connectors are used in PCB:
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(a) Receptacles:
This type of connectors mates directly with the edge of the PC Board or Card. There is no separate plug. The contact design has to be sophisticated to allow for wear, operating conditions and tolerances. As it is made of one piece, it costs less.
(b) Two Piece Connectors:
In two piece connector assemblies, one of the mating connectors is mounted on and hard-wired to the PC board. This type is more expensive.
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PC Board edge connectors are available in a wide range of sizes, configurations, contact spacings, and grades. They are used in military, commercial and industrial applications but not generally in airborne or life-support equipment. Contact can be made with one or both sides of the PC board.
Type # 4. Standard Rack and Panel Connectors:
These connectors are used to interconnect rack/panel/chassis-mounted equipment. One half of the connector assembly is mounted on the stationary equipment rack or panel, and the other half of the assembly is mounted on the removable piece of equipment, allowing easy removal of the equipment for inspection, repair or interchange. Rectangular connectors are available with a variety of contacts arrangements, with individual contact current rating from 2A to 101A.
Type # 5. Standard Threaded Circular Connectors:
These types of connectors were originally designed for aircraft use. They are now widely used in military, aerospace, and industrial applications. The features of these connectors include low cost, uniform height, quality, broad range of sizes, styles variations and PIN arrangement.
Specialised types have evolved from the basic design to meet specific new requirements. All types are inter-connectable, intermountable and inter changeable. Although they will intermate, the contacts in the different classes of connectors are manufactured in different ways, and they have different current ratings.