Electrical connector

Schematic symbols for male and female connectors (see Gender of connectors and fasteners)

Components of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between parts of an electrical circuit, or between different electrical circuits, thereby joining them into a larger circuit.^[1]

The connection may be removable (as for portable equipment), require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points.^[2] An adapter can be used to join dissimilar connectors. Most electrical connectors have a gender – i.e. the male component, called a plug, connects to the female component, or socket.

Thousands of configurations of connectors are manufactured for power, data, and audiovisual applications.^[3] Electrical connectors can be divided into four basic categories, differentiated by their function:^[4]

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]
Chassis or panel connectors permanently attached to a piece of equipment so users can connect a cable to a stationary device
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)
Splice or butt connectors (primarily insulation displacement connectors) that permanently join two lengths of wire or cable

In computing, electrical connectors are considered a physical interface and constitute part of the physical layer in the OSI model of networking.

^ "Electrical Connectors Information". Engineering360. IEEE GlobalSpec. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
^ Mroczkowski, Robert S. (1998). "Ch 1". Electrical Connector Handbook: Theory and Applications. McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-041401-7.
^ Elliott, Brian S. (2007). "Chapter 9: Connectors". Electromechanical Devices & Components (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-147752-9.
^ SFUptownMaker. "Connector Basics". SparkFun. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
^ David, Larry (17 March 2012). "Engineering Definitions – 'Com' to 'Con'". Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms. Connector. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
^ Cite error: The named reference taoe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ieee-1] "Electrical Connectors Information". Engineering360. IEEE GlobalSpec. Retrieved 30 June 2019.

[RSM98-2] Mroczkowski, Robert S. (1998). "Ch 1". Electrical Connector Handbook: Theory and Applications. McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-041401-7.

[elliott-3] Elliott, Brian S. (2007). "Chapter 9: Connectors". Electromechanical Devices & Components (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-147752-9.

[sparkfun-4] SFUptownMaker. "Connector Basics". SparkFun. Retrieved 30 June 2019.

[connector-def-5] David, Larry (17 March 2012). "Engineering Definitions – 'Com' to 'Con'". Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms. Connector. Retrieved 30 June 2019.

[taoe-6] Cite error: The named reference taoe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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