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Electrical connectors are items
that connect an electrical device to the source of power. The different
kinds of electrical connectors are adapters, connectors, couplers,
sockets, jacks and switches.
They are used for different purposes like for joining two or more
electrical circuits, controlling the flow of current and also for
matching the electrical characteristics of two devices so that a
connection can be made between them.
The different types of connectors available in the market can be
differentiated on the basis of their applications as filter connectors,
crimp connectors, terminal splices, adapters, computer connectors, audio
connectors, network connectors, power connectors, signal connectors, RJ
connectors, switches, terminal blocks, terminators, sockets and jacks.
China, India, U.S.A, Taiwan and Malaysia are the largest manufacturers
of switches. |
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An adapter is a type of connector
that is used to match the physical or electrical characteristic of
two different devices to form a connection between them. The types
of adapters can be classified based on their applications as:
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Audio connectors can be defined
as electrical connectors that are used to transmit audio signals
between two systems. An audio connector works by connecting the
earphone or loud speaker jack to a circuit present on the electronic
appliance. Audio connectors are used for transmitting to the
earphone or loudspeaker. They are also used in a computer,
television, radio and other audio device for transmitting audio
signals. Audio connectors can be differentiated on the basis of
technology and uses. On the basis of technology used the different
types of audio connectors are XLR connectors, binding posts, RCA
audio connectors, TRS audio connectors. Depending on their usage the
different types of audio connectors are military audio connectors,
phono connectors, loudspeaker connectors and speakon connectors.
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Crimp connectors can be defined
as electrical connectors that help in holding two connections by
either compressing or overlapping the different parts on the
connector. Crimp connectors are fixed in the wires and cables to
connect two devices together. The two wires connected together with
the help of crimp connectors can either be connected permanently or
in a way so that they can be easily disconnected when required.
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Filter connectors are used in
electronic connectors to cut off noise from a signal line and save
the system from external noises. These filters are generally
bi-directional meaning that they can attenuate noise arising from
both the sides of the filter thus providing immunity to the system.
These connectors are used for achieving electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC- a condition in which an equipment neither itself
functions badly nor causes other equipments to perform below design
levels). They are being widely used in computers, telecom, medical,
test instrumentation, military, avionic and space programs.
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These connectors are used for
connecting various devices so that data can be sent and received
from the network. The different types of network connectors are
wireless connectors, FDDI connectors, ATM connectors, bluetooth
connectors, ISDN connectors, modem connectors, telephone connectors
and ethernet connectors.
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A power connector is a type of
electrical connector that is used to carry a large amount of
electrical power generally as DC or low frequency AC. The different
types of power connectors are AC power connectors, automotive power
connectors, battery charger connectors, Drawer connectors, DC power
connectors, Hybrid connectors and Mains power connectors. These are
used to connect equipments in wall outlets, to attach power cable to
an appliance or small machine etc.
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These are the electrical
connectors that carry small amounts of electrical power. The
different types of signal connectors are Fiber optic connectors, RF
connectors etc. The RF connectors are used with coaxial cables and
they work at radio frequencies. The fiber optic connectors are made
of fiber optic cables and their main advantage is that they are very
easy to use.
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Sockets are female electrical
connectors having holes for accepting the pins of the male power
plugs. The sockets are connected to a power source and they pass on
electric current to the power plug inserted in them. Generally
sockets are designed in such a way that they reject plugs, which do
not match the electrical standard of the socket. The various types
of sockets are differentiated on the basis of their applications
such as:
A jack is an electrical device that consists of a socket, which is
designed for inserting a plug. The different types of jacks based on
their usage are
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Switch is a mechanical or
electronic device that is used to make and break a circuit or change
the connections in a circuit. In other words switch changes the flow
of current in a circuit. A simple switch consists of a contact and
an actuator. Switches can be broadly classified on the basis of
their usage, mechanism, and safety and on the basis of technology
they are differentiated as electrical and electronic switches.
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Terminal blocks are devices
having an insulating base with binding posts for making connections
on which a set of terminals are mounted. They are generally used to
connect wires in equipment. These terminal blocks can accept wires
of the size ranging from 12 awg to 500 mcm. Terminal blocks can be
easily installed with the help of a screwdriver. The body of the
blocks is made of cooper alloy having expansion coefficient equal to
that of the wire. The terminal blocks can be classified on the
basis of application as:
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Terminals are electrical
connectors that are used for connecting two or more wires to a
single connection point. This connection can either be temporary or
permanent. The temporary connection requires a tool for assembling
and removing the connection. In batteries every terminal is
connected to either the positive or negative strap in the series
connection of cells. The different types of terminals based on their
usage are:
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Terminators are hardware devices
that are used in bus networks as a cap with the purpose of
preventing the signals from getting reflected back along the line.
Terminators provide electrical resistance on the end point of a
transmission line. The main function of a terminator is to absorb
the signals in the line so that they do not bounce back. Terminators
are used in both electrical and communications system. The different
types of terminators based on their technologies are punch-down
blocks, network terminators, patch panels, SCSI terminators.
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A video connector is an
electronic device, which transmits black & white and colored
elements of a video signal through separate cables from a source,
which might be any video device (DVD player, television or a video
projector). These connections are generally represented by different
colored cables. The video connectors are differentiated on the basis
of different technologies used like:
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Electrical Connectors
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