The Common Components of an Electrical Connector
Electrical systems are often complex assemblies, containing a number of different parts that all work together to make operations and powering possible. Across assemblies and applications, one of the most basic components of electronics is the connector, that of which serves to connect electrical circuits for the transfer of power, data, and audiovisual signals. While connectors are often specifically designed for the system they will connect to and the Contact springs they will handle, most feature many of the same physical components that make operations possible.
Contact springs are an essential element of connectors, offering a path for a signal, power, or ground to be transmitted. In order to keep the separable interface formed and maintained, the contact spring is also designed to induce force perpendicular to the contact surface. It is also paramount that the spring provides insertion and extraction force, contact force, contact retention, and contact wipe for physical properties, while resistance, current rating, capacitance, inductance, and bandwidth are all important electrical requirements. Types of signals connectors generally come in one of two types, receptacle or plug variations. While the receptacle is often just a spring member, the plug is a rigid element that produces normal force for the contacts through receptacle deflection and helps the connector take on overstress in the instance of an insertion misalignment.
For the contact spring, finishes are often used to guard the base metal from corrosion and film formation. Depending on the exact finish that is applied, a number of properties can be achieved to accommodate specific environments or applications. While metals in general are the most popular finishes, either noble or non-noble metals may be chosen based on requirements.
While elements like the contacts and contact spring are important for basic functions, they would be at major risk of damage and failure without proper protection. As such, a connector shell or housing is used to guard internal components from stresses, temperatures, moisture, etc. These housings are often insulated and mechanically shielded, maintaining contact positions while supplying specific protections. Oftentimes, the connector shell will be made of a plastic or non-metal material like PET or PBT.
As connectors will come in the form of male and female counterparts that mate together, there must be a suitable interface to facilitate this attachment. This element comes in the form of the contact interface, those of which are mechanical elements that guide the pins or contacts of one connector into the sockets of another so that an optimal connection can be established for the relay of signals. The entire surface of contacts will not be touching the mating contact, only the high spots known as asperities. To ensure this is the case, the housing will be specifically designed to control how elements are attached.
Whether you are in the market for power, data, or audiovisual connectors, we have you covered here on Purchasing Sphere. We are owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we host over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items on our database which trace back to top global manufacturers that we trust. Take the time to explore our massive set of offerings as you see fit, and every listed item on our website is ready for purchase at any time. As such, we encourage you to utilize our online RFQ service at your leisure to request quotes for your comparisons.
We are fully dedicated to the quality of our offerings, choosing to only source items from leading manufacturers we trust. Furthermore, many of our parts undergo varying levels of quality assurance, ranging from visual inspections to third-party testing. As a result of our dedication, we proudly operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation. Even if you are facing a time constraint and need parts fast, we offer expedited shipping speeds on countless items for domestic and international orders alike. Get in touch with a team member today and learn more about how we can operate as your strategic sourcing partner for all your project requirements.
Share
