Commonly Used Electrical Connectors

Electrical connectors are very much a part of our everyday lives. Connectors can have a plug and socket connection; however, there are other screw terminals, fast-on or quick-disconnect terminals. Listed below are the most commonly used electrical connectors and their functions.

USB Connectors – USB connectors are becoming a very familiar type of electrical connector. The USB, or Universal Service Bus was founded in 1996 and is used in PC, Macintosh, and many other devices. USB connectors are fixed to peripherals with a cable and Male USM series A plug that connects to the computers USB series B socket. The plug consists of a 4-pin connector surrounded by a shield. Other types include the mini-A, mini-B, and mini-AB plugs and sockets.

8P8C- Many people may know this connector more commonly as an Ethernet cable. 8P8C stands for “eight positions, eight conductors”. These types of connectors are often confused with Registered Jack (RJ) connectors, which are very similar, though they are not compatible. 8P8C as well as RJ connectors are all grouped into the family of modular connectors because of their ease of use.

DE-9- The DE-9 is a less popular electrical connector these days than in years past. The DE-9 was used for the serial port on old IBM and other compatible computers. In the past, it was referred to as the D-subminiature, but compared with the connectors in todayÂ’s market, they are the largest design available.

Electrical connectors can be found in most if not all applications of electronic devices. There are many more very different types of electrical connectors, though some are simply more prevalent than others.


Angela Oliver is an author for HRent.com. H and R Enterprises specializes in the distribution of hard to find and obsolete electronic components. Visit the site to view a complete inventory of electronic components including various common types of electrical connectors.