What are the Specifications of the electrical connector?

Electrical circuits are composed of a multitude of components, including wires and cables. Electrical connectors are used to join these to form a continuous path for electrical current to flow, such as wire connectors, cable connectors and so on. Connectors have plugs and jacks which connect to each other forming either a permanent connection or a temporary connection that can be assembled and removed with special tools.

In order to select the right electrical connectors that will get the job done and minimize risks, there are a few factors which should be considered, depending on the application, type of connectors and the strength of the electrical current the circuit will carry. These can be broken down into two classifications: performance parameters and physical parameters. It is necessary to select performance parameters according to the working conditions of electrical connectors. And physical parameters should be selected carefully, since they describe how the electrical connector is designed, the connections it can be used for and much more.

(1)Current

The current rating describes the rate of electricity flow a connector is designed to accommodate. This is measured in amperes. The Current rating on a connector will usually be in the range of 1A to 50A, though smaller and larger ones are available for special applications.

(2)Voltage

The voltage rating describes the range and type of voltage the small wire connectors is designed to carry. This is measured in volts for the voltage and Alternating Current or Direct Current. Typically, the ratings can be 50V, 125V, 250V, and 600V, but others are available too.

(3)Operating Temperature

The operating temperature range describes the range, recommended temperature and minimum/maximum safe operating temperature for the splicing wire connectors.

(4)Contact Pitch

This is the distance the centers of adjacent pins or the terminals in a connector. It is usually measured in millimeters. Larger contact pitches mean fewer connections or pins per area, which reduces electrical arcing and thereby, interference. However, it does increase the overall size of the connector.

(5)Number of Contacts

Apart from the type of contact pitch, the number of contacts or individual conductive elements present in electrical connectors also vary.

(6)Material

While the connector casings are usually made of plastic, the materials used for the connectors are usually a combination of metal and plastic for insulation, though just about any conductive material can be used. The properties of the materials affect the performance, like conductivity, strength, resilience and formability. Some commonly used ones include:

1)Brass – Zinc content can vary from 5-40%; cheapest metal to purchase by weight; springy; strong; high conductance, used in KK terminals

2)Phosphor Bronze – Good strength; tough; high conductibility and fatigue resistance; flexible and elastic, used in electrical contact springs

3)Beryllium Copper – Best alloy for spring terminals; cheaper than phosphor bronze, used for high-performance applications

4)High Copper Alloy – Strong modified copper; good electrical and thermal properties; retains its form at high temperatures, mainly used in automotive applications

Connectors are an indispensable part of electronic devices. So far, the connector has developed into a series of products and specialized products, such as crimp wire connectors and wire termination connectors, with a complete range of products, various specifications, various types of structures, professional direction, industry characteristics, and standard system specifications. Electrical connectors drastically reduce the time, effort and manpower needed for manufacturing, assembling and installing electrical devices, their components as well as wiring.