Basic connector components

A connector is a relatively simple device with just a few essential parts.

CONDUCTORS
Conductors carry electric current or optical energy. Some uses discrete, or separate, copper wires, but other conductor styles are common. Conductors attach (terminate) to terminals, which are inserted into housings.

TERMINALS
Terminals are the conductors in a connector. When connectors mate, the terminals make contact to bridge the circuit.

Although they appear simple, terminals are precisely designed and manufactured to optimize electrical and mechanical performance over the life of the connector.

Terminals are also called contacts. They are identified as either male or female.

HOUSING
The housing is the connector body or casing. Most connector have a matched pair of housings. Various plastics are used for their insulating property and ability to be molded. The housing provides the mating function, holds the electrical contacts, and protects them from contaminants and electrical interference.

OTHER FEATURES
Connector housings and terminals may include a variety of additional features. For example, the model shown here has a latch to keep the connectors mated. You will learn about other features shortly. For now, realize that they are all designed to support the connector's electrical function by providing mating security and an efficient and reliable electrical interface.

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Housing Features

Housing features—mating security In some cases friction between housings may be adequate. More often, connectors employ a locking mechanism to secure the interface against vibrations and other stressors. Some applications are very stable and require minimal locking, But imagine the stress under the hood of a car or the mating security needed on an airplane electrical system or in medical life-support equipment. The locking feature provides that security.   Housing features—polarization To make sure connector pairs align and mate properly, connectors usually employ any of several polarization techniques. Polarization is a mechanical feature of a connector that assures proper mating alignment. The insides of the cavities have a specific shape, and the outsides of some cavities are rectangular and others are beveled.   Housing features—keying Keying provides a function similar to polarization—to assure correct pair mating.   Housing feature—guidance Guidance aligns connector pairs properly before mating. The connector on the right shows a typical approach used with backplane connectors. A metal guide post with a beveled tip is integrated into the housing, or may be incorporated as a optional module. The post aligns with a bushing on the other connector. There may be a post on one connector end or both. Backplane connectors typically have very high circuit counts and can require significant force to mate. Strong metal guide posts keep the connectors aligned under that pressure to prevent damage to pins.   Housing features—mating capture Properly aligning two mating connectors can be a challenge in locations that are hard to see or difficult to reach, such as inside a vehicle dashboard. Blind mating designs facilitate mating with a large flange that funnels one connector into another for accurate alignment before mating. This technique also speeds mating, which can be important, for example, on fast-moving assembly lines.   Housing features—sealing Some connector housings are sealed to protect terminals and electrical connections from moisture and other contaminants. Obvious candidates for sealed connectors include marine and some automotive sub-systems, such as underhood and underbody.