A modular connector is a kind of electrical connector for cables and cords used in electrical appliances, like telecommunication equipment, computer networking as well as audio headsets.

Initially, during the 1960s, the modular connector was made for utilization on some Bell System telephone sets. A similar category of them found its use in the simple interconnection of client-provided phone supporter premises hardware to the telephone network. In 1976 the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) mandated an interface registration system where they were popularly called registered jacks. The comfort of earlier presence for planners and convenience prompted an expansion of modular connectors for several other applications. Applications that initially used an expensive and bulkier connector have changed over to modular connectors. Presently the most popular applications of this equipment are Ethernet and telephone.

Nomenclature

A modular connector is more popularly known as RJ connector, Western Jack and Plug and Modular Phone Jack and Plug. The term 'modular connector' came from its initial utilization in modular wiring equipment of telephone components in the 1960s by the Western Electric Company. This includes the 4P4C used in handset connectors and the 6P2C used in telephone lines.

Registered Jack designations depict the wiring and signal utilized for data and voice correspondence at client confronting interfaces of the public switched telephone network. To refer to the physical jack, a registered jack number is used. For example, the 4P4C connector is inaccurately called RJ22 or RJ9. Likewise, the 8P8C connectors are sometimes erroneously known as RJ45. A popular use of these types of connectors is Ethernet over twisted pair.

History

In the middle of the 1960s, some of the first modular telephone connectors came into the market. It was made by AT&T for the line cords of the Trimline telephone as well as for plug-in handset. Driven by the interest for numerous sets in homes with different cord lengths, the Bell System brought customer connectable part telephones and kits which was sold by Phone Center stores. In 1976, these modular connectors were institutionalized broadly in the United States by the FCC's (Federal Communications Commission Registration Interface Program.

Gender

Modular connectors comes in gender.

• Male is the plug.
• Females are the jacks and sockets.

Cords and cables are terminated using plugs. On the other hand, jacks offer a fixed location on the surface of panels, equipment, and walls. Apart from the telephone extension cord, cables having a jack at one end and a modular plug on the other are the rarest. Rather, cables are typically associated utilizing a female to female adapter, consisting of 2 jacks wired back to back.

Modular connectors are constructed to latch together. As soon as the plug gets inserted inside a jack, the plug is locked by a plastic tab such that it can’t be pulled out. To expel the plug, the hooking tab must be discouraged against the plug to clear the locking edge.

This was all we have regarding the modular connector. Hope you liked it. Brands that manufacture them are TE Connectivity, Molex and Amphenol. Make sure to follow them using the links as provided.

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XLR Connector is a kind of electrical connector one can get with professional video, audio and stage lighting devices. This kind of connector has a circular design with 3 to 7 pins. They are primarily used with balanced audio interconnection but have also found its use in low-voltage power supplies, lighting control, and other many more applications. Several manufacturers make XLR connector having an international standard for dimensions, IEC 61076-2-103. They are the same as the littler DIN connector, however, they are not physically good with them.

Design

XLR connectors come in both female as well as male versions in both chassis and cable mounting design (total 4 styles). This is a bit unusual as several other designs of connectors discard one of the styles.

The female XLR connector is designed in such a manner that at first pin 1 is connected (earth pin) before other pins come in contact whenever a male XLR connector is inserted inside.

The number of pins is not the same in all XLR connectors. By 2016, mini XLR connector comes with at most 8 pins and a normal XLR connector comes with at most 10 pins.

Patterns and Applications

• 3-pin (XLR3)

One of the most commonly used XLR connectors is the 3-Pin XLR connectors. It is mostly used in professional microphones. Earlier this kind of connector was used in connecting loudspeakers. XLR3 has a current-carrying capacity of 15 Amperes and can accept a 1.6mm wire which is suitable for several loudspeakers but they are now replaced by Speakon Connectors.

XLR3 are now used in rechargeable devices like scooters and wheelchair. Here these connectors work at a potential difference of 24Volts and carry 2 to 10 Amperes of current. At last, they are also utilized for DMX512. DMX512 is commonly used in controlling the lightening and effects of a stage.

• 4-pin (XLR4)

4-pin connectors are the fundamental connector used in intercom headsets. For example, headsets made of Telex and ClearCom. 2 pins are utilized for unbalanced microphone signal and 2 pins for mono headphone signal.

XLR4 is also used in DC power connections for video and film cameras. Other uses of these pins are in AMX analog lighting control, some pyrotechnic equipment and scrollers.

• 5-pin (XLR5)

It is a standard connector for DMX512 lighting control. It is also used in stereo or dual-element microphones and stereo intercom headset.

• 6-pin (XLR6)

6-pin XLR connectors have found its utilization in stage lighting control applications and dual-channel intercom systems.

• 7-pin (XLR7)

7-pin XLR connectors help in connecting tube condenser microphones with their power supplies which carry polarization voltage, signal, and heater.

• PDN

The PDN Connector, popularly known as the Loudspeaker Cannon is used in connecting loudspeakers and audio power amplifiers.

This was all we have regarding XLR connectors. Hope you like going through the article. Brands that manufacture XLR connectors are Neutrik, Switchcraft, and Amphenol. Make sure to follow them using the links provided by us.

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A DIN connector is defined as an electrical connector which came into existence in the very beginning of the 1970s by a German organization named as Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN). There are a diverse number of connectors with DIN standards, thus it is mandatory to add the document number with each of them for their exact identification (e.g., “DIN 41612 connector”). Some of the DIN standards are as follows:

• DIN 41524 – This takes in circular connectors which are utilized for audio signals.
• DIN 41585 – This includes automotive coaxial connectors.
• DIN 41612 – This includes rectangular connectors for connecting plug-in cards to a motherboard.
• DIN 41652 – This takes in D-subminiature connectors utilized in computer data and video.

While dealing about consumer electronics, DIN connector generally refers to the class of circular connectors that were standardized for analog audio signals by DIN. These connectors have also helped in digital interfaces like IBM AT keyboard for computers or MIDI, analog video application and in setting up power connections. Keep reading this article below to get good knowledge about these circular connectors.

Circular Connectors

Every male connector (plugs) of this class highlight a 6.6 mm radius metal shield with an indent that restricts the orientation in which socket and plug can mate with each other. Circular connectors that can be distinguished by their pin configuration are standardized, originally in DIN 45326 / IEC/DIN EN 60130-9 (8-pin at an angle of 45°), DIN 41524 / IEC/DIN EN 60130-9 (5-pin at an angle of 45° and 3-pin at an angle of 90°), DIN 45329 (7-pin at an angle of 45°), DIN 45322 (6-pin and 5-pin at an angle of 60°) etc.

The plugs comprise of a circular protecting skirt of metal defending various straight round pins. The diameter of the pin is around 1.45mm and are spaced equally (at 45°, 60°, 72°, 90°or angles) in a circle of diameter 7.0mm. The skirt is keyed just to make it sure that the plug is fitted with the right format to nullify the occurrence of any damage to the pins. The primary framework likewise guarantees that the shielding is associated with plug and socket before the establishment of any signal path connection. Since the keying is same in all the connectors, it leads to the mating of incompatible connectors which causes damage. But Mini-DIN keys various connectors to solve the above problem. Apart from that some "domino" 5 – pin connectors consist of keyway on the side opposite to the plug.

Seven regular patterns can be formed with any number of pins ranging from 3 to 8. Three kinds of 5-pin connector that exists are domino/360°/270°, 240°, and 180° after the point of the curve covered between the first and last stick. There is also two categories of 8-pin connector (one where the external pins structure 262° and one where they structure 270°), 7-pin connector (one where the external pins structure 270° and one where they structure 300° or 360°) and 6-pin connectors. In addition to them, there are connectors with 14, 12 and 10 pins. Some high rated equipment utilizes 7 pin connector where 2 external pins serve with digital system data. If the equipment is not compatible with the outer pins, it can be detached from the plugs to fit into standard 5-pin 180° sockets with no data connection.

We hope that the above info has made you accustomed with the knowledge about Circular DIN Connectors. Brands which manufactures them are TE Connectivity, Amphenol, ITT. Make sure to follow them using the links as provided.

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