Modern industrial systems contain a large number of electrical components and equipment, from PCBs and sensors to drivers, motors , industrial computers, electrical cabinets, and even production lines and machines. These typically need to be interconnected and work together. In this process, various types of industrial connectors play a crucial role, such as carrying power, transmitting control signals, and facilitating data communication between devices. It's fair to say that without industrial connectors, concepts like the Internet of Things, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 would be meaningless.
Don't underestimate industrial connectors. Despite their small size, the technology they contain is quite complex. On one hand, the reliability of electrical connections directly determines the performance of a device system; on the other hand, the classification of industrial connectors is extremely diverse and complex, given the various application scenarios. This actually brings certain difficulties to our daily product development and system integration.
Therefore, starting from this issue, we will invite Daniel, a leading expert in the field of industrial connectors, to help everyone understand industrial connector technology in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
First, let's start with the definition and classification of connectors, and then talk about the basic rules for naming connector product models.
Every electrical system must use electric current as a carrier of signal or energy, transmitting it from one conductor to another through the contact points between them. This contact between conductors is called electrical contact, and the connector is what performs this electrical contact task, covering the three "lifelines" of "power," "signal," and "data."
To put it simply, a connector is a "bridge" that carries out the connection of current or signals. Although it is just a component, its role is crucial.
There is still no unified classification standard for connectors. New application areas are constantly emerging, and their structures are becoming increasingly diverse, making it difficult to classify and name them using a fixed model. Nevertheless, some basic classification principles remain valid. Let's first understand the prerequisites for connector classification.
1. Based on the internal and external connection functions of electronic devices, the interconnection layers are divided into 6 layers:
First layer: Interconnection of components to packages;
The second layer: encapsulates the interconnections of the circuit boards;
The third layer: board-to-board interconnections;
Fourth layer: Interconnection between components;
Fifth layer: Interconnection of components to input/output interfaces;
Sixth layer: Interconnection between systems.
Connector classification diagram according to structure
2. Classified by structure:
Board-to-board connectors;
Board-to-wire connector;
Wire-to-wire connector.
Connector classification diagram by power
3. Classified by power:
Power connector (transmits power);
Signal connector (for transmitting signals);
High-frequency connector (for data transmission).
An important branch of rectangular connectors – module connectors
4. Classified by shape:
Circular connectors are mostly used in military equipment;
Rectangular connectors have a wide range of applications and are developing rapidly.
Modular connectors have now become the shining "stars" of the connector family.
Therefore, considering the technological development and industry applications of connectors, and referring to relevant technical standards, connectors can be divided into five categories:
Rectangular connector;
Circular connector;
RF connectors;
Fiber optic connectors;
Non-contact connectors (such as proximity switches).
The above section introduced the classification of connector products to help you remember them. However, if users want to learn more about connector products, they need to understand their product model names, also known as order numbers.
Product model naming serves as the basis for user procurement and connector manufacturers' production organization. Throughout the connector industry, it follows two principles:
The first method uses letters and numbers, aiming to reflect all or most of the product's structural features in the model designation. The advantage is ease of identification; the disadvantage is that the model number may be relatively long and complex; and with the trend of connector miniaturization, the space available for coding is becoming increasingly smaller, making coding printing increasingly difficult.
The second method is a combination of pure Arabic numerals. The advantage of this method is its simplicity, ease of management, and printing.
It is foreseeable that these two approaches will coexist for a long time and continue to be enriched and developed.
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