Electronic connectors – a comprehensive overview of connector and plug types

Glossary of the most important types of connectors (ABC of connectors)

A

• ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended): Standard power connector in desktop computers. It supplies power to the motherboard and other system components. Characterised by its rectangular shape and 20- or 24-pin connectors. Enables easy and safe connection and replacement of the power supply.
• AUX (Audio Jack): A small connector used to transmit audio signals. Often used in headphones, speakers and music equipment. Usually characterised by three contacts and allows the transmission of an analogue audio signal.

B

• BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman): Connector used in the transmission of video and high frequency signals. Commonly used in CCTV surveillance and television studios.
• BS 1363 (Type G): A power supply standard used in the UK and several other countries. Fitted with three rectangular pins and a built-in fuse. Its design ensures safety through the use of earth and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental contact with the contacts.

• C

• Car cigarette lighter connector: Is a standard part of vehicle equipment, used to power devices such as chargers, GPS navigators and travel coolers. It is usually found in 12 volt versions in cars and 24 volt versions in trucks.
• Cinch: see - RCA.
• Coaxial: A connector used to transmit audio and video signals. Often used in television and satellite systems. Effectively carries high-frequency signals.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): A key socket on the motherboard in a computer, used to connect the processor. Allows data transfer and power supply.
• CPU Power Connector: An additional power connector on the motherboard, usually a 4-, 8- or 12-pin connector. Provides additional power to the processor. Ensures stable power supply during intensive use.

D

• DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module): A socket on the motherboard used for installing RAM. It is characterised by two separate rows of contacts, which increase the stability of data transfer.
• DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung): A connector standard with multiple pins. Often used in audio equipment and to connect a keyboard and desktop computer.
• DisplayPort (DP): A connector for video and audio transmission, often used in monitors and computers to transmit high image quality. It supports high resolutions such as 4K and 8K, and multi-monitor technology.
• D-SUB (D-Subminiature): Used for video and data signal transmission. It is specific to monitors and projectors in older computer equipment. Known for its use in the VGA standard.
• DVI (Digital Visual Interface): A connector used for video signal transmission. It is commonly found in monitors and graphics cards. 
  • DVI-A (Analog): Transmits an analogue video signal only. Relatively rarely used.
  • DVI-D (Digital): Transmits only a digital video signal. Available in single (Single Link) as well as dual (Dual Link) bandwidth versions.
  • DVI-I (Integrated): Combines DVI-D and DVI-A functionality, supporting both digital and analogue video signals. Also available in Single and Dual Link versions.

E

• eSATA (E-SATA): An external connector for connecting hard drives and other storage devices directly to a computer. Offers high data transfer speeds. Designed for greater noise immunity and protection against mechanical damage.
• Ethernet (RJ45): Network connector used to connect devices to the internet. Allows fast and stable data transfer over the cable. Used to connect computers, routers and other network devices.
• EURO (SCART): An analogue connector for video and audio, popular for older consumer electronics, especially in Europe. Allows control of devices such as TVs and video players.
• Europlug (Type C): Commonly used in Europe, a power socket with two round pins. Designed to handle low-power devices such as small household appliances and electronic devices.

F

• Fan Connector: Allows a fan to be connected to the motherboard. FireWire (IEEE 1394): High-speed data transfer connector used mainly in older devices such as digital cameras. Offers the ability to connect multiple devices in a "chain" configuration without the need for additional power. F-Type: Used to connect TV and satellite cables. Popular for its simplicity of installation.

H

• HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface): A popular connector used to transmit high quality video and audio. Used in TVs, monitors, games consoles and other multimedia devices. Allows the transmission of signals in resolutions ranging from standard (SD) to 4K. Provides simple and universal connection of multimedia devices.

I

• IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics): An older type of connector for connecting hard drives and optical drives, superseded by SATA. It is characterised by a wide, 40- or 80-core ribbon cable and relatively slow data transfer speeds compared to newer technologies.
• IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission): Used mainly to supply power to electronic devices.
  • IEC C1/C2: Plug used mainly in power supplies for small electronic devices such as electric razors. Often used in devices that do not require high power.
  • IEC C3/C4: Power connector designed for lightweight devices, such as portable radios. Now superseded by other standards.
  • IEC C5/C6 ("Mickey / Clover"): Often used in laptops and some power supplies. Distinctive shape reminiscent of Disney's Mickey Mouse.
  • IEC C7/C8 ("Eight"): Used in some radios, DVD players and other smaller appliances. It looks like the number 8 or a doublet.
  • IEC C9/C10: Power connector designed for electronic equipment such as computers and printers. Not currently used.
  • IEC C11/C12: Non-grounded connectors used in specific electronic applications. Currently withdrawn.
  • IEC C13/C14 („Kettle Plug”): Standard power connector for computers and UPS. Also referred to as 'apparatus connector'.
  • IEC C15/C16: Similar to C13/C14, but resistant to higher temperatures (up to 120°C). For this reason, it is used in heating appliances such as electric kettles.
  • IEC C17/C18: Non-grounded connector, for devices requiring less current. Most commonly found in power supplies for Xbox consoles.
  • IEC C19/C20: Designed for devices with higher power consumption. Used in some IT applications such as servers or industrial equipment.
  • IEC C21/C22: Similar to C19/C20, but more resistant to higher temperatures - 155°C. Used in more demanding equipment.
• IEEE 1284 (parallel port): A connector found in older printers and scanners. Allows data transfer between the computer and peripheral devices.

J

• Jack: A standard analogue audio plug, most commonly used to connect headphones, microphones and other audio devices. It comes in a variety of sizes, the most popular being 3.5mm (mini jack) and 6.35mm (large jack).

L

• Lightning: Connector used on Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad. It is used for charging and data transmission. Characterised by a symmetrical design.

M

• • • Mini-XLR: A smaller version of the XLR connector, used in some compact audio equipment such as portable mixers and microphones.
      • Mini-DIN: Used mainly in audio/video equipment and computers, e.g. for PS/2 connections, and has versions with different numbers of pins.
      • Molex: An older power connector used mainly in computers and modern graphics cards. It is characterised by a simple, two-row pin layout that allows easy connection of power cables.
      • M.2: A small but powerful connector, it allows the connection of SSDs. Compared to older connectors, M.2 provides better performance and flexibility. It supports SATA and PCIe interfaces, as well as NVMe for even faster data access.

N

• NEMA 5-15 (National Electrical Manufacturers Association): The standard electrical socket used in the United States, Canada and a few other countries. It has a distinctive rectangular shape with two flat prongs and one round earth pin.

P

• PCI Express (PCIe): A high-speed connector used to connect graphics cards, but also network, sound and other cards.
• PS/2 (Personal System/2): An older connector used mainly for connecting keyboards and mice. It appeared in the 1990s as a successor to the DIN connector. Its use has declined in favour of USB.

R

• RCA (Radio Corporation of America): Commonly known as cinch. An analogue connector for transmitting audio and video signals, often used in AV equipment such as TVs, DVD players and amplifiers.
• RJ11 (Registered Jack 11): A telephone connector mainly used to connect landline telephones and modems. It usually has 4 or 6 pins, of which two or four are most commonly used. It is characterised by its smaller size than the popular RJ45 network connector.
• RJ12: Six-pin telephone connector. Used in telephone systems and for connecting devices such as telephone exchanges or modems. Compared to the more common RJ11, it has more wires, allowing for more complex connection configurations.
• RJ45 (Ethernet): A standard connector mainly used to connect network devices such as computers, routers or switches to the internet. It has 8 pins and is used with twisted-pair cables to enable data transmission over short and medium distances.
• RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232): A socket with a characteristic trapezoidal shape, used for serial connections. The pins in this connector are responsible for various functions such as data transmission, flow control or status signalling.

S

• SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment): Used to connect hard drives, SSDs and optical drives to a computer's motherboard. Offers faster data transfer rates than its PATA predecessor. Provides better ventilation in the case and allows easier connection of devices.
• SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): A connector until recently used in servers and workstations to connect storage devices.
• SDI (Serial Digital Interface): Used in professional video equipment to transmit an uncompressed video signal. Characterised by high signal quality and immunity to interference.
• Speakon: Mainly used in public address systems. Used to securely connect power amplifiers to loudspeakers. Shockproof and easy to use thanks to the mechanical interlock.

T

• Thunderbolt: A universal connector that allows data, video and audio to be transmitted at very high speeds, connecting devices via a single cable. Modern versions of Thunderbolt (3 and 4) use a USB-C connector.

U

• USB (Universal Serial Bus): A standard connector used to power, transfer data and connect various computer devices. It is characterised by its versatility and simple operation.
  • Mini-USB and micro-USB: See under the letter M.

You can read more about USB connectors in the article: Changing naming of USB standards over the years.

V

• VGA (Video Graphics Array): An older connector standard for transmitting video signals, often found in older monitors and projectors. It features a 15-pin connector that provides a connection via three rows of pins. This allows the video signal to be transmitted in analogue form.

X

• XLR (eXternal Locking Receptacle): A professional connector used mainly in audio equipment, especially microphones and studio equipment. More recently, it can also be found in the power supply of electric bicycles. XLR connectors are available in various versions (3-pin, 5-pin) and are characterised by high durability.

This glossary provides basic information on the most important connectors, helping you to better understand their functions and uses. As technology develops, new standards may emerge, so it is worth keeping up to date with the latest developments in this field.