DC connector
Encyclopedia
A DC connector is an electrical connector
for supplying direct current
(DC) power. Unlike domestic AC power plugs and sockets
, DC connectors are not generally standardized
.
The dimensions and arrangement of DC connectors can be chosen to prevent accidental interconnection of incompatible sources and loads.
Small cylindrical connectors come in an enormous variety of sizes. They may be known as coaxial power connectors, barrel connectors, concentric barrel connectors or tip connectors.
The intended use of these plugs is on the cable connected to a power supply
. The matching jack or socket is then mounted in the equipment to be powered. Some of these jacks contain a normally closed contact, which can be used to disconnect internal batteries whenever the power supply is connected, avoiding the risk of battery leakage or explosion posed by incorrect recharging of the batteries.
Cylindrical plugs generally have an insulated tip constructed to accept insertion of a pin. The outer body of the plug is one contact, most often but not always the negative side of the supply. A pin mounted in the socket makes contact with a second internal contact. The outer plug contact is often called the sleeve, while the inner one is called the tip.
There are a wide variety of sizes and designs for these power connectors, and many appear quite similar to each other yet are not quite mechanically or electrically compatible. In addition to a plethora of generic designs (whose original designer is unknown) there are at least two different national standards—EIAJ
in Japan
and DIN
in Germany
, plus the JSBP connector used on some laptop computers. The Japanese EIAJ standard includes five different sizes, with each supporting a specified range of voltages. Most of the other coaxial DC power connectors have no specified voltage association, however.
The most common plugs are 5.5 mm (0.216535433070866 in) in outside diameter (OD) and 9.5 mm (0.374015748031496 in) in length. Two pin sizes are common in the jacks for this size plug body, 2.1 mm (0.0826771653543307 in) and 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in), and the plugs should ideally match. Generic plugs are often named for the pin diameter they are designed to take.
Contact ratings vary from unspecified (and probably less than 1 A in practice) up to 5 A, with 2 A typical. Voltage is again often unspecified, up to 48 V with 12 V typical. The smaller types usually have lower ratings, both for current and voltage. The tip (i.e. the inner conductor) usually carries the positive (+) pole.
Snap and lock DC power connectors look similar to Mini-DIN connectors, but have either 3 or 4 thicker pins and a slightly larger mating shell. Because of this they do not mate with any of the Mini-DIN connectors. They can usually be identified by an engraved symbol on the backs of the plug, consisting of two wide arrows pointing in opposite directions, but parallel to each other, or sometimes one wide arrow inside a box, pointing towards the end of the male connector. Some devices, however, do use a standard 4-pin Mini-DIN connector, presenting the possibility for users to mate the connector with the wrong port (such as an S-Video output on a video card).
The connector design most commonly called a Molex connector
has frequently been used to supply DC power, most frequently on personal computers, for supplying power to drives and other peripherals. It has four pins, +5 V (red), 2 com/ground (black), and +12 V (yellow).
Locking Molex connectors are available in 3, 4, and 6 terminal configurations.
(IEC) has produced a standard for a system of plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes in fixed and portable applications. Safety extra-low voltage (SELV) plugs and socket-outlets for 16 amps and 6, 12, 24, or 48 volts AC
and DC
. For use either indoors or outdoors.
The dimensions are as follows:
There are also Mini IEC connectors.
Tamiya connectors are commonly used on radio-control (toy) vehicle battery packs and chargers. They are also commonly used on airsoft
guns.
The usual wiring has the positive (red) wire running to the terminal with a square profile, and the negative (black) wire running to the half-circle, half-square terminal. This is true for both male and female connectors. The male housing has female pins and the female housing has male pins. Some companies reference the housing gender while others reference the pin gender.
There are two sizes of Tamiya connectors, small and large. The rectangular portion of the small housing is approx 0.375 in (0.9525 cm) wide and the large is approx 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide. They are not compatible without an adapter.
Tamiya connectors are useful because they do not come undone easily, and are therefore child-safe, hence their use in remote-controlled cars and the like.
Inverter tabs/lugs are available in 2, 4, and 8 gauge. Designed to pass very high currents at voltages up to 600 V DC to and from battery packs, inverters, and other high-current loads to a terminal bus.
American Airlines has in the past used an automotive cigar lighter socket
.
Most other airlines that provide DC power use the EmPower
system, which has a 4-pin Hypertronics' D-series connector smaller in diameter and overall size than a cigar lighter plug. It uses 15 volts maximum 5 amperes.
community as their standard 12-volt DC power connector for everything from radios to accessories. It is more expensive than the older de facto standard of the 2-wire trailer plug and Molex connector, but provides a more reliable electrical connection (both mechanically and electrically) and is easier to adapt to a wider range of wire gauges. Powerpole connectors are physically and electrically hermaphroditic, thus avoiding the need to worry about which end is the plug and which the socket, or which end has the correct polarity, as is the case with the physically but not electrically hermaphroditic 2-wire trailer plug.
For use in amateur radio, the community has adopted a standard polarity for assembling the Singlepole connectors, using one red and one black housing, as well as a mnemonic for remembering the arrangement for the positive connector: Red Right—Tongue Top. The ham standard is nominal 12 volts (actually 13.8 volts), with red positive and black negative.
Although many sizes of the Powerpoles are available, the size most commonly used is the 15/30/45 ampere variety (but are available up to 180 A). These sizes all use the same plastic housing in multiple colors, differing only in the metal contact inserted into the housing (selected based on the ampacity
and wire size
). Larger Powerpole connectors (the SB/Multipole series) with 2 or 3 contacts in one molded housing are commonly used in various industrial settings, including as a battery connection for some UPS devices, removable vehicle winches, many electric forklifts, and other electric powered vehicles.
For the larger Multipole design, which is available in up to 700 A sizes, each color is keyed so as to mate only with a like colored connector, and Anderson publishes a list of recommended voltages for each color:
The connectors are also starting to be used by Radio Control hobbyists, including robot builders and the R2-D2 Builders Club.
In model railways, the NTRAK Modular Railroading Society has since 2005 recommended the use of the Powerpole PP30 as an alternative to the Cinch Jones connector, while retaining the widely-used latter within its standards.
This connector design was created by Anderson, but the patent on its design has apparently lapsed, and there are other manufacturers of this connector now, including AMP and Sermos.
(LV) connector with an integral ground conductor, and that is safe for use by untrained personnel. The tendency of LV connectors to arc when disconnected from a capacitive load requires the connector's insulation to contain the plasma
arc in addition to normal requirements such as preventing accidental finger contact. Examples are the Anderson Powerpole® Pak connectors and SDG connector, designed with the form factor of an IEC C15 connector.
The SAE connector is a hermaphrodite
two-conductor, DC connector commonly used for automotive applications (also motorcycles). It is so named for the Society of Automotive Engineers who created its specifications.
This connector is typically used for applying a maintenance charge to a vehicle battery. The polarity of the connector, when installed in a vehicle and attached to a battery, is always such that no short circuit will occur if the exposed terminal were to touch the vehicle chassis. In most vehicles, this means that the exposed terminal connects to the negative terminal of the battery.
Conversely, the positive terminal on a battery charger is exposed, to mate with the concealed one on the vehicle side.
Although there is a risk of short-circuiting a battery charger, the risk is minimal and often mitigated by the circuitry of the battery charger itself. On the other hand, the short circuit current of the lead-acid batteries
installed in vehicles is sufficiently great, that a short circuit could result in a fire or explosion. The priority is therefore given to avoiding short circuits of the vehicle battery, rather than of the charger.
, since it was originally designed as a lighter
for cigars—hence its rather large size (and unheated center barely large enough to light a cigarette).
These sockets were not originally designed to provide DC power, and are not an ideal DC connector for several reasons, notably the fact that three sizes exist (one for DC and two for DC) and the mating of the different sized 12 V DC plugs and jacks is problematic. Because of this, and the small gauge wiring sometimes used, they can sometimes provide only unreliable and current-limited power connections.
The polarity for DC sockets is center pin positive (+), outer collar negative (−). Reversed polarity will damage some electronic devices.
Although the nominal voltage of a 12 V lead acid battery is 12 volts, when the engine is running the car's alternator and/or battery charging system will often bring the system voltage to 13.8 volts or higher. The possible range of battery voltages from 11–15 volts must be taken into account by devices attached to the cigar lighter socket.
is shorter and smaller, and found most frequently on motorcycles.
It is also known as Powerlet connector, BMW Accessory connector or Hella plug
is the standard for 12 V power. The connectors are wired pin 1 negative, pin 4 positive. Often pins 1 and 2 will be negative, 3 and 4 positive for a higher current rating. Female connectors are used as supply and male connectors are used on loads. Most battery belts and power supplies output 13.2 V, but equipment can usually handle a range of 11–18 volts to accommodate battery packs of varying voltages and charging while operating.
The readily available XLR3 is also used by some manufacturers as power supply plugs despite their being a well-accepted standard for other purposes.
In Australia, a T-configuration socket is used for DC power outlets, such as in stand-alone power system
s (SAPS) or on boats. For this use, the horizontal slot is on top and is positive. This is also used for temporary equipment in emergency vehicles. In Victoria the top of the T is taken to look like a minus sign, and is therefore negative. Outside Victoria the vertical pin is meant to be earth/chassis ground, consistent with Australian Standards for Type I 240 volt outlets; therefore, the top of the T is positive on a negative-earth vehicle. Older positive-earth vehicles are still in service, so actual polarity at the outlet can be random.
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a mechanical assembly. The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two wires or...
for supplying direct current
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
(DC) power. Unlike domestic AC power plugs and sockets
Domestic AC power plugs and sockets
AC power plugs and sockets are devices for removably connecting electrically operated devices to the power supply. Electrical plugs and sockets differ by country in rating, shape, size and type of connectors...
, DC connectors are not generally standardized
Standardization
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
.
The dimensions and arrangement of DC connectors can be chosen to prevent accidental interconnection of incompatible sources and loads.
Cylindrical connectors
The intended use of these plugs is on the cable connected to a power supply
Power supply
A power supply is a device that supplies electrical energy to one or more electric loads. The term is most commonly applied to devices that convert one form of electrical energy to another, though it may also refer to devices that convert another form of energy to electrical energy...
. The matching jack or socket is then mounted in the equipment to be powered. Some of these jacks contain a normally closed contact, which can be used to disconnect internal batteries whenever the power supply is connected, avoiding the risk of battery leakage or explosion posed by incorrect recharging of the batteries.
Cylindrical plugs generally have an insulated tip constructed to accept insertion of a pin. The outer body of the plug is one contact, most often but not always the negative side of the supply. A pin mounted in the socket makes contact with a second internal contact. The outer plug contact is often called the sleeve, while the inner one is called the tip.
There are a wide variety of sizes and designs for these power connectors, and many appear quite similar to each other yet are not quite mechanically or electrically compatible. In addition to a plethora of generic designs (whose original designer is unknown) there are at least two different national standards—EIAJ
EIAJ connector
The EIAJ connector, more formally known as EIAJ RC-5320A, is a coaxial power connector or jack for small appliances. It is recognised by many consumers by the "yellow tip" at the end of the jack. It is also notable that the entire series of connectors has a built-in retention feature...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and DIN
DIN connector
A DIN connector is a connector that was originally standardized by the , the German national standards organization. There are DIN standards for a large number of different connectors, therefore the term "DIN connector" alone does not unambiguously identify any particular type of connector unless...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, plus the JSBP connector used on some laptop computers. The Japanese EIAJ standard includes five different sizes, with each supporting a specified range of voltages. Most of the other coaxial DC power connectors have no specified voltage association, however.
The most common plugs are 5.5 mm (0.216535433070866 in) in outside diameter (OD) and 9.5 mm (0.374015748031496 in) in length. Two pin sizes are common in the jacks for this size plug body, 2.1 mm (0.0826771653543307 in) and 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in), and the plugs should ideally match. Generic plugs are often named for the pin diameter they are designed to take.
Contact ratings vary from unspecified (and probably less than 1 A in practice) up to 5 A, with 2 A typical. Voltage is again often unspecified, up to 48 V with 12 V typical. The smaller types usually have lower ratings, both for current and voltage. The tip (i.e. the inner conductor) usually carries the positive (+) pole.
Snap and lock DC power connectors
- Also known as Power Mini-DIN or Power DIN
- The male plug's mating shell outer diameter is 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in), and the pins are 1.5 mm (0.0590551181102362 in) diameter
- Standard may include a limit of 20 V at 7.5 amperes
- 3-pin
- Hosiden part number TCP8927-53
- Kycon part number KPP-3P (obsolete) or KPPX-3P (RoHS)
- 4-pin
- Kycon part number KPP-4P (obsolete) or KPPX-4P (RoHS)
Molex connector
Molex connector
Molex connector is the vernacular term for a two-piece pin and socket interconnection, most frequently disk drive connectors. Pioneered by Molex Connector Company, the two-piece design became an early electronic standard. Molex developed and patented the first examples of this connector style in...
has frequently been used to supply DC power, most frequently on personal computers, for supplying power to drives and other peripherals. It has four pins, +5 V (red), 2 com/ground (black), and +12 V (yellow).
Locking Molex connectors are available in 3, 4, and 6 terminal configurations.
IEC 60906-3:1994
The International Electrotechnical CommissionInternational Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
(IEC) has produced a standard for a system of plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes in fixed and portable applications. Safety extra-low voltage (SELV) plugs and socket-outlets for 16 amps and 6, 12, 24, or 48 volts AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
and DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
. For use either indoors or outdoors.
The dimensions are as follows:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pin to pin distance | 7 mm (0.275590551181102 in) ± 0.1 mm (0.00393700787401575 in) |
| Pin diameter | 3.5 mm (0.137795275590551 in) + 0 / -0.075 mm (0.00295275590551181 in) |
| Female sleeve | 4 mm (0.15748031496063 in) |
| Pin length | 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in) |
| Connector diameter | 19.4 mm (0.763779527559055 in) |
There are also Mini IEC connectors.
Tamiya connectors
Airsoft
Airsoft is a sport in which participants shoot round non-metallic pellets launched via replica firearms.Gameplay varies in style and composition but often range from short-term skirmishes, organized scenarios, military simulations, historical reenactments, to competition target shooting events...
guns.
The usual wiring has the positive (red) wire running to the terminal with a square profile, and the negative (black) wire running to the half-circle, half-square terminal. This is true for both male and female connectors. The male housing has female pins and the female housing has male pins. Some companies reference the housing gender while others reference the pin gender.
There are two sizes of Tamiya connectors, small and large. The rectangular portion of the small housing is approx 0.375 in (0.9525 cm) wide and the large is approx 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide. They are not compatible without an adapter.
Tamiya connectors are useful because they do not come undone easily, and are therefore child-safe, hence their use in remote-controlled cars and the like.
Deans connectors
Deans connectors are popular with higher-end radio-control vehicle battery packs and chargers.JST RCY connector
The JST connector is also known in RC circles as the BEC connector, or the P connector. JST also produces other types of connectors that are used in RC and hobby electronics.Inverter tabs/lugs
Airline in-seat power supply system
Two different airline in-seat power supply system (ISPSS) standards for DC power have been used in the past.American Airlines has in the past used an automotive cigar lighter socket
Cigar lighter receptacle
The cigarette lighter receptacle in an automobile, initially designed to power an electrically heated lighter, became a de-facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile...
.
Most other airlines that provide DC power use the EmPower
EMPOWER
EMPOWER , also known as Centre for Sex Workers' Protection or Moolniti Songserm Okard Pooying , is a non-profit organisation in Thailand that supports sex workers by offering free classes in language, health, law and pre-college education as well as individual counseling...
system, which has a 4-pin Hypertronics' D-series connector smaller in diameter and overall size than a cigar lighter plug. It uses 15 volts maximum 5 amperes.
Anderson Powerpole connectors
The Anderson Powerpole has been adopted by some segments of the amateur radioAmateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
community as their standard 12-volt DC power connector for everything from radios to accessories. It is more expensive than the older de facto standard of the 2-wire trailer plug and Molex connector, but provides a more reliable electrical connection (both mechanically and electrically) and is easier to adapt to a wider range of wire gauges. Powerpole connectors are physically and electrically hermaphroditic, thus avoiding the need to worry about which end is the plug and which the socket, or which end has the correct polarity, as is the case with the physically but not electrically hermaphroditic 2-wire trailer plug.
For use in amateur radio, the community has adopted a standard polarity for assembling the Singlepole connectors, using one red and one black housing, as well as a mnemonic for remembering the arrangement for the positive connector: Red Right—Tongue Top. The ham standard is nominal 12 volts (actually 13.8 volts), with red positive and black negative.
Although many sizes of the Powerpoles are available, the size most commonly used is the 15/30/45 ampere variety (but are available up to 180 A). These sizes all use the same plastic housing in multiple colors, differing only in the metal contact inserted into the housing (selected based on the ampacity
Ampacity
Ampacity is the maximum amount of electrical current a conductor or device can carry before sustaining immediate or progressive deterioration.Also described as current rating or current-carrying capacity, ampacity is the RMS electric current which a device can continuously carry while remaining...
and wire size
Wire gauge
Wire gauge is a measurement of how large a wire is, either in diameter or cross sectional area. This determines the amount of electric current a wire can safely carry, as well as its electrical resistance and weight per unit of length...
). Larger Powerpole connectors (the SB/Multipole series) with 2 or 3 contacts in one molded housing are commonly used in various industrial settings, including as a battery connection for some UPS devices, removable vehicle winches, many electric forklifts, and other electric powered vehicles.
For the larger Multipole design, which is available in up to 700 A sizes, each color is keyed so as to mate only with a like colored connector, and Anderson publishes a list of recommended voltages for each color:
- 12 V: Yellow
- 18 V: Orange
- 24 V: Red
- Used by Warn for its 12 V winches (should have used yellow multipole)
- Used by Tripp-Lite for some of its 24 V external UPS battery packs
- Used by FIRST Robotics CompetitionFIRST Robotics CompetitionThe FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
for 12V battery connection (should have used yellow multipole)
- 36 V: Gray
- Used by Tripp-Lite for some of its 38 V external UPS battery packs
- Used by APC for some of its 24 V external UPS battery packs (should have used red multipole)
- 48 V: Blue
- Used by Tripp-Lite and APC for 48 V external UPS battery packs
- 72 V: Green
- 80 V: Black
- 96 V: Brown
- 120 V: Purple
- 144 V: White
The connectors are also starting to be used by Radio Control hobbyists, including robot builders and the R2-D2 Builders Club.
In model railways, the NTRAK Modular Railroading Society has since 2005 recommended the use of the Powerpole PP30 as an alternative to the Cinch Jones connector, while retaining the widely-used latter within its standards.
This connector design was created by Anderson, but the patent on its design has apparently lapsed, and there are other manufacturers of this connector now, including AMP and Sermos.
400V-DC rated connectors
Buildings such as data centres are starting to be designed for 380V-DC power distribution as a way of improving electrical efficiency. DC power distribution has resulted in the need to standardise a Low VoltageLow voltage
Low voltage when used as an electrical engineering term concerning an electricity supply grid or industrial use, broadly identifies safety considerations of the system based on the voltage used. The meaning of the term "low voltage" is somewhat different when used with regard to a more typical end...
(LV) connector with an integral ground conductor, and that is safe for use by untrained personnel. The tendency of LV connectors to arc when disconnected from a capacitive load requires the connector's insulation to contain the plasma
Plasma (physics)
In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
arc in addition to normal requirements such as preventing accidental finger contact. Examples are the Anderson Powerpole® Pak connectors and SDG connector, designed with the form factor of an IEC C15 connector.
SAE connector
Gender of connectors and fasteners
In electrical and mechanical trades and manufacturing, each half of a pair of mating connectors or fasteners is conventionally assigned the designation male or female...
two-conductor, DC connector commonly used for automotive applications (also motorcycles). It is so named for the Society of Automotive Engineers who created its specifications.
This connector is typically used for applying a maintenance charge to a vehicle battery. The polarity of the connector, when installed in a vehicle and attached to a battery, is always such that no short circuit will occur if the exposed terminal were to touch the vehicle chassis. In most vehicles, this means that the exposed terminal connects to the negative terminal of the battery.
Conversely, the positive terminal on a battery charger is exposed, to mate with the concealed one on the vehicle side.
Although there is a risk of short-circuiting a battery charger, the risk is minimal and often mitigated by the circuitry of the battery charger itself. On the other hand, the short circuit current of the lead-acid batteries
Lead-acid battery
Lead–acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. Despite having a very low energy-to-weight ratio and a low energy-to-volume ratio, their ability to supply high surge currents means that the cells maintain a relatively large...
installed in vehicles is sufficiently great, that a short circuit could result in a fire or explosion. The priority is therefore given to avoiding short circuits of the vehicle battery, rather than of the charger.
Cigar lighter sockets and plugs
The car cigarette lighter socket is also called a cigar lighter receptacleCigar lighter receptacle
The cigarette lighter receptacle in an automobile, initially designed to power an electrically heated lighter, became a de-facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile...
, since it was originally designed as a lighter
Lighter
A lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.- History :...
for cigars—hence its rather large size (and unheated center barely large enough to light a cigarette).
These sockets were not originally designed to provide DC power, and are not an ideal DC connector for several reasons, notably the fact that three sizes exist (one for DC and two for DC) and the mating of the different sized 12 V DC plugs and jacks is problematic. Because of this, and the small gauge wiring sometimes used, they can sometimes provide only unreliable and current-limited power connections.
The polarity for DC sockets is center pin positive (+), outer collar negative (−). Reversed polarity will damage some electronic devices.
Although the nominal voltage of a 12 V lead acid battery is 12 volts, when the engine is running the car's alternator and/or battery charging system will often bring the system voltage to 13.8 volts or higher. The possible range of battery voltages from 11–15 volts must be taken into account by devices attached to the cigar lighter socket.
DIN 4165 connector
Similar in concept to an automotive cigar lighter, the DIN 4165 connectorDIN 4165 connector
Similar in concept to an automotive accessory receptacle, the DIN 4165 connector is shorter and smaller in diameter. It was originally a standard fitting on all the German military vehicles during World War II....
is shorter and smaller, and found most frequently on motorcycles.
It is also known as Powerlet connector, BMW Accessory connector or Hella plug
XLR connectors used for power
In the broadcast, film and television industries, the 4-pin XLR connectorXLR connector
The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins...
is the standard for 12 V power. The connectors are wired pin 1 negative, pin 4 positive. Often pins 1 and 2 will be negative, 3 and 4 positive for a higher current rating. Female connectors are used as supply and male connectors are used on loads. Most battery belts and power supplies output 13.2 V, but equipment can usually handle a range of 11–18 volts to accommodate battery packs of varying voltages and charging while operating.
The readily available XLR3 is also used by some manufacturers as power supply plugs despite their being a well-accepted standard for other purposes.
Other DC connectors
- Fly RC magazine: Connectors Connection describes most or all of the connectors used by RC users.
- There are a number of similar design PC board power connectors, including Molex Mini-Fit SR, Molex Mini-fit jr., MOLEX MICROFIT and Molex SABRE connectors, and AMP DUAC connectors that look similar to each other.
- Some plugs with three, four, five or more pins are also called DC plugs. These were common on vacuum tubeVacuum tubeIn electronics, a vacuum tube, electron tube , or thermionic valve , reduced to simply "tube" or "valve" in everyday parlance, is a device that relies on the flow of electric current through a vacuum...
equipment and continue to be used where several voltages are supplied. On vacuum tube equipment the pins are normally on the equipment side of the join for safety reasons. - Many mobile phoneMobile phoneA mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s use DC connectors that are unique to the manufacturer, or even a specific phone. In the interest of improved interoperability of phone battery chargers, major manufacturers have agreed to standardize on the micro-USB connector for new phone chargers from 2010. - Many manufactures make special-purpose DC power connectors for battery packs, instruments, medical equipment, communications equipment and other devices.
- Power Pack (PP) series of batteries such as the PP3 nine-volt battery have circular and hexagonal terminals which mate with a "snap" connector with physically identical (but opposite-polarity) terminals.
In Australia, a T-configuration socket is used for DC power outlets, such as in stand-alone power system
Stand-alone power system
A stand-alone power system , also known as remote area power supply , is an off-the-grid electricity system for locations that are not fitted with an electricity distribution system...
s (SAPS) or on boats. For this use, the horizontal slot is on top and is positive. This is also used for temporary equipment in emergency vehicles. In Victoria the top of the T is taken to look like a minus sign, and is therefore negative. Outside Victoria the vertical pin is meant to be earth/chassis ground, consistent with Australian Standards for Type I 240 volt outlets; therefore, the top of the T is positive on a negative-earth vehicle. Older positive-earth vehicles are still in service, so actual polarity at the outlet can be random.
See also
- AC adaptor
- Battery terminalsBattery terminalsBattery terminals are the electrical contacts used to connect a load and/or charger to a single cell or multiple-cell battery. These terminals have a wide variety of designs, sizes, and features that are often not well documented....
- Binding postBinding postA binding post is a connector commonly used on electronic test equipment to terminate a single wire or test lead. They are also found on loudspeakers and audio amplifiers as well as other electrical equipment....
- Blade connector
- Banana connectorBanana connectorA banana connector is a single-wire electrical connector used for joining wires to equipment. The term 4 mm connector is also used, especially in Europe, although not all banana connectors will mate with 4mm parts...
- DIN plug
- Domestic AC power plugs and socketsDomestic AC power plugs and socketsAC power plugs and sockets are devices for removably connecting electrically operated devices to the power supply. Electrical plugs and sockets differ by country in rating, shape, size and type of connectors...
- FireWire
- Gender of connectors and fastenersGender of connectors and fastenersIn electrical and mechanical trades and manufacturing, each half of a pair of mating connectors or fasteners is conventionally assigned the designation male or female...
- Jack plug
- Mini-DIN
- MagSafeMagSafeMagSafe is a proprietary magnetically-attached power connector introduced by Apple Inc. on January 10, 2006 in conjunction with the MacBook Pro at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco...
- Phono plug
- Power connectorPower connectorPower connector may refer to:* AC power plugs and sockets* Industrial power plug* DC connector* Blade connector, commonly found in cars for quick connection of wiring to electrical components* IEC 60309 , so-called "Commando" plug and socket...
- Speaker terminalSpeaker terminalA speaker terminal is a type of electrical connector often used for connecting audio equipment to speakers or amplifiers.The terminals are used in pairs with each of the speaker cable's two wires being connected to one terminal in the pair...
- Telephone plugTelephone plugA telephone plug is a type of male connector used to connect a telephone to the telephone wiring in a home or business, and in turn to a local telephone network. It is inserted into its female counterpart, a telephone "jack", commonly affixed to a wall or baseboard...
- Universal Serial BusUniversal Serial BusUSB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
External links
- BD Batteries Voltage Drop Calculators - Determine voltage drop of wires from 30-4/0 AWG Copper and Aluminum
- GlobTek, Inc has a data page that could be used to further research these and other connectors.
- Low voltage connection basics
- Plug list of output cable
- Craftec output cord options
- Amateur Radio Standard DC Connector Victor ARA Emergency Communications
- MilSpec connector pin color code to part number cross reference
- forum posting on DIN/Powerlet socket and similar but different John Deer socket
- 12vAdapters.com has a guide on figuring out connector tip size.
- Manic Salamander FAQ compares and contrasts SAE with other common motorcycle accessory outlets
- US Patent 7,033,209 (patent application 20050014408) Vehicle accessory power connector—includes diagrams of SAE connector