Plug (connector)
Encyclopedia
In electronics
and electrical assemblies, the term plug commonly refers to a movable connector, often, but not always, with the male electrical contact or pin
, and is the "movable less fixed" connector of a connector pair. The related term "jack" commonly refers to a "more fixed" connector of a connector pair, often, but not always, with the female electrical contact or pin, and is generally shortened to simply "Jack
."
Some connector styles may contain male (pin), female (socket) or both connection types. Therefore, the use of gender to describe a connector "jack" or "plug" is misleading at best and inappropriate.
A plug is properly described as a connector that is designed to be attached to a wire
, cable
or removable electrical assembly; "The movable (less fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated P" where P means plug.
Its counterpart, the "jack," is part of a fixed electrical assembly; "The stationary (more fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated J or X" where J means jack. This convention is currently defined in ASME Y14.44-2008 which is the current actively maintained follow on to the withdrawn IEEE 200-1975; IEEE 200-1975 was derived from the long withdrawn MIL-STD-16 which dates back at least to the 1950s which highlights the heritage of this connector naming convention. IEEE 315-1975 works with the above standards to define J, P and X references.
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
and electrical assemblies, the term plug commonly refers to a movable connector, often, but not always, with the male electrical contact or pin
Pin
A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material together.Pin may also refer to:* Award pin, a small piece of metal or plastic with a pin attached given as an award for some achievement...
, and is the "movable less fixed" connector of a connector pair. The related term "jack" commonly refers to a "more fixed" connector of a connector pair, often, but not always, with the female electrical contact or pin, and is generally shortened to simply "Jack
Jack (connector)
In electronics and electrical assemblies, the term jack commonly refers to a surface-mounted connector, often, but not always, with the female electrical contact or socket, and is the "more fixed" connector of a connector pair...
."
Some connector styles may contain male (pin), female (socket) or both connection types. Therefore, the use of gender to describe a connector "jack" or "plug" is misleading at best and inappropriate.
A plug is properly described as a connector that is designed to be attached to a wire
Wire
A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads and to carry electricity and telecommunications signals. Wire is commonly formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate. Standard sizes are determined by various...
, cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
or removable electrical assembly; "The movable (less fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated P" where P means plug.
Its counterpart, the "jack," is part of a fixed electrical assembly; "The stationary (more fixed) connector of a mating pair shall be designated J or X" where J means jack. This convention is currently defined in ASME Y14.44-2008 which is the current actively maintained follow on to the withdrawn IEEE 200-1975; IEEE 200-1975 was derived from the long withdrawn MIL-STD-16 which dates back at least to the 1950s which highlights the heritage of this connector naming convention. IEEE 315-1975 works with the above standards to define J, P and X references.