Connectors (External)

This page will help you identify many common types of connector.

Summary

There are many types of connector, which can be confusing. This page will help you identify many of them, and in some cases, indicate whether a simple adapter will enable you to connect one type to another.

Safety

Always make sure that a connector is fully engaged. Never force it, and never pull it by the wire to unplug it.

Audio and Miscellaneous Connectors

Standard DIN

Five-pin male 180° DIN connector from a 1988 Schneider MF2 keyboard by Cherry

DIN connectors are primarily intended for analogue audio. The commonest are the 5-pin type which were often seen on cassette recorders when they were still much in use. The 5 pins were used for left and right, record and playback, plus ground return.

The same connector is still seen on digital musical instruments such as keyboards where they are used for MIDI. (Note that the MIDI lead marked Out goes into the socket marked In and the lead mark In into the socket marked Out.)

Different versions having from 3 to 8 pins are sometimes seen, occasionally as a power connector or for various other uses. DIN lounspeaker

Speaker DIN line socket (left) and plug (right)

A DIN loudspeaker connector is the same size but has just two pins, one of which is flat. This is sometimes used asa power connector on Christmas lights.

Phono

Phono, or more correctly RCA connectors are commonly used for audio and video. For stero audio there will be two, usually red and white. For analogue video there may be a single yellow connector for composite video, or red, green and blue for component video, and perhaps yellow and white for horizontal and vertical sync.

Adapters and Compatibility

Audio leads are available to connect two phono connectors to a stereo jack connector.

Video leads or adapter allow you to connect between VGA or SCART connectors and phono connectors.

Jack

1/4", 3.5mm

RF

Aerial

BNC

F

Video Connectors

For a comprehensive list, see List of video connectors in Wikipedia.

SCART

Phono

S-Video

VGA

HDMI - Std, Mini, Micro

DVI - various

DisplayPort

Data Connectors

D-type: 9, 15, 25 pin

RJ45

RJ11

USB A, B, Mini, Micro, C

SATA

PATA

What was the Apple one?

Thunderbolt

Lightning

Power Connectors

Laptop

General purpose round