Editing Electrical connector (section)

{{Short description|Device used to join electrical conductors}}

[[File:ConnectorSymbols.svg|200px|thumb|Schematic symbols for male and female connectors {{crossreference|text=(see [[Gender of connectors and fasteners]])}}]]
[[File:Nikko TRM-800 Amp back.jpg|thumb|250px|This rear panel of an [[integrated amplifier]] features a variety of electrical connectors]]
[[File:ATX computer case - back - 2018-03-18.jpg|thumb|Connectors on the back of a 2018 computer]]

Components of an [[electrical circuit]] are '''electrically connected''' if an [[electric current]] can run between them through an [[electrical conductor]]. An '''electrical connector''' is an [[electromechanical]] device used to create an electrical connection between parts of an electrical circuit, or between different electrical circuits, thereby joining them into a larger circuit.<ref name="ieee">{{cite web |url=https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/electrical_electronic_components/connectors/connectors_electrical |title=Electrical Connectors Information |publisher=IEEE GlobalSpec |website=Engineering360 |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>

The connection may be removable (as for portable equipment), require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points.<ref name="RSM98">{{cite book |title=Electrical Connector Handbook: Theory and Applications |last1=Mroczkowski |first1=Robert S. |publisher=McGraw Hill |year=1998 |isbn=0-07-041401-7 |chapter=Ch 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XGkw8YR-uXsC}}</ref> An [[adapter]] can be used to join dissimilar connectors. Most electrical connectors have a [[Gender of connectors and fasteners|gender]]{{snd}}i.e. the male component, called a ''plug'', connects to the female component, or ''socket''.

Thousands of configurations of connectors are manufactured for [[Power cord|power]], [[data (computing)|data]], and [[audiovisual]] applications.<ref name="elliott">{{cite book |title=Electromechanical Devices & Components |last1=Elliott |first1=Brian S. |publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-07-147752-9 |edition=2nd |chapter=Chapter 9: Connectors}}</ref> Electrical connectors can be divided into four basic categories, differentiated by their function:<ref name="sparkfun">{{cite web |url=https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/connector-basics/all |title=Connector Basics |website=SparkFun |author1=SFUptownMaker |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>
* ''inline'' or ''cable'' connectors permanently attached to a cable, so it can be plugged into another [[terminal (electronics)|terminal]] (either a stationary instrument or another cable)<ref name="connector-def">{{cite web |url=http://www.interfacebus.com/Glossary-of-Terms_C5.html |at=Connector|title=Engineering Definitions – 'Com' to 'Con' |website=Electronic Engineering Dictionary Terms |date=17 March 2012 |last1=David |first1=Larry |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>
* ''Chassis'' or ''panel'' connectors permanently attached to a piece of equipment so users can connect a cable to a stationary device
* ''PCB mount'' connectors soldered to a [[printed circuit board]], providing a point for [[Electrical cable|cable]] or [[wire]] attachment.<ref name="taoe" />{{rp|56}} (e.g. [[pin header]]s, [[screw terminal]]s, [[board-to-board connector]]s)
* ''Splice'' or ''butt'' connectors (primarily [[insulation displacement connector]]s) that permanently join two lengths of wire or cable

In computing, electrical connectors are considered a physical interface and constitute part of the [[physical layer]] in the [[OSI model]] of networking.