"Approved" Connectors for Electronic Prototyping

(Document version: )

Overview

Stick to this minimal set of connectors for all projects you build. Deviate only for good reason.

Sources: Digikey: www.digikey.com, Jameco: www.jameco.com

Approved connectors

What	Description	Purpose	Picture	Sample part number and source
DB9F, DB9M	9 pin D connectors	Getting signals from a cable to a panel. Use for cables with two or more connectors. Common, inexpensive. Put DB9F on panel for serial connections to a PC so that a standard serial port cable can be used.		Jameco 15747 (male), 15771 (female)
DSUB IDC	9 pin D, IDC	Like above but connects to a ribbon cable. Handy if there are more than four signal wires because it saves having to solder to lots of small solder cups.		Jameco 12503
BNC ISO	Isolated BNC	Panel mount. One signal with its ground. Excellent for analog signals. BNC cables are common. Isolated version means you don't have to worry whether case is grounded.		Jameco 111561
A4M	4-pin mic	Very rugged. Snaps in place. Use for high current or where user is connecting and disconnecting repeatedly. Left-hand screw releases housing. A3F/A3M are standard pro-style mic connectors.		Jameco 281594
D4F	4-pin mic	Mate to A4M. Mount to panel		Jameco 281666
Header	10 pin shrouded header	Mount on PC board. For getting signals off board to a panel. Use for 3 to 10 signal wires		Jameco 67811
IDC socket	10 pin	Mate to above. Accepts ribbon cable. Has a nifty cable clamp. Crimps to ribbon cable. Close gently in a vise until both sides click. Arrow marks pin 1		Jameco 32491
RCA	Audio jack	Mounts to PC board. Can also get panel mount versions. Single audio channel. Use standard, shielded audio cord for mate. Good for low-level noisy signals. Single channel. Case is ground.		Jameco 220556
1/8 audio	1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo plug	Very common. Use standard audio cable. Good for 2 signals plus ground. Can use for a compact RS-232 serial line. Stereo jacks, PC mount and panel mount are widely available		Jameco 231175
Male header	PC mount, .100" spacing	For getting signals off PC board to panel. Comes in 2 to 10 contacts. For more than 5 contacts, use 10 pin shrouded header and IDC socket		Jameco 153699
Housing	.100" spacing	Mates with above. Purchase female crimp pins (Jameco 100765) separately. Requires crimp tool, e.g. Jameco 159265. Pins crimp to wire then are slid into housing snapping in place.		Jameco 103211
Molex KK Header	.100" spacing, PC mount	For getting power signals off PC board to panel. Locking. Good for 2 to 4 signals. Also comes in 0.156" series for higher current.		Jameco 232282
Molex KK Housing	.100" spacing	Mates with above. Purchase female crimp pins separately.		Jameco 234819
Power jack, 2.1 mm	Panel mount	DC power jack. Panel mount. Use for mate to "wall wart" small DC power supplies. Or use for a battery supply. Check that mate is also 2.1 mm. Can also get PCB mount versions		Jameco 281851 or 151554
Power plug, 2.1 mm	Female, cable mount	Mate to above Attach to custom cable.		Jameco 28759
RJ11 plug	6P4C (6 position 4 contacts)	RJ45 is standard telephone cable. Means you can use pre-made phone cables, or make your own cables. Very inexpensive. Easy to crimp on. Excellent for 2-4 signals. Also comes in 6P6C version, but need to make your own cables.		Jameco 79290
RJ11 jack	6P4C	Mate to above. PCB mount. Or can use hardware store phone products. Look around.		Jameco 151765
RJ45 plug	8P8C	RJ45 is standard for networking cable. Using RJ45 means you can use inexpensive network cable for interconnects. Excellent for 2-8 signals. Cat5e cable comes as 4 twisted pairs which is good for noise shielding. Can crimp up your own, but sometimes just as cheap to purchase premade cable. Look at a computer accessories catalog or in the networking section of your favorite computer parts store for more options.		Jameco 201734
RJ45 jack	8P8C	Mates with above. PC mount.		Jameco 115844