- Connectors are grouped by what they join: wire to wire, wire to board, board to board, or panel to cable.
- Families differ mainly in current, signal type, sealing and locking.
- Most families have standard interfaces, so equivalents from several makers mate with each other.
“Connector” covers everything from a 0.5 mm FPC socket to a 400 A battery plug. Grouping them by job makes the catalog easy to navigate.
| Family | Joins | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal blocks & terminals | Wire to wire / panel | Control cabinets, building wiring, harness ends |
| Circular & industrial | Cable to device | Sensors, machinery, outdoor and military equipment |
| Power & energy | Power cable to device | Appliances, batteries, EV, solar |
| RF & coaxial | Coax cable | Antennas, radio, test equipment |
| Data & network | Data cable to device | USB, Ethernet, video, SFP |
| PCB & board-level | Board to board / cable | Electronics inside the enclosure |
| Wire-to-board & wire-to-wire | Harness to PCB | Appliances, controllers, internal wiring |
| Automotive | Vehicle harness | Cars, trucks, trailers, machinery |
| Fiber-optic | Optical fiber | FTTH, data centers, telecom |
| Audio, video & test | Audio cable / probe | Pro audio, instruments |
| Lighting & LED | LED strip / lamp | Lighting installations |
| Contacts & housings | Parts of a connector | Spares, custom assemblies |
Signal, power or both
Signal connectors care about contact resistance, impedance and shielding; power connectors about current, temperature rise and creepage distance. Hybrid connectors (some M12 codings, heavy-duty inserts) carry both.
Locking and sealing
Friction fit is fine inside a box; latches, screw couplings, bayonets and push-pull locks keep connectors mated under vibration. Seals and potting give IP67/IP68 — see IP ratings explained.
Standards help
Many families follow IEC, MIL or industry standards, so parts from different suppliers intermate. Wikipedia keeps a useful list of connector types. For choosing one, start with how to choose a connector.
| Rank | Category | Group | Products listed | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crimp Terminals, Lugs & Splices | Terminal Blocks & Connection Terminals | 4,133 | US$0.012 – 6.00 / piece |
| 2 | Screw, Spring & Lever Terminal Blocks | Terminal Blocks & Connection Terminals | 3,285 | US$0.0132 – 6.00 / piece |
| 3 | BNC, TNC, N-Type & RF Adapters | RF, Coaxial & Microwave Connectors | 3,135 | US$0.096 – 23.76 / piece |
| 4 | Other Electronic Connectors | Power Distribution & Other Connectors | 2,828 | US$0.072 – 33.60 / piece |
| 5 | Automotive Sealed & Harness Connectors | Automotive & Transportation Connectors | 2,521 | US$0.012 – 6.00 / piece |
| 6 | Fiber-Optic Connectors & Adapters | Fiber-Optic Connectors | 2,014 | US$0.12 – 12.00 / piece |
| 7 | Mechanical & Fitting Connectors | Power Distribution & Other Connectors | 1,872 | US$0.12 – 12.00 / piece |
| 8 | Pin Headers, Female Headers & Jumpers | PCB & Board-Level Connectors | 1,767 | US$0.012 – 0.77 / piece |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a connector and a terminal?
A terminal (or contact) is the single metal part that joins one wire; a connector is the housing that holds one or more terminals and mates with a counterpart.
Are connectors from different makers interchangeable?
Standardized interfaces (M12, SMA, RJ45, USB, MC4-type) are designed to intermate; proprietary families need the same series. Always test samples.
Find these products in our catalog
Circular & Industrial Connectors · RF, Coaxial & Microwave Connectors · PCB & Board-Level Connectors
connector familiesconnector types
Related articles
Crimp vs Solder vs Screw vs IDC: Choosing a Termination Method
Reliability, speed, tooling cost and field serviceability of the four main ways to attach wire to a connector.
IP Ratings for Connectors Explained: IP65, IP67, IP68 and IP69K
What the two digits mean, whether the rating applies mated or unmated, and which waterproof connectors suit outdoor,…
Wire Gauge and Connector Current Ratings: AWG, mm² and Derating
How wire size, contact rating and temperature rise fit together — with an AWG to mm² table and…