Do you need Digi-Key's help to Identify a Connector?

Interconnect
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Tracking down a connector can be difficult. But when you’re in a bind and need some extra help, the Digi-Key team is here for you. Here are some pointers on what we need:

  • Pictures - An in-focus photo with measurements is worth a thousand words. Include photos of the front and side of the connector. Also good to note if you’re looking for the connector in the photo or if you’re in search of the mate.

  • Note the Number of positions (aka electrical connections) within the connector.

  • Pitch - Try to be as precise as possible!

  • Mounting Style - examples include Panel Mounted; Through Hole / Surface Mount; Vertical vs. Right Angled; etc.

  • If free hanging, advise the wire gauge used.

  • Contact information such as gender (male pins vs. female sockets) and connection style (crimp, solder, pcb pin).

  • do you need tooling?

  • Any additional comments or details.

If you have a connector or other Electronic component you need help identifying please Create a TechForum post along with your information right in the Part Identification Category.

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Here are some other things to consider when Identifying a connector:

What shape is the connector? The two most common types of connectors are circular or rectangular. There are other options as well, such as d shaped or terminal block connectors as well.

What color is the connector?

How many rows are there on the connector? This refers to rectangular connectors, and the amount of horizontal rows the connector has.

What is the row spacing? This is just like the pitch, but for the spacing between the rows from center to center.

What is the Shell Size? This refers to circular connectors, and is what determines the layout of the pins. This one is a bit trickier to know or find, so a photo of the connector that shows the arrangement of the pins would be helpful if the shell size isn’t known. Some circular connectors have the same shell size, but can have different orientations as well, so a photo really is best when determining this attribute.

What is the fastening type? This would refer to a connector that would “latch” or “fasten” to its mate to hold them in place together to prevent accidental disconnection. Most rectangular connectors will have a “latch” feature, such as a latch lock, locking ramp, etc. Circular connectors can have a twisting locking feature known as “Bayonet Lock” or “threaded”. The most common type of “bayonet lock” would be a BNC connector commonly found on Oscilloscopes.

What type of termination does the connector have? This refers to how the wires are terminated in the connector housing. The most common type is crimp, but other types would include solder, solder cup, IDC, or quick connect, depending on the connector.

Other common features for connectors would be an ingress protection or IP rating, voltage rating, current rating, and other various ratings. The more information you have or can find on a connector, the better.

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Hello DigiKey,

The link " Part Identification Category" (above) is broken.

If you need help when people ask you to identify a connector, feel free to use my Identiconn - Connector Identification Utility. Most results link to the Digikey page for that family of connectors.

Davide

1 Like
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Hi,
Thanks for the connector ID link.

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Thanks for reaching out regarding the broken link. It should be fixed now :slight_smile: