This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Modular Connector Plugs category on DigiKey.com
Modular connectors are a series of standardized interconnect products commonly used in wired information and telecommunications networks. Those in this family are plugs; the component of a mated connector pair which is typically affixed to a cable in this interconnect system, and which are distinguished among themselves principally by the number of contact positions available; and the number thereof in which contacts are present.
SelectionCharacteristics
Connector Type: Indicates the style and configuration of the device.
Cable Type: Indicates the physical form or structure of the cable with which the connector is designed for use.
Number of Positions/Contacts: Indicates connector body size via the number of contact positions available, and the number of said positions that are populated with electrical contacts.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as angled, snagless, or strain relief.
Shielding: Whether or not the device possesses an electrically insulating barrier that helps to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference.
Ratings: Minimum performance standards of the device, which are typically set by a third party.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Termination: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as crimp, IDC, or solder.
Length: Indicates the overall length of the device.
Color: The dominant color of the device.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | 940-SP-3066 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 380-1004-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Stewart Connector |
| DESCRIPTION | Plug Modular Connector 6p6c (RJ11, RJ12, RJ14, RJ25) Position Unshielded IDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 1963600000 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 281-3462-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Weidmüller |
| DESCRIPTION | Plug Modular Connector 8p8c (RJ45, Ethernet) Position Shielded Cat6a IDC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 449150021 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | WM4638-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Molex |
| DESCRIPTION | Plug Modular Connector 8p8c (RJ45, Ethernet) Position Shielded Cat6 Crimp |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Phoenix Contact VARIOSUB RJ45 Industrial Ethernet Connectors
EZ-RJ45 Connectors
Articles
Understanding and Specifying Modular Connectors