What Is A Coaxial Connector

What is a coaxial connector

Coaxial connector is a part for connecting a coaxial cable and a device (electric appliance).
Used for high frequency products.
The shape of the connector is determined by international standards, and different manufacturers can connect the same type of connector.
The connection part has a male and female shape, and they are called a plug (male) and a jack (female) respectively.

What is a coaxial cable

Coaxial cable is a type of sheathed wire used in telecommunications.
Used for high frequency products.
Features include unbalanced connection, little leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside, and a certain degree of flexibility.

In addition, if the characteristic impedance is not specified, it may be distinguished from "coaxial cable" as "shielded wire".
There are multiple types of connectors used in combination with coaxial cables, depending on the frequency band used and impedance characteristics.

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Installation of cables and connectors

Coaxial connectors enable signal transmission by attaching a plug or jack to a coaxial cable and mating the coaxial connector to the plug or jack.

Electrical signals flow when the contacts are in close contact with each other and with the body. Please refer to the “Cable Installation Diagram” on the datasheets of all applicable products for the cable installation method.

Frequency band of coaxial connectors

Functional Classification of coaxial connectors

Plug (P)

Has a male opening. The opposite side of the fitting portion connects the coaxial cable.

Jack (J)

Has a female opening. The opposite side of the fitting portion connects the coaxial cable.

Receptacle (R)

Has a female opening. The opposite side of the fitting portion is attached to the device substrate (printed circuit board) or panel device.

Adapter (A)

Has a male or female opening at each end. It has the role of connector relay and conversion.

Functional Classification

Connecting the center contacts at the male and female openings is called "mating".
The mating combinations for each function classification are as follows.

Center contact of coaxial connectors

Male center contacts are used for male openings and female center contacts are used for female openings.
The center contact of the plug and jack is soldered (or crimped in some products) to the core wire of the coaxial cable.

Solder the center contact and cable core
Male

Solder the center contact and cable core
Female

Crimp center contact and cable core
Male

Crimp center contact and cable core
Female

Trivia : What is reverse type?

There is a reverse type in wireless communication equipment made overseas.
Female contacts are used for plugs and male contacts are used for jacks, which is the opposite of normal.

Shape of coaxial connectors

We have a lineup of products with various shapes for each function classification, and you can use them according to the usage scene.
Below is a typical shape.

Straight

Both plugs and jacks are the most common and most used types.

Right Angle

Also called L-shaped or right-angle, this type has a right-angled body. There is an L bend for plugs, adapters, etc., and it can be used conveniently according to the installation and placement location of equipment and cables.

Bulkhead Jack

A type of jack that clamps the panel of the housing with a nut.

Flange Jack

A type of jack that fastens the panel of the housing with screws at four points. There is also a 2-point stop type.

Flange Adapter

It is not used for normal extension purposes, but is used to sandwich the panel of the housing and connect cables to each other.

Terminator

It is used to close an empty port, etc., or to terminate a receiver. It has a terminating resistor inside, and is also called a non-reflective terminator, terminator (terminating resistor), dummy load, etc.

Coaxial connector cable connection method

There are three major types of connection methods when installing cables.

Tightening

The connector body is divided into a shell and a clamp. With the cable inside the body, pinch the clamp and tighten it with a wrench.

◎ No special tools required. If the cable is long, the tightening type is safe.
△ More expensive than crimp type

Crimp

A connector body is divided into a shell and a sleeve. With the cable inside the body, pinch the sleeve and tighten it with a crimping tool.

◎ Cheaper than the tightening type and easy to connect.
△ A special crimping tool is required. If the cable is long, it will easily come off if the crimping is loose.

Solder

Connectors attached to semi-rigid and semi-flexible cables are soldered, although this is not the case with ordinary coaxial cables.

Application examples of coaxial connectors

As mentioned above, a coaxial connector is a part for connecting a coaxial cable and a device.
Please select a coaxial connector according to the size of the device, the installation location, and the frequency band used.
The types of coaxial connectors that are often used are described below according to product application examples.

What Is A Coaxial Connector