DC connector
A DC connector is an electrical connector for supplying direct current power.
Compared to domestic AC power plugs and sockets, DC connectors have many more standard types that are not interchangeable. The dimensions and arrangement of DC connectors can be chosen to prevent accidental interconnection of incompatible sources and loads. Types vary from small coaxial connectors used to power portable electronic devices from AC adapters, to connectors used for automotive accessories and for battery packs in portable equipment.
Extra-low voltage (under 120 VDC)
These extra-low voltage connectors are rated at or below 120 VDC.Cylindrical connectors
Small cylindrical connectors come in a variety of sizes. They may be known as "coaxial power connectors", "barrel connectors", "concentric barrel connectors" or "tip connectors".The intended use of these plugs is on the cable connected to an external AC adapter. The matching jack or socket is permanently fitted to the equipment to be powered. Some of these jacks contain a normally closed contact, which can be used to disconnect internal batteries whenever the power supply is connected, avoiding the risk of battery leakage or explosion posed by incorrect recharging of the batteries.
Cylindrical plugs usually have an insulated tip constructed to accept insertion of a pin. The outer body of the plug is one contact, most often but not always the negative side of the supply. Inverted polarity plugs can, and do, damage circuitry when plugged in, even if the voltage is correct; not all equipment is equipped with protection. A pin mounted in the socket makes contact with a second internal contact. The outer plug contact is often called the barrel, sleeve or ring, while the inner one is called the tip.
There are a wide variety of sizes and designs for these power connectors, and many appear quite similar to each other yet are not quite mechanically or electrically compatible. In addition to a plethora of generic designs there are at least two different national standards—EIAJ in Japan and DIN in Germany, plus the JSBP connector used on some laptop computers. The Japanese EIAJ standard includes five different sizes, with each supporting a specified range of voltages. Most of the other coaxial DC power connectors have no specified voltage association, however. Generic plugs are often named for the pin diameter they are designed to take.
Many non-proprietary co-axial power plugs are in outside diameter and in length. Two pin sizes are common in the jacks for this size plug body, and, and the plugs should match. If the size is not known, it is difficult to distinguish by eye or measurement between the 2.1mm and 2.5mm ID plugs; some suppliers suggest simple methods.
Maximum current ratings commonly vary from unspecified up to 5 A, with 1 A, 2 A and 5 A being common values. The smaller types usually have lower ratings, both for current and voltage. The 'tip' usually carries the positive pole, but some devices, and their power supplies, use negative tip. Connector size does not usually indicate the voltage. It is not possible, except for some proprietary connectors, to reliably infer any information on power parameters by examining the connector.
Snap and lock DC power connectors
Snap and lock DC power connectors look similar to Mini-DIN connectors, but have either 3 or 4 thicker pins and a slightly larger mating shell. Because of this they do not mate with any of the standardized Mini-DIN connectors. Some devices, however, use a true 4-pin Mini-DIN connector for power instead, presenting the possibility to mate such a connector with the wrong port.- Known as Kycon 3-pin and 4-pin DC power plugs.
- Erroneously also known as "Power DIN", although different from any standardized Mini-DIN or DIN connector type.
- The male plug's mating shell outer diameter is, and the pins are diameter
- Standard may include a limit of 20 V at 7.5 amperes
- Sometimes, there's a knurled retaining ring surrounding the male plug which allows fastening the plug to the chassis receiving the power.
Molex connector
Locking Molex connectors are available in 3, 4, and 6 terminal configurations.
IEC 60906-3:1994
The International Electrotechnical Commission has produced a standard for a system of 2-pin plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes in fixed and portable applications, either indoors or outdoors. Safety extra-low voltage plugs and socket-outlets carry up to 16 amperes, and have eight keying possibilities, to indicate 6, 12, 24, or 48 volts, AC or DC.The connector is circular, with the male connector having two pins placed symmetrically inside a circular shield, and the female connector having two receptacles surrounded by a circular groove to accept the male shield, in turn surrounded by a second circular shield which projects past the mating surface and encloses the male connector.
The dimensions are as follows:
| Parameter | Value |
| Pin-to-pin distance | |
| Pin diameter | |
| Pin length | |
| Female pin receptacle | |
| Female body diameter | |
| Female groove depth | |
| Male shield inner diameter | |
| Male shield length | |
| Male pin tip to shield tip | |
| Male shield outer diameter | |
| Female shield inner diameter | |
| Female shield length |
The male shield has two keys projecting inwards, which fit into notches in the female body. The larger key is at right angles to the pins, wide and ending at a radius of from the connector centre. The corresponding notch is wide and ends at a radius of from the connector centre.
The angle of the second key from the first indicates the voltage and current type. The 8 permitted angles are multiples of 30° which are not multiples of 90°. Angles of ±30° and ±60° indicate alternating current, while angles of ±120° or ±150° indicate direct current with the pin at 90° being negative and the pin at 270° being positive.
The second key is smaller than the first, wide ending at a radius of from the connector centre. The corresponding notch in the female connector body is wide and ends at a radius of from the connector centre.
With the angles measured clockwise looking at the female connector, the various key positions indicate:
| Angle | Supply |
| 30° | 6 V AC |
| 60° | 12 V AC |
| 120° | 6 V DC |
| 150° | 12 V DC |
| 210° | 24 V DC |
| 240° | 48 V DC |
| 300° | 24 V AC |
| 330° | 48 V AC |
The so-called "Mini IEC connectors" are unrelated and not even standardized by the IEC at all; they are called that because they resemble a smaller IEC C13 connector.
Outdoor light systems connectors
Mainly used on outdoor Christmas lights, this a common IP44 connector for light systems. The most common voltage is 24 V, but 12 and 48 V may use the same socket and plug. The male has two pins and a threaded ring, which once screwed to the female ensures water resistance and mechanical retention.Tamiya connectors
Tamiya connectors are commonly used on radio-control vehicle battery packs and chargers.JST RCY connector
The JST RCY-series connector is a 2.5mm-pitch and manufactured by J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd. It is known in radio control circles as the BEC or P connector. JST also produces other types of connectors that are used in R/C and hobby electronics.Inverter tabs/lugs
Inverter tabs/lugs are available in 2, 4, and 8 AWG. These are designed to pass very high currents at voltages up to 600 V DC to and from battery packs, inverters, and other high-current loads to a terminal bus.Airline in-seat power supply system
Two different airline in-seat power supply system standards for DC power have been used in the past. American Airlines in the past used an automotive cigar lighter socket. Most other airlines that provide DC power use the smaller EmPower system, which has a 4-pin Hypertronics' D-series connector. It can supply 15 volts maximum 5 amperes.Anderson Powerpole connectors
Powerpole connectors are a series of connectors developed by Anderson Power Products and are available in a variety of sizes and colors. The commonly used 15/30/45 series connectors are interoperable with each other and use the same housings but use different contacts for different wire sizes and current requirements.Powerpole connectors are physically and electrically genderless, thus avoiding the need to worry about which end is the plug and which the socket, or which end has the correct polarity, as is the case with the physically but not electrically genderless 2-wire trailer plug.
Powerpoles have been adopted as a standard 12 VDC connector by most RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service organizations and ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service units. They deliver good current capability for their sizes. They also facilitate very easy pluggability for those without good eyesight or good lighting. However, they can be damaged relatively easily and can occasionally separate from each other easily with minimal force unless additional retaining measures are taken.
SAE connector
The SAE connector is a physically genderless two-conductor DC connector commonly used for solar and automotive applications. It is so named for the Society of Automotive Engineers who created the specifications this connector is based on.Although the plug is physically hermaphroditic, and any SAE connector can be connected to any other SAE connector, they are NOT electrically hermaphroditic and care needs to be taken to maintain correct polarity when connecting different plugs to each other.
This connector is typically used for applying a maintenance charge to a vehicle battery. The polarity of the connector, when installed in a vehicle and attached to a battery, is always such that no short circuit will occur if the exposed terminal were to touch the vehicle chassis. In most vehicles, this means that the exposed terminal connects to the negative terminal of the battery. Conversely, the positive terminal on a battery charger is exposed, to mate with the concealed one on the vehicle side.
Although there is a risk of short-circuiting a battery charger, the risk is minimal and often mitigated by the circuitry of the battery charger itself. On the other hand, the short circuit current of the lead-acid batteries installed in vehicles is sufficiently great, that a short circuit could result in a fire or explosion. The priority is therefore given to avoiding short circuits of the vehicle battery, rather than of the charger.
Although the term "SAE Connector" is commonly used to refer to the pictured 2-Pin connector, there are many different connector standards designated by SAE International that may also be referred to by this term. Furthermore, while the design of the subject connector was inspired by and based on SAE Standards, the connector itself has no official SAE designation.
The SAE Specifications are available for and but do require payment to be viewed.
Car lighter sockets and plugs
The car power outlet is also called a cigarette lighter receptacle, or cigar lighter receptacle, since it was originally designed as a lighter for cigars—hence its rather large size. Nowadays, it is used to power automotive accessories such as portable inverters, mobile phone chargers and portable fridges.These sockets were not originally designed to provide DC power, and are not an ideal DC connector for several reasons, but still widely used for compatibility to existing accessories. Three sizes exist, one for 6 VDC and two for 12 VDC and the mating of the different sized 12 VDC plugs and jacks is problematic. Because of this, and the small gauge wire sometimes used, they may provide unreliable power connections.
The polarity for 12 VDC sockets is center pin positive, outer collar negative. Reversed polarity will damage some electronic devices.
Although the nominal voltage of a 12 V lead acid battery is 12 VDC, when the engine is running the car's battery charging system will bring the system voltage to 13.8 VDC or higher. The possible range of battery voltages from 11–15 VDC must be taken into account by devices attached to the cigar lighter socket.
This connector is also often used for powering accessories on motorcycles, such as heated clothing or GPS units. This makes "plugging in" easier to manage while wearing gloves. As the accessory lacks any power of its own, there's no risk of "shorting" the exposed connector.
ISO 4165 connector
Similar in concept to an automotive cigar lighter, the ISO 4165 connector is shorter and smaller.Found most frequently on motorcycles, it is also known as a "BMW Accessory", "Hella", "Merit", "Norm" or "Powerlet" connector.
XLR connectors used for power
In the broadcast, film and television industries, the 4-pin XLR connector is the standard for 12 V power. The connectors are wired pin 1 negative, pin 4 positive. Often pins 1 and 2 will be negative, 3 and 4 positive for a higher current rating. Female connectors are used as supply and male connectors are used on loads. Most battery belts and power supplies output 13.2 V, but equipment can usually handle a range of 11–18 volts to accommodate battery packs of varying voltages and charging while operating.The readily available XLR3 is also used by some manufacturers as power supply plugs despite their being a well-accepted standard for other purposes.
Clipsal connectors
In Australia, a T-configuration Clipsal socket is used for extra-low voltage DC power outlets, such as in stand-alone power systems or on boats, in order to prevent accidental connections of 12 V appliances into socket-outlets. This connector is also used for temporary equipment in emergency vehicles.The connector pins are mutually perpendicular, and are usually oriented to look like a capital T. Polarity at the outlet can be random, and must be verified to avoid equipment damage.
USB socket
Due to the popularity of USB for mobile phones and tablets, USB sockets and plugs have become a common choice for other small devices that require five volts or less, even those that require no data connection. Examples include flashlights, toys such as small helicopters, and rechargeable battery packs. Wall sockets with built-in USB power adapters and USB sockets are available.The EU has adapted the common external power supply specification, which standardizes data-enabled mobile phones to use the micro USB-B connector. As of 2016, most new mobile phones use this connector for charging.
In 2012, the USB Power Delivery specification was released. The USB PD specification provides the ability for 5 V devices to draw more than 7.5 W of power from USB "PD-aware" ports when using PD-aware USB cables. The specification also allows USB PD ports to provide even greater power at higher voltages over PD-aware cables – up to 36 W at 12 V and 60 W at 20 V and up to 60 W at 12 V and 100 W at 20 V.
The new USB-C plug is expected to eventually become the new standard for charging over USB.
Other DC connectors
- There are a number of similar design PC board power connectors, including Molex Mini-Fit SR, Molex Mini-fit jr., MOLEX MICROFIT and Molex SABRE connectors, and AMP DUAC connectors that look similar to each other.
- Some plugs with three, four, five or more pins are also called DC plugs. These were common on vacuum tube equipment and continue to be used where several voltages are supplied. On vacuum tube equipment the pins are normally on the equipment side of the join for safety reasons.
- Many mobile phones use DC connectors that are unique to the manufacturer, or even a specific phone. In the interest of improved interoperability of phone battery chargers, major manufacturers have agreed to standardize on the micro-USB connector for new phone chargers from 2010.
- Many manufacturers make special-purpose DC power connectors for battery packs, instruments, medical equipment, communications equipment and other devices.
- Power Pack series of batteries such as the PP3 nine-volt battery have circular and hexagonal terminals which mate with a "snap" connector with physically identical terminals.
- Special "octal" connectors with either 8 or 11 pins, almost identical to octal relay sockets or tube sockets, were used to connect power supplies to some tube audio amplifiers, transmitters, and transceivers. Female sockets were installed on the power supply and male sockets on the radio equipment. Cable assemblies with mating connectors were also readily available. These connections transferred anode positive voltage, grid negative bias, 6.3 and 12.6 VAC for heaters, and control functions.
Low voltage (120 - 1500 V)
Anderson SBS
The Anderson SBS and SBS Mini series of connectors are rated at up to 600 VDC at 50 A, 75 A or 110 A. They are only rated for disconnection under load at up to 120 VDC however.These connectors see use as battery bank connectors in higher power UPS systems, where the battery bank voltages are between 48 VDC and 500 VDC.
MC4 Connector
MC4 connectors are common on photovoltaic panels. Because these panels are exposed to the weather for decades, MC4 includes a rubber sealing ring to keep out moisture. Because solar panels are often stacked in strings of hundreds of volts, MC4 has locking clips to hold the wires together. Because solar panels can be connected in series strings, or parallel arrays, the positive and negative terminals use separate connectors.IEC TS 62735
The IEC TS 62735 standard specifies connectors capable of carrying between 294 and 400 VDC. There are two connectors in the standard rated at 2.6 kW and 5.2 kW. The lower current plug can be inserted into the higher current socket, but the higher current plug will not mate with the lower current socket. The 2.6 kW plug can be disconnected under load, but the 5.2 kW plug cannot.Designed primarily for supplying power to computer and communications equipment, these connectors are intended to allow data centers to migrate towards supplying equipment with DC power as an alternative to AC.
Saf-D-Grid
The Saf-D-Grid connector delivers up to 600 VDC at up to 30 A, with the connector occupying the same space as an IEC 320 C13/C14 connector normally limited to 250 VAC at 10 A. The connector can also be disconnected under load.Like the IEC 62735, this connector was designed to replace the IEC connector used in computer power supplies so that they can be operated from 380 - 400 VDC instead. Introduced in January 2009, it arrived before the competing IEC standard, however despite this it has not seen widespread use.