Plug types » Plugs and sockets Overview of connectors

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The most common plugs and sockets at a glance

What types of cable connections are there?

PCs, tablets, notebooks and smartphones already come with a wide variety of connectors. Every manufacturer seems to have its own ideas about which connector is best suited to which application. And the greater the variety of devices at home or in the office, the greater the number of different connectors. So it's no wonder that it doesn't take long to lose track. Yet the cables and plugs that we deal with every day are only the smallest part of an unmanageable variety of connectors. There are many more connectors and sockets for industry, mechanical engineering, vehicle construction and conveyor technology.  However, very few people have to deal with these special connectors, some of which have been developed according to DIN standards.

We have listed the most common types in various categories to help you keep track of the standard connectors.

Data connector

USB 2.0

USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 (Generation 1)

Graphics/video connectors

Serial, parallel, and network connectors

PC internal connectors

You don't have to be a highly specialized computer expert to install an additional hard drive in your PC or replace a defective power supply or CD drive. However, you should be familiar with the available connections. Otherwise, it can quickly happen that all parts fit together mechanically, but cannot be connected electrically. To prevent this from happening, the most common internal PC connectors are listed below.

AV connector

AV connectors transmit analog audio and video signals. The classic connector, which is now getting on in years, is the Scart connector. However, BNC and RCA connectors are still very popular. The same applies to jack plugs, which are still widely used in a variety of sizes.

As more and more video and audio signals are also transmitted digitally, HDMI connectors are increasingly found on satellite receivers, DVD players, and TV sets. When connecting receivers to surround sound systems, optical fiber cables with Toslink connectors are also sometimes used.

Low-voltage plug types

Hollow plugs are still popular for low-voltage connections. The big advantage of this type of connection is reverse polarity protection. Due to its round design, the user cannot connect the plug “backwards.” Unfortunately, however, neither the dimensions nor the pin assignment of the connector contacts are standardized. That is why these connectors are available in a wide variety of designs, with varying connector and pin diameters. This is also the reason why universal power supply units come with a variety of barrel connectors.

The most common variant has a diameter of 5.5 mm and is designed for a 2.1 or 2.5 mm pin.

In some cases, jack plugs are also used for power supply.