What Are Automotive Connectors?

Automotive connectors are common components found in automobile electrical systems. Generally, they function as a bridge of communication between blocked or isolated circuits in a network, allowing current flow and enabling the circuit to act on a predetermined function. As people have higher and more complex requirements for safety, environmental protection, comfort, and intelligence in automobiles, the application of automotive connectors is increasing. In fact, there are over a hundred different types of connectors utilized in general automobiles alone. To better understand how they work, we will provide a brief overview of automotive connectors.

Key Components of Automotive Connectors

While the design and construction of automotive connectors is continually changing according to type, the one thing that remains the same across all varieties is that they are all composed of four key parts: contacts, shells, insulators, and accessories.

Contacts

The contact portion serves as the core part of the automotive connector that completes the electrical connection. A contact is made up of a male contact piece and a female contact piece, both of which fit into each other like a lock and key. The male contact is usually rigid in nature, available as a round pin, square pin, or insert, and made of brass and phosphor bronze.

Alongside the male contact, the female contact is considered the jack and serves as an integral part of the contact pair. It relies on its elastic structure to wedge itself inside the male contact and form a secure connection. Jack structures vary widely, with the most common types being cylindrical, tuning fork, cantilever beam, folding, box, and hyperboloid wire spring jack variations.

Shell

Serving as the outer cover of the automotive connector, the shell provides mechanical protection for the built-in insulating mounting plate and pins. More than that, it provides alignment when the plug and socket are being inserted; thus, it affixes the connector to the device with added precision.

Insulators

Insulators, on the other hand, function to arrange the contact according to a required position and spacing. More than that, they are responsible for ensuring optimal insulation performance with the shell. Other basic requirements of an insulator include having good insulation resistance and withstanding varying voltages.

Accessories

Accessories are subdivided into structural parts and installation parts. Structural accessories encompass retaining, sealing, and coupling rings, alongside positioning keys and pins, guide pins, cable clamps, and gaskets. Mounting accessories include screws, nuts, spring rings, and more.

Automotive Connector Fundamentals

Automotive connectors are classified into 4 major groups that are defined by ISO standard 10487. Group A consists of power connectors that attach the automobile’s head unit to the power supply, switches, volume controls, and other special components. Group B includes automotive electrical connectors that are utilized for connecting the vehicle’s speaker system. Those in Group C are considered surplus electrical connectors used for linking specialty peripherals, such as external amplifiers, remote controls, and CD decks. And lastly, components in Group D are optional connectors for the means of connecting satellite navigation systems.

Different Types of Automotive Connectors Based on Form Factor

While there are an array of automotive connector types, we will cover the five most common below.

Multi-pin sealed connectors prevent environmental contaminants from making their way into a particular assembly.

Terminal connectors are good choices when one needs to make unsoldered connections.

Wire-to-board connectors make connecting different components to a computer’s circuit board simple.

Board-to-board connectors can easily link two distinct circuit boards together.

Wire-to-wire electrical connectors have the ability to connect two wire-terminated cables with ease.

Conclusion

Alpha Industrial Parts is a leading distributor of automotive connectors, electrical connectors, ignition box accessories, circuit board assembly components, and so much more. With over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items on our database, customers can easily meet rigid time constraints and strict budget requirements. Get started today and see how Alpha Industrial Parts can serve as your strategic sourcing solution!