A plug is a device that allows you to connect electric drive equipment to a primary AC power source. Electrical connectors and sockets differ in voltage and current, shape, size and type. The types of plugs used in each country are established by national standards. Currently, 15 types of electrical connectors are used, each of which is assigned a unique designation.
Story
The first models of connectors for portable devices appeared in the 1880s. In the future, the types of plugs developed to address the issues of convenience and protection against electric shock became widespread. Today, around the world, about two dozen types are used, and many obsolete types of devices are still used in old buildings. Improvised or unauthorized adapters between incompatible connectors may not ensure the complete safety and effectiveness of the approved combination of connectors and plugs.
Concepts and terminology
A plug is a movable connector connected to a network cable with an electric drive. The socket is mounted on equipment or a building structure and is connected to a voltage circuit. The device has protruding pins that are inserted into the corresponding sockets or holes.
A plug is also an accessory with pins designed to come in contact with a wall outlet. Includes means for electrical connection and mechanical retention of flexible cables or cords. Sockets are designed to prevent contact with unprotected links.
To reduce the risk of the user accidentally touching the connected conductors and electric shock, the plug sockets often include safety features in addition to recessed grooves or live openings. These may include connectors with insulated bushings, recessed sockets, sockets with louvres and shutters designed to connect only compatible components, which is especially important when pinning the plug.
Specifications
The outlet may be surrounded by a decorative or protective cover called a wall panel, front panel, outlet cover, or socket cover. In some designs, this is an integral part with the outlet itself, purchased and installed as a unit.
Electrical outlets for single-phase domestic, commercial, and light industrial applications typically provide either two or three electrical connections to power conductors. Two-pin connectors typically provide neutral connections, both of which carry current and are defined as live parts. Three-pin connectors provide protective ground for exposed metal parts. If the internal insulation does not work, a short circuit to the grounded open metal parts holds them at low potential and should lead to the operation of fuses or circuit breakers to isolate the faulty device from the power source.
Components
The plug connectors usually consist of a plug and a female socket. Typically, the forks have one or more pins or teeth that are inserted into the holes in the interface socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be tight enough to ensure a good electrical connection and complete the circuit. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is useful to have a terminal circuit for identifying a wire or circuit node connected to each terminal.
USB connectors and other definitions
The most common connector is a USB plug that connects a computer, monitor, and other devices to a power source. They are designed to provide a convenient solution for devices requiring direct current or charging via a USB port, such as cell phones and tablet computers.
A cable or cord is one or more wires in a plastic coating that allows the transfer of power or data between devices.
A wire is one metal thread (such as copper) or optical fibers that can transmit power or data from one area to another.
A plug is a device that connects to a port. For example, all desktop expansion cards have a connector that allows them to connect to a slot on the motherboard. When accessing the cables, the connector is the end of the cable that connects to the port. For example, the USB plug has a connector that allows you to connect to a USB port.
An adapter is a device that can convert power or data from one input source to another. For example, an AC adapter used with laptop computers and other devices consumes AC power and converts it into direct current.
The Jack 3.5 jack is similar to the port and is a hole or other connection that allows you to connect a compatible plug to the jack. With computers, a jack is commonly used to describe an audio jack. Jack 3.5 connectors come in a variety of sizes and configurations and are very common in audio equipment.
New plug models
The Euro plug is a flat bipolar internal AC plug rated for voltages up to 250 V and currents up to 2.5 A. It is designed for the safe connection of low-power devices to various forms of an internal socket with a round contact used in Europe. Incompatible with BS 1363 rectangular pin connectors common in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Ireland, Malta, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Benefits
Designed for use with sockets that meet other standards, the Euro plug appeared in 1963. Sizes have been selected for compatibility and safe use. Product Features:
reliable contact is established when the plug is fully inserted;
no conductive parts are accessible while the plug is inserted into the socket;
It is not possible to establish a connection between one pin and a pin in a socket while another pin is available.
The European type of plug is intended only for low-power (less than 2.5 A) class II devices (with double insulation) that operate at normal room temperature and do not require grounding.
Euro plug details
The pins have a length of 19 mm. Consist of a conductive material with a diameter of 9 mm with a rounded end, followed by a flexible insulated shaft 10 mm long with a diameter of not more than 3.8 mm. The two pins are not exactly parallel and converge a little. Their centers are located at a distance of 17.5 mm from each other at the end and at a distance of 18.6 mm from the base. The elasticity of the converging pins provides sufficient contact force for the nominal value of the plug with various options for socket holes. The entire plug has a width of 35.3 mm and a height of 13.7 mm and should not exceed these dimensions within 18 mm behind its front plane (this allows the use of recesses on many European types of nests).
Microphone plug
The most common microphone jack for consumers is a 6.35 mm, 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm telephone jack, as well as devices in mono and stereo configurations. Not all microphone plugs with 3-segment TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors are actually stereo. Most computer microphones use a third segment to transfer bias power.
Modular connectors
Originally designed for use on the phone, and then adopted for computer networks, the modular jack was widely used to connect microphones on modern amateur radio equipment, including models from three major manufacturers (Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu), but is mainly used on mobile devices of radio equipment intended for installation on vehicles.
Microphones typically produce fairly low output levels. Therefore, a microphone always requires a preamplifier that amplifies the output of a low level to a linear level. Today's audio interfaces often come with so-called combo jacks. These are two connectors in one: the outer part is the XLR socket, and the hole in the middle is the TRS connector. The following is extremely important: the XLR part is for microphones, the TRS part is for line sources or instruments, but not for microphones.
Connection Recommendations
Check the connector on the microphone. Typically, most basic computer microphones will have one of two kinds of jacks: a 1/8 "TRS jack, which is essentially the same jack you find on a pair of headphones, or a flat USB jack.
Find the appropriate port on your computer. Almost all desktop computers will have visible microphone ports on the front or back. Usually this port will be pink and has a microphone image above it. If you have an eight-inch jack, all you have to do is plug it into this port and start testing the sound.
If you have a USB connector at the end of your microphone, most computers will have two or more USB ports on the side or on the back of the computer. Just plug the USB connector into one of these ports.
Laptops and some modern computers do not have ports for microphones, as they are usually equipped with built-in microphones. However, you can usually plug in the headphone port on most computers and make audio settings later.
Types of plugs for laptops
Laptops rely on two main types of power adapters: AC and DC. These adapters, also known as charging plugs, help convert electricity from a wall outlet into a form suitable for use on a laptop.
An AC adapter converts AC power from a wall outlet in most homes to a DC source used by most small appliances. Laptops, mobile phones, computers and DVD players use DC power. This is the energy that is provided by the batteries used by most laptops to work when the owner is mobile.
Laptops use DC power, so an adapter is not required when connected to a power source. However, most power supplies provide voltage that is not sufficient for the needs of the laptop. To provide this power, you need a DC power adapter and convert it to a higher voltage, which the laptop can use to charge the battery or work.
Another option for laptop owners is a universal power adapter. These devices are more expensive, but can adapt to any power source and voltage. Theoretically, universal adapters can work on any laptop. Universal adapters also come with various types of connectors that suit a wide range of laptops. Many laptops use different types of plugs, so it’s hard to find a suitable adapter.