When selecting a coaxial connector, consider these key parameters:
- Voltage requirements
- Environmental conditions
- Frequency range needed
- Connector gender (male or female). Male connectors feature protruding metal pins, while female connectors have recesses designed to receive these pins.
Understanding Coaxial Connector Genders
In electrical engineering, connectors are typically categorised as male or female. Male connectors have pins or protrusions that insert into the indentations or slots of female connectors. This mating process ensures proper signal or power flow and prevents unsafe installations or interference.
Female connectors are generally more durable, often placed in crucial areas, while male connectors are typically used on easily replaceable cables. However, these gender terms may not apply to all electrical standards, particularly for low-voltage domestic appliances.
Male Coaxial Connectors
These connectors feature a central pin designed to fit into the female connector, along with a spring-loaded electrical contact point on the side.
Female Coaxial Connectors
Female connectors contain a metallic tube (tip) to receive the male pin, surrounded by an insulating layer and an outer cylinder (barrel or sleeve) that serves as an electrical contact point.
Genderless Coaxial Connectors
Also known as combination connectors, these versatile connectors incorporate both male and female elements. They can connect to either male or female connectors of matching size and type, allowing for quick reconfiguration in complex installations. However, they may not be suitable for systems requiring controlled unidirectional current flow for safety or functionality reasons.
Genderless connectors feature a reverse electrical polarity, with a pin protruding from the female socket and a slot in the male plug to accommodate this pin.