Term
Definition
Backshell
Housing on a connector that covers the area where the cable conductors connect to the connector contacts. It can be a metal housing providing continuity of the shield through IDC connectors.
BNC
Abbreviation for "Bayonet Neil-Concelman". A coaxial cable connector used extensively in video and R. F. applications and named for its inventors.
Connector
A device designed to allow electrical flow from one wire or cable to a device on another cable. A connector will allow interruption of the circuit or the transfer to another circuit without any cutting of wire or cable or other preparation.
Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC)
A mass termination connector for flat cable with contacts that displace the conductor insulation to complete termination.
Mass-Termination
The process of simultaneously terminating all conductors in a single operation.
Molded Cable
Cable assemblies with molded connectors on one or both ends.
N
Type of coaxial connector named after its inventor, Paul Neil of Bell Labs.
Plug
A male housing with male or female contacts.
Polarization
The orientation of a flat cable or a rectangular connector. e.g., for gray flat cable, the colored edge indicating the number one conductor.
Receptacle
A female housing with male or female contacts.
SMA
Subminiature A connector commonly used in VHF, UHF, and microwave RF applications.
SMB
Subminiature B connector snap-mount connector.
SMC
Subminiature C connector.
XLR
A multi-pin audio connector (typically 3 pins) used in microphone, line level and snake cable audio connections.