Common modular plug connectors, do you know how to choose and use them?

Latest update time：2021-09-02 15:27

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The invention of the modular plug is generally considered a major event in the history of communications connectors. Modular plugs were introduced in the 1970s and were originally used for the increasingly complex telephone systems in North America. Before the advent of modular plugs, telephones were usually hardwired to the building network wiring or used bulky connectors. Modular plugs make it easy to upgrade or move telephones while reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Originally used as a simple telephone connector, the modular plug has since evolved into one of the most prominent interconnect devices across multiple industries, including commercial applications such as data and telecommunications, computer networks, alarm systems and surveillance equipment, and even in industrial settings to connect the growing number of smart IoT devices used in process automation.

Features of modular plugs

Modular plug connectors and their matching sockets provide safe, reliable, easy-to-use and low-cost input and output connections to meet the various design requirements of the data communication market. They not only have a simple locking mechanism to prevent mis-insertion and accidental unplugging due to shock and vibration, but also a simple spring contact mechanism that can be cycled thousands of times and is very durable. Modular sockets are also easy to terminate with cables in the field, making them ideal for installers.

Modular plug applications

Modular plugs are used in a wide range of markets today. They are used in home and office computer equipment (including laptops and desktop computers), peripherals (such as printers and routers), high-speed data center equipment (such as switches and routers that form the backbone of the Internet), and advanced automation equipment used in factories (such as motor drive controllers, PLCs, and sensors).

Modular plug connectors come in different styles, depending on the number of contacts and configuration, designated and identified by a registered jack (RJ) numbering system. Codes such as RJ45 and RJ11 are used to identify the appropriate plug for different applications.

Amphenol modular plugs with a wide range of styles

Amphenol ICC's extensive modular plug offering includes thousands of part numbers divided into 30 standard performance and 16 high performance product lines.

Amphenol continues to expand its product portfolio, adding new product lines and unique part numbers to meet the market's growing demand for different applications and functions. Amphenol's connectors are available in a variety of configurations and options, making them ideal for a variety of advanced applications.

Amphenol's modular plug connector series features IR reflow-resistant LEDs and a unified package that reduces the need for component redesign. Our standard modular plugs are designed for 100BASE-T applications such as phones, modems, and POS terminals.

Right Angle

Standard speed

High speed (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A)

vertical

Standard speed

High speed (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A)

Durable

IP67 and high speed (up to Cat6A)

The high-performance shielded version is designed for wider bandwidth and enhanced signal integrity with reduced crosstalk and insertion loss for Fast Ethernet applications as well as video streaming and broadband CATV applications requiring data rates from 1GBps to 10GBps.

All of our RJ connectors are compatible with PoE, PoE+ and PoE++, making them suitable for a variety of systems and devices such as keyboards, sensors, network computer terminals, and some forms of LED lighting, which are powered by Ethernet data lines and do not require an external power supply.

When selecting a high-performance connector for a specific application, cost is definitely an important consideration. Our product line supports all three performance levels (Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A) in the same mechanical package, making it easier to upgrade to higher-performance connectors. Therefore, when designing performance upgrades, the package area and size design do not require expensive updates, and there will be no special PCB layout requirements.

For many years, customers have been limited by the wave soldering process when using integrated LED connectors. The high temperatures required for the IR reflow process subject the delicate electronic structures within standard LEDs to a great deal of thermal stress. The different coefficients of thermal expansion of the metal parts and the epoxy resin body can damage the electrical connection between the anode and cathode, resulting in poor connections and increased failure rates.

Amphenol's new high-temperature LED solution solves this problem through a unique design approach, ensuring that the LED can withstand the high-temperature thermal shock during the reflow process, which not only greatly reduces failures, but is also more durable and rugged, with a lower overall application cost.

Amphenol also offers rugged RJ connectors with IP67 internal and external sealing for harsh environments, protecting equipment from fluid and dust intrusion.

The connectors feature a die-cast metal housing that is mechanically rugged and stable, with protection against shock, vibration and impact that would otherwise cause deformation of their dimensional form factor. The connectors are able to withstand an operating temperature range of -55°C to +105°C and are available in a variety of mounting and termination options.

Learn about Amphenol's modular plugs

"RJ" Series Products

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