What Is a Receptacle?
A receptacle is a type of connector shape that can be broadly classified into three categories: plug, receptacle, and adapter.
A receptacle is one side of a connector that is paired with a plug and features a grid-shaped contact opening.
It is also commonly referred to as a jack or the female side of the connector.
On the other hand, a plug is the counterpart of a receptacle or adapter in a connector pair and has needle-shaped contacts.
It is often referred to as the male part of the connector.
Uses of Receptacles
Receptacles are connectors utilized in a wide range of wiring applications.
One of the primary advantages of using connectors like receptacles is their ease of detachment.
Without connectors, making connections requires soldering or crimping, and disconnecting necessitates cutting cables.
Connectors, including receptacles, find application in audio and video cables, communication and computer cables, power cables, coaxial connections, wireless communications, circuit boards, and fiber optics.
Principle of Receptacle
Receptacles are female-type connectors, also known as sockets or jacks, typically mounted on the exterior of a device.
The term “header” describes a connector with pins protruding from it.
Connectors come in two main types: male connectors with exposed pins and female connectors with pins arranged in a grid shape.
This distinction arises because male connectors have exposed cores or pins, making their electrodes accessible. Touching these exposed pins with a tool like a screwdriver can result in short-circuiting or even electric shock when powered.
Female connectors, on the other hand, have pins arranged in a grid shape, making it more challenging to directly touch the connector’s electrodes. Therefore, the basic practice is to use female connectors on the power supply side and male connectors on the side that receives electricity.