Molex power connector series#

Pins and sockets can be arranged in any combination in a single housing, and each housing can be either male or female. The connector typically has 2 to 24 contacts and is polarized or keyed to ensure correct orientation. The pins and sockets are held in a rectangular matrix in a nylon shell. In such a connector, cylindrical spring-metal pins fit into cylindrical spring-metal sockets. Molex has since discontinued the 8981 series, but the original Mate-n-Lok connectors remain available from TE Connectivity.

Molex power connector series#

The Molex 8981 series was only produced in a 4-position option, unlike the Mate-n-Lok family which includes many other contact arrangements. In 1983, Molex introduced the 8981 connector under the trademark Disk Drive Power Connection System, which was fully compatible with the AMP Mate-n-Lok connector. This connector became the standard for 5.25-inch format peripherals such as hard drives and was used until introduction of SATA drives. The first 5.25-inch floppy disk drive, the Shugart SA400, introduced in August 1976, used the AMP Mate-n-Lok connector part number 350211-1. Both were widely used in the computer industry and the term 'Molex connector' is often used to refer to all nylon plugs and receptacles. The AMP connector was similar to the patented Molex connectors but not interchangeable. In October 1963, AMP (now TE Connectivity) introduced the Mate-n-Lok connector. First used in home appliances, other industries soon began designing it into their products from automobiles to vending machines to minicomputers. Molex developed and patented the first examples of this connector style in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Mate-n-Lok connector design led to several connector types that have become established for connecting power in desktop PCs because of their simplicity, reliability, flexibility, and low cost, and is more widely known as a 'Molex connector' despite not being from the Molex company. It featured improvements such as being keyed to prevent incorrect insertion.

Developed by Molex Connector Company in the late 1950s, the design features cylindrical spring-metal pins that fit into cylindrical spring-metal sockets, both held in a rectangular matrix in a nylon shell.ĪMP (now TE Connectivity) introduced the Mate-n-Lok connector in October 1963, which was similar to Molex's patented design but not compatible. AMP Mate-n-Lok 1-480424-0 Power connector (female pins, male connector)ġ8 AWG, or 0.823 mm 2 wire is typically used.ĪMP Mate-n-Lok and Molex standard 0.093-inch pin and socket power connectors Molex standard 0.093-inch pin and socket connectors Molex disk drive power connection system tool and connectors ATX connectorĪ Molex connector is a two-piece pin-and-socket interconnection which became an early electronic standard.