Molex connector

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A Molex connector is the vernacular term for a two-piece "pin and socket"interconnection. Pioneered by Molex Products Company, the two-piece design became an early electronic standard. Molex developed and patented the first exemplars of this connector style in the late 1950s and early 1960s. First used in home appliances, other industries soon began designing it into their products from automobiles to vending machines to mini-computers. No doubt, this led to the product being dubbed the "Molex Connector." The "Molex Connector" was first used as a disk drive connector in the late 1970s, notably on Atari systems.

In such a connector, cylindrical spring-metal pins fit into cylindrical spring-metal sockets. The pins and sockets are held in a rectangular matrix in a nylon shell. The connector typically has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, or 15 circuits. Pins and sockets can be arranged in any combination in a single connector, and the housing separately has male and female gender.

There are three typical pin sizes: .062" (1/16"), .093" (3/32"), and .084". The .062" pin can carry 5A of current, while the .093" can carry 8.5A.

Because the pins have a large contact surface area and fit tightly, these connectors are typically used for power.

The desktop computer Molex connector is pictured here. It has 4 circuits, with the standard pinout as follows:

• 1: 12 volts (yellow)
• 2 and 3: ground (black)
• 4: 5 volts (red).

Sometimes, especially in older computers, the colors differ. The pins are .200" (5.08mm) apart (center to center). The connector housing has chamfered corners on one side to prevent the user from plugging it in incorrectly. The connector that provides power (e.g. on a power supply) has female pins and a male housing; the connector that receives power (e.g. on a peripheral) has male pins and a female housing.

The connector is standard on all PATA disk drives and low-end SCSI disk drives; however, newer disk drives will employ a more advanced integrated serial interconnection. These new, advanced connection systems are being developed by Molex and other connector companies, often working together to develop interconnection standards.

Despite its widespread adoption, the connector has problems as a 40-year-old product in the 21st century of electonics. It is cumbersome and difficult to remove because it is held in place by friction instead of a latch. It is specific to this one application, so it is not as widely available as most electronic connectors, and is more expensive.

Color		Function
	Yellow	+12V
	Black	Ground
	Black	Ground
	Red	+5V

[edit] External links

• Molex Connector find information on BNC, Wire, Power, USB, Cables and Molex Connectors.