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D-Sub, D-Shaped Connectors - Contacts

D-sub connectors, often known as D-shaped connectors and also as DE-9 or D-sub 9 connectors (their most popular use), are components used in a variety of electrical and electronic applications. Introduced by Cannon in 1952 for military applications, they are now available in many shapes, sizes, and pin count configurations to suit a wide array of requirements. Despite having become overshadowed in recent times by circular connectors—such as USB, FireWire, and HDMI—they remain ubiquitous in many fields and applications, often thanks to their superior EMI and RFI performance.

Overall, the basic shape of D-sub connectors is the eponymous D-shape. In particular, they feature two parallel rows of pins or sockets, arranged symmetrically on tip of a D-shaped body. In addition, they can also have various predetermined and configurable shells for optional mounting and supporting.

The design of D-sub connectors provides contact points for each wire in the cable, These contact points are the individual pins for the male connectors and individual sockets for the female counterparts. The pins and sockets feature shapes and sizes tailored for each type of D-sub connector, although their main role is to reliably conduct and carry current from one connection point to another point, where it is internally routed.

In use, D-sub connectors are mostly arranged like a male-to-female interface setup, where the pins of a male connector are inserted into the sockets of the female connector. This arrangement ensures the best possible conduction of the current and resistance against external factors such as EMI and RFI.

The applications that benefit from D-sub connectors range from high-speed signal transmission in computing and telecommunications to power transmission in automotive and industrial equipment, and other applications like measuring and instrumentation equipment and consumer electronics.