Lexicon DIN-Connector

On older hi-fi equipment you can still regularly find the so-called DIN-plugs as a form of connection. This is an informal designation for round, multi-pole connectors, which were and are used in various areas of electronics. Another colloquial term is diode connector. However, their prevalence has been decreasing since the use of the internationally common Cinch-connectors in the field of consumer electronics.

A reduced version of the DIN plug has found international distribution as Mini-DIN or Hosiden plug. In the field of consumer electronics it is mainly used as S-Video-plug. In addition, there are numerous applications in computer technology.

The mechanical quality of both DIN and mini-DIN connectors is usually quite moderate, and one can see the quest for cost savings that was prevalent in consumer electronics decades ago as well. However, mechanically more robust and lockable variants of the DIN connectors have appeared over time, some of which also meet industrial requirements.

The currently valid standard for DIN connectors is DIN EN 60130-09.

Another type of connector associated with DIN is the DIN loudspeaker connector to DIN 41529. This 2-pole connector has a flat central contact and a smaller round pin next to it. Today, it has been almost completely replaced by screw or spring terminals in consumer electronics, and rightly so, because the mechanical and electrical properties of the plug are very dubious for this application. It is at best suitable for low power and quality requirements.

See also:

• Wikipedia article: DIN connector, Hosiden