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  • One 'connector' to rule all electrical connections - your thoughts / ideas?

    Kaustubh Katdare

    Administrator

    Updated: Oct 26, 2024
    Views: 1.5K
    I've been wondering if it's possible at all to have just one connector for all electrical connections - from mobiles to displays to networks and everything else. Right now, I've a different connector to hook my machine to power plug, a different connector to connect my laptop to projector or TV, yet another type of connector for my headphones and so on.

    On one hand, it looks very logical to have different type of connector for each specific application. But can we not reduce all the types of connectors to just basic 2-3 - say -
    • Power Connections
    • Audio Video & Data Transfers
    • <What am I missing?>
    We can then think about having a unique form - say like thunderbolt or USB that is reversible. Do you think it's possible or we'll continue to face the choice between USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, DVI connectors? Looking forward to your inputs.
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Replies

  • Jeffrey Arulraj

    Member • Dec 11, 2013

    Only one thing is a hurdle sir. You must know that different equipment uses different current levels of operation

    That is though most devices powered by USB needs only a 5V power supply the current ratings of every device is in the range of 100mA to 3A This hurdle is one of the reasons why we have such differentiate connectors

    Next Serial or parallel data input requirement As we know CRT uses Serial data reception So a parallel data transmitting connector cannot be used here

    Hope I am clear here

    If your device is capable of switching between various operating modes then it can be used
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  • Kaustubh Katdare

    Administrator • Dec 11, 2013

    Thank you for the response, @#-Link-Snipped-# . I completely ignored the current demands and data input requirements. Your last line is interesting - do you think that's possible in any way?
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  • Jeffrey Arulraj

    Member • Dec 11, 2013

    Sir I am not sure whether it is practical But if we use a decoder to make the circuit respond based on our needs we can do it digitally. And in many ways this is feasible thoertically

    It is like having all connectors in the same pin based on control signals the different connectors are chosen automatically by the controller. Here no human intrusion is needed. If all goes well you have your device

    I am pessimistic about it in many ways
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  • J Biswas

    Member • Dec 11, 2013

    That is good idea to have a common connector, but as I see a lot of practically limitations to it.
    Connectors designed or used usually has 2 notions:
    1) Mechanical form factor - to sustain human force (plugin/plugout), power delivered, etc. this decides the size and material used (for homes / industries).
    2) Electrical Characteristics - no. of pins, current/voltage, speed of data (data shielding), characteristic impedance of the connector+cable.
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  • Chinmay sharma

    Member • Dec 16, 2013

    It can be possible to control many appliances from only one accessing media if we use a senser .senser sense how much supply is to be given to whom appliance only when order is given to give supply...but how it is possible practically i don't know
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  • Anand Tamariya

    Member • Dec 17, 2013

    Well, we are already moving towards standardization subject to some practical considerations. e.g. 3.5mm for portable audio, HDMI for A/V and USB for data transfer (except for outcasts like Apple pushing their own proprietory versions).
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