A jackscrew is a small screw used in electrical connectors to secure the cable to the device. They come in different sizes and designs, and are commonly used with multi-contact connectors. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the screw, and replacement screws can be ordered from manufacturers.
Found on a number of electronic components, a jackscrew is a unique screw that is part of the design for various types of electrical connectors. This type of screw helps bring the two halves or sections of the connector together, creating a secure seal between the cable and the electrical device. The jacks are easy to maintain, making them ideal for connecting DVD players to televisions and using them with various types of support components to a computer tower or laptop.
Jacks are among the smallest screws manufactured today. One metal screw design requires that there be a small head on the screw, while others use a design that has a recessed area at the top instead. In both cases, the screw body is round and marked with threads along the length of the shaft. Due to the small size, care must be taken to position the screw correctly before attempting to join the two sides of the connector.
While used with many different types of connectors, a jackscrew is most commonly used with what is known as a multi-contact connector. Connectors of this type are capable of accommodating connections to more than one device. Some designs for multi-contact connectors will use a single screw jack, while others will require two screws. Using a screwdriver of the correct size for the head or recess of the screw, you can turn the screw to the right to join the two sections of the connector. It is just as easy to turn the screw to the left to separate the halves and break the connection.
The jack shares many traits with other types of screws. For example, it is possible to damage the threads, rendering the screw unusable. It is also possible to damage the screw head, making it impossible to tighten and loosen the connector halves as and when necessary. For this reason it is always a good idea to ensure that the screw is aligned correctly and that the correct type of screwdriver is being used.
Like other types of screws, jacks come in different sizes. Smaller designs are common with home equipment such as computers and ancillary devices on audio systems and television entertainment devices. The larger designs are often used in commercial equipment used in offices or other workplaces. While you can purchase replacement screws at some retail outlets such as a hardware store, many people order replacement screws from the manufacturers of the connectors that use jacks.
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