A power connector allows electrical current to pass through electronics, typically not for data transfer. It can be a wire or cable, and some devices have removable plugs. It is different from a signal connector, which passes weak signals. Some cables can function as both power and signal connectors. Power connectors can also distribute power within a larger system, such as a computer tower.
A power connector is a piece of equipment used with many different types of electronics that allows a significant electrical current to pass through them. This is typically not used as a means to send a signal, such as a stream of data from one device to another, but instead allows power to reach a device. The power connector for some devices is quite simple and is often designed as a way to connect an electronic component to a wall outlet or other power source. There are also a number of connectors that can be used between devices, including those that allow a single computer power supply to connect to numerous components.
There are several items that can be used as a power connector, although typically it is a length of wire that connects a device to a power source. This is often designed as part of a commercial product, such as a lamp or television that has a power cord permanently installed during construction. There are also some devices that have removable plugs, such as a computer monitor that can be unplugged by its power connector.
The distinction between a power connector and a signal connector is subtle, but important. A signal connector can be used to pass one type of signal, which can take the form of an electric current or a digital signal. However, this is usually quite weak and is not generally intended as a means by which a device gets its main power. The cables used to connect various video and audio devices are usually signal connectors.
There are some types of cables that can function as both a signal and a power connector. A universal serial bus (USB) cable, for example, can be used to allow data to be transferred between devices, but it can also pass enough current to charge a device or provide power to it. Many types of power connectors, however, are simply designed to allow a charge to flow from a power source to a device and give it the power it needs to operate. This can include a plug used with a wall outlet, as well as connections between an electrical device and a large external battery or generator.
A power connector can also be a cable or connection that allows power to reach different internal components within a larger system. Computer towers, for example, often have a power supply that plugs into a wall outlet or similar source and then distributes that charge to various internal devices within the tower. Several types of connectors are used inside a computer case to connect this power supply to a hard drive, multimedia drives, and motherboard.
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