Go to GlobalSpec.com Home
 

Alert   Product Alerts
Keep current on the latest products, new suppliers, and technical articles of interest to you. (See Topics)

Centronics Connectors

Find Centronics Connectors Manufacturers

Find Centronics Connectors by Specification:
More Specifications >>

About Centronics Connectors

Centronics connectors are standard parallel interface devices for connecting printers and other peripherals such as portable disc drives, tape backup drives, and CD-ROM players to computers. Centronics connectors are named after the printer that first used them and include two rows of flat contacts. Both male and female Centronics connectors are available. Male Centronics connectors have side latches that snap into tabs on the sides of female connectors. Female connectors also have slots to receive pins from male connectors. Typically, Centronics connections consist of a 36-pin male or female connector at the printer or other peripheral, a cable, and  a 25-pin parallel port on the computer. Centronics connectors use eight parallel data lines, as well as other lines to read status information and send control signals.

The first Centronics connectors transmitted data in only one direction, from a computer, and to only one type of device, a printer. With the development of new peripherals, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEC) approved and expanded the communications standard for Centronics connectors. IEEE 1284 specifies five modes of operation: compatibility, nibble, bite, enhanced capability port (ECP), and enhanced parallel port (EPP). Compatibility mode, the original Centronics parallel interface, is intended for use with dot matrix and older laser printers, but can be combined with nibble mode for bi-directional transfer. As its name suggests, nibble mode sends data back to the computer in two 4-bit nibbles. By contrast, byte mode transfers a single byte of data from the peripheral to the computer. ECP, an advanced bi-directional mode used by scanners and faxes, incorporates channel addressing. EPP uses data cycles that transfer data between the computer and the peripheral and address cycles that assign address, channel, or command information.

More >>

Products & Services Related to Centronics Connectors

Circular Connectors
Circular connectors are multi-pin connectors primarily used for external interfacing.
D-subminiature Connectors
D-subminiature or D-sub connectors are sturdy electrical connectors with a mating face shaped like the letter D. They provide polarization because male and female connectors can fit together in only one way.
DIN Connectors
DIN connectors are high frequency, multi-pin, electrical connectors that meet standards established by Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), a German national organization for standardization. The ends of DIN connectors are round, notched, and protected by a metal skirt to ensure that pins line up correctly.
Electrical Connectors
Electrical connectors are devices that join electrical circuits together. Male connectors plug into receptacles, jacks, and outlets. Female connectors contain sockets to receive other devices.
Fibre Channel Connectors
Fibre Channel connectors are high-speed connectors used in Fibre Channel systems.
Micro Connectors and Nano Connectors
Micro connectors and nano connectors exhibit contact pitches of 0.05'' (micro) and 0.025'' (nano), respectively.
RF and Microwave Connectors
RF and microwave connectors are used to connect the ends of cables in systems that operate in the radio frequency (RF) or microwave spectrum. They include threaded or bayonet-style couplings that snap, screw, or push into place.

Engineering Web: Centronics Connectors

Pages: 1 - 3 of 2948

ABRA Electronics...
ABRA stocks the standard Centronics Cable connectors and the IDC Centronics Ribbon connectors in both Plugs (Male) and Receptacles (Female).
See Abra Electronics Information
Centronics Connectors Information | Business.com
Centronics Connectors Home » Directory » Industrial Goods & Services » Industrial Supplies » Cable & Wire »
See Business.com, Inc. Information
Pictures of SCSI Connectors
Visual Guide to SCSI Connectors Member companies, email if you'd like your products included here.
See SCSI Trade Association (STA) Information
More >>

Part Numbers for Centronics Connectors

Part # Distributor Manufacturer Product Category Description
87566-001LF Digi-Key FCI Connectors, Interconnects CONN RECEPT SCA2 80POS VERT PCB
10168-8000EE Digi-Key 3M Connectors, Interconnects CONN MINI-D 68POS IDC PLUG
10214-1210PE Digi-Key 3M Connectors, Interconnects CONN MDR RECEPT 14POS R/A SMD
10220-52B2JL Digi-Key 3M Connectors, Interconnects CONN MINI-D 20POS RECPT
71292-001LF Digi-Key FCI Connectors, Interconnects CONN PLUG SCA2 80POS STRADDLE

More >>
View Specifications
Supplier Data Sheets
Electrical and Electronic Components Home