DIN connector

A DIN connector is a connector that was originally standardized by Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), the German national standards organization. There exist DIN standards for a large number of different connectors, therefore the term "DIN connector" alone does not unambiguously identify any particular type of connector unless the document number of the relevant DIN standard is added (e.g., "DIN 41524 connector"). In the context of consumer electronics, the term "DIN connector" commonly refers to a member of a family of circular connectors that were initially standardized by DIN for analog audio signals. Some of these connectors have later also been used in analog video applications and for digital interfaces such as MIDI or the IBM PS/2 computer keyboard and mouse cables. The original DIN standards for these connectors are no longer in print and have been replaced with the equivalent international standard IEC 60130-9.

Circular radio connectors

All male connectors (plugs) of this family of connectors feature a 13.2 mm diameter metal shield with a notch that limits the orientation in which plug and socket can mate. A range of connectors of the same form that differ only in their pin configuration exist and have been standardized originally in DIN 41524 (3- and 5-pin), DIN 45322 (5-pin at 60°), DIN 45326 (8-pin), DIN 45329 (7-pin), and other standards for a range of different applications. The plugs consist of a circular shielding metal skirt protecting a number of straight round pins. The skirt is keyed to ensure that the plug is inserted with the correct orientation and to prevent damage to the pins. The basic design also ensures that the shielding is connected between socket and plug prior to any signal path connection being made. There are seven common patterns, with any number of pins from three to eight. Three different five-pin connectors exist, known as 180°, 240°, and 270° after the angle of the arc swept between the first and last pin (see figures above). There is some limited compatibility, for example a three-pin connector will fit any 180° five-pin socket, engaging three of the pins and leaving the other two unconnected, but a five-pin connector will fit some but not all three-pin sockets. As well, a 180° 5-pin plug will fit into a 7-pin or 8-pin socket.

Loudspeaker connector

Speaker DIN line socket (left) and plug (right)

A polarised two-pin unshielded connector, designed for connecting a loudspeaker to a power amplifier (or other device; many of the earlier shoebox style tape recorders used them), is known as the DIN 41529 loudspeaker connector. It exists as a panel-mounting female version, and line-mounted male and female versions. The male version has a central flat pin, and circular pin mounted off-centre. It is now mainly found on older equipment, such as 16 mm movie projectors. The Becker radio used in many Mercedes-Benz automobiles uses this connector. The same connector is used on some halogen lamps to connect the bulb to the power supply. While all other versions of the DIN plug are generally very reliable, the two-pin DIN plug is considered inferior in some ways - the lack of the outer sheath means far less force is required to disconnect the plug accidentally, makes it more prone to bending or shifting of the pins during use, and also not as solidly seated in its socket - worn two-pin speaker plugs on audio equipment are notorious for being very unreliable, often requiring only the slightest nudge to break contact. There are also a three- and four-pin version of this loudspeaker connector used by for example Bang & Olufsen.

Applications

Analog audio

The 3/180° and 5/180° connectors were originally standardized and widely used in Germany and Czech republic for interconnecting analog audio equipment, for example a stereo tape recorder to a stereo amplifier or preamplifier, using the five pins for the four signal connections plus ground. The cord used for this has a connector on each end, and the pins are connected pin for pin, that is, pin 1 to pin 1, 2 to 2, etc. Pins, as well as holes, are numbered (from the right to the left): 1 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 3. A four-channel cord wired in this way is sometimes simply called a DIN cord. For mono interconnections, the 3/180° plugs are sufficient. When a mono plug is inserted into a stereo socket, it mates with the left channel. This interface was rare in the U.S. market, and has progressively disappeared on new equipment, both in Germany and worldwide, since the 1980s, in favour of RCA connectors.

application		connector	pin function
			1	2	3	4	5
amplifier	monophonic	5/180°	audio out	screen/return	audio in	as pin 1	as pin 3
	stereophonic		left out		left in	right out	right in
tape recorder	monophonic	5/180°	audio in	screen/return	audio out	as pin 1	as pin 3
	stereophonic		left in		left out	right in	right out

Digital signals

The 5/180° connectors are commonly used for the

• SYNC interface for electronic musical instruments,
• MIDI interfaces for electronic musical instruments,
• in the original IBM PC and PC/AT for the computer keyboard cable (this connector fell out of use in the mid nineties as the ATX Form Factor used the PS/2 connector instead).

It is also used for DMX Stage Lighting Control Systems it is a recognised USITT digital data transmission standard and is labeled "DMX512/1990," "DMX512/DIN" or "USITT DMX512/1990."

See also

• Mini-DIN connector
• PS/2 connector

References

• IEC 60130-9: Connectors for frequencies below 3 MHz — Part 9: Circular connectors for radio and associated sound equipment. International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.
• IEC 60574-3: Audiovisual, video and television equipment and systems — Part 3: Specification for connectors for the interconnection of equipment in audiovisual systems.