Banana and Tip Connectors

Banana and Tip Connectors - Jacks, Plugs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
BU-32614-2 Mueller Electric Co.	CONN BANANA PLUG STACK SLDR RED	219
5169-0 Pomona Electronics	CONN BANANA PLUG BLACK	847
CT3880-0 Cal Test Electronics	10MM MAG CONN SH BANANA JACK BLK	0
CT3249-6 Cal Test Electronics	CONN BANANA PLUG SOLDERLESS BLUE	7
BU-P72922-2 Mueller Electric Co.	CONN TIP JACK QUICK CONNECT RED	1824526
R941460600 Radiall USA, Inc.	BAN4 MF BDR-SR QUICK GRIP BLAC	62
BU-32603-0 Mueller Electric Co.	CONN BANANA PLUG SOLDER BLACK	605761
CT3151V1-2 Cal Test Electronics	SAFETY JACK 4MM HOR PCB RED	22346
6097 Keystone Electronics Corp.	CONN TIP JACK TURRET	3039
BU-00249-0 Mueller Electric Co.	CONN BANANA PLUG STACK SLDRLESS	5113399
108-0908-001 Vitelec / Cinch Connectivity Solutions	CONN BANANA JACK SLDR TABS BROWN	2264
BU-P3267 Mueller Electric Co.	THREADED BANANA JACK UNISUL	100859
105-1047-001 Vitelec / Cinch Connectivity Solutions	CONN TIP JACK TURRET YELLOW	305
CT3151SP-9 Cal Test Electronics	CONN BANANA JACK SOLDER WHITE	197
CT2002-0 Cal Test Electronics	CONN BANANA PLUG SOLDER BLACK	431
72925-2 Pomona Electronics	CONN BANANA PLUG STACK MINI RED	88
BU-P72913-2 Mueller Electric Co.	CONN BANANA JACK SOLDER RED	8140
CT3882-2 Cal Test Electronics	8MM MAG CONN RA BANANA JACK RED	20
3258 Pomona Electronics	CONN BANANA PLUG RIVET	236
M3498-98 Harwin	CONN TIP JACK SOLDER BLACK	0

Banana and Tip Connectors - Jacks, Plugs

1. Overview

Banana and Tip connectors are single-pole electrical connectors commonly used in electronics testing, audio equipment, and educational laboratories. Their spring-loaded design ensures reliable contact while allowing quick insertion/removal. The banana connector's 4 mm diameter metallic plug with a sprung segment enables self-retention in sockets, while tip connectors (e.g., 6.35 mm/3.5 mm) use conductive tip-sleeve configurations for signal transmission. These connectors are critical for temporary connections in R&D, audio signal routing, and low-voltage power distribution.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Key Features	Applications
Banana Plug	4 mm diameter, spring-loaded, high current capacity (up to 30A)	Lab power supplies, multimeters, battery chargers
1/4" (6.35 mm) Tip Plug	Mono/Stereo configurations, 3-contact rings, low-resistance path	Guitar cables, studio monitors, headphone jacks
3.5 mm Tip Plug	Miniaturized design, 2/3 contact segments, compact signal transmission	Mobile headphones, consumer audio devices, sensors
Combination Connectors	Integrated banana + tip in one housing, multi-channel support	Test benches, industrial control panels

3. Structure and Components

Typical banana plug consists of a conductive phosphor bronze probe (0.8-1.2 mm thickness) with gold/nickel plating, insulating PVC body, and screw terminal (4-6 mm wire capacity). Jack receptacles feature beryllium copper spring contacts (5000+ mating cycles durability) and die-cast zinc housing. Tip connectors use oxygen-free copper tip segments with thermoplastic insulation, where stereo versions add an additional insulating ring between tip and sleeve.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value Range	Importance
Current Rating	5-30 A	Determines power handling capability
Contact Resistance	5-30 m	Affects signal integrity and heating
Voltage Range	0-150 VAC	Safety and insulation requirements
Mating Cycles	1,000-10,000	Lifespan and durability indicator
Temperature Range	-20 C to +75 C	Environmental compatibility

5. Application Fields

Electronics Testing: Oscilloscopes, function generators, breadboard power supplies
Audio Equipment: Mixing consoles, instrument cables, studio headphones
Educational Labs: Student experiment kits, circuit training systems
Industrial Control: Sensor signal routing, PLC interface modules

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Line	Key Features
Amphenol	Industrial Banana Plugs	IP54 rated, 25A capacity, vibration-resistant
Switchcraft	ONA Series Jacks	10k cycle durability, ultra-low contact resistance
Neutrik	SpeakON Connectors	Locking design, 100A rating for pro audio
Keithley	5mm Safety Banana	Double-insulated, 600V CAT III certified

7. Selection Recommendations

Consider: 1) Current requirements (select 30% higher rating), 2) Environmental conditions (choose sealed variants for humid environments), 3) Compatibility (match plug diameter and jack geometry), 4) Certification (UL/CSA for safety-critical applications). For high-vibration scenarios like automotive testing, specify connectors with mechanical locking features.

8. Industry Trends

Market drivers include miniaturization demands (sub-3mm tip connectors for wearables), increased use of hybrid connectors combining power/data transmission, and adoption of eco-friendly materials (halogen-free insulation). Emerging trends show growing demand for 24K gold-plated contacts in high-fidelity audio systems and integration of smart connectors with built-in current sensing capabilities.