A SCSI connector is used to connect computer parts that use a system called SCSI to communicate with each other. Generally, two connectors, designated male and female, plug together to form a connection which allows two components, such as a computer and a disk drive, to communicate with each other.

1. Centronics Connector

While other common connectors, like DSUBs, utilize standard pins, centronics connectors use small, flat bands of metal called sliding ribbon contacts. Centronics connectors are mainly used with telecom equipment, computer systems, and printers.

Details

These connectors come with 14, 24, 36, or 50 contacts divided evenly between two rows. The pitch (the distance between the contacts) is 0.085 inches. The connectors come with either bail clips or screws which are used to securely fasten it to its receiving connector. Centronics connectors are also sometimes called micro-ribbon, CHAMP, RJ21, or amphenol connectors.

Common Application & Use

1> Twenty-four pin centronics connectors are used in General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), the industry standard for automated and industrial instrument control.

2> Thirty-six pin centronics connectors were used in early PC printers.

3> Fifty pin centronics connectors are used in various phone and telecom systems. They were also used in some old SCSI-1 systems.

2. MDR Connector

Like the centronics connector, MDR connectors utilize sliding ribbon contacts instead of standard pins. The size and spacing of the contacts are tighter, however, which makes this connector about half the size of a comparable centronics one. MDR connectors are widely used for low speed parallel port connections, or to allow equipment to communicate between shelves or cabinets.

Details

These connectors come with 14, 20, 26, 36, 40, 50, 68, 80, or 100 contacts divided evenly between two rows. The pitch (the distance between the contacts) is 0.05 inches. The connectors come with either screws or latches which are used to securely fasten it to its receiving connector. MDR connectors are also sometimes called mini delta ribbon, mini D ribbon, mini-centronics, half-pitch centronics, or HPCN connectors.

Common Application & Use

1> Brands like Panasonic and Mitsubishi use MDR connectors to interface with servo drives.

2> LVDS FPD Link and Flat Link interfaces use MDR connectors to connect the output from a graphics processing unit to a display panel’s timing controller in equipment like computers and tablets.

3> Channel Link interfaces use MDR connectors to transfer data at high speeds over cables and backplanes.

4> Parallel PC printers in the early 2000’s used MDR connectors.

3. VHDCI Connector

VHDCI stands for Very High Density Cable Interconnect. Like the centronics and MDR connectors, VHDCI connectors utilize sliding ribbon contacts instead of standard pins. This connector, like its name suggests, provides an even more compact arrangement of contacts, making it smaller than both the centronics and MDR connectors. Because of it’s size, a VHDCI connector is particularly useful in arrangements where space is limited.

Details

These connectors come with 50 or 68 contacts divided evenly between two rows. The pitch (the distance between the contacts) is 0.031 inches. The connectors come with screws which are used to securely fasten it to its receiving connector. VHDCI connectors are also sometimes called Very High Density Connector Interfaces.

Common Application & Use

1> SCSI-5 systems use VHDCI connectors to communicate between PCs and peripheral hardware, like printers and disk drives.

2> VHDCI connectors can be found in some National Instruments high speed I/O cards.

4. Half-Pitch DSUB Connector

Half-Pitch DSUB connectors utilize pins and sockets like any other DSUB connector. These pins, however, sit closer together, making this version of the connector much more compact. Like the VHDCI connector, a half-pitch DSUB connector is useful in arrangements where space is limited.

Details

These connectors come with 26, 28, 50, 68, or 100 pins divided evenly between two rows. The pitch (the distance between the pins) is 0.05 inches. The connectors come with screws or latches which are used to securely fasten it to its receiving connector. Half-Pitch DSUB connectors are also sometimes called HP DSUB or HPDB connectors.

Common Application & Use

1> SCSI-2 systems used 50 pin half-pitch DSUB connectors to communicate between PCs and peripheral hardware, like printers and disk drives.

2> National Instruments uses both 68 pin and 100 pin half-pitch DSUB connectors on some of their DAQ cards.

5. Connector Specifications

Applications for SCSI Cables

When choosing a SCSI cable, it’s crucial to think about what you will use it for. For example, will you employ Audio/Visual (AV) cables primarily for audio and video applications, such as connecting speakers or displays? Will you use computer cables to link any peripherals related to computers, such as your mouse, keyboard, printer, and modem, Network hubs, routers, and switches are all connected by network cables.

External cables are straightforward to use, especially when you’re only connecting one device. All you have to do is determine which type of connection is on the SCSI card and which type is on the device, then purchase a cable with matching end connectors.

Hopefully, you found this complete guide to SCSI cable uses helpful. You can find a SCSI cables that enables you to connect one or more SCSI devices to a computer, along with many other SCSI cables and peripherals, through STC. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our products.

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