Jack (connector)
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In electronics, a jack is generally a socket (female) connector, but in some cases the term Jack is arbitrarily applied to the plug (see plug)or socket of a pair of mating connectors. To avoid confusion the specific terms plug or socket are recommended. The term jack occurs in several related terms:
- In the telephone jack of old-style manual telephone exchanges, which is the socket fitting the original 1/4" jack plug. Also known as a phone jack.
- The RJ in RJ11, RJ45 and similar, stands for registered jack.
- In the name RCA jack, also known as a phono jack.
- The EIAJ Plug (or formally EIAJ RC-5320A) with a yellow tip for consumer appliances requiring less than an 18.0 Volt power supply.
When used with a size, the term jack refers to the socket that matches the corresponding size of jack plug. For example:
- 6.35mm or 1/4" jack
- 3.5mm miniature jack
- 2.5mm subminiature jack
A headphone jack or earphone jack is normally one of the three standard sizes of jack, but the term could refer to any socket used for this purpose.
Jack plugs are used for microphones.
Female Jack Connectors are by some people also called "Jill Connectors". This is derived from the children's poem about Jack and Jill. This terminology may be more common outside the United States.[citation needed]
