Just like a key allows you to open something or enter somewhere, the connector coding process also allows you to advance a quest. But that search, more than opening or entering, will always be mating. When you join two connectors it is important that you are using the correct plugs/sockets and that they line up perfectly. The connector coding ensures this. It adds security and protection to the connectors because with it, they cannot be disassembled. This is incredibly important because if a connector doesn’t mate correctly, the attempt could be dangerous and the connectors could be damaged.
So how does a jack tell you (when it can’t talk, move, or steer) if you’ve lined up its holes and sockets correctly? Well, that’s when socket coding comes in handy. A keyed device has indentations, bumps, or other mechanical components that do not allow engagement unless they are oriented correctly. This process forces users to realize that putting the products together will not create a good match. And connector coding protects not only against misaligned or angled connectors, but also against different types. Therefore, if you were to try to plug an audio cable into a power outlet, the encryption would prevent your attempt.
The most common type of coding uses notches to guide connectors into each other. XLR connectors are a great example because their female connectors have a notch on the left side and their male connectors have a notch on the right side. When brought together, the notches slide smoothly.
A process very similar to connector keying, polarization prevents one connector from connecting to its mate in the wrong orientation. An example of this is an everyday appliance plug (like the ones found at the ends of all your appliance cords). Find a lamp, DVD player, phone charger, or toaster and take a look at its plug. Notice how one of the tips is bigger than the other? This is polarization. If you were to try to plug the connector in backwards, the mismatch feature would prevent this and protect both the device and the outlet from damage.
Coding, on the other hand, ensures that the connectors match their intended mate. With it, connectors are safe and secure and users can feel confident and secure as they guide their connectors to mate. Both keying and polarization are mechanical in nature and work to prevent connector mismatch. So even without the ability to speak, the connectors can ensure that they are used correctly.
