There're many customers come to our store to inquire and purchase the RF coaxial cable assemblies.
Since the RF cable assemblies are customized products, we must confirm with the customer the specific required connector types before confirming the order.
There are many different types of RF coaxial connectors, such as SMA&RP-SMA Type, N Type, UHF (PL-259 / SO-239),BNC, TNC&RP-TNC, etc.
Normally most people can identify the difference between the "standard" types, but some times it's may be difficult to identify the reverse polarity gender connectors.
Here we will do our best to help you identify the difference between male and female connectors in terms of their polarity—standard or reverse (RP).
If you request a Plug mating a Jack, it is important to ensure that both connectors have the same polarity.
For example, the Plug and Jack should both be standard polarity, or both must be reverse polarity.
Typically, standard RF Plugs are male, with the threads on the inside of the shell.
Typically, standard RF Jacks are female, with the threads on the outside of the shell.
The shell of a Plug (male) can cover the shell of a Jack (female).
Examples - Standard Polarity
A standard polarity female Jack has a socket in the center designed to receive the pin from the male Plug, and there's threads on outside of the Jack's shell. For example, below is a SMA Jack, typically found on devices such as a 3G/4G/LTE cellular gateway or a GPS receiver.
A standard polarity male Plug has a center pin that sticks out from the center, and there's threads on the inside of the Plug's shell. For example, below is a SMA Plug, typically found on the end of a coaxial cable that connects to products such as 3G/4G/LTE cellular gateway or a GPS receiver.
Examples - Reverse Polarity
A "reverse polarity" Jack has a center pin that sticks out from the center, and there's threads on the outside of the Jack's shell. For example, below is a RP SMA Jack, typically found on such as a 900 MHz ISM modem, 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 WiFI / WLAN radios or access points products.
A "reverse polarity" Plug has a socket in the center designed to receive the pin from the Jack connector, and there's threads on the inside of the Plug's shell. For example, below is a RP SMA Plug, typically found on the end of a coaxial cable that connects to products such as 900 MHz ISM modem, 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 WiFI / WLAN radios or access points.
Note:
A standard polarity Jack (female) has a socket, whereas a reverse polarity Jack (male) has a pin.
A standard polarity Plug (male) has a pin, whereas a reverse polarity Plug (female) has a socket.
Connector Types and Genders
The following identifies for you various types of connectors commonly used, and their genders:
Standard N-Male has center pin with threads inside
Standard N-Female has socket with threads outside
Standard UHF Male PL-259 has center pin with threads inside
Standard UHF Female SO-239) has socket with threads outside
Standard TNC-Male has center pin with threads inside
Standard TNC-Female has socket with threads outside
Reverse Polarity (RP) TNC Plug has socket with threads inside
Reverse Polarity (RP) TNC Jack has socket with threads outside
Standard BNC-Male has center pin and card slot
Standard BNC-Female has socket and bulge
Kindly notice that there're also some special RF connector types are Reverse Polarity originally, such as SMB,SSMB,SMC,etc., that it's standard Plug with female socket, and standard Jack with male pin.
Standard SMB Plug has female socket
Standard SMB Jack has male pin in the center
Hope the descriptions and images have helped you distinguish the differences between the connector type, polarity, and gender.
Click here to check the RF connectors which Superbat supply:
https://www.rfsupplier.com/c/rf-connector_0002
If you have any further questions, welcome to discuss with us!