Why DC Jack three pin connector has two negative terminals and only one positive terminal?

DC Jack three-pin connectors are used to provide a DC power supply to a wide range of electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones, routers, and a host of other appliances. The connector has three pins, with one pin being designated as the positive terminal and the other two pins being designated as the negative terminal.

However, in some DC Jack connectors, you may notice that there are two negative terminals instead of one. This might seem strange at first glance, but it is important to understand the reason behind this design choice.

Firstly, it is important to understand that the two negative terminals in a DC Jack connector are not the same. One of the negative terminals is connected to the ground of the circuit, while the other negative terminal is connected to the negative power supply. The reason for this design is to improve the overall efficiency and reliability of the circuit.

The ground connection is necessary to ensure that there is a reference point for the circuit that is stable and does not fluctuate. This is vital for ensuring that the various components in the circuit are working optimally, and that there are no problems related to electrical noise or interference.

On the other hand, the second negative terminal is connected to the negative power supply for the circuit. This connection is responsible for carrying the current back to the power supply, which makes it possible to create a complete circuit. This negative terminal helps ensure that the circuit operates efficiently and consistently, with the power being distributed across the various components according to their respective requirements.

Another important point to note about DC Jack connectors is that they are designed to handle a certain amount of power. The positive terminal is more significant than the two negative terminals because it is responsible for delivering the power to the circuit. Therefore, it must be designed to withstand the maximum amount of current that the circuit demands.

The negative terminals, however, are not required to handle as much current as the positive terminal. Because of this reason, it is not necessary to have two negative terminals that are equal in size and capacity. Rather, it makes more sense to have one negative terminal that is designed to handle the ground connection, while the other is designed to handle the negative power supply.

In conclusion, while it might seem strange at first, the two negative terminals in a DC Jack connector are designed to ensure efficiency and reliability in electronics circuits. These two terminals play two different but equally important roles in the circuit and are responsible for ensuring that the power supply is stable and consistent. The difference in size and capacity between the negative and positive terminals is due to the requirements of the circuit, and is a design choice made with efficiency and optimization in mind.