Banana connectors are commonly used to make simple and quick connections between scientific instruments. Patch cables terminated with banana plugs (male) fit into banana jacks (female) on instrument panels. The conductive metal portion of the banana plug is about an inch long and bulges slightly to provide a secure mechanical fit when inserted into a banana jack.

Some banana connectors are stackable, having both a plug and jack integrated into the same connector. Such stackable connectors allow multiple banana cables to be rapidly shorted together in the same banana jack.

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Simple Banana Plugs (male)

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Two Rows of Banana Jacks (female)

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Stackable Banana Connectors


Related Terms: banana cable