DIN 6-Pin Cable: A Comprehensive Overview

A DIN 6-pin cable is a circular electrical connector cable with six pins, designed according to German industrial standards (DIN). It is widely used in audio equipment, MIDI devices, legacy computer peripherals (e.g., keyboards/mice), and some industrial control applications.

Key Features

Physical Design

Circular Metal Housing: Typically 13.2 mm in diameter, featuring a notch for proper alignment during insertion.
6-Pin Arrangement: Pins spaced at 60° intervals to prevent misconnection.
Pin Material: Copper with gold or tin plating for enhanced conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Electrical Specifications

Audio Equipment: Connecting turntables, tape decks, or audio processors.
MIDI Devices: Transmitting musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) signals.
Legacy Computer Peripherals: Early PS/2 keyboards/mice (note: Mini-DIN 6-pin is often used here—distinct from standard DIN 6-pin).
Industrial Control: Data transmission or control links in some machinery.

Low-Voltage Signal Transmission: Suitable for audio, data, or control signals (not for high-power applications).
Common Use Cases:

Connector Types

Solder Cup: Hollow pins for manual wire soldering.
PCB Mount: Designed for direct soldering to printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Panel Mount: Secured to equipment panels via screws.

Male (Plug): Features pins; used for output devices.
Female (Jack): Features sockets; used for input devices.
Mounting Options:

Typical Applications

Audio Systems

Extending signals between vintage audio gear (e.g., mixers, effects units).
Example: 6-pin DIN male-to-male cable for connecting a turntable to a preamp.

MIDI Interfaces

Linking musical instruments (synthesizers, electronic drums) to controllers or sequencers.
Note: Standard MIDI uses 5-pin DIN, but some proprietary systems may use 6-pin.

Legacy Computer Peripherals

PS/2 Ports: Early keyboards/mice used Mini-DIN 6-pin (physically similar but electrically incompatible with standard DIN 6-pin).
Example: PS/2 keyboard extension cable (verify Mini-DIN compatibility).

Industrial & Communication

Data transmission or control in industrial equipment.
Example: 6-pin DIN-to-USB adapter for connecting legacy devices to modern computers.

Custom wire harness assembly

Molded cable assembly

Data cable

Power cable

Printed Circuit Board Assembly