A trailer connector is a multi-pole
electrical connector
Components of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between ...
between a towing vehicle such as a
car
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods.
The year 1886 is regarded as ...
or
truck and a
trailer. It is intended primarily to supply
automotive lighting
The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted to or integrated into the front, rear, sides, and in some cases the top of a motor vehicle. They illuminate the road ahead for the driver and increase t ...
on the trailer, but also provide management and supply to other consumers. It is also referred to as "trailer wire," "trailer cable," or "trailer connecting cable."
Another feature the connector offers is feedback from the trailer to the towing vehicle, from being as simple as a fault indication for
ABS brakes to advanced command, monitor and control using CAN bus for
EBS brakes.
Different occurring variants and their recommended wiring are described here.
Note that the wire cross-section in mm² and
AWG listed is the minimum recommended area.
* For ISO connectors the primary unit is in mm² and
AWG has been obtained from a conversion table.
* For North American connectors primary unit is
AWG and mm² has been obtained from a conversion table.
In both cases the figures have been rounded up for cable area.
The pictures shown of connectors is pin placement from the outside of the towing vehicle (pin placement under protection lid, if such lid is present).
This is a summary of the primary varieties of trailer connectors.
Standardized variants
A number of
ISO standards apply to trailer connectors.
Regional variants
Variants that are standardized in a particular region or at the national level and local de facto standards:
*
Trailer connectors in Europe
*
Trailer connectors in North America
*
Trailer connectors in Australia
Special variants
Variants that are of interest but aren't specific to a region or by a civilian standardization organization.
*
Trailer connectors in military organizations
A number of standards specific to military organizations exist for trailer connectors, the electrical connectors between vehicles and the trailers they tow that provide a means of control for the trailers. These can be found on surplus equipment s ...
References
External links
Trailer Connectors and Wiring Diagrams
Automotive electrics
Lighting
DC power connectors
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