Engineers Garage

  • Electronics Projects and Tutorials
    • Electronic Projects
      • Arduino Projects
      • AVR
      • Raspberry pi
      • ESP8266
      • BeagleBone
      • 8051 Microcontroller
      • ARM
      • PIC Microcontroller
      • STM32
    • Tutorials
      • Audio Electronics
      • Battery Management
      • Brainwave
      • Electric Vehicles
      • EMI/EMC/RFI
      • Hardware Filters
      • IoT tutorials
      • Power Tutorials
      • Python
      • Sensors
      • USB
      • VHDL
    • Circuit Design
    • Project Videos
    • Components
  • Articles
    • Tech Articles
    • Insight
    • Invention Stories
    • How to
    • What Is
  • News
    • Electronic Product News
    • Business News
    • Company/Start-up News
    • DIY Reviews
    • Guest Post
  • Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online
    • EG Forum Archive
  • DigiKey Store
    • Cables, Wires
    • Connectors, Interconnect
    • Discrete
    • Electromechanical
    • Embedded Computers
    • Enclosures, Hardware, Office
    • Integrated Circuits (ICs)
    • Isolators
    • LED/Optoelectronics
    • Passive
    • Power, Circuit Protection
    • Programmers
    • RF, Wireless
    • Semiconductors
    • Sensors, Transducers
    • Test Products
    • Tools
  • Learn
    • eBooks/Tech Tips
    • Design Guides
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • EE Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • DesignFast
  • Guest Post Guidelines
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Insight – How PS2 Connector Works

By Ashutosh Bhatt November 11, 2012

A gamer’s motion, a programmer’s voice, a DJ’s instrument and a designer’s brush; a single keyboard plays multiple roles in a computer. Similar is the case of a computer mouse that can make clicks to move a card in solitaire or open a web browser. For a computer buff of the current times, imagining a computer without these input accessories is impossible. Hence, it is utterly needed for these gadgets to tightly connect to the computer 24 x 7. Enabling a good connection are the PS2 connectors that have been in trend since a long time. 

Invented by IBM PCs, PS2 or personal station 2 connectors have reigned as sole connectors for keyboards and mouse for a long time. Easy manufacturing, ability to link tightly and fewer chances for connection error make it interesting to explore the insides of these connectors. 

Image of Mouse PS2 Connector with Six Input Ports

Fig. 1: Image of Mouse PS2 Connector with Six Input Ports

 

Figuring out whether a PS2 connector is for a keyboard or mouse is pretty easy. A mouse connector has a green plastic molding while that of a keyboard has a purple molding. Hence, the one in the image is a mouse connector.

Metal Box

This female PS2 connector has a boxed metal casing inside which the plastic molding is placed.  The six input ports of the connector are shown in the image above and corresponding to the input are six output pins placed at the bottom of the connector.
 
Bottom of Connector with Six Output Pins Projected Out
 
Fig. 2: Bottom of Connector with Six Output Pins Projected Out
 
 
Image Indicating Pin Pattern of Connector
 
Fig. 3: Image Indicating Pin Pattern of Connector 

Pin Diagram

Pin Diagram: Aforementioned, PS2 is a 6 pin connector. Its pin pattern has been mentioned below:
·                     Pin 1: Data
·                     Pin2: Not Connected
·                     Pin3: Ground
·                     Pin4: +5V (Vcc)
·                     Pin5: Clock
·                     Pin6: Not connected.
 
Pin 2 and pin 6 serve as mouse data and mouse clock splitter in some computer, respectively. The rectangular slot helps in ensuring correct orientation of the male connector when it is connected. This helps in protection of the pins from getting damaged.
 
Plastic Molding on Left and Metal Casing on Right
 
Fig. 4: Plastic Molding on Left and Metal Casing on Right 

Inside the metal box

Inside the metal box: The plastic molding can be seen after the outer metal casing is separated. Almost a cubical structure, it is made of light weight but sturdy material that can tolerate certain levels of stress.
 
Pin Layout in Plastic Molding
 
Fig. 5: Pin Layout in Plastic Molding

 Pins

Pins: The face adjacent to the input ports has the metal contact pins extending out. They emerge out from a black colored platform which limits the soldering and protects the junction from where the pins come.

The pins are quite thin in their structure and are spaced sufficiently apart for easy connections. The pins can either be soldered or folded and attached to the PCB.
 
Pin Structure and Layout
 
Fig. 6: Pin Structure and Layout
 
Pin Extension: The pins come out from the opposite face of the input and then bend to extend from the face adjacent from the input port. The pins are not of same length but they do terminate at same point.
 
Image Showing Structure of Pins
 
Fig. 7: Image Showing Structure of Pins 

Structure of Pins

Structure of Pins: The structure of the pins is interesting to understand as it has a couple of bends that changes the orientation of its output pin. The first bend places it correctly over the platform and second band orients the pin in a vertically downward manner.
Also a bridge like structure is there which narrows down to a small opening from which input of a male connector is inserted.
 
Image Indicating Input Region of PS2 Connector Pin
 
Fig. 8: Image Indicating Input Region of PS2 Connector Pin
 
The image above shows the input region of a PS2 connector pin. A narrow opening ensures that input pin tightly adheres itself to the connector.

Filed Under: Insight
Tagged With: computer, connector, ps2, ps2 connector
 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Questions related to this article?
👉Ask and discuss on Electro-Tech-Online.com and EDAboard.com forums.



Tell Us What You Think!! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: Internet of Things
Explore practical strategies for minimizing attack surfaces, managing memory efficiently, and securing firmware. Download now to ensure your IoT implementations remain secure, efficient, and future-ready.

EE Learning Center

EE Learning Center
“engineers
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

HAVE A QUESTION?

Have a technical question about an article or other engineering questions? Check out our engineering forums EDABoard.com and Electro-Tech-Online.com where you can get those questions asked and answered by your peers!


RSS EDABOARD.com Discussions

  • Battery sensing circuitry for coin cell application
  • Lightbox circuit help
  • Input impedance matching network
  • Unity Gain Buffer with 0 to 0.5V Range
  • LVS Mismatch Error in Simple Layout

RSS Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • how to make bihar airport
  • Trail camera
  • how to work on pcbs that are thick
  • can a AT89C51 be used as a rom?
  • how to use crystal

Featured – Designing of Audio Amplifiers part 9 series

  • Basics of Audio Amplifier – 1/9
  • Designing 250 Milli Watt Audio Power Amplifier – 2/9
  • Designing 1 Watt Audio Power Amplifier – 3/9
  • Designing a Bass Boost Amplifier – 4/9
  • Designing a 6 Watt Car Audio Amplifier – 5/9
  • Design a low power amplifier for headphones- 6/9

Recent Articles

  • ITG Electronics releases gate drive transformers with 200 – 450 V DC capability
  • Stackpole introduces HCJ jumpers with 70.7 amp continuous current capability
  • Infineon releases MCU with 128K flash and multi-sense capabilities
  • ST introduces 600V GaN gate drivers with 300 ns start-up time
  • ABLIC releases S-19116 automotive voltage detector with 6.8μs response time

EE ENGINEERING TRAINING DAYS

engineering

Submit a Guest Post

submit a guest post
Engineers Garage
  • Analog IC TIps
  • Connector Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • EE World Online
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • 5G Technology World
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search Engineers Garage

  • Electronics Projects and Tutorials
    • Electronic Projects
      • Arduino Projects
      • AVR
      • Raspberry pi
      • ESP8266
      • BeagleBone
      • 8051 Microcontroller
      • ARM
      • PIC Microcontroller
      • STM32
    • Tutorials
      • Audio Electronics
      • Battery Management
      • Brainwave
      • Electric Vehicles
      • EMI/EMC/RFI
      • Hardware Filters
      • IoT tutorials
      • Power Tutorials
      • Python
      • Sensors
      • USB
      • VHDL
    • Circuit Design
    • Project Videos
    • Components
  • Articles
    • Tech Articles
    • Insight
    • Invention Stories
    • How to
    • What Is
  • News
    • Electronic Product News
    • Business News
    • Company/Start-up News
    • DIY Reviews
    • Guest Post
  • Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online
    • EG Forum Archive
  • DigiKey Store
    • Cables, Wires
    • Connectors, Interconnect
    • Discrete
    • Electromechanical
    • Embedded Computers
    • Enclosures, Hardware, Office
    • Integrated Circuits (ICs)
    • Isolators
    • LED/Optoelectronics
    • Passive
    • Power, Circuit Protection
    • Programmers
    • RF, Wireless
    • Semiconductors
    • Sensors, Transducers
    • Test Products
    • Tools
  • Learn
    • eBooks/Tech Tips
    • Design Guides
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • EE Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • DesignFast
  • Guest Post Guidelines
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe