IDC (electrical connector)

Two ribbon cables: the grey cable is stripped, and the rainbow cable has an IDC connector
Connector blades
IDC D-sub connectors DE-9 (male) and DA-15 (female)
Connector blades cut insulation into the ribbon cable
Australian (dual) power outlet, utilizing insulation displacement to connect mains voltage (230 V) supply conductors

An insulation-displacement contact (IDC), also known as insulation-piercing contact (IPC), is an electrical connector designed to be connected to the conductor(s) of an insulated cable by a connection process which forces a selectively sharpened blade or blades through the insulation, bypassing the need to strip the conductors of insulation before connecting. When properly made, the connector blade cold-welds to the conductor, making a theoretically reliable gas-tight connection.[1][2]

  1. ^ Basics of Design Engineering http://www.machinedesign.com/BDE/Electrical/bdeee10/bdeee10_3.html#insulate Archived 2007-04-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Malucci, Robert D. "Insulation Displacing Connector Technology". Molex Incorporated. Archived from the original on 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2011-03-27.