Centronics interface

An earlier, 36-pin parallel interface for connecting printers and other devices to a computer. It transferred data asynchronously at 150 Kbytes/sec and used an Amphenol Micro-Ribbon plug and socket, a common connector for telecommunications equipment. The plug has 18 contacts each on top and bottom, while the socket contains one opening with matching contacts.

IBM Adapted the Interface
Developed by the Centronics Data Computer Corporation, which introduced the first successful dot matrix printer in 1970, it became a de facto standard for connecting personal computers to printers after IBM adapted it to the PC. Although Centronics was acquired by Genicom in 1987, and the interface was superseded by the IEEE 1284 standard in 1994, any Micro-Ribbon plug or socket used with electronics devices is often referred to as a Centronics connector. See IEEE 1284, parallel port and printer cable.

Centronics Plug and Socket

These plugs and sockets have been widely used for parallel port applications, but they have also been used for other purposes. Whenever these plugs and sockets are used, they are often called Centronics connectors even though they might have nothing to do with the Centronics interface.