SpeakOn connectors and their corresponding sockets feature a built-in locking mechanism that prevents the connector from being yanked free from the socket. A pair of tabs on the sides of the connector barrel match up with slots on the socket. The connector is pushed into the socket, then moved a quarter turn to the right to lock it in place. A traditional sprung metal clip clicks into the socket once the cable is locked so it can't be accidentally rotated.
The end of the SpeakOn connector features a deep, narrow recess where the terminals are stored. This is a safety-precaution. The cables are largely used in high-load speakers, meaning the voltages that travel along them can be potentially dangerous. The connectors are made entirely of non-conductive plastic. The metal terminals can't be accidentally touched by a technician since they are housed inside the narrow recess.
The cables and connectors can all carry more than one signal. SpeakOn connectors can have two, four, or eight terminals on each connector. The additional terminals are used to branch off the additional cable cores to additional speakers and devices once the main cable arrives at its location. For instance, a sound technician setting up four speakers could run a single eight-core cable to one speaker, then branch off to the other speakers from the additional terminals on the connector.
SpeakOn cables and connectors are used in a number of other areas and industries. They can be fitted with standard RCA, BNC or XLR connectors, making them suitable for PC and video applications. The sturdy connector, safety features and load capacity make it a power cable option for tools and engineering machinery in industrial settings.