Zero insertion force

Large ZIF sockets are only commonly found mounted on PC motherboards, being used from about the mid 1990s forward.

These CPU sockets are designed to support a particular range of CPUs, allowing computer retailers and consumers to assemble motherboard/CPU combinations based on individual budgets and requirements.

[1] The rest of the electronics industry has largely abandoned sockets (of any kind) and instead moved to the use of surface mount components soldered directly to the board.

ZIF wire-to-board connectors are used for attaching wires to printed circuit boards inside electronic equipment.

The most important advantage of this system is that it does not require a mating half to be fitted to the wire ends, therefore saving space and cost inside miniaturised equipment.

Internally, nearly all hard drives use ZIF tape to connect their circuit board to their platter motor.