hardware (ZIF) A kind of socket for integrated circuits.

A ZIF socket can be opened and closed by means of a lever or

screw. When open, there the chip may be placed in the socket

without any pressure at all, the socket is then closed,

causing its contacts to grip the pins of the chip. Such

sockets are used where chips must be inserted and removed

frequently, such as in test equipment. They are more

expensive and usually take up more space than conventional IC

sockets.