connector basics

What are Switch-Rated Plugs & Connectors?

Meet the Connector: Switch-Rated Plugs & Connectors Switch-rated plugs and connectors are specialized electrical components designed to facilitate the safe connection and disconnection of electrical devices or equipment under load. Unlike conventional plugs and connectors, which may pose risks of arcing or electrical faults during switching operations, switch-rated variants are engineered to reduce the dangersRead More

Six Common Connector Types Used in Medical Devices

Common connector types used in medical technologies are also specified for data centers, communications equipment, industrial systems, MIL-aero designs, and other high-reliability, high-performance markets. Every component choice matters in the high-stakes design of medical devices and equipment. The electronic connectors specified for medical technologies aren’t always specific to this market, however. In fact, as medicineRead More

First Mate Last Break Connectors Boost Safety and Reliability

A surgical device manufacturer needed a connector with a mixed configuration of power and data contacts to pair with a 12-foot silicone overmolded cable assembly, making autoclave sterilization difficult. FMLB connectors met the challenge. To choose the best connector for a medical device, a designer must move through a maze of often conflicting requirements. ARead More

Design Planning to Insure Performance in Harsh Environments

The range and expansion of electronic applications today has extended the need for analysis and preparation of circuit designs to survive new operating settings in extreme harsh environments. Navigation electronics that have been employed in automobiles for navigating our city streets are now playing a role in deep space exploration. As technologies move into newRead More

A Year of Connector Industry Intelligence

Bishop & Associates is the electronics industry’s best resource for insights into the interconnect industry, including deep dives into key suppliers, products, and markets. See 2023’s full roster of reports. Bishop & Associates has kept a close watch on interconnect industry for more than 30 years, providing connector manufacturers, OEMs, and investors with critical insightsRead More

Do You Know Basic Connector Attributes?

Guidelines for Connector Specification During Product Design Connectors, unfortunately, may contribute to an unacceptably high product failure rate. One reason for this is that connectors are typically a low priority in the initial design phase of the system. This can lead to a design engineer getting boxed in with limited connector space and access ifRead More

What are Mini-FAKRA Connectors?

Meet the Connector: Mini-FAKRA Connectors Mini-FAKRA Connectors are a scaled down version of the popular FAKRA connector that is used in automotive as well as personal electric vehicles (PEVs) and light electric vehicles (LEVs) because of their small size and lightweight, which is especially prized in electric mobility applications. Mini-FAKRA High Speed Mini-FAKRA (HFM) connectorsRead More

The Basics of Electrical Connector Manufacturing

Understanding how connectors are manufactured can help designers and engineers make the right choices for their product designs. Electrical connectors play a huge role in the ability of electronic devices to perform complex functions in a wide variety of applications. Connectors are continually adapting to accommodate technological advances, meet new standards, withstand harsh conditions, andRead More

Mark Weiser and the Origins of the Internet of Things

From smart appliances to industrial automation, IoT technologies enable seamless connectivity. A new biography explores the life and mind of the technologist behind the theory of ubiquitous computing — or as we know it today, the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things is all around us, invisibly connecting and automating billions of devices. FromRead More

Test to Perfection: Product Reliability Begins with Rigorous Connector Testing

Rigorous testing of every element in an integrated circuit, from connectors to PCBs, is a critical step in the product design process. As more electronics move into complex and high-reliability application environments, the need to measure their attributes and performance, and test their endurance over time and under specific conditions, has become a critical stepRead More

The Case for Custom RF Connectors

To meet the needs of high-frequency and high-performance applications as well as those with smaller, lighter, and more dense packaging, it is often necessary to modify existing connector designs or design completely new connectors. As RF/microwave technologies find increasing use in high-speed digital data exchange applications, the mix of connector and cable technologies included inRead More

What is a D-sub Connector?

Meet the Connector: D-sub Connectors D-subminiature connectors, also called D-subs, are a type of electrical connector used for analog and digital video signals, serial and parallel data transmission, and high-reliability applications. The connector is named after its D-shaped metal shell. James D. Cannon, the founder of ITT Cannon, invented the D-sub. The company introduced theRead More

eBook 2023 The Age of Connected Technology
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