Battery connector design gets super-charged in a case study that demonstrates the power of materials science to solve new connectivity challenges. Article Contributed by Alyssa Koch, Materion Corporation Battery interconnect materials must satisfy a demanding combination of electrical, mechanical, joining, and environmental requirements, properties that are difficult to achieve with a single metal. When nickelRead More

One solution is higher voltage systems that reduce wire size and require less copper. Off-road transportation, such as work trucks, construction vehicles, and agricultural equipment, rely on battery systems that power everything in the vehicle. This includes the sensors sending signals back and forth to monitor all parts of the vehicle, as well as theRead More

When designing industrial and commercial transportation vehicles with high-voltage batteries and related systems, manufacturers and system integrators face an important question: Is a high voltage interlock, or HVIL, necessary at every high-voltage interface? Article Contributed By Daniel Domke, Senior Manager, Product Management, Industrial & Commercial Transportation, TE Connectivity For trucks, buses, construction equipment, and miningRead More

Connectors are among the smallest components in a larger electrical system, but they hold significant responsibility to carry current repeatedly, maintain stable electrical performance, withstand harsh environments, and support safe operation over thousands of mating cycles. When that connector is specified correctly and manufactured to the appropriate quality standards, it can perform reliably for years.Read More

Today’s solar inverters do far more than convert DC power into AC power. The inverter has become a central hub linking PV panels, battery storage, monitoring systems, communication networks, and the electrical grid. Article Contributed By: Andrew Barco, Global Program Senior Director for Industrial Ethernet, Weidmüller Global, Reinaldo Cozzo, Business Development Manager-PV, Weidmuller USA, PJRead More

A photovoltaic (PV) connector is a single-pole, weatherproof, quick-connect DC electrical connector used to join solar modules into strings and link those strings to combiner boxes, inverters, and other balance-of-system equipment. PV connectors are built to survive decades of outdoor exposure at up to 1500 V DC with ruggedized, IP67/IP68 sealing. They are used onRead More

Advanced solar energy systems are enabling efficient and reliable power for technologies and facilities in remote or off-grid environments. These technologies are advancing energy independence into rural areas, harsh environments, temporary installations, disaster zones, and other locations where power is needed and generators are unavailable.   Article Contributed By Mouser Electronics  In an era where sustainabilityRead More

Energy storage systems and uninterruptible power supplies have become integral parts of industrial environments. Vehicles and equipment that require power, such as autonomous mobile robots and AGVs, put the focus on power connectors. Article Contributed by JAE High-current connections in industrial equipment traditionally meant bolted busbars or screw-terminal blocks. However, these solutions required assembly time,Read More

Electric vehicle technology is rapidly improving, along with fast EV charging infrastructure and connectivity systems that make it faster and easier to charge at home and on the road. Stricter air pollution regulations in a growing number of cities are prompting restrictions on diesel vehicles and putting pressure on the automotive industry to design electricRead More

Safe and reliable power distribution is critical in industrial, energy storage, renewable energy, transportation and agricultural equipment. Selecting among the many good connector choices can be challenging. Designers of power distribution systems must look beyond the foundational specifications of voltage, current, operating temperature, and basic shock and vibration needs when selecting industrial connectors to alsoRead More

The variety of applications within E-mobility require connections that perform at cutting-edge high-speeds, as well as endure environmentally rugged conditions to consistently support the signal between a vehicle’s battery and motor. No one knows what safety challenges may arise during travel. Flights can be interrupted by turbulence or sudden changes in weather patterns. Pedestrians, animals,Read More

Connector companies are bringing new technology advances, including AI, to railways in the U.S. and abroad, making them safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective. Much of the current rail infrastructure in the U.S. is based on systems that have been in use for half a century or more, due to the industry’s notable hesitation toRead More