Off-highway vehicles require heavy-duty connectors that can handle demanding power requirements, withstand the elements, and stay connected through the jostling and vibrations that this rugged category of vehicles experiences in the field. Off-highway vehicles used for construction, agriculture, mining, or other demanding applications require connectors that differ significantly from those used in consumer vehicles. JustRead More

M12s and M8s deliver even in the most disruptive conditions. These workhorse connectors are available with extensive options that serve many different industrial environments.  Challenging Conditions  Today, electronic connections and communications are needed in harsh environments at sea, in space, and in various conditions on Earth. These activities include manufacturing, robotics, agriculture, food and beverageRead More

With millions of connector products ready for order from trusted suppliers and distributors, designers should be able to find a suitable solution for their project. But sometimes, they can’t. That’s when customization comes in. A quick search of any major distributor’s inventory turns up millions of connector products. Every size, shape, configuration, and capability imaginableRead More

Connector suppliers are delivering flexible and modular solutions that enable customers to meet their connector needs without the expense of a truly custom connector product. The connector market is made up of astounding complexity. From rugged power connectors used on ships at sea to the high-speed connectors used in data centers, the range of connectorsRead More

Sometimes a custom connector design will remain a limited-use product. Other times, it may become a popular proprietary connector. In some instances, the evolution continues and the connector experiences widespread use as a commercial or open-source product. This is the eighth installment in the Technology Trends series by Bob Hult, a collection of articles thatRead More

Applications that routinely experience harsh-environment conditions require connector solutions with the appropriate materials, shells, contacts, ingress protection rating, standards compliance, and assembly features. By Steve Smashey, President, SOS Engineering, Inc.; Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc.; and Randy Cameron, Director, Technical Services, Inova Geophysical Designing connector solutions for the harshest environment conditions is noRead More

Ultrasound equipment requires components that can deliver reliable connectivity under extremely demanding conditions, including rough use environments, harsh sterilization techniques, and repeated mating cycles. Medical connectors and cables are essential components in digital medical technologies such as ultrasound equipment. Ultrasound probe cable assemblies typically use fine-gauge micro-coaxial cable ranging from 42–36AWG to reduce equipment weightRead More

Connectors that have demonstrated reliable performance in the tough medical market help designers achieve first-pass regulatory approvals. These selections can be invaluable when it comes to successfully balancing stringent regulatory compliance with fluctuating market trends. Design engineers, sales reps, and connector manufacturers all understand the complexity of medical designs and the need for long-term, high-reliabilityRead More

Innovations in connectivity component materials, wiring designs, and modularization are three key drivers that are helping to improve the productivity, efficiency, and costs of e-mobility systems.  By Shawn D’Gama, Field Applications Engineer, ERNI Electronics Americas, and Christine Knable, President, C Things Differently e-mobility Although we tend to think of electric-powered mobility, or e-mobility, as aRead More

Reliable, screw-machined parts help ensure the optimal operation of connectors employed in mission-critical applications. It’s important to select a supplier that understands the unique requirements of this market. High-precision screw-machined parts are critical components of advanced interconnect products. Screw-machined parts include PCB tail pins and sockets, crimp barrel pins and sockets, closed-entry solder cup pinsRead More

Can you identify the basic parts that make up a connector? In this excerpt from the new book, “Electrical Connectors: Design, Manufacture, Test, and Selection,” two professors share fundamental knowledge about the principals of interconnect technology. By Michael Pecht and San Kyeong Separable connectors are a vast and diverse components group. Each connector type andRead More

When it comes to sealing, not all connectors are created equal. Sealed connectors destined for use in transportation equipment must be rugged and protected in order to provide reliable performance. A variety of sealing strategies ensure smoother travels. The world of transportation represents a combination of some of the harshest conditions anywhere on planet Earth.Read More