A call for papers, personnel changes and promotions, new business agreements, and expansion into China are all part of the news briefs for April 7, 2015. The IWCS Conference has announced a call for papers for the International Cable Connectivity Symposium. Past article topics have included cable, fiber, and conductor design; new cable materials; processingRead More

AVX introduced the lowest-profile, poke-home connector for a broad range of harsh industrial, commercial, and medical applications.  AVX Corporation introduced the lowest-profile poke-home connector currently available on the market. Featuring its industry-proven 2mm dual-beam, high spring-force, phosphor bronze poke-home contacts in a sleek 3.0mm pitch by 2.5mm high SMT package, the new horizontal 9296 Series connectorRead More

The EDAC cardEDGE+ connector portfolio includes 8,000 standard styles and 435,000 customized versions.  EDAC has enhanced its extensive range of card-edge connectors to include 8,000 standard styles and 435,000 customized variations. EDAC cardEDGE+ connectors are available with two to 188 contacts in single- and dual-row versions, with contact spacing that spans 1.27mm to 5.08mm; they come with orRead More

The Qualtek dual fuse IEC C14 inlet is compact and rated to 10A. Qualtek now offers a series of dual-fused inlets which are compact and rated to 10A. The inlets, which are available with screw-mount (719WA) or snap-in mounting (723WA), feature active fuses on both the line and neutral. The inlets are designed to comply withRead More

The Kycon A-type high-retention force USB 2.0 connector allows for 50% more retention force than standard USB products. Kycon expanded its line of USB 2.0 products to include an A-type that allows for 50% more retention force than the standard USB to prevent accidental disconnect. The KUSBXHT is ideal for use where USB connection reliability is criticalRead More

Bishop & Associates tracks sales and profits in 13 market sectors. Based on the 120 companies it follows, it evaluated the performance results for OEM markets in 2014.   How are OEMs faring in the current economic climate? The objectives in tracking sales and profits of these 120 companies in 13 market sectors are to determine how selected electronicRead More

For the new electric and hybrid vehicles, powertrain controls and connectors require the complete functionality of a conventional vehicle, plus the components required to drive the electric motor and charge the Lithium-ion battery pack.  Worldwide production of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) reached two million units in 2014, nearly doubling since 2011 andRead More

Rectangular connectors are commonly used in automotive applications, but the industry has unique requirements. Phoenix Contact offers tips on how to specify rectangular connectors for automotive applications. Rectangular connectors have long been used in industries where a harsh environment is standard operating procedure. These connectors need to meet a variety of specifications, including a high IngressRead More

Component requirements for the automotive market are demanding, diverse, and forward-looking. ODU shares five things to know about precise contacts for the automotive industry. The reliable transfer of power, signals, data, and media are achieved with interconnects across a wide range of demanding applications and markets. The requirements for the automotive industry, for example, are both diverse andRead More

Dr. Bob reviews two recently published papers to draw conclusions on the possible use of nanocrystalline silver alloy contact finishes in electronic applications. In my previous article, in which I mentioned two recent papers* on the nanocrystalline silver alloys of silver-tungsten (AgW) and silver-palladium (AgPd) and their use as contact finishes, I highlighted the potential benefits these alloysRead More

Never underestimate the importance of contact/housing retention mechanisms. Serious issues can arise if contacts are not assembled properly or if the retention device is not robust.   Connectors retain their electrical contacts within an insulating housing. Some retention mechanisms are more reliable than others. Serious issues can arise if the contacts are not assembled properlyRead More