Connectors used in oilfields face temperatures that warp plastics, chemicals that eat seals, vibrations that shake contacts loose, and electrical interference that can turn vital data into noise. Distributors can help find rugged solutions. Article Contributed by TTI Inc., Jim McNeil, General Manager Walk into a design review for an oilfield project and you willRead More
A ballast connector is used to link a fluorescent or igh-intensity discharge (HID) lamp to its ballast — the device that regulates current and voltage to the bulb. In carrying the controlled electrical current from the ballast to the lamp, the ballast connector ensures stable power delivery. The increase in LED use is driving downRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights M-type connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. M-Type Connectors The binder M12 connector series from CDM Inc. are key components for harsh industrial environment robotics and automation applications. binder M12 connectors are available from CDM in all standard formats for signal and automation (most popular A, B coded), dataRead More
Today’s vehicles rely on electrical signals to optimize performance, maximize efficiency and safety, and control the interior environment, thanks to automotive sensors. Automobiles have become, in many respects, computers on wheels—gathering and processing significant amounts of data to ensure vehicle performance as well as safety and comfort for drivers and passengers. Sensors have been used in automobiles for decades, but asRead More
Sensing technologies that monitor the physical world are essential to technologies across the spectrum. Learn about four commonly specified environmental sensors and how each one works. Article Contributed by Amphenol Sensors Every time a thermostat adjusts a building’s temperature, a ventilator responds to a patient’s breathing, or an air-quality alert fires on a phone, aRead More
An adhesive mount antenna is a low-profile external antenna that is attached to a surface using a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing, typically a foam tape. Available in single-band and multiband configurations covering cellular (2G through 5G), GNSS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and combinations, adhesive mount antennas are commonly used for vehicle telematics, fleet tracking, IoT gateways, and assetRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights antennas from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Antennas I-PEX’s MHF I LK and MHF 4L LK RF connectors are low-profile with a mechanical lock, making them ideal for connecting adhesive-mount antennas in applications that require resistance to shock and vibration. They feature small mating height (2.92 mm and 2.0 mm,Read More
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. June 2026 Connector Industry News June 2026 Connector Industry News > Award News DigiKey received 29 awards from its supplier partners during the 2026 EDS Leadership Summit, held May 18-22, in LasRead More
The next generation of interconnects will need to provide a higher level of performance using materials that meet higher global standards for human health. New material options help suppliers build these better components while meeting the challenges of new technologies. The interconnect industry is navigating a period of significant materials transition. Tightening global environmental regulations,Read More
Niobium and tantalum are refractory metals with a growing role in technology. In the interconnect industry, the importance of these materials is growing as semiconductor nodes continue to shrink. Article Contributed By Materion Niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) are refractory metals with a growing role across some of the most technically demanding industries in theRead More
In harsh environment conditions, connector gaskets provide protection against a variety of hazards that can put connections at risk. Connector gaskets are sealing components installed between connector mating or mounting surfaces to provide environmental protection, electromagnetic shielding, or both. They compensate for surface irregularities and maintain sealing integrity under mechanical stress, vibration, thermal cycling, andRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights materials for interconnects from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Materials for Interconnects Anderson Power connectors can be upgraded with a chemical-resistant (CR) housing for enhanced environmental durability and an extended temperature range. CR housings provide improved resistance to UV rays, as well as common solvents and hydrocarbons. Powerpole, SB, SBS,Read More
