Copper and fiber cabling runs through the grittiest environments and powers the most rugged electronic applications with the help of protective armor. Behold the armored cable! When rugged conditions are at hand, armoring is ready to protect the wires or fibers inside of a cable —and ultimately protect the entire system. This heroic feature isRead More
Many favorable attributes of fiber optic cables are readily acknowledged. However, a bias against using fiber optics in harsh environments remains. Fiber Optic Cables Fiber optic cables carry many times more data than is feasible over copper-based connectivity. This increased bandwidth is necessary for the highest definition video and other data intensive purposes, but theRead More
As digital technologies transform the manufacturing industry, the Del Mar show has become the U.S. equivalent of Hannover Fair. The future of manufacturing is fully connected, as evidenced by the exhibits at the 2023 Del Mar Manufacturing Show. Manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts came together April 25-27 to share the latest manufacturing industry trends, products,Read More
Meet the Connector: AOC assemblies Active optical cable (AOC) assemblies were developed to combine the benefits of copper and fiber optic cable assemblies. Copper cable assemblies are known for their ruggedness and reliability, particularly at the connector interface. Copper connectors have multiple points of contact which helps them withstand shock and vibration, and resist damageRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights cable accessories from leading suppliers. Cable Accessories NPG Quick Connect from ABB Thomas & Betts, supplied by RS, allows fast and effective fitting of cable glands without access to the inside of an enclosure, greatly speeding up installation. Features include single piece (no locknut required), fast and simple installation, lowRead More
Failure-proof cable selection is especially important in dangerous or harsh environments where water, sunlight, temperature extremes, chemicals, dust, or other hazards are present. Failure-proof cable selection starts with an evaluation of how the cable will be used and the environmental conditions that surround the application. This is especially important in dangerous or harsh environments whereRead More
Meet the Connector: SC Connector SC fiber-optic cable connectors are widely used in optical network applications, such as internet and cable TV. The name comes from the shape (square connector), although it is actually a rectangular connector. The name may also refer to standard connector, subscriber connector, or stick-and-click connector. The SC connector features aRead More
For harsh environments, such as avionics and defense, key issues related to high temperatures, vibration, and shock must be considered to maximize the efficiency of optical technologies. For two decades, the need for ever-increasing capacity and speed to move data through our electronic devices has generated the deployment of millions of kilometers of optical fiberRead More
To reduce heat and improve speeds, twinax cable assemblies are replacing PCBs in next-generation datacom equipment. The links inside a switch that connect the quad small form factor pluggables (QSFPs) at the faceplate to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) at the heart of the box have become signal superhighways. The capacity and the number of I/ORead More
Growing interest in robotic soldering within the PCB assembly industry is leading to increased demand for robotic soldering equipment and applications. Learn how this soldering technique can bring production, performance, and cost benefits. Robotic soldering is emerging as a powerful PCB assembly tool. Not only is this method more efficient than hand soldering but itRead More
High-speed, compact, and powerful new connectivity solutions for Industrial Ethernet-based networks make it easy to upgrade existing cabling. The concept behind Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) touches all industries. From process control and automotive assembly to robotics and the food and beverage industry, data collection empowers smart factories, suppliers, and customersRead More
The new Class 4 UL classification standard was published in August 2022 in Article 726 of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), specifically for Class 4 cables intended for use with fault-managed power systems. These requirements cover 60-250 °C (140-482 °F), single- and multiple-conductor, jacketed cables for use as fixed wiring within buildings. Class 4 Power, alsoRead More
