Police and security patrol vehicles are adopting new and emerging technologies from both the military and automotive worlds. This unique market combines defense-grade signal integrity demands with automotive-grade ruggedization requirements, often in the same harness. Police and security patrol cars have become mobile electronics platforms, with huge investments in recent years outfitting these fleet vehiclesRead More
Harsh environments leave no margin for error. Whether deployed deep underwater, high in the sky, inside surgical equipment, or on the battlefield, connectivity must perform flawlessly under extreme conditions. Exposure to vibration, shock, temperature extremes, moisture, chemicals, and electromagnetic interference turns a simple interconnect into a mission-critical component. Article contributed by Casey Cavender, CFO, KensingtonRead More
Power cables are used in the transmission of electrical energy to, for example, run a motor, light a bulb, or charge a battery. In the power industry, power cables are categorized as high-tension (designed for higher voltages to carry bulk electrical power to substations), or low-tension cables (low voltage for final local distribution of electricityRead More
Wind energy is big business and the electronic systems that keep the turbines running efficiently and safely have become a necessity. Electronics play a key role in wind energy generation and distribution. As this market expands, the technology that keeps it reliable, efficient, and safe becomes even more consequential. Wind is the largest source ofRead 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
As circuits run faster and hotter, keeping components cool becomes a more urgent challenge. Liquid cooling systems are an important strategy to help cool down data centers, industrial equipment, electric vehicles, and other high-speed, high-power applications. Thermal management is one of the most pressing challenges in today’s high-speed electronics systems. As transistors per chip continueRead More
As reliable interfaces between PCBs, board-to-board connectors increasingly perform in harsh environments, where they fulfill mechanical functions as well as transmit signal and power connectivity. That makes it crucial to specify the right component for the conditions. Article contributed by Detlef E. Preissler, Senior Specialist, Product Marketing Board-to-Board Connectors, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG,Read More
In the EU, one regulation is making it simpler to remove, replace, and recycle batteries in everything from e-bikes and scooters to electric vehicles to walkie-talkies and insulin pumps. Amphenol Communications Solutions explains what that means for connectors. The EU’s comprehensive regulation on batteries, Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, is set to take full effect February 2027.Read More
The use of cameras in automobiles is booming. To enable these systems, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers need optics with reliable and fast data connectivity, while keeping costs low and quality high. Modular solutions are the answer. Article Contributed by Harry Jacob, IT journalist, for Rosenberger Camera connectivity is an increasingly essential part of automotive andRead More
A manual service disconnect (MSD) connector is a removable, touch-safe high-voltage connector used to manually break the electrical circuit of an electric or hybrid vehicle’s battery pack. It meets the performance requirements of SAE/USCAR-2 and its high-voltage supplement, USCAR-37. Technicians, first responders, and tow operators pull the MSD before servicing a 60–800V system so thatRead More
Order rodentia poses one of the greatest and most random threats to electronics. Squirrels, mice, marmots, and other wildlife gnaw on cables, wires, and connectors, disconnecting power, disrupting service, grounding vehicles, and even causing fires. Solutions range from physical barriers like metal wire sleeving and cable conduit to a new generation of plastic materials thatRead More
