What companies led the connector industry in 2023? A new 10-chapter market research report by Bishop & Associates explores the 100 companies that accounted for more than 82% of the industry’s sales. Bishop & Associates new 10-chapter research report provides a comprehensive analysis of the world’s Top 100 Electronic Connector Manufacturers, with detailed statistics thatRead More

Meet the Connector: IEC 60320 Appliance Couplers IEC 60320 is a set of standards for household appliances that specifies non-locking connectors for connecting power supply cords to electrical appliances. IEC 60320 is a set of standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for household appliances and similar general purposes. The standards define the mechanical, electrical, andRead More

Connector customization takes different forms to meet the needs of device manufacturers, designers, and end users. Printing, marking, and keying are forms of customization that get right to the heart of making safe, secure, user-friendly connections. Most technology comes down to having the correct plugs mated to the correct sockets in a way that isRead More

The use of non-standard connectors is more common than most designers think. Many common connectors can be modified to achieve the performance, features, and format needed in high-performance systems. Designers typically try to use standard interconnects in their end products. Most cite availability as to why they stick with standard, off-the-shelf products. However, there are timesRead More

With more than a century of R&D in material science, one supplier recounts the rise of a new generation of safer, lighter, more powerful materials for today’s interconnect and electronics designs. Materials science is the foundation of electronic designs. The properties of materials — such as conductivity, flexibility, strength, and thermal stability — are crucialRead More

Meet the Connector: Cable Termination Methods Beyond connectors, a range of termination options exist, from solder to splice. Each method ensures the complete transfer of data and power. Choosing the right one for the application depends on the cable type, operating environment, potential need for future access, and skill level of the assembler. A connectorRead More

Connector companies are bringing new technology advances, including AI, to railways in the U.S. and abroad, making them safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective. Much of the current rail infrastructure in the U.S. is based on systems that have been in use for half a century or more, due to the industry’s notable hesitation toRead More

High-performance vehicle technologies require new electrical design strategies and advanced connectors to meet these challenges. As the transportation world integrates high=performance vehicle technologies into vehicles of all types and transitions to electromobility, the traditional decentralized electrical system architecture is reaching its limits. The complexity and high-speed properties required for technologies such as advanced infotainment, safetyRead More

Meet the Connector: UMP Connectors UMP (Ultra Miniature Push-Pull) connectors are compact, high-performance connectors designed for applications where space is limited and reliability is crucial. These connectors feature a push-pull mechanism, which allows for easy insertion and removal while ensuring a secure connection. UMP connectors are often used in medical devices, industrial equipment, military applications,Read More

Magnetic and breakaway connectors are highly valued for their quick-connect and quick-release usability. In medical devices, they enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability in fast-paced environments. In medical equipment, the use of specialty connector types including push-pulls, keyed and coded interfaces, and magnetic connectors can make a difference in quality of care. There’s a direct connectionRead More

Today’s small, wearable CGM devices challenge design engineers with ensuring greater functionality in much less space. Miniaturized interconnect solutions with ultra-low profiles and enhanced pin density deliver more discreet and comfortable monitoring solutions. A new generation of wearable continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) is dramatically improving medical care and quality of life for people with diabetes.Read More

Meet the Connector: Micro TCA Connectors The rise of mobile telecommunications and text messaging in the early 2000s created a need to upgrade from existing carrier grade computing architectures. MicroTCA connectors addressed the need for more compact systems that were less expensive, but still maintained reliability and data throughput. MicroTCA (micro telecommunications computing architecture), alsoRead More