Meet the Connector: 3.5 mm Plug-type Connectors 3.5 mm plugs and jacks are widely supported across older and some newer audio/video equipment and consumer electronics. They are also used in some medical peripherals, such as headphones for sonography or audiology equipment. The plugs have three primary configurations that are identified by black bands, called insulationRead More

Meet the Connector: QSFP Transceivers This high-speed optical transceiver has gone through many iterations and continues to evolve with higher port density and increased data rates. The QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable), defined in the initial Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) in 2006, is a high-speed optical transceiver. It is small and hot-swappable with higher port densityRead More

Meet the Connector: Spade Connector A spade connector, also called an insulated spade terminal, is used to quickly and easily connect or disconnect a wire to a screw, lug, or battery. These simple devices provide tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and resistance to shock and corrosion. They are available with insulated housings, often color-coded, or asRead More

Meet the Connector: IEEE 1394 Connectors IEEE 1394 is a high-speed serial bus that supports both asynchronous and isochronous communication between a computer and a peripheral. It is also known as FireWire, a now-retired Apple interface. It has largely been replaced by USB connectors but is still used with older equipment. This low-cost connector isRead More

Meet the Connector: MT Ferrules  MT ferrules are key fiber optic components in the system architecture required for today’s higher data rate, high-density, high-precision applications. An MT (mechanical transfer) ferrule is a high-precision, rectangular, ferrule designed to align multiple optical fibers simultaneously. It typically accommodates 12, 24, or more fibers within a single compact interface. The critical elements forRead More

Meet the Connector: IPC-620-Space Addendum IPC/WHMA-A-620 is the global industry-consensus standard for cable and wire harness assemblies; the space addendum pertains to technologies used in space and other extreme harsh environments.  It defines workmanship, materials, process, inspection, and acceptability criteria. The IPC-620 Space Addendum is a specialized supplement to IPC/WHMA-A-620, the industry’s primary standard for the acceptability of cableRead More

Meet the Connector: Hard Metric Connectors Hard metric connectors are a highly standardized, high-density solution for high-speed data and power transmission. The term “hard metric” refers to the exclusive use of standard metric measurements, as opposed to “soft metric” components that use metric dimensions converted from inch measurements. The highly standardized hard metric connectors areRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-DTL-12520  Currently inactive for new design, this series of center-lock screw coupling, waterproof, polarized, and multi-contact MIL-spec connectors continues to be available for maintenance of existing military vehicles. The MIL-DTL-12520 specification is currently inactive for new design but remains available for maintenance of existing military vehicles. This circular, multi-contact, water-resistant electrical connector isRead More

Meet the Sensor: Current Sensors Current sensors detect electric current and generate a signal proportional to that current. The signal, which may be analog or digital depending on the sensor and the application, can be used to display the measured current, stored in a data acquisition system for later analysis, or used for control purposes.Read More

Meet the Connector: SDI-12G  Connectors SDI-12G (Serial Digital Interface) is a professional digital video interface standard developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). SDI-12G connectors are part of the SDI family used in broadcast, production, and high-end video applications such as live sporting, music, and news broadcasts. This circular connector solution is designed toRead More

What are CO2 Sensors? CO2 (carbon dioxide) sensors measure CO2 to monitor indoor air quality, often as part of an HVAC system. They are also found in medical equipment and various industrial applications. The amount of carbon dioxide in the air is an indicator of the performance quality of the HVAC system. CO2 sensors helpRead More

Meet the Sensor: Quantum Sensors Quantum sensors are a highly complex sensing device that measures physical quantities with extreme precision. They can measure time, temperature, distance, gravity, electromagnetic fields, and more. They use the principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum coherence, to measure physical quantities. They range in size and abilities,Read More