Next up in our “Connector Basics” series, APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants offers advice on when and why you need someone with failure analysis expertise.     Something is not working out in the connector manufacturing process or, worse yet, a connector fails in the field – in either case, the failure should land on theRead More

In addition to specifying components for a cable assembly, you need the design and production process to promote overall system integrity and be cost-effective.     You probably know the primary benefit of a cable assembly – the ease of connecting and disconnecting systems or equipment either for mobility or expeditious repair and replacement. ButRead More

The main markets for subsea and high-pressure connectors require unique designs that mate when submerged, plus fiber optics and hermetic assemblies. When designers think about exotic applications, they might think about deep space. However, these are gentle applications compared to the severe environmental requirements for connectors used in downhole and subsea projects, where temperatures can exceed +250°CRead More

Demanding requirements for downhole applications start with high pressure and high temperature and go on to encompass many other factors. Here, AMETEK reviews the main considerations for choosing a connector for these harsh applications.   There are few environments that test the extreme functionality of a harsh environment connector more than those found deep down in anRead More

If a network cabling contractor can do a job faster than his competitor, he can bid lower, win the job, and still turn a decent profit. In an excerpt from a recent white paper, Siemon explains how termination speed impacts the bottom line.   As a network cabling contractor, you need to keep an eye onRead More

Milliohm-sensitive four-wire measurement helps to locate bad solder joints, faulty crimps, recessed pins, pin contact contamination, improper wire gauge, and stress-extruded wire.   Four-wire Kelvin measurement makes it possible to accurately measure resistance values less than 0.1Ω while eliminating the inherent resistance of the lead wires connecting the measurement instrument to the component being measured.Read More

The environment and specific application requirements weigh heavily in determining a cable system’s true cost.   Designing a cabling system requires an understanding of the various costs inherent to the application type, which include labor, environment, and network configuration. “Specifiers need to fully understand their particular application and purpose for the cabling before choosing theRead More

Today’s requirements for input/output connectors demand smaller size and faster data transmission. Hirose advises designers on how to specify high-transmission I/O connectors by looking at a multitude of requirements and trade-offs.   An I/O connector is an interconnect that joins a circuit from inside to the outside of electronic equipment. I/O interconnects are used to connect data,Read More

Low-level contact resistance measurements are an integral part of any test plan designed to assess the reliability of electric contacts. Here, APEX explains how to use LLCR measurements to eliminate thermal voltage errors.   Low-level contact resistance measurements are an integral part of any test plan designed to assess the reliability of electric contacts. TheRead More

Counterfeit cabling can endanger the lives of patients in medical applications and facilities, and engineers and installers should take care to authenticate the cable they’ve purchased. Here are tips on how to identify counterfeit cabling in healthcare facilities.   Medical facilities aren’t immune to fraud: Drug counterfeiting and insurance fraud are a few examples of questionable activitiesRead More

Electrical noise can seriously disrupt the proper operation of equipment. Insulation protects a cable mechanically from scrapes, abrasion, moisture, and spills, but offers no protection against EMI. Here, AlphaWire offers a primer on choosing the best shielded cable for the job at hand.   Industrial applications are typically electrically noisy environments. Electrical noise, either radiated orRead More

Ideal for small, rugged applications such as non-industrial robotics, here are some tips for how to specify nano-D connectors.   Nano-D connectors are often designed for use in small, rugged robotic applications beyond industrial environments. Within these applications, the emphasis on a smaller and lighter form factor intensifies. A key consideration is whether you can useRead More