Featured Articles
  • What is a Ballast Connector?

    A ballast connector is used to link a fluorescent or igh-intensity discharge (HID) lamp to its ballast — the device that regulates current and voltage to the bulb. In carrying the controlled electrical current from the ballast to the lamp, the ballast connector ensures stable power delivery. The increase in LED use is driving downRead More

  • What is an Adhesive Mount Antenna?

    An adhesive mount antenna is a low-profile external antenna that is attached to a surface using a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing, typically a foam tape. Available in single-band and multiband configurations covering cellular (2G through 5G), GNSS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and combinations, adhesive mount antennas are commonly used for vehicle telematics, fleet tracking, IoT gateways, and assetRead More

Learning Tools

What are M8 Connectors?

Meet the Connector: M8 Connector Due to their design and functionality, as well as compact size and reliable connectivity, M8 connectors play a crucial role in a wide range of industries, from industrial automation to automotive applications. M8 connectors are commonly used in industrial settings as sensor and actuator connections. With an 8 mm lockingRead More

What is MIL-Approved Wire/Cable?

What is MIL-Approved Wire/Cable? MIL-approved wire, or MIL-spec wire, is any wiring solution that meets the strict standards developed for use in military applications. As with any military specifications, MIL-approved wire is designed for high performance and high reliability in harsh environments, which also makes it an attractive option for many non-military harsh environment applications.Read More

The Basics of Electrical Connector Manufacturing

Understanding how connectors are manufactured can help designers and engineers make the right choices for their product designs. Electrical connectors play a huge role in the ability of electronic devices to perform complex functions in a wide variety of applications. Connectors are continually adapting to accommodate technological advances, meet new standards, withstand harsh conditions, andRead More

What are MIL-DTL-55116 Connectors?

Meet the Connector: MTL-DTL-55116 Connectors The MIL-DTL-55116 connector is an electrical connector that has been used for more than five decades to connect audio and radio frequency (RF) devices in military and aerospace applications. It was introduced by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in 1969 to meet the military’s need for robust andRead More

What are Microminiature and Ultraminiature RF connectors?

Meet the Connector: Microminiature and Ultraminiature RF Connectors RF (radio frequency) connectors work with radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range. Technology advanced significantly in the 2000s to meet the demand for inexpensive, high-data-rate wireless transceivers. Wire-to-wire, wire-to-board, and board-to-board micro-miniature RF connectors and ultraminiature RF connectors were developed to work in smaller and smaller devices.Read More

What are USB Connectors?

Meet the Connector: USB Connectors USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard developed in the 1990s for connections between computers and peripheral devices. USB gained popularity due to its compatibility with numerous platforms and operating systems, its low implementation cost, and its ease of use. USB-IF (Universal Serial Bus Implementers Forum Inc.) is theRead More

Improving Device Reliability with Spring-Loaded Contacts

Spring loaded contacts, commonly called pogo pins, are essential in many electronic devices because of their excellent durability, tolerance, and wide range of applications. As the growth of the device market continues, these contacts are finding more use than ever. Spring-loaded contacts or pins, also known as pogo pins, are not just the preferred contact,Read More

What are Compression Connectors?

Meet the Connector: Compression Connectors Compression connectors are interconnect devices that rely on pressure to make a secure connection. Compression may occur with the use of a tool; through the turn of a compression nut that is part of the housing, or through another mechanism. A wide variety of connector types may be described asRead More

What are Fieldbus Connectors?

Meet the Connector: Fieldbus Connectors Fieldbus is an industrial network used to connect instruments in manufacturing environments. Multiple types of fieldbus networks exist to serve a variety of applications, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and DeviceNet. Fieldbus connectors simplify the process of linking fieldbus equipment to network segments. They eliminate the need for junction boxes usingRead More

Flow and Pressure Sensors 101 

Designed to capture and analyze vital parameters guiding the behavior of fluids in a system, flow and pressure sensors provide system operators with transparency into their systems. These insights can help improve system safety, efficiency, and performance.  A flow sensor is an electrical component that measures the rate of flow of a fluid or gas. Flow sensorsRead More

Cutting the Cord: Wireless Charging Technology for Medical Devices

Developing new wireless medical technologies involves more than great design. Learn about the Qi standard, charging strategies, and other steps in the process between concept and completed product. Advanced wireless charging technologies are transforming the market for portable medical devices, with new equipment for health monitoring, therapeutics, diagnostics, fitness, and wellness changing the healthcare landscape.Read More

Test to Perfection: Product Reliability Begins with Rigorous Connector Testing

Rigorous testing of every element in an integrated circuit, from connectors to PCBs, is a critical step in the product design process. As more electronics move into complex and high-reliability application environments, the need to measure their attributes and performance, and test their endurance over time and under specific conditions, has become a critical stepRead More

2026 World Connector Market Handbook 2025-2031F
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