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

Fluidic Connectors Go With the Flow

Connectors that carry fluid or air through a bore, paired with connectors that carry signal and power, are a critical component in modern medicine. Electronic connectors typically handle power and signal. In the world of medical equipment, however, connectors can often take on additional jobs, carrying fluid, gases, and light. These specialty or hybrid connectors, whichRead More

Medical Connectors: Measuring Creepage and Clearance for Performance and Compliance

Electrical connectors play a key role in advancing product capabilities and ensuring consistent, reliable performance in medical electrical and electronic equipment, especially in today’s IT- enabled and interoperable world. By Patrick Kinyanjui, Principal Engineer, Fischer Connectors, Inc. Connectors are an important element to consider when developing a risk assessment for a new or updated device.Read More

Get to Know Distributors

Distributors need to have in-depth knowledge about specific components as well as a panoramic view of the electronics industry, with all of its parts, systems, and players. We talk to Avnet and Mouser to learn more. Distributors play a unique role in the connector industry. Although connector companies work closely with end users to designRead More

The Benefits of Networking Wire Processing Equipment

Networks of fully programmable wire processing equipment enable enhanced efficiency and faster changeovers, eliminate operator error, reduce lead times and WIP jobs, and improve traceability. Pete Doyon, VP Product Management, Schleuniger Inc. The wire processing industry has experienced significant changes and improvements over the course of the last 30 years, many of which were madeRead More

Phoenix Contact’s PCB Terminal Blocks and PCB Connectors Offer Versatility and Reliability

This flexible range of PCB terminal blocks helps you configure the ideal design. Whether you need the established screw connection, the IDC fast connection, or the innovative push-in technology, Phoenix Contact has a solution. Phoenix Contact’s PCB terminal blocks and PCB connectors are designed to provide exceptional design flexibility while also ensuring the reliable connectionRead More

SKEDD Direct Connection Technology Makes Device Design More Flexible

Phoenix Contact examines how direct connection adaptivity can impact the performance and flexibility of electrical devices. By Pia Horstmann, product marketing for PCB connection technology, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, and James Dunbar, product marketing manager for PCB Connection Technology, Phoenix Contact USA  Intelligent automation structures, such as HVAC systems in building technology orRead More

An Interactive Configurator for PCB Connections

Phoenix Contact’s quick and intuitive tool helps you find the ideal solution for your unique design. Phoenix Contact’s online configurator for PCB terminal blocks, PCB connectors, and PCB headers supports you in the process of creating your individual solution. Thanks to simple filter menus, 2D and 3D product images, as well as intuitive user interfaces,Read More

Contaminated Connectors Compromise Fiber Optic Networks

A speck of dust can spell disaster for a fiber network. The correct cleaning methods make all the difference in protecting the optical signal. By Mike Jones, Vice-President, MicroCare Corp. When optical networks are exposed to even miniscule amounts of contamination, performance can suffer. In typical operating conditions, dust and debris can accumulate on the fiberRead More

Hyperboloid Contacts Improve High-Density Mil/Aero Rectangular Connectors

Hyperboloid contacts improve contact density, mating force, functionality, and cycle-life in high-density rectangular connectors designed for mil/aero applications. Robert Lascelles, Product Manager – integraMate®, QA Technology Company, Inc.  Rectangular Connectors In mil/aero applications, high-line-count rectangular connectors are often used as the interface between PCBs, between internal subassemblies, at input-output bulkheads, and between the equipment andRead More

Connectors Ace the Space Race

Supremely durable space-grade connectors help us explore the next frontier. By Caroline Hayes Today, thousands of commercial satellites circle the globe to enable the telecommunications needed to implement the Internet of Things. They are also used for navigation systems and research projects, like the European Space Agency’s Galileo global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and Copernicus,Read More

Choosing Connectors for Mil/Aero and Defense Applications

Many manufacturers offer solutions for challenging mil/aero environments with harsh conditions and strict requirements. By Rob Toenies, Product Manager, Newark element14 Connectivity is the lifeblood of today’s technology-driven world. This multifaceted term has many dimensions, referencing technology extending from the internet and data networks to home appliances and devices of all sizes. In the military/aerospaceRead More

Integrated Fiber Optics for Mission-Critical Systems 

Molex examines the benefits of integrated fiber optics vs. copper cable assemblies in mission-critical systems.  Thomas Heller, Account Manager, Aerospace and Defense, Molex The world’s most complex technologies are deployed in critical mission command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Military and civil aerospace markets cover a spectrum of high-bandwidth fiber optic applications rangingRead More

2026 World Connector Market Handbook 2025-2031F
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