Despite the pervasiveness of the digital multimeter, its features are often not fully understood, which can lead to overlooking advanced measurement capabilities as well as its limitations.     The handheld digital multimeter (DMM) is the most common of all electrical and electronic test instruments. Despite the pervasiveness of the the DMM, its specifications andRead More

Today, redundancy is the de facto standard for any network cabling system, and there are a variety of ways to accomplish it.     Years ago it seemed as if disaster preparedness and redundant cabling systems were considered forward-thinking (and something of a luxury) for many network and data center owners and operators. Today, however,Read More

Nanominiature connectors provide an ideal solution for challenging wiring systems in the constantly evolving aerospace industry. Here, Radiall offers tips on how to specify the connectors for these applications.     To address the challenges airframers experience in the civil and military aerospace industry, a new format for multipin connectors was introduced. The nanominiature connectorRead More

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

A good connector design requires attention to the separable interface front end, the permanent interface back end, and the contact retention area. Bill Garver of APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants provides a checklist of these design considerations.     There are fundamentally three specific elements of an electrical contact that are used within a multiple-position connector.Read 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

Connectors in the oil and gas industry must withstand high pressure, high temperature, and corrosive environments subject to heavy vibration and occasional shock loading. Materials are the key to ensure connector reliability in harsh environments.   The oil and gas industry demands high reliability in drilling and completion equipment, including electrical connectors used downhole. ConnectorsRead 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