You may know molded connectors are a good option for harsh environments, but you may not know what to look for when specifying one in particular. Remke shares five things to know about molded connector construction to help you design your next solution. Remke Industries suggests five criteria to use in evaluating molded connectors for your next design: 1.Read More
To ensure a successful product launch, manufacturers need to optimize the talents of their employees to be sure critical needs are addressed. We continue the “Connector Basics” series with a look at the necessary skills for successful new connector development. This article was contributed by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. Successful new product development and releases toRead More
Connector designers understand that many variables impact contact area and how adequately the contacts do their job. This next article in the “Connector Basics” series explains why even minor increases in contact resistance matter. When a contact is mated, only a relatively small area is actually touching. All of the current must flow through this smallRead More
As fiber optic technology continues to expand and evolve at an increasingly rapid rate, we asked the Fiber Optic Association to provide our readers with a simple guide on how to specify single-mode and multimode FO connectors. Visit the Fiber Optic Association online for more valuable information about specifying these connectors, as well as forRead More
As data rates increase, the bandwidth of signals increases and its rise time decreases. ALL signal integrity problems get worse with higher signal bandwidth and shorter rise time. Here, Dr. Eric Bogatin examines the connector challenges for high-speed serial link applications. Thanks in part to Netflix and YouTube, which together comprise as much as 50% ofRead More
The “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants continues with an introductory look at typical connector failure modes and mechanisms. When we discuss connector failure, we need to refine the concept into two distinct components – failure modes and failure mechanisms. How do we define “failure”? Webster’s New World Dictionary lists a variety of terms, but for ourRead More
Connectors are frequently selected based on purchase price without fully considering the costs linked with using them. What do connectors really cost? This article is contributed by APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants. For more of its “Connector Basics” series, click here. Have you ever purchased the lowest-priced item, only to find out that the cost toRead More
Steve Ellis of Pasternack shares five things to know about semi-rigid cable assemblies. In its most basic form, a semi-rigid cable assembly is a coaxial transmission line consisting of a metal tube, typically made from copper, which forms the outer conductor with a metal wire conductor running down the center of the tube. The centerRead More
When an end product fails due to a faulty connector, the team that takes the blame may not be the group that was ultimately responsible for the final purchasing choice. In the end, who owns connector selection responsibility? Many times, when a field problem is tied to specific connector, the question asked is, “Who selectedRead More
Connector contact lubricants can reduce mating forces and contact wear, and there are lubricants to do just that. But the real goal is to get more than just friction/wear reduction from a lubricant. For many of us the first thing that comes to mind when the word “lubricant” comes up is “slippery stuff,” motor oil,Read More
Wondering how to select a connector supplier? The selection method must ensure the supplier can meet all established performance, cost, lead-time, and service requirements. Once several manufacturers’ connectors have been evaluated for a specific application, it is likely that the ultimate selection will be made from at least three or four manufacturers (and maybe moreRead More
The “Connector Basics” series from APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants continues with a tutorial on how to specify and select a connector for a particular application. Generally speaking, electrical connectors are mechanical components that serve an electrical function. In addition to carrying electrical current at a specified voltage, connectors either enable interconnection of components during theRead More
