Meet the Connector: MIL-DTL-28840 Connectors MIL-DTL-28840 connectors are high-density circular connectors used for harsh environment military applications. Originally developed for the Navy, they are used in shipboard applications for surface craft of all sizes as well as submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. They are water-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and can endure water pressure while maintaining a secureRead More

Meet the Connector: Board-to-Board Connectors Board-to-board (BTB) connectors are used to transmit signals between printed circuit boards (PCBs). They are made by many connector manufacturers and come in a variety of styles and materials. BTB connectors are among the commonly used connector types. Their evolution has been influenced by their use in an ever-growing numberRead More

Meet the Connector: BNC Connectors BNC connectors are miniature radio frequency (RF) connectors developed for low-frequency applications. This quick-connect/disconnect circular connector features a two-stud bayonet-style locking mechanism that users twist and snap into position. A tactile snap indicates a secure connection; a reverse motion disconnects the connector pair. The BNC connector famously bears the initialsRead More

Meet the Connector: Industrial RJ45 connectors Industrial RJ45 connectors are essentially an RJ45 Ethernet connector in a protective housing. The standard RJ45 is the most common twisted-pair connector. It is an 8-position, 8-contact (8P8C) modular plug and jack. RJ, or registered jack, is a standardized telecommunication network interface designed to connect telecommunications and data equipmentRead More

Meet the Connector: FFC/FPC Connectors FFC connectors are used to mate ribbon-type flat flexible cables (FFCs) to PCB circuitry in cable-to-board applications. They are also available in cable-to-cable configurations. These connectors have a high-density, very narrow form factor and fit in tight spaces. They are commonly used in consumer applications such as laptops, cameras, computerRead More

Meet the Connector: Wire-to-Board Connectors Wire-to-board connectors bring power and signal to a printed circuit board (PCB) by connecting a group of discrete wires to the board. There are no standard wire-to-board connectors; the various types are specific to the manufacturers who produce them. Wire-to-board connectors can be specified based on several features. These includeRead More

Meet the Connector: Coaxial  Connectors (Note: This article focuses on cable-to-cable and cable-to-panel applications.)  A coaxial connector has an inner conductor that is enveloped by a concentric conducting sleeve, with the conductor and shield separated by an insulating material;  hence the term “coax” or “coaxial” connector. (Not all RF [radio frequency] connectors are coax, butRead More

Meet the Connector: RAST Connectors RAST connectors are an international standard originally developed for the home appliances market. The initial design featured a crimp-style contact, but today most iterations employ insulation displacement contact (IDC) technology, which simplifies the installation process, eliminates mis-mating errors, and improves connection quality by eliminating the need to cut, strip, andRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-PRF-28876 connectors MIL-PRF-28876 connectors, also known as M28876s, are military standard fiber optic circular connectors used in rugged naval applications where reliability, sealing, durability, and a secure latch are essential to performance in harsh environment conditions. They are widely used by the U.S. Navy and Allied forces for shipboard technologies. The MIL-PRF-28876Read More

Meet the Connector. Inline Splice Connectors  Inline splice connectors are used to connect two physical cables or to split an existing cable into two separate entities while maintaining signal continuity between them. Inline splices are designed to provide a quick and efficient solution to customer wiring requirements.  Single and dual wire splices meet MIL-T-81714 requirementsRead More

Meet the Connector: Pogo Pins (Spring-loaded pins) Pogo pins, also called spring-loaded pins, are electrical connector mechanisms known for their durability and their ability to provide and maintain an electrical connection that is resilient to mechanical shock and vibration. They are widely used in a variety of electronic applications and in the test industry. The pogoRead More

Meet the Connector: 3-Pin Connectors While many connectors feature a configuration with three pins, the term 3-pin connector is often used to refer to a simple white nylon pin receptacle with three tin contacts that is typically used in small, low-power computing products, most notably computer fans. The connector and its contacts can be purchasedRead More