As rail operators encourage more people to consider public transportation, new connectivity technology is enhancing the customer experience.   From personal internet access via smartphones to instant onboard entertainment options to up-to-date travel information, passenger demands on public transportation continue to increase. These offerings are no longer luxuries; they’re necessities to an industry that isRead More

Heat, shock, vibration, and radiation are all in a day’s work for the special components that explore worlds beyond our own. by Ann R. Thryft The most mission-critical of military/aerospace systems are the ones that go into space, where they encounter the toughest environments. Mil/aero systems must be tough enough on Earth to withstand theRead More

Innovative, high-density connectors deliver higher current-carrying capacity and help usher in new levels of performance for electric and hybrid vehicles. By Kirk Nelson, Director of Sales – Automotive, Hirose Electric The continued development of hybrid vehicles (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV) is central to most car manufacturers’ future strategies. One day in the not tooRead More

In an effort to safeguard the electronics within nuclear power plants, connector companies have turned to an age-old material. Nuclear power is an important source of high-density, long-lasting, and low-emissions energy. A critical part of a diverse global energy mix, nuclear power plants provide 10% of the world’s energy, with some countries, like the USRead More

Water is the enemy of electronics. Yet equipment ranging from our pocket-dwelling consumer devices to complex military gear has the potential for exposure to moisture. Good seals on cables and connectors can keep it out. Dana Stoica, Global Marketing Manager, ODU-USA, Inc. Hostile environments often expose the weakest parts of electronic systems, and these frequentlyRead More

Components for LED lighting connections and controls have evolved alongside current bulb options. Lukas Muth, Product Marketing PCBs and Connection Technology, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, Germany The emergence of LED technology spurred a rapid transformation in the lighting industry. At first, preexisting solutions from the fields of device connection and control technologyRead More

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

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

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

Our portable devices would not be possible without proven connector technologies that facilitate miniaturization and connectivity. By Stephen Capitelli, Manager of Product Engineering, Mill-Max Mfg. Corp. Today’s electronics designers are challenged to find the right balance between reliability, suitability, and cost as they specify the components needed to create successful and competitive products. The firstRead More

Aspects including: cost, environment, vibration, connector density, signal integrity, installation methods, and safety requirements should be key factors when specifying signal connections for industrial applications Loreen Katz, Product Marketing Manager – Industrial Field Connectivity, Phoenix Contact USA Where are signals found in industrial and semi-industrial settings? Everywhere. Devices such as sensors, actuators, switches, valves, andRead More

Products ranging from appliances to vehicles feature crimp contact plug connectors that are hard to access and easy to damage. In the event of a repair, a more durable connector is needed. By Andreas Aigner, Product Development Manager, Würth Elektronik eiSos Although they are really designed for permanent connections, plug connectors with crimp contacts occasionallyRead More