Meet the Connector: D-Sub Hardware Versatile D-Sub (subminiature) connectors are widely used in military, industrial, and other applications in harsh and rugged environments. For many of these applications, reliability and security are paramount, and they require permanent, secure, shielded connections. Securing and protecting D-Sub and Micro-D connectors requires additional hardware. Many accessories are available forRead More
Meet the Connector: 3.5 mm Plug-type Connectors 3.5 mm plugs and jacks are widely supported across older and some newer audio/video equipment and consumer electronics. They are also used in some medical peripherals, such as headphones for sonography or audiology equipment. The plugs have three primary configurations that are identified by black bands, called insulationRead More
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. February 2026 Connector Industry News February 2026 Connector Industry News > Award News DigiKey has been ranked #171 on the 2025 list of America’s Top Private Companies by Forbes. This is the fourth consecutiveRead More
Farm country is rapidly becoming the land of automation, with sensor-led crop monitoring systems, drones that strategically apply chemicals, and tractors that navigate fields using lidar guidance. Now robotics built with harsh environment connectivity are replacing human labor in the fields as precision agricultural robots harvest crops. Agricultural robots are beginning to take on theRead More
Meet the Connector: Spade Connector A spade connector, also called an insulated spade terminal, is used to quickly and easily connect or disconnect a wire to a screw, lug, or battery. These simple devices provide tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and resistance to shock and corrosion. They are available with insulated housings, often color-coded, or asRead More
Humanoid robots running marathons and performing domestic chores are making an entertaining splash on the internet, but robots that work safely and efficiently alongside people are rapidly advancing from sci-fi novelty to everyday reality. Demand is growing for machines that operate in human-centric environments and perform similar tasks as humans (e.g., open doors, navigate stairs,Read More
Meet the Connector: IEEE 1394 Connectors IEEE 1394 is a high-speed serial bus that supports both asynchronous and isochronous communication between a computer and a peripheral. It is also known as FireWire, a now-retired Apple interface. It has largely been replaced by USB connectors but is still used with older equipment. This low-cost connector isRead More
Meet the Connector: Hard Metric Connectors Hard metric connectors are a highly standardized, high-density solution for high-speed data and power transmission. The term “hard metric” refers to the exclusive use of standard metric measurements, as opposed to “soft metric” components that use metric dimensions converted from inch measurements. The highly standardized hard metric connectors areRead More
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. December 2025 Connector Industry News December 2025 Connector Industry News > Award News Weidmuller USA announced that the global Weidmüller Group has earned the prestigious EcoVadis Gold Medal for outstanding commitment toRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights NATO STANAG interconnects from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. NATO STANAG Interconnects ITT Cannon’s MKJ Warrior connectors are a reliable interconnect solution that enables critical communication, navigation, and USB data/power for modern soldier applications. The MKJ Warrior Series provides a robust breakaway coupling system qualified to European GOSSRA and NATORead More
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. December 2025 New Connectivity Products December 2025 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Phoenix Contact’s M17 PRO hybrid connector is the first M17 circular connector in accordance with the IEC standard 61076-2-117. The M17 PRO hybrid combines data, signal, and power transmission in a compact, single-cable solution.Read More
Meet the Sensor: Current Sensors Current sensors detect electric current and generate a signal proportional to that current. The signal, which may be analog or digital depending on the sensor and the application, can be used to display the measured current, stored in a data acquisition system for later analysis, or used for control purposes.Read More
