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
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. February 2026 New Connectivity Products February 2026 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Hirose introduced the compact PO(M2) Series that supports RF performance up to 6 GHz and is engineered to meet the demands of space-constrained, high-density RF systems and advanced electronic devices. The series incorporates aRead 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
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 It has largely been replaced by USB connectors but is still used with older equipment.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
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. January 2026 Connector Industry News January 2026 Connector Industry News > Award News Hirose’s ZE150HV Series has been selected as a CES Innovation Awards Honoree within Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility, presentedRead More
Meet the Connector: MT Ferrules MT ferrules are key fiber optic components in the system architecture required for today’s higher data rate, high-density, high-precision applications. An MT (mechanical transfer) ferrule is a high-precision, rectangular, ferrule designed to align multiple optical fibers simultaneously. It typically accommodates 12, 24, or more fibers within a single compact interface. The critical elements forRead More
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. January 2026 New Connectivity Products January 2026 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. binder’s Harsh Environment Connector (HEC) is engineered for reliable performance in demanding outdoor applications. Robust materials, advanced sealing technology, and durable construction ensure HEC’s dependable connectivity even under extreme conditions, making it well-suited forRead 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
Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. November 2025 Connector Industry News November 2025 Connector Industry News > Event News DigiKey sponsored the 2025 Hackaday Superconference, Oct. 31- Nov. 2, in Pasadena, Calif. The global event brings together hardware hackers, makers,Read More
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. November 2025 New Connectivity Products November 2025 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. PEI-Genesis offers Trompeter Space-Rated Subminiature RF Connectors from Cinch Connectivity Solutions worldwide. Trompeter connectors have been integral to mission-critical programs, including communications satellites, GPS navigation satellites, and rovers. These high-reliability connectors are specifically designedRead More
Meet the Connector Tool: Wire Strippers A hand-held wire stripper should have a compact design that is sized to fit comfortably in a hand and has a small profile that can easily be stored and transported. Wire strippers are tools used to remove the plastic insulation from the end of an electrical wire to exposeRead More
