Meet the Connector: MC4 Connectors MC4, a type of PV connector, allows adjacent solar panels to be easily connected by hand to create a string of panels, but require a tool to disconnect, ensuring that the panels don’t accidently disconnect when the cables are pulled. MC4 is a type of photovoltaic (PV) connector used primarily forRead More

Meet the Connector: MIL-PRF-39012 Connectors MIL-PRF-39012 connectors bring high reliability to a wide range of RF devices and assemblies such as amplifiers, transceivers, filters, antennas, and more. Previously referred to as MIL-C-39012, this standard defines the materials, quality conformance, qualification, and verification for coaxial connectors. As industries continue to adopt high-reliability coaxial cable assemblies, MIL-PRF-39012Read More

Upcoming industry events, as well as recent award, partnership, promotion, personnel, facility, distribution, standards, association, and certification news from across the connector industry. September 2025 Connector Industry News September 2025 Connector Industry News > Event News On July 10, Neutrik Group celebrated the 50th anniversary of its iconic brand NEUTRIK with an event at theRead More

Meet the Connector: Server Racks Server racks are framework structures that house and organize IT hardware components, including servers and interconnects. They are an essential element of data center design; beyond merely containing the equipment, their form and design can contribute to system cooling and performance. Server racks may take the form of cabinets or shelvesRead More

The arrival of the single-pair Ethernet (SPE) interface marked a significant advancement in industrial connectivity. The new interface reduced wiring, power, and complexity while setting the stage for new technologies, including AI, to become part of factory, building management, automotive, and IoT systems. Now the two organizations that separately championed the interface have joined forces.Read More

Meet the Antenna: GNSS Antennas GNSS antennas receive signals containing positioning and timing data from satellite constellations. They are used in a wide variety of applications from smart transportation and navigation to surveying and infrastructure inspections. GNSS (global navigation satellite system) antennas receive signals from satellite systems: GPS in the United States, Galileo in theRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights power connectors for transportation from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Power Connectors for Transportation Amphenol’s SurLok Plus connectors from PEI-Genesis are a field installable alternative to common compression lugs. Features include IP67 protection, touch-proof, and RoHS compliance. The products also contain RADSOK contact technology. They are designed to support electricRead More

As data center infrastructures upgrade to transition to higher bandwidths, LPOs are emerging as a promising solution to enable faster, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective optical connectivity. A few days before the OFC 2025 optical networking conference, the LPO MSA (Linear Pluggable Optics Multi-Source Agreement) Group announced the completion of the 100 Gb/s per lane Linear Pluggable OpticsRead More

A Bishop & Associates analysis of the top 100 connector manufacturers in 2024 sales reveals the impact of multiple acquisitions.   At Bishop & Associates, as we prepare our analysis and ranking of the top 100 of 2024, we realize that many of the companies represented in past years are no longer listed. And, forRead More

Meet the Cable: Coaxial Cables Their design was first used in 1858 and patented by mathematician Oliver Heaviside in 1880, yet these reliable and cost-effective cables are still widely used to transmit data, video, and voice communication. Today, they are even used for power in certain applications. Coaxial or coax cable is used to transmitRead More

As automakers increase safety features and efficiency, the electrical systems that power all this new technology must also evolve to ensure performance and user safety. 48V systems are at the heart of this evolution. An increase in safety and infotainment features coupled with demand for range and energy efficiency in gas, hybrid, and electric vehiclesRead More

Meet the Connector: Terminals A terminal is the conductive element that provides an electrical contact point that enables electricity to flow through an electrical circuit. At its most basic level, a terminal is simply a conductive bare wire that is secured through crimping or soldering, often to a terminal block. However, the word terminal isRead More