Route or fleet vehicles operate near continuously under harsh environment conditions. As electrification expands in this market, it’s critical that connectors can endure the influence of high voltages as well as the rigors of the road. Commercial vehicles operate in uncontrolled environments, subject to heat, moisture, vibration, and dust. For fleet or route vehicles, suchRead More
CAN bus interfaces and modules, with a range of corresponding cable types and connector combinations, serve as the backbone of the CAN communications system. When chosen properly, they deliver performance, cost savings, and reliability. Controller Area Network (CAN) technology first appeared in European luxury vehicles 30 years ago. Since then, CAN technology has become prevalentRead More
Every lidar application requires connectivity. Choosing the right connectors starts with understanding the environment that the technology will operate in. Lidar technology has grown into a highly competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Its use in vehicle applications has enabled systems like ADAS, autonomous transportation systems, and diverse applications ranging from traffic management and pedestrian monitoringRead More
As transportation technologies evolve, the connectors that have served the industry well for decades are being joined by a new generation of small, lightweight, versatile, and powerful interconnects. Many connectors for vehicles that designers and manufacturers rely on have been on the market for decades. Modern cars, light trucks, and motorcycles include legacy connectors throughoutRead More
Online configuration tools are changing the way we specify connectors. 3D modules help designers create the right product for their application. Board-to-board connectors are designed to connect two PCBs with precisely controlled spacing in between. For example, when customizing a pin header, numerous parameters must be considered, such as number of pins, pin length, andRead More
From seed to harvest, a range of digitalized heavy equipment and small electronic technologies are changing the way forests are managed. Around 15 billion trees are cut down each year to meet humanity’s need for lumber, fuel, and paper products, as well as to clear forests for new construction and agriculture. Meanwhile, 1.8 billion newRead More
Also known as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies, these sub-components are much more than just a simple piece of metal or plastic. Housings are the metal or plastic portions that encompass the raw connector. They may also be referred to as shells, backshells, blocks, or bodies. But let’s not oversimplify things. These sub-components are muchRead More
Battery packs and other attachments used with mobile applications must demonstrate UL certification that coincides with that of the main equipment body. Maximize UL Voltage Ratings in Electrical Devices Power and control devices for transportation applications are designed with specific application voltage ratings in mind. The components used to electrically connect this equipment must alsoRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights rack and panel connectors for transportation applications from leading suppliers. Rack & Panel Connectors for Transportation Applications The Winchester TXAC Series from CDM Electronics is designed for external installation in industrial and commercial applications that operate in high temperature, rough service environments. This series has the same military-type anodized aluminumRead More
This week’s Product Roundup highlights power distribution connectors from leading suppliers. Power Distribution Connectors BizLink’s 745-07A/07B/07F/07G high-power connectors with max. 32A/10AWG and 50A/8AWG cables are designed for AC inputs for power shelves of standardized servers in data centers. These connectors meet the standards of UL 1977 and EN 61984 and have lateral/central ground options. TheyRead More
The EDS Leadership Summit in Las Vegas was cancelled due to COVID-19. But TTI Inc. gave its traditional presentation online, reviewing the state of the industry and previewing the headwinds and opportunities that are heading our way. The 2020 DesignCon event was the last time the industry was able to gather in a normal fashionRead More
Despite setbacks related to the pandemic, passenger and cargo rail expansion is continuing around the globe. We examine key trends that are advancing this critical transportation mode and influencing connectors used for rail. The transportation sector took major hits in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public activities and logistics operations. Consumers backed away fromRead More
