Meet the Cable: Subsea Cables  Subsea cables (also called submarine cables) are specialized, highly ruggedized fiber optic cables that cross the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunications signals. They are the backbone of global internet and data communications and transmit data such as internet traffic, telephone calls, and private data. Subsea optical cables carryRead More

Meet the Cable: Ribbon or Flat Cable Ribbon cables, also known as flat or planar cables, feature a row of conductive wires running in parallel within a wide, flat, ribbon-shaped cable substrate. Ribbon cable can be folded and bent, providing great design flexibility. The ribbon cable was invented in 1956 by the Cicoil Corporation (aRead More

Meet the Connector: Armored Cables Armored cables are versatile, self-contained conduit-wire systems that can be used in the most challenging applications. The armor is a metal sheath surrounding the cable.  It acts as a protective barrier against damage to the insulator and conductors and helps block electromagnetic interference in high- and low-current applications. Particularly inRead More

Meet the Connector: High-Voltage Cables High-voltage (HV) cable, is a highly insulated, heavy-duty cable necessary for high-voltage power transmission. It is used in instruments, ignition systems, and alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power transmission in many environments. High voltage cable is used in electric vehicles (EVs) to transmit power from the battery toRead More

Minnesota med-tech innovators with the Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, 3M, and others congregated at the annual MD&M regional trade event to explore miniaturization, automation, and bio-compatible technologies. The pacemaker, the mechanical heart valve, and the heart-lung machine for open heart surgeries are among the lifesaving technologies that originated in Minnesota. The state’s reputation asRead More

Meet the Connector: Cable Termination Methods Beyond connectors, a range of termination options exist, from solder to splice. Each method ensures the complete transfer of data and power. Choosing the right one for the application depends on the cable type, operating environment, potential need for future access, and skill level of the assembler. A connectorRead More

Meet the Cable: Multimode Cable Multimode cable is a type of fiber optic cable designed to carry multiple light modes or paths simultaneously, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission over relatively short distances, commonly used in data centers and local area networks. Optical fibers were first developed in the 1950s and 1960s by researchers such as CharlesRead More

Meet the Connector: HSL/High-Speed Link Connectors HSL/High-speed link connectors are used to facilitate high-speed data communication between different components within electronic systems, such as computers, servers, telecommunications equipment, and other digital devices. The term HSL refers to a broad category of high-speed, high-performance interconnects that are capable of supporting data rates that can reach multipleRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights medical cable assemblies from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Medical Cable Assemblies Avnet supplies circular MT optical cable assemblies from Molex. Today’s medical and industrial equipment generates vast amounts of data and requires optical communications to move that data at high speeds. These fixed pieces of equipment are not lockedRead More

Suppliers reached deeper into connected systems and adjacent technologies to expand capabilities with strategic acquisitions in 2023. Our annual acquisitions roundup tracks growth and changes at connector companies. The interconnect industry continues to become more interconnected as suppliers expand services, capabilities, products, and supply chains with strategic acquisitions. Several significant changes occurred in 2023 asRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights space-grade connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Space-grade connectors Omnetics Nano-D Bi-Lobe connectors are now available with a quick latch system. These latches require no tools and offer great ease in handling. Bi-Lobe connectors utilize Omnetics’ rugged and reliable flex pin contact system. Spaced on 25 mil (.64 mm)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 2023 Connector Industry News November 2023 Connector Industry News > Event News As part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebration, Phoenix Contact is bringing a science curriculum based on its ThinkRead More