Electric vehicle (EV) connectors must operate reliably despite intense vibration, thermal cycling, moisture exposure, and elevated temperatures. Adhesives and sealants applied to connector housings, cable entries, and termination points significantly improve sealing performance, vibration resistance, and mechanical stability. These materials can also introduce long-term failure modes driven by thermal expansion mismatch, chemical aging, and environmental […]
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Derating connector current ratings for real-world PCB power designs
Many datasheet connector current ratings are based on test conditions that rarely reflect real-world printed circuit board (PCB) power designs. These values typically represent performance in free air at controlled ambient temperatures, with optimal copper distribution and without the thermal constraints imposed by dense board layouts, enclosures, or altitude. Engineers who apply these ratings directly […]
Be aware of connector mating-cycle limits
It’s easy to overlook vendor-specified mating cycle numbers for connectors and thus encounter problems over time. No, this title isn’t some kind of joke about how your connectors, if left alone at night, will magically spawn new mini-versions of themselves or miraculously grow new contact positions. Instead, it’s a serious issue that is easily overlooked […]
Push-pull D-sub connector housings: What took so long?
Harting introduces push-on, push-off hardware that saves time when connecting and disconnecting D-Sub connectors.
Design World presents the 2025 LEAP Awards Winners: Connectivity
In its eighth year, Design World’s LEAP Awards showcase the best engineering innovations across several design categories. This wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and support of the engineering community. The editorial team assembles OEM design engineers and academics each year to create an independent judging panel. Below is their selection for this year’s LEAP […]
What connectors and interconnects are used in pacemakers and ICDs?
Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are small, battery-powered devices implanted under the skin to manage abnormal heart rhythms. Pacemakers deliver low-energy electrical impulses to treat bradycardia, while ICDs monitor life-threatening arrhythmias and deliver controlled, high-energy shocks. Despite their functional differences, both devices rely on specialized connectors and interconnects to ensure safe, long-term performance. This […]
Second sources mitigate supply issues
Samtec now second-sources its Si-Fly HD co-packaged and near-chip systems through a licensing agreement with Molex. It’s not the first time the two companies have been second sources. Having a second source for critical components can save the day. That’s even more important today given supply-chain disruptions of raw materials. For basic devices such as […]
Surge protection needs of automotive PoC systems
For automotive Power over Coax (PoC) systems, robust surge protection is required to safeguard sensitive electronics from a variety of damaging voltage transients present in the vehicle environment. The protection system must address hazards originating from the vehicle’s battery, electrostatic discharge (ESD) events, and other potential electrical faults. Robust surge protection is needed to protect […]
Diagnostic and monitoring techniques for PoC systems
Power over Coax (PoC) systems, which deliver both power and data over a single coaxial cable, require specialized diagnostic and monitoring techniques. Faults can occur in the cable or within the specialized hardware that injects and extracts power and data. Some PoC protocols, such as the gigabit multimedia serial link (GMSL) and flat panel display […]
Power over coax fundamentals for automotive applications
Power over coax (PoC) works by transmitting both data and power over a single coaxial cable, reducing wiring, weight, and complexity for in-vehicle systems like cameras and high-definition displays. PoC can be crucial for meeting fuel efficiency standards and supporting the growing number of cameras and increasing display sizes and resolutions in modern vehicles. Cabling […]
