Connector Fundamentals
Connector Fundamentals
Articles
16 entries
Cable Derating Factor: How to Calculate Current Capacity
Current carrying capacity drops when cables are bundled or exposed to high heat. Learn how to calculate the true cable derating factor with worked examples.
800 VDC Architecture: The Power Delivery Shift Beyond 48V
AI racks heading toward 600 kW push power distribution from 48V to 800 VDC. See the current math and what changes for busbars, creepage and clearance, and interlocks.
IP Rating Chart: What IP65, IP67, IP68, and IP69K Actually Mean
IP69K isn't a "better" version of IP68 — it tests a completely different hazard (high-pressure hot water jets vs. static submersion). Quick-reference chart for every digit, plus the combinations that actually show up on connector datasheets.
RoHS & REACH Compliance for Connectors: What "Compliant" Actually Requires
RoHS and REACH get conflated constantly, but a connector can be fully RoHS compliant and still carry a REACH disclosure obligation — they're separate regulations, checked separately.
MIL-DTL-38999 Connectors Explained: Series I–IV Compared
Series I through IV aren't just size variants — each one couples differently (bayonet, triple-start thread, or breech-lock), which is usually the first thing to nail down before comparing anything else.
What Does UL 94 Mean? Flammability Rating Guide for Connector Housings
A UL 94 rating only applies to the specific thickness and color it was tested at — what V-0 through 5VA actually require, and why a glow-wire rating isn't the same thing.
Test Point and Probe-Compatible Connector Design for In-Circuit Test
In-Circuit Testing relies on physical spring-probe contact. Uncover key Design-for-Test (DFT) rules to prevent probe interference and ensure high test coverage.
How to Read Connector Thermal Derating Curves: A Practical Guide
Operating connectors near ambient temperature limits requires current derating. Learn to interpret manufacturer curves, apply safety margins, and avoid critical thermal errors.
Connector Galvanic Corrosion: Avoiding Contact Plating Incompatibility
Mating incompatible contact platings like gold and tin triggers accelerated galvanic corrosion. Discover how to select compatible metal pairs and prevent field failures.
How to select the right connector for your application
A systematic engineering methodology for selecting the ideal connector. Evaluate electrical ratings, mechanical durability, environmental hazards, and manufacturing constraints.
Connector types explained: A complete guide for beginners
Get a comprehensive overview of fundamental connector types in hardware engineering. Learn how to distinguish board-to-board, wire-to-board, wire-to-wire, and FFC/FPC interconnects for PCB design.
Connector current rating explained: How many amps can a connector handle?
Learn how connector current ratings are determined and why datasheet values require engineering derating. Master thermal dissipation, multi-pin heating effects, and copper trace layouts.
Connector voltage rating explained: Understanding creepage and clearance
Master connector voltage ratings and safety isolation rules. Learn how to calculate creepage and clearance distances, evaluate CTI material ratings, and prevent high-voltage arcing.
Connector contact resistance explained
Master the fundamentals of connector contact resistance. Learn how bulk resistance, constriction resistance, and film resistance cause localized thermal heating and signal voltage drops.
Connector mating cycles explained: How many times can a connector be plugged?
Learn what determines connector mating cycle ratings and how contact wear impacts reliability. Master plating selection, insertion forces, and design-in strategies for high-durability interfaces.
Connector pitch explained: 0.4mm vs 0.5mm vs 1.0mm connectors
Understand the critical design trade-offs between 0.4mm, 0.5mm, and 1.0mm connector pitches. Master trace breakout routing, SMT stencil design, and current handling capabilities.