Engineering Knowledge Center
Engineering knowledge. Practical answers.
Technical insights, selection guides and application knowledge for reliable connectivity.
9 results for “mating cycles”
- 01
Technical Guides10 min read
How to select an industrial connectorA structured way to choose an industrial connector: define the electrical load, the mechanical and environmental conditions at the connector, the termination and the mating regime, then let each requirement rule out connector families. Ratings are only meaningful together with the conditions under which the datasheet states them. - 02
Product Knowledge9 min read
Understanding connector datasheetsEvery value on a connector datasheet is valid only under the conditions it was determined in. This guide explains how to read electrical, mechanical and environmental ratings, derating curves, materials, approvals and ordering codes — and which questions to ask when the datasheet does not answer them. - 03
Application Notes8 min read
Connector solutions for medical equipmentConnectors in medical electrical equipment form part of the means of protection that IEC 60601-1 requires, and they must survive daily cleaning, repeated mating and, in some cases, sterilisation. This note covers insulation and spacing, mis-mating prevention, chemical resistance, biocompatibility and the documentation a device maker needs from its interconnect supply chain. - 04
Engineering Insights9 min read
Contact resistance and connection reliabilityContact resistance is set by a few microscopic contact spots and the films that cover them, not by the apparent contact area. This article explains constriction and film resistance, the roles of normal force, wipe and plating, how contact resistance is measured, and how it links to temperature rise and current derating. - 05
Product Knowledge10 min read
RF connector selection and signal integrityHow impedance, connector family, return loss, insertion loss and passive intermodulation determine the performance of a coaxial link. A practical guide to choosing RF connectors and cable, reading their specifications and avoiding the mating and handling errors that degrade signal integrity. - 06
Technical Guides11 min read
Connector selection for high-vibration environmentsVibration rarely breaks a connector outright; it degrades the contact interface through micromotion, fretting and intermittent interruptions. This guide explains the failure mechanisms, the connector and cable features that resist them, and how sinusoidal, random and shock tests are used to qualify a connection. - 07
Application Notes8 min read
Reliable connectivity in automotive applicationsVehicle connectors must keep a low, stable contact resistance through years of vibration, temperature cycling and exposure to fluids, while being assembled at line speed. This note covers the environmental loads, the test philosophy behind USCAR-2 and LV 214, assurance features such as TPA and CPA, and the extra requirements of high-voltage and high-speed data connections. - 08
Standards & Compliance10 min read
Understanding IP ratings for connectorsThe IP code of IEC 60529 states how well an enclosure keeps out solid objects and water under defined test conditions. For connectors, the code is only meaningful together with the state in which it was tested — mated, unmated or capped — and it says nothing about temperature, chemicals or seal ageing. ISO 20653 adds K-suffixed codes such as IPX9K for road vehicles. - 09
Technical Guides9 min read
Cable assembly design considerationsA cable assembly is a small system: conductors, insulation, jacket, shielding, terminations, connectors and strain relief that must work together for the life of the equipment. This guide covers requirements capture, material and termination choices, testing and the documentation that makes an assembly reproducible.
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