TECHNOLOgy REvIEW transportation applications?


What makes an electrical connector suitable for


Figure 1: Miniature wire- to-wire connectors from Delphi and Molex


mArco enge of Avnet AbAcus exAmines the multiplicity of connector types to understAnd which best suit the requirements of pArticulAr trAnsport systems


Not surprisingly, the answer to this question is going to depend on a number of considerations. This may range from the nature of the target application and how hostile or benign that environment is, through to how important the integrity of the connection is e.g. does it provide a safety-critical function? The type of connector, whether for power, data or control signals, is clearly a primary selection criterion. Beyond this step, the decision process will be determined by whether the connector is required to mate a cable to another cable or to a socket or terminal on a circuit board assembly.


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This article will look at the various types of connector that are typically used in transportation applications. Some of these are very specific, like the Molex AK-2 fail-safe connectors used for airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, while others may be standard products that perhaps have higher specifications than their more commercial counterparts. Aspects of safety, reliability and environmental performance will all be considered by reviewing a number of different types of connector from various manufacturers.


The spectrum of transportation applications for electrical connectors ranges from relatively benign requirements, such as in-car


focus magazine - issue 15


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