Connector

One critical but often overlooked aspect of this infrastructure is the role of connectors and adapters. These essential accessories facilitate seamless communication between diverse devices and systems, ensuring that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can maintain robust connectivity in an interconnected world. As organizations expand their technological ecosystems, the need for versatile and reliable connectors and adapters becomes paramount. From enabling access to cloud services to supporting remote work environments, the right accessories can enhance network performance and resilience.  

Essential for transmitting radio frequency signals with minimal loss, RF coax cable is a critical component in many applications. Whether used in telecommunications, broadcast, or military communications, it ensures reliable signal transmission. Its ability to minimize interference and deliver clear signals makes it invaluable in both consumer and professional electronics. Many industries rely on RF coax cable assemblies to maintain optimal performance in wireless systems, testing environments, and networking applications.

Choosing the right power connectors is essential to ensure the safe and efficient operation of your computers and other electrical equipment. But shopping for the right ones for your needs can be confusing, since power connectors come in many types and styles.

Below we clarify some of the main terminology you’ll encounter while shopping for power distribution connectors for your electrical components, including the most popular sizes, types of mounts, and useful features.

AC Connector Sizes

When it comes to AC power connectors, the "C" designations (like C20, C14, etc.) follow the IEC 60320 standard. This international standard defines various types of connectors based on their physical shape, current rating, and voltage rating. Each type has specific applications in different power setups. Let’s look at some of the most common classifications:

• C20 Connector: This is a high-current connector rated for up to 10A to 16A at 250V. It is typically used in high-power devices like servers, data

Bulgin-brand Buccaneer circular connectors for power and data offer robust solutions, engineered for versatility, durability, and superior performance in many environments. Here, we’ll explore the numerous benefits and applications of these circular connectors, manufactured with high-quality polyamide and designed to operate in challenging conditions.

Exceptional Durability

A standout feature of Buccaneer circular connectors is their polyamide construction, which provides excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance. This robustness allows these connectors to withstand harsh environments without degrading, making them ideal for applications in industries from telecom to commercial to industrial automation, and including transportation, medical, agricultural, food processing, and wastewater. The waterproof connectors are rated to operate in a wide range of temperatures, ensuring reliability in diverse weather conditions. Most of ShowMeCables’ Bulgin Buccaneer connectors operate

Networking takes shape in many different environments and not just in clean, dry server rooms. Many industries, including automation, robotics, and alternative energy must have access to networks but are out in the field quite often. The products used to build these networks must withstand harsh environmental factors for the long haul. Our new M12 cables manufactured by L-com provide secure connections for all of your industrial networking application needs.

What is an M12 cable?

M12 cables from ShowMeCables are category-rated ethernet cables with two connectors on either end. These circular connectors have 12mm locking threads to ensure an established connection and a tight seal. Specifically, the twelve pins within the cable meet industrial signal requirements and keep you connected to a secure network. 

What makes an M12 cable special?

The difference between traditional category-rated ethernet cables and M12 ethernet cables is the environment in which they can perform. Traditional ethernet

All cables (with the exception of fiber cables) are made using metal. Looking at any cable, users can see metal in the connectors on the end. Some connectors are entirely made of metal while others are mostly plastic and contain small metal pins. Regardless of how much metal is used in making a cable, and regardless of what exactly that cable is used for, these materials are all used for the same purpose: to conduct electricity. Any user who has handled various cables over the years, as most people have, has probably noticed that different metals can be used from one cable to the next.

Why are Certain Metals used in Cables?

So why are different metals used? Is there a metal that is better than the rest? There are many different factors that go into selecting what metals are used in making a cable. The first of which is conductivity. The list shows the commonly used metals in cable manufacturing, from most to least conductive (rated assuming the metals are pure).

1. Silver
2. Copper
3. Gold
4. Aluminum

From left to right: FC, LC, SC, and ST

Fiber optic cables utilize a few different fiber connector types that can be used to terminate the cable. While they do bear some similarities, each kind has a different enough size and shape that they are not interchangeable. When preparing any fiber-related equipment for installation, it is important to make sure the cables are equipped with the right connectors for the job.

FC is an older fiber optic connector currently being phased out of industry standards. While single mode cables still use FC, it is unusual to see them on multimode cables. FC connectors take longer to unplug compared to newer fiber optic connectors due to their threaded screw-on design. Additionally, the more complex design and use of metal make them more costly to manufacture. Despite those downsides, FC still sees some use since those threads allow it to remain secure when used on moving machinery.

LC was designed as a push-pull connector that locks in place with a latch.

Coax cables are fairly simple to assemble, but there are a few different ways to go about doing so. Having a good coax signal is heavily dependant on installing a connector correctly. If you are unsure about how to install a coax connector, see our installation guide here.

Whether crimp, solder, compression, and twist-on is the best option will depend on the exact setting the cable will be used in. Consider questions such as:

• Is the cable low- or high-voltage?
• Will it be used for field-work or factory-work?
• How experienced are the individuals working with the cable?
• How long is the cable expected to last?
• What is the budget?
• Will the cable be in a hazardous environment (extreme temperatures, exposure to chemicals, vibrating machinery, etc.)?

The details below cover the different options with general, overall performance in mind. If other factors come into play, a type of connector not normally considered “the best” could be your best option.

Crimp

Crimp connectors are the most popular

ShowMeCables is proud to announce a new addition to our inventory: coaxial cable adapters and connectors from Pasternack. Pasternack is an industry expert specializing in RF and Microwave components with a strong focus on quality above all else.

Pasternack’s items are among the highest quality available, being RoHS and REACH Certified. Each connector is constructed using nickel-plated brass with gold-plated beryllium copper pins and built to withstand temperatures from -85°F to 329°F (-65°C to 165°C). Some units are also available in gold plating, with a temperature rating of -67°F to 311°F (-55°C to 155°C).

A full list of Pasternack parts available at the time of this publication is listed below.

• Pasternack PE4003 - SMA Male Connector Crimp/Crimp Attachment for RG174, RG316, RG188, LMR-100, PE-B100, PE-C100, .100 inch
  
• Pasternack PE4009 - SMA Male Right Angle Connector Crimp/Solder Attachment for RG174, RG316, RG188, LMR-100, PE-B100, PE-C100, .100 inch
• Pasternack PE4016 - BNC Male

DC Power Male Solder Connector - 3.0mm I.D. - 6.0mm O.D. While many connectors carry power in addition to data, some connectors are used specifically to provide power connections to devices. Direct Current (DC) electrical power connectors are typically connected to various power supplies for laptop computers, small televisions and many other electronic devices. This male barrel connector, or “plug”, has a 3.0mm inner diameter and 6.0mm outer diameter. It is housed in a Molded strain relief plastic handle, for protective flexibility. Although there are multiple methods of attaching the plug to the end of the wire, it’s also possible to get plugs that come pre-attached to a cable. For more information on our products please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505 For all your cable and connector needs choose Show Me Cables.