Recent News

Faulty Thermistor Symptoms

Thermistors serve a variety of purposes and you’ll find them in just about everything. Refrigerators, hair dryers, vehicles, and more all feature these temperature sensors. However, that’s not all they’re used for; they can also be used as current protection. What happens if a thermistor fails and displays an incorrect reading? Learn more about faulty… Read more »

What’s Special About NATO Power Plugs?

Unlike your average electrical plug, NATO power plugs meet the requirements put forth under a STANdardization AGreement (STANAG). What does this mean? To put it simply, NATO plugs are military-grade and offer the highest possible reliability. Read on to learn more about what makes NATO slave cable plugs special, then shop for the component you… Read more »

Connector Plug vs. Receptacle

What is an Electric Receptacle? Connectors, in essence, are shells that house contacts with wires and are used on electrical wiring harnesses. To define receptacle simply, each connector plug has an insert that’s specifically formatted for a mating socket or receptacle. Inserts are typically moisture-resistant and feature a hermetic seal to protect the plug, receptacle,… Read more »

What is a Cable Assembly?

Electric cable assemblies are harness assemblies that house cables. The purpose of a cable assembly is to help the user keep tabs on the amount of current, the path of the current, and general safety. Cable assemblies house and organize different types of cables, which helps prevent confusion and potentially dangerous situations. You’ll find a… Read more »

What is a Hook-Up Wire?

What is a hook-up wire? It’s a special type of wire that’s used primarily in low-current, low-voltage applications. If you need wiring for an enclosed piece of electronic equipment, there’s a good chance you need a hook-up wire. Hook-up wires vary in terms of conductors, jacket and insulation material, and voltage, so it’s important to… Read more »

What is MIL-PRF?

Standardization is a process used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure products are reliable, uniform, interoperable, and cost-efficient. U.S. defense standards, also known as military standards, contribute to making standardization possible. There are different types of standards and specifications, such as MIL-PRF. What are MIL-F standards? Gateway Cable Company is going to… Read more »

What is an In-Line Fuse?

Fuses are protective devices that are used for electrical and electronic components. What is an in-line fuse? What differentiates an in-line fuse from other types of fuses? An in-line fuse is secured inside a cable as opposed to a ceramic or glass cartridge. If you’re shopping for an in-line fuse, learn more about their functions… Read more »

What are NATO Electrical Connectors?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) connectors adhere to military or technical procedures defined under a STANdardization AGreement (STANAG). Like U.S. defense standards (also known as MIL-SPEC), NATO standards outline the processes, terms, and conditions for the manufacturing of equipment like power connectors for military use. The difference is, however, that these standards exist so the… Read more »

What is HASS Testing?

Highly Accelerated Stress Screen (HASS) is a screening method used to monitor the quality and uniformity of manufacturing by finding production flaws and defects in products. HASS is performed on a component after HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Testing), as testing is based on the results of the previous HALT. The stresses used during HASS testing… Read more »

What is HALT Testing?

Highly Accelerated Life Testing, or HALT testing, is an effective and reasonably priced method of testing the strength and condition of an electrical component, such as cables or receptacles. HALT testing services subject a product to gradually higher stress levels to determine its weaknesses and design flaws. This process is completed during the design phase… Read more »

How to Test Cables with a Multimeter

What is a multimeter? It’s a multifunctional device that measures electronics and electrical components and can perform a variety of tests without requiring that users buy another unit. Essentially, it’s an amalgam of an AC/DC voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter, so it can be used to measure voltage, current measured in amperes, and resistance. Wondering how… Read more »

What Does ISO 9001:2015 Mean?

When it comes to quality management systems, ISO 9001 is the standard by which organizations in all industries are measured worldwide. If a company is ISO 9001-certified, such as Gateway Cable Company, it means they provide high-quality products and services to its customers on a consistent basis. Where does the “2015” factor in, you might… Read more »

What is MIL-SPEC?

The U.S. Department of Defense (as well as some non-defense government organizations) uses defense standards to ensure specially built or significantly modified commercial products are dependable, uniform, and compatible with other systems. What is MIL-SPEC? It’s short for “military specification” and refers to documents that outline these very strict technical requirements. When you see a… Read more »

What Does “Corrosion Resistant” Mean?

Corrosion resistance is one of the many benefits of working with electrical components like MIL-SPEC connectors and NATO connectors/plugs. When you work with wires, cables, and other types of electrical equipment, it’s important to understand corrosion and how to disrupt it. So, what does “corrosion resistant” mean? Read on to learn more from Gateway Cable… Read more »

How Does an Inductor Work?

Simply put, an inductor is a coil of wire wrapped around a core, which could be air or a magnet. As current moves through the inductor, a magnetic field starts to form, which the inductor uses to store energy. Inductors, along with capacitors and resistors, are essential electronic components. They’re used in a variety of… Read more »