With so many cable options unavailable, you may be wondering, “What is a shielded cable?” Shielded cables are electrical cables with insulating conductors that are surrounded by a conductive layer. Usually, the shield is covered with a jacket, while the shield itself can be made of braided copper strands, conducting polymer, or a spiraled and… Read more »
Cables
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 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 »
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 is a Twisted Pair Cable?
A twisted pair cable is created by taking two different insulated wires and twisting them together, allowing them to run parallel to each other in a pattern. This type of cable can be either a shielded twisted pair cable (STP) or unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP), and while they each exhibit a unique design, both… Read more »