Science

The art of connection technology

Electrical engineering

Working without electronic components and electrical circuits is unthinkable in our modern age. While IT technologies are becoming ever faster and more complex, one thing has always remained the same since the first lightbulb lit up: only the right switch with the correctly routed cables enables all current-dependent processes.

Statistical value of connection technology within the cable industry in Germany

In the cable industry, control cabinets and communication technologies are emerging with an increasing trend, almost parallel to the speed of digitization in companies and IT networking in the private sector. As of 2021, more connection technology was put into operation than power cables or vehicle cables were required. In the future, digitization in Germany will take the next step towards Industry 4.0. This means that in the future, automation islands will initially be partially, and one day fully,  connected to the company IT. Such closely networked structures are only possible with the right terminals, distributors and wiring.

Simple in detail, complex as a whole

Terminals are those connections in the control cabinet that hold a power line and safely forward its power to technical devices in the line system. However, not every clamp has to be fixed individually in the cabinet for an X-ray machine, a car wash or an industrial production line. Rather,  any number of individual terminals are combined to form terminal blocks. Different colors identify circuits for one electrical consumer each. Other connection technologies that will also prove their worth in the future are spring connections, clamp clamps or screw connections with bolt technology. For example, for continuity, cables are brought together with terminal blocks and connected here. Depending on the application requirements, complex electrical systems with even more complex electronic functions are created from many individual terminals.

Connection technology in medicine

With the possibilities of electronic examinations and treatments, medicine is making tremendous progress. However, the power cables required for this are not comparable to those in private household electrical systems. For all medical equipment from the dental laboratory to the highly specialized university clinic, the finest switch terminals are required for sensitive, thin cable harnesses  . The principle of simplicity also applies here, i.e. individual terminals that can be easily assembled to form different switching systems for each cable harness and required function. Statistically, the demand for such tiny but complex connection technology will increase in the coming decades in step with new digitized inventions in this industry.

Connection technology in the automotive industry

Cars have long been assembled in parts by robots . At least the assembly line workers work hand in hand with their electronic colleagues. The electronics contained in the vehicles themselves must be able to withstand considerable mechanical loads in road traffic. Despite robust bodies and stable components the installed vehicle electronics must be clamped in a vibration-proof and traffic-safe manner. Clamps for this purpose should be light, take up little space and reliably prevent cables from slipping out in every situation. In addition to the superior connection technology, assistance systems also detect safety problems in the various vehicle circuits. For them, too, their own cables have to be laid in such a way that a failure in the current flow or a diversion from the terminal to other switching areas is ruled out.

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