What is a LED Light Pipe?
Light pipes, often called LED light pipes because of their use with LEDs, are physical structures (either a transparent plastic rod or an optical fiber) that are used for transmitting light lengthwise. Integrating LED light pipes is an extremely cost effective option that helps eliminate the multiple steps associated with transporting light from one location to another. Light pipes transmit up to 80% of emitted light making them useful for a broad range of applications including security equipment, medical devices, and communications equipment.
What is a Disconnect Switch?
Disconnect switches (also known as isolator switches, safety switches, and load break switches) are used to isolate electrical circuits by interrupting the flow of electrical current. By quickly stopping the flow of power, disconnect switches allow for emergency shutdowns, switching to alternate power sources, and maintenance.
What is a Binding Post?
Binding Post Description
Initially invented by the General Radio Corporation of Cambridge, MA, binding posts are commonly used in test fixtures for wire termination. A typical single post binding post consists of a cylindrical threaded stem with a drilled hole for accepting the conductor, one or more molded nuts, and an insulated cap. During installation the conductor (usually stripped copper wire) is inserted through a hole in the threaded stem of the post and tightened into place by using a molded nut. Binding post caps are used to insulate the binding post and come in 3 primary colors: red indicates an active (positive) terminal, black indicates an inactive (negative) terminal, and green indicates the ground terminal.
Binding Post Designs
One common design for binding posts is called a universal or five-way style. This style allows for the joining of multiple types of connectors such as banana plugs, pin connectors, uninsulated wire, and more. Other types of binding posts include insulated binding posts, dual binding posts, knob type binding posts, metal binding posts, miniature binding posts and spring loaded binding posts.
Binding Post Applications
- Special Effects Equipment
- Analytical Instruments
- Test Equipment
- Loudspeakers
- Audio Amplifiers
- And More
Binding Post Manufacturers
bisco carries several industry leading brands for binding posts including:
- Abbatron
- Cinch Connectivity
- Keystone Electronics
- Mueller Electric
- Pomona / Fluke
In fact, bisco is currently the exclusive supplier of Abbatron’s newest binding post – the 1834 series top loading binding post! These binding posts provide quick and secure wire connections for wires up to #15 AWG. The body is nickel-brass plated while the insulated shell is UV and fire resistant and made of Valox. View the Abbatron 1834 spec here.
Learn More About Binding Posts
For those looking to learn more about binding posts or spec in products check out these helpful catalogs from Keystone Electronics and Mueller Electric. If you’d like personal assistance from one our 300+ product specialists visit our contact page.
What is a Strain Relief?
Strain Relief Description
Strain reliefs or strain relief bushings, like their moniker suggests, offer support and relieve strain to areas of cables that are prone to cracking or breaking due to frequent movement. Effective strain reliefs prevent any electrical loads applied to the cable from being transferred to conductor terminations. Also called bend reliefs, strain reliefs are integral part of electrical reliability in products and ensure overall performance.
Strain Relief Applications
Strain reliefs are often attached to a plug or connector that connects a wire to an electrical outlet. Strain reliefs may also be used at contact points or bends in the wire to prevent wear and tear on cables. Many strain reliefs have a series of ridges which allow for greater flexibility at vulnerable areas of cables or cords. It should be noted though, that strain reliefs are extremely customizable and most manufacturers can design them to meet the requirements of the end product.
Strain Relief Manufacturers:
- Altech
- Amphenol
- Heyco
- Molex
- TE Connectivity
Learn More About Strain Reliefs
bisco industries is a premier source for all of your cable protection needs including strain reliefs. If you’re interested in learning more about strain reliefs check out this helpful brochure from Heyco or visit our Heyco strain relief product page.
What is a Patch Panel?
Patch Panel Description
Patch panels are metal plates with an array of cut-outs designed to accept connection jacks. In most cases patch panels are fabricated to accept a single type of connection jack such as Cat6 ethernet jacks. In addition to being sold individually, patch panels are also available in kits that include jack modules, labels, and other related components. Patch panels are also commonly referred to as patch bays, patch fields, and jack fields.
Patch Panel Applications
Patch panels are installed on enclosures or racks to provide an easy way to organize connections. Patch panels are widely used in data center applications such as server enclosures as well as in music and television equipment. These applications require multiple connections from different sources into a single device making patch panels an ideal solution.
Flat Patch Panel
Angled Patch Panel
Patch Panel Configurations
Patch panels are available in many different variations. Key design variations include:
- Jack module type
- Patch panel material type
- Unshielded patch panels vs. shielded patch panels
- Flat patch panels vs. angled patch panels
- Standard patch panels vs. high-density patch panels
- Port labeling
Patch Panel Manufacturers
- Assmann WSW Components
- Belden
- Leviton
- Molex
- Panduit
Learn More About Patch Panels
One of the leading patch panel manufacturers, Panduit, has compiled a comprehensive patch panel selection guide to help users learn about different patch panel configurations and select the ideal patch panel for their application. To view Panduit’s patch panel selection guide click here.
What is a Standoff?
Standoff Fastener Description
Standoffs are fasteners used to create space between printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies and are the standard fastener for mounting PCBs to prevent electrical shorts. Standoffs are similar to spacers but differ in that they are threaded.
Standoff Fastener Styles
Standoffs may be cylindrical, square or hexagonal in shape and come in male, female, male-male, or male-female styles. Standoffs are fabricated from various materials such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel and nylon. In addition, standoffs are often plated to meet application specific requirements.
Standoff Fastener Application Example
One application example for standoffs is the fastening of a motherboard (PCB) to a metal enclosure. In a typical scenario, male-female standoffs are fastened into pre-drilled metal ringed screw holes in the motherboard while the opposite end of the standoff is fastened to the enclosure wall. Mounting the motherboard in this manner prevents it from short circuiting.
Standoff Fastener Manufacturers
- Accurate Screw Machine (ASM)
- Amatom
- Bivar
- Concord Electronics
- ITW Fastex
- Keystone Electronics
- Lyn-Tron
- RAF Electronic Hardware
Configuring Standoff Fasteners
Since standoffs come in so many styles, sizes, and materials configuring the correct standoff for your application can be challenging. To aid you in configuring standoffs and other electronic hardware bisco has recently updated it’s RAF product catalog. Users can now browse and filter standoffs by style, material, diameter, length, thread size, and finish. Visit bisco’s online RAF product selector to learn more.
What is Wiring Duct?
About Wiring Duct
Wiring ducts are plastic or metal troughs used to organize and protect wire and cable. Wiring ducts are designed with the purpose of easily allowing the organization, pulling, and separation of cables. Wiring ducts are commonly referred to by many other names including wire troughs, wire raceways, wire channels, and wire tracks.
Round Hole Wiring Duct
Slotted Wiring Duct
Solid Wall Wiring Duct
Wiring Duct Features
Wiring ducts come in solid wall, round hole and slotted wall varieties. The round hole and slotted options typically come with rounded edges to protect wires from cuts and abrasions. In addition, round hole and slotted wiring ducts facilitate easy entry and exit of cables in applications that require breakouts in wire routing. Solid wall wiring duct is used for sensitive cables that need to be protected from dust, debris and other outside contaminants that threaten the cable integrity. Wiring ducts are are also available in rigid or flexible styles.
Wiring Duct Applications
Wiring ducts are utilized for a wide variety of applications such as electrical enclosures, industrial machinery, and data/communication panels and closets. Wiring ducts are typically installed using adhesives or threaded fasteners such as machine screws or rivets.
Wiring Duct Manufacturers
- Essentra
- HellermannTyton
- Panduit
- Thomas & Betts
- TE Connectivity
Configuring Wiring Duct
When it comes to wiring duct there are many options from material to mounting style. DIN rail mounted wing duct may be a great choice for some applications but not feasible for others. To help users configure products for their particular applications wiring duct manufacturers Thomas & Betts and Panduit, both offer extensive catalogs. As always bisco product specialists are also standing to by to assist you with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is a Butt Splice?
Butt Splice Description
Despite their humorous name, butt splices are essential and widely utilized electrical connectors. In their most basic form butt splices are tubular metal connectors used to connect (splice) or terminate wire endings by crimping or soldering. Butt splice connectors may be used to repair damaged wiring, to increase overall wire length, to securely terminate wires, or to split from a single wire to multiple wires.
Although butt splices are available uninsulated many butt splices feature nylon or vinyl insulators that protect connections from environmental hazards and prevent short circuiting. In addition, most butt splice connectors utilize crimping thus eliminating the safety hazards and time constraints of soldering.
What is a Banana Plug?
Banana Plug Description
Banana plugs are one conductor (aka: single wire) electrical connectors that are traditionally used to connect wires to equipment with DC and low frequency signals. Banana plugs are male connectors that feature a tubular construction with a flared center to separate the wire post from the main connector body.
Since standard banana plugs are normally not insulated, they are only recommended for applications less than 33 volts. However, insulated banana plugs are available for use in higher current applications. One of the many benefits of using banana plugs is their safety and simplicity. Banana plugs also provide secure connections for lead wires.
Banana Plug Applications
Banana plugs’ basic design make them a connector of choice for many applications. In fact, technicians and engineers often use banana plugs in during prototyping to test circuits and connections. Common applications include medical equipment, personal computers, and aircraft navigation systems.
Top Banana Plug Manufacturers
- Abbatron (HH Smith)
- Cinch Connectivity
- Keystone Electronics
- Mueller Electric
- Pomona Electronics (Fluke)
- TE Connectivity
Learn More About Banana Plugs
To learn more about banana plugs and to configure products for your application check out these helpful resources from Abbatron and Pomona Electronics. bisco industries product specialists are also standing by to assist you. Contact a bisco representative now!
What is a PLCC Socket?
PLCC Socket Description
Plastic leaded chip carriers (PLCC) sockets are a type of chip carrier used to form connections between integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs).
PLCC sockets typically have a rectangular plastic housing with connections along all four edges of the rectangle. To form secure connections PLCC sockets utilize J-leads which derive their name from fact that the leads are bent under and around the plastic housing. During installation PLCC sockets are soldered to the PCB and then the chip is inserted into the PLCC socket. Chips can be exchanged or removed using a specialized tool called a PLCC extractor.
PLCC Socket Configurations
All PLCC sockets meet JEDEC industry standards MO-047 or MO-052 which define lead spacing and sizing. Nonetheless, there are several configuration options for PLCC sockets. Perhaps most significant is the mounting style. PLCC sockets are available in both surface mount (SMT) and through hole (THT) configurations. As the name implies SMT PLCC sockets are mounted directly on the surface of the PCB. In contrast, THT PLCC sockets are mounted by inserting leads in pre-drilled holes on the PCB and soldering them to the opposite side.
Top PLCC Socket Manufacturers
- 3M
- Adam Tech
- Amphenol FCI
- Mill-Max
- Samtec
- TE Connectivity
Learn More About PLCC Sockets
Manufacturers such as Mill-Max and Adam Tech offer catalogs that provide an array of technical information to help users configure PLCC sockets for their applications. In addition to general manufacturer documentation, bisco industries offers a team of product specialists to answer any questions about PLCC sockets you may have. Click here to contact a bisco product specialist.
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