From DIP, rotary DIP, and slide switches to tactile, rocker, push button, and toggle switches, there is a nearly limitless range of mechanical switches differing in size, shape, interfaces, and features. Although a relatively basic component in electronic design, each switch type has its benefits, drawbacks, and ideal use cases. Because all switches serve a…

Utilized as a no-touch method to provide either precise distance measurement to an object or simple “there/not there” logic, proximity sensors span a wide range of technologies, each offering their own set of operating principles, advantages, and drawbacks. Some of the most commonly found technologies in portable or small embedded systems include ultrasonic, photoelectric, laser…

Depending on the application, a controller or variable-speed electric-motor drive may need to measure any combination of rotor speed, position, and direction. Absolute encoders are a popular motion control choice with their ability to determine rotor position immediately at power on, while also being able to keep track of position during sudden power losses. With…

Having been around for more than two decades, USB connectors are one of the most popular and well-recognized interconnect components in electronic designs. From Type A to Type-C, USB has gone through an array of changes both in terms of the physical connector as well as their associated standards. USB Type-C is the most advanced…

Terminal blocks, often called connection terminals or screw terminals, provide secure wire-to-board or wire-to-wire connections in a range of end applications. While a relatively straightforward component by their very nature, terminal blocks still have a number of design considerations to take into account. Key mechanical specifications like the wire-entry orientation, wire-securing method, and module type…