ASAP Parts Unlimited Blog

While copper wiring has long served various applications for the transportation of power and data signals, such technology has since been superseded with the debut of modern fiber optic cables. As compared to copper wiring, fiber optic cables offer bolstered transmission speeds, thinner designs, and lighter weights. As such, they are highly advantageous for any signal transfer need ranging from home use to corporate data networking. In this blog, we will discuss the best way to choose fiber optic cables, ensuring that you only procure exactly what you need for your operations.
 
When perusing the market, you will quickly find that fiber optic technology will often vary based on cable type, performance, and installation requirements. To make the selection process simple, you should first determine what requirements you may have that are related to distance, network speed, cable jacketing, and connectors. While cable options like the multimode fiber were once the basic choice for various network needs, cost differences have balanced out in a way that makes it more advantageous to make considerations of your needs before procurement. For example, if the distance that you are sending data over is very short, a multimode cable may be best. Meanwhile, longer distances or higher speed requirements may benefit further from the use of a single-mode fiber.
 
Depending on the application in question and the installation environment that cables are placed within, there may need to be various forms of cable jacketing used. For example, indoor fiber cabling must have a cable jacket that is rated to meet local fire codes, and such identification may be found within Article 77 of the National Electric Code (NEC). Beyond meeting requirements, there may also be benefits to procuring jackets that offer flexibility and strength to guarantee reliability under loads and stressors. As a final consideration, fiber optic terminations should be chosen based on the ports present on your specific network equipment. For instance, if you are working with an Ethernet switch that has multi-fiber MTP ports, you will need to find cables that present an accommodating amount of fibers.
 
As stated before, there are multiple types of fiber optic cables, primary options being multimode and singlemode fiber cables. Multimode cables come in sizes like 50µm and 62.5µm, and their larger core diameters permit multiple streams of data to be carried at the same time. With the capability to transfer a high amount of data over a small distance as a result of their dispersion and attenuation rates, multimode fibers are most often used for communication that does not extend past a building or campus.
 
On the other hand, single-mode fibers have smaller cores that tend to be 8.3µm or 9µm in measurement, and these cables only provide a single path of light. While this may lower the total volume of data that is moved, this design allows for light to travel much longer distances. With more capability to operate across distances, single-mode fibers generally find use in campus data, cable TV, and telecommunications networks.
 
Once you have considered your needs and are ready to begin the purchasing process, look no further than ASAP Parts Unlimited for all your operational needs. On our website, we present customers access to over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find parts, all of which trace back to leading manufacturers that we trust. If you find any items of interest on our website, be sure to fill out and submit an RFQ form at your earliest convenience, and our team will respond with a customized quote for your comparisons in 15 minutes or less. With 24/7x365 availability, you can also give us a call or email at any time, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can as your strategic sourcing partner for all your operational needs.

Transformers are integral components of an electrical circuit, ubiquitous among home and office power delivery systems. Tasked with increasing or decreasing the voltage of electric energy from one circuit to another, transformers allow small household items, such as cell phones, to charge without being damaged by inappropriate voltage. With a wide range of transformer designs existing in the electronics environment, it is critical to be familiar with the most common types and their associated applications. In this blog, we will discuss the basic operating principle of transformers, while also covering the various ways these elements may be classified.
 
Transformers may be characterized by their voltage level, core material, winding arrangement, or usage. With further subdivisions in each of these categories, it becomes apparent why so many transformer designs exist. Although electricians and other industry experts speak with more nuance about certain transformer characteristics, the most commonly discussed aspect is the voltage level.
 
Voltage Level
 
1. Step Down Transformers 

The supply voltage used in the United States and Europe is 120V and 220V, respectively. Both of these values far exceed the operational voltage of most devices and appliances which range from 5V, 6V, 9V, to 24V. If these devices were subject to an overvoltage of that magnitude for a long period, they could potentially fail or increase the likelihood of other hazardous events, such as fire. Transformers help the circuit deliver the appropriate voltage level by creating a primary-to-secondary winding ratio greater than one.
 
 2. Step Up Transformers
 
Step-up transformers are most commonly used to aid in power transmission. By increasing the voltage, power loss is significantly decreased over long transmission lines. They also allow for the implementation of thinner conductor lines which cuts investment costs for large power grids. Step-up transformers utilize the inverse technology of step-down transformers, featuring more windings on the secondary side of the circuit. This means that industrial equipment that runs on higher voltage requirements can be satisfied through these devices.
 
Core Material 
 
1. Iron Core 
Transformers operate using mutual induction, in which one coil receiving an alternating current energizes a nearby coil using a magnetic field. Soft iron, being a highly ferromagnetic material, is best suited to minimize core losses and increase efficiency. It is also a relatively cheap material, permitting ease of access for most consumers and cost savings for producers.
 
2. Toroidal Core Transformer
 
Toroidal transformers implement a donut-shaped magnetic core. This design allows the transformer to be more compact, saving on material cost and overall weight. Further, toroidal cores feature a shorter distance between each core end, causing lower secondary impedance and higher electrical performance. The ring shape also contains the magnetic flux to a smaller area, preventing the damaging electromagnetic interference (EMI) that may persist with straight cores.
 
3. Air Core Transformer
 
Air core transformers are similar in design to iron core transformers, although they lack a ferromagnetic medium. This allows the device to be lightweight and compact but features the lowest mutual inductance of any design. As such, the use of air-core transformers is generally limited to radiofrequency and wireless charging applications.
 
Conclusion
 
When your application calls for high-quality transformer components, look no further than ASAP Parts Unlimited. As a leading electronics parts distributor, we carry billions of unique and ready-to-ship items, all available on our user-friendly website. There, you will find dozens of part categories, as well as our advanced search engine which lets you find an exact part based on its number, NSN, manufacturer, or CAGE Code. As you explore our offerings, keep in mind that you may begin the purchasing process at any time using our Instant RFQ service. After submitting a completed form through our website, one of our expert account managers will reach out to you within 15 minutes or less with a personalized solution.

A potentiometer is a three-terminal variable resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. Upon activation by turning a dial on the device, you can measure the amount of voltage running through different parts of a circuit. The way a potentiometer achieves this is through the use of an adjustable wiper that can be moved along the wire inside the device to control its resistance. Two of the three terminals are the input and output resistors of an internal conductive strip, while the third terminal is connected to the wiper. By adjusting the wiper and dividing the voltage between the two resistors, you can measure displacement in any direction. Though they both work to accomplish the same thing, potentiometers are split into two major design types to suit different applications. In this blog, we will be comparing these two types, linear and rotary, including some of the key benefits and potential drawbacks for each.
 
What Is a Linear Potentiometer? 

In a linear potentiometer, the electrical resistance is contained in the form of a straight section of track. This track may consist of a strip of resistive polymer or insulator with a coil of nichrome wire wrapped around it. The defining characteristic of linear potentiometers is that the wiper is slid linearly along the straight track to measure the range of voltage within the circuit. The advantages for this design are that it is simple, inexpensive, compact, and requires few components to operate. However, even with proper lubrication, the sliding motion of the wiper contact causes some wear over time, requiring that it be monitored for eventual repair or replacement. In particular, linear potentiometers contain an open slot that is vulnerable to outside contaminants. Therefore, you should take care to check for buildup of dust and other particles in the device.
 
What Is a Rotary Potentiometer?

Rotary potentiometers are virtually the same as linear potentiometers in every way, except that the wiper is instead turned to move across a circular track. These potentiometers can be further divided into arc-segment and multi-turn types. For an arc-segment type device, the resistive strip is in the shape of a simple arc. For higher-adjustment changes, multi-turn devices are used because their more complex design enables for greater voltages. Rotary potentiometers also typically contain a strip of resistive polymer or otherwise may consist of a coil of nichrome wire wrapped around an insulator. As the design difference does little to affect performance, rotary potentiometers are just as adept at measuring voltage and electrical potential. However, the circular design of rotary potentiometers makes them excellent options for smaller electronic devices because you only need enough space to turn the knob. In addition, rotary potentiometers do not have an open slot, so there is less need to check for contaminants that could interrupt or damage the track. Nevertheless, they do have the disadvantage of being generally harder to read, especially in very small electronic devices that will have no indicator markings whatsoever. For this reason, you will need to turn the knob to test the level for yourself.
 
Conclusion

In conclusion, rotary and linear potentiometers can both be used to control the flow of an electric current in its track to help you measure electrical potential or voltage. However, their varying design affects where the devices can be used. In general, rotary potentiometers are better-suited for smaller electronic applications, whereas linear potentiometers are easier to read, but require more space. If you are in need of high-quality sensors like potentiometers or other equipment, we at ASAP Parts Unlimited are well-equipped to help you meet all the part requirements and operational deadline for your next project. Panasonic Electronic Components and Bourns Inc. are the leading manufacturers of rotary and linear potentiometers, as well as entities in our trusted global supply network. Start the purchasing process today to receive knowledgeable solutions to all your procurement needs.

An optocoupler, or optoisolator, is a device which can be used as an interface between two circuits that operate at different voltage levels. When an optocoupler is used to connect two circuits, the only contact between the input and output is a beam of light. As a result of this capability, optocouplers have many benefits, particularly for connecting two circuits without the passage of electricity. In this article we will discuss the various advantages and disadvantages of optocouplers and how they may best be applied to an electrical system.
 
On a basic level, optocouplers consist of an LED emitter in close proximity with a light-responsive phototransistor, all of which are encased in a shell with contact pins on either side. The phototransistor is made with a mix of semiconductive materials which only allow current to pass through them when subjected to light. As a result, when the circuit with the LED is activated, it will simultaneously start the flow of current in the circuit connected to the other side of the optocoupler. With this capability, an optocoupler can connect one circuit to another without needing to transfer any current. Many optocouplers have four pins so that there is an input and output for each circuit. However, many variations exist with a greater number of pins to accommodate more than two circuits.
 
The contactless connection is a key advantage of the optocoupler which allows it to work with circuits of different voltages. This design also adds an additional method of security which ensures that if one side of the connected circuits experiences a voltage spike, it will not harm the opposite side. Optocouplers also block noise from passing between the two connected circuits. This attribute is especially useful for the coupling between high-voltage, information-gathering circuits and low-voltage, digital logic circuits. Besides being useful for coupling several circuits in an assembly, optocouplers may also be used in a number of sensor applications to sense the presence of physical objects which break the beam of light. Lastly, optocouplers are beneficial because they are cheaper, more compact, more lightweight, and consume less power than other couplers.
 
One of the disadvantages of optocouplers is that they need external biasing voltage in order to operate. In addition, they have poor high-frequency response and are not capable of handling high current. Finally, it should be noted that optocouplers using phototransistors do not have as good a linear relationship between the changes in light input and output current as photodiode types. In conclusion, optocouplers are useful instruments for connecting two circuits with different voltages. However, they may not be well-suited in applications that subject them to high-frequency or high current.

Are you on the search for reliable parts for your next electrical assembly? ASAP Parts Unlimited is here to assist you with an expansive inventory of electronic parts and IT hardware components including quality-tested optocouplers, and much more. With a widespread supply network of trusted entities on our Approved Vendor List (AVL), we can guarantee expedited shipping for both domestic and international orders. We invite you to browse our inventory of available parts and send an Instant RFQ form to receive a quote for your comparisons for any items of interest. Within 15 minutes of receiving your request, a dedicated member of our team will send you a competitive quote tailored to your specific needs in just 15 minutes or less! For more information about the products or services we offer, you may call or email us at any time, we are available 24/7x365 to answer inquiries and requests.

You may look at a jam nut beside a hex nut and wonder: what exactly is the difference? Both share a similar shape and are available in similar materials. However, there are several notable differences in their use and design. In this blog, we will clear up the confusion surrounding jam and hex nuts, including where they might best be used, and give added information about the types of nuts available.

As the name implies, hex nuts are hexagonal fasteners with interior threading that are used in conjunction with a bolt. To install, they must be twisted on to a bolt either by hand or by a wrench or similar tool. Jam nuts are very similar in their shape with six sides of equal length. However, they are designed specifically to press or “jam” against another nut. This is to help safeguard the nut and its accompanying bolt from being jolted or loosened by vibration.

A major source of confusion may be that a jam nut is actually a specific type of hex nut. Whereas hex nuts include any hexagonally shaped nut, jam nuts are jammed into another nut, thereby adding friction and keeping it secure. In keeping with this functionality, jam nuts are thinner than standard nuts so they can be placed below a standard nut on a bolt. By having two nuts pushed against each other, as opposed to one, it is less likely for the two to loosen or detach.

Overall the use of the hexagonal shape is common in nut designs because it allows for easy fastening. The six sides make it so that you only need to turn a nut 60 degrees for it to move, as opposed to the 90 degrees it takes for a square nut to make the same movement. Some other common types of hex nuts include nylon insert lock nuts, cap nuts, acorn nuts, flange nuts, coupling nuts, and castle nuts. Nylon insert lock nuts have an added fiber insert which generates more friction, keeping the nut extra secure. Cap and acorn nuts have a domed top for appearance or to avoid snagging. Flange nuts have a built-in washer to spread their weight and avoid damaging a softer surface such as wood. Coupling nuts are long nuts used to connect pieces of threaded rod and finally, castle nuts have a drilled top for use in conjunction with a cotter pin.

Every time that an aircraft flies, the whole of its components is subjected to what can often become hours of constant vibration. As such, high quality hardware is essential for keeping aircraft working at their best. On ASAP Parts Unlimited, we make it easy for you to find the hardware you need at a competitive price and uncompromising aircraft grade quality. Browse our inventory of over 2 billion new and obsolete parts with ease including aircraft nuts from top manufacturers such as Amphenol Sine Systems Corp., APM Hexseal, TE Connectivity, Phoenix Contact, and many others. Send us an instant Request for Quote (RFQ) form today and receive a competitive quote in 15 minutes or less!