ASAP Aerospace Hub Blog

Jumpers and shunts are hardware components often found on printed circuit boards (PCBs), and they are both used to affect connections and signal routing. While having their own set roles, jumpers and shunts are often used in pairs as is seen when a shunt encloses a jumper on a PCB. To better understand how both hardware components affect the operations of a PCB, we will provide a brief overview of what each component is as well as how they function.

A coaxial RF connector is an electrical connector designed to operate at radio frequencies in the multi-megahertz range. RF connectors are typically used with coaxial cables and are designed to maintain the shielding offered by the coaxial design. Some RF connectors also minimize the change in transmission line impedance at the connection to reduce signal reflection and power loss. As the frequency increases, transmission line effects become more and more important, with small impedance variations from connectors causing the signal to reflect instead of passing through. RF connectors must not allow external signals into the circuit through electromagnetic interference and capacitive pickup.

When establishing electronic networks or devices, finding the correct interconnect solution can be difficult for one unfamiliar with such devices. Generally speaking, interconnect connectors are any hardware component that facilitates the attachment of electrical conductors or cables. With a variety of interconnect connectors available on the market, a number of applications can benefit from their use. In this blog, we will discuss interconnect connectors more in detail, allowing you to understand their functionality and types.

Across electrical applications, devices such as Circuit Breakers are critical for controlling and protecting power systems. As technology continues to advance and required   increase, having protection devices in place can ensure the smooth and safe operation of electrical appliances and systems of all types. In this blog, we will discuss how circuit breakers function, and how they are designed to accommodate the loads that they govern.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of fuel (usually hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (typically oxygen) into electricity via a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells differ from other batteries in that they require a constant source of fuel and oxygen to sustain their chemical reaction, whereas batteries get chemical energy from metals and their ions and oxides. Fuel cells produce energy for as long as fuel and oxygen are present.

Miscellaneous electric loads (MELs) refer to the electric Loads in commercial and residential buildings that do not result from devices responsible for applications such as space heating, cooling, water heating, and lighting. MELs are produced by hard-wired or plug-in electrical devices such as home entertainment centers, kitchen appliances, hair dryers, hot tubs, ceiling fans, security systems, and more. Thanks to the rise of the ‘smart home’ and the increasing sophistication of home electronics, MELs are gaining in both use and importance.