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ShowMeCables is proud to announce a new addition to our inventory: coaxial cable adapters and connectors from Pasternack. Pasternack is an industry expert specializing in RF and Microwave components with a strong focus on quality above all else.

Pasternack’s items are among the highest quality available, being RoHS and REACH Certified. Each connector is constructed using nickel-plated brass with gold-plated beryllium copper pins and built to withstand temperatures from -85°F to 329°F (-65°C to 165°C). Some units are also available in gold plating, with a temperature rating of -67°F to 311°F (-55°C to 155°C).

A full list of Pasternack parts available at the time of this publication is listed below.

• Pasternack PE4003 - SMA Male Connector Crimp/Crimp Attachment for RG174, RG316, RG188, LMR-100, PE-B100, PE-C100, .100 inch
  
• Pasternack PE4009 -

What are Lightning Cables?

Lightning cables are a type of cable designed to be used specifically with iPhones. Functionally, they are very similar to the standard types of USB cables used with Android phones. Lightning cables are proprietary to Apple and the only type of connection that will work for charging most iPhones or connecting them to other devices.

Apple introduced Lightning cables in September 2012 to replace older, bulkier connectors. Any iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device made after late 2012 likely uses a lightning connection. Lightning cables are not compatible with older Apple devices that use the wider, 30-pin style connectors.

There are some MacBooks that use a USB-C connection instead of lightning cables. Be sure to check a MacBook to see what it uses before purchasing a cable. Being proprietary, it can be a bit tricky to find lightning cables and accessories without purchasing expensive items from Apple directly. Thankfully, Apple does allow a certain degree of freedom to third parties and that is where our new adapter comes in.

Charge Your Phone and Listen to Music at the Same Time

On an iPhone, the lightning port has two main uses. The first is to charge the phone, keeping the

What are Portable Cords?

A portable cord is a type of power cable designed for temporary use. Portable cords are multi-conductor cables that come in a variety of AWGs. Depending on the specifications of the cord, they can power anything from handheld tools to heavy machinery.

Aside from different AWGs, there are a number of classifications that can be applied to portable cords. Each portable cord has associated letter codes indicating exactly what it is built for. Since portable cords can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, the exact specs of the cord will depend on its application.

Letter Codes

The letter codes used for portable cords are defined by Underwriters Labs:

• S = Severe Service Cord
• SJ = Junior Severe Service
• SVT = Vacuum Cleaner Cord
• T = Tinsel Cord (only if “T” is the first letter)
• T = Thermoplastic (if “T” is not the first letter)
• H = Heat Resistant
• HH = High Heat Resistant
• N = Nylon Outer Jacket
• E = Elastomer
• O = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket
• OO = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil-Resistant Insulation
• P = Parallel Cord
• V = Vacuum Cord
• W-A = Weather Resistant
• W = Weather and Water Resistant

Each portable cord designation uses a combination of the above letter codes. For example, one of the most common portable cords is SOOW. That means it will be rated S (Severe Service Cord), OO (Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil-Resistant Insulation), and W (Weather and Water Resistant). Knowing the various codes and what they stand for is esse

There are a few key terms that apply to all cables, one of the main ones being the type of jacket a cable uses. The jacket is the exterior of the cable and can be made from a variety of materials. It is important to ensure that any cable has the appropriate jacket for the location it will be installed.

PVC

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), also called CMR (Communications Multipurpose, Riser), cable is the most common cable jacket. This is the type of jacket on a standard cable that you could find off-the-shelf at a store. They are designed with a degree of fire resistance to stop flames from traveling along the cables and spreading through buildings in the event of an emergency. Beyond that, PVC has no special features.

Plenum

Plenum cables adhere to more strict fire codes than PVC. Commonly used inside walls, ceilings, and floors, plenum cables let off non-toxic smoke when they burn. Fire safety codes often require plenum cables for commercial buildings. If you are unsure whether you need plenum cables, check with your local fire marshall.

Outdoor

Outdoor-rated cables are designed to be used outside, as the name implies. Used in areas such as rooftops and the sides of buildings, these cables are built to hold up against conditions that indoor cables cannot withstand, such as UV radiation (sunlight) and rainwater. If you are putting any type of cable outside, you must use a cable

Some types of cables can be either solid or stranded. These terms both refer to the metal core at the center of the cable and are options for ethernet cables as well as some coax cables. Solid cables are made from solid metal while stranded cables are made of many hair-thin strands that are woven together. Each version has a number of advantages and disadvantages over the other.

Solid

Solid cables have a core made from a single metal line, typically copper or copper-clad steel. It is the more common of than stranded, being less costly. The single, thick strand of metal is more resistant to damage such as corrosion and makes the cables easy to manufacture. This also renders them more compact, allowing solid cables to be thinner than their stranded counterparts. Despite being thinner, the solid core makes solid cables less flexible than stranded equivalents. If the cable is bent or moved frequently the wear and tear will eventually cause damage. While solid cables are great for applications like in-wall wiring, this limitation makes them the weaker choice for areas that require tight turns.

Stranded

Stranded cables are made using a collection of thin wires that are bound together to function as a single line. While more expensive to make, stranded cables are ideal for cramped spaces and places where the cable is moved frequently, such as on vibrating machinery. Stranded cables also having higher attenuation, making them better for short distance runs. Having

What are Tray Cables?

Tray cables are power cables used in industrial settings such as factories, utility substations, and more. Along with power, tray cables can also be used for communications. Tray cables were first invented to replace smaller cables that had issues with power and communications failure. Today, tray cables are required for many industrial applications in accordance with the National Electric Code (NEC).

As the name implies, tray cables are meant to be used in trays or other conduit like raceway or wiring ducts. The NEC requires that tray cable is supported every six feet. Tray cable must also meet the exposed run requirement for the property it is on.

The most valuable aspect of tray cable is its versatility. They are designed to be used in many rough environments and are built to be waterproof, UV resistant, and resistant to high temperatures. Whether for a light residential project or heavy machinery on a construction site, tray cable is built to get the job done.

Types of Tray Cables

There are a few different varieties of tray cables but they all share a few things in common. Tray cable is usable in Class 1 and 2, Division 2 hazardous locations as defined by the NEC. The most common variant of tray cable is VNTC.

VNTC (Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable) uses nylon insulation and a PVC jacket. Rated for 600V and 90° Celsius (194° Fahrenheit), VNTC is available from 10-18 AWG with 2-50 conductors (the number of available conductors depends on the AWG of the cable). Both shielded and unshielded versions of VNTC cable are available. VNTC is most commonly used in industrial or commercial a

What are Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Cables?

To understand Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) cables, the first step is to look at VFDs themselves. VFDs (also called Adjustable Frequency Drives and Variable Voltage/Variable Frequency Drives) are adjustable speed drives utilized in electro-mechanical systems. A VFD allows users to control voltage and input frequency to adjust torque and AC motor speed.

It is true that VFDs and VFD cables are not the only option for powering industrial equipment. However, they have a number of advantages over their competitors. The precision control enabled by a VFD stops energy from being wasted. The efficiency of using a VFD allows machinery work smarter instead of harder, reducing wear and tear so motors last longer. This also makes the equipment more reliable overall and reduces the amount of maintenance and downtime users will have to deal with.

VFDs can be used in a wide range of applications, from mid-sized machinery to large-scale equipment in industrial environments. Machines that utilize VFDs require high voltage lines to maintain their energy usage and meeting those extreme requirements is where VFD cables come in.

Why use VFD Cables?

Being made for industrial use, VFD cables are very heavy-duty and built to stand up to harsh conditions. VFD systems are prone to voltage spikes that VFD cables are designed to withstand. High voltage spikes can exceed the voltage rating of a cable, potentially damaging the cable as well as the equipment if using a non-VFD cable. Additionally, voltage spikes are more common on longer cables and can cause electrical interference with other nearby equipment. VFD cables are specifically built to counteract these issues and stop the problems

What is Digital Lighting Management?

Digital Lighting Management (DLM) is a new, innovative system designed to maximize energy savings in each and every room of any building. In the state of California, DLM is now required to keep buildings up to code. This system will not only meet state codes but exceed their requirements to save energy costs on any electrically powered equipment.

The cables used for DLM, called Lighting Control Cables, are compatible with a variety of devices, from wall switches to occupancy sensors, to ensure the individuals using the devices are contributing towards your energy savings just as much as your new lighting control cables and DLM system. Even in areas where state codes have not implemented this requirement yet, installing this system now will optimize your energy savings even sooner.

How does Digital Lighting Management work?

DLM utilizes ethernet cables with RJ45 jacks, similar to a line used between a modem and computer. Designed for easy installation, just plug the cable in and it will be ready to go. Alongside these crucial cables, you will also need a few other pieces of equipment.

Room controllers are the backbone of any digital lighting management system. Each controller automatically configures your DLM network for top-of-the-line energy efficiency. From there, users can run Lighting Control Cables to other electrical equipment in the building. Some devices are used for direct control, such

This is the DC Power Male Solder Connector - 1.3mm Male to 2.5mm Female While many connectors carry power in addition to data, some connectors are used specifically to provide power connections to devices. Direct Current (DC) electrical power connectors are typically connected to various power supplies for laptop computers, small televisions and many other electronic devices. This male barrel connector, or “plug”, has a 1.3mm inner diameter and 2.5mm outer diameter. It is housed in a Molded strain relief plastic handle, for protective flexibility. Although there are multiple methods of attaching the plug to the end of the wire, it’s also possible to get plugs that come pre-attached to a cable. For more information on our products please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505 For all your cable and connector needs choose Show Me Cables.

This is S-Video Female to S-Video Female Adapter The S-Video adapters are the perfect way to quickly change the gender or connection type of an existing cable. This adapter is a S-Video Female connector opposite a S-Video Female connector, enabling the adapter to join two S-Video cables together. The S-Video Female to S-Video Female adapter is a bi-directional adapter, allowing you to capture both forward and backward temporal relationships between cables. For more information on our products please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505 For all your cable and connector needs choose SHow Me Cables.