Increased acceptance of connector equivalents
One thing that is helping the connector revolution is the accelerated acceptance of the demanded connector alternatives. For example, the common DEUTSCH-type connectors and Amphenol’s A-series connectors are interchangeable and fully compatible with industry-standard similar products.
Although proven equivalents have been around for some time, customers are generally reluctant to use alternatives. However, the pandemic and international political uncertainty will affect the supply of some connectors, thereby accelerating replacement.
The fading of pull socket connectors and soldering
Pull-type connectors used to be the mainstay of the industry, but many companies have basically eliminated them and replaced them with push-type connectors. Once the thought was that pulling to the seat would be a reliable way to lock down wires and terminals, the reality is that they are difficult to use in harness manufacturing. You have to crimp a lot of them by hand — so you can’t use automated tools like Komax tools — and they’re more difficult to field repair than push-on connectors. “