Should You Use Branded Or Non-Branded Connectors - Miracle Electronics

We see lots of products from brand names that we know about, and then, we also see imitations of such products that look just the same, also feel/taste/function the same, but are available at much lower costs, only because they aren’t a well-known brand yet. This applies to almost every product category like eatables, cosmetics, accessories, and electronics. In the case of electronics, we’ll speak about connectors in this blog.

Which connectors to use – branded or non-branded?

Connectors are specified on customer drawings. But, which connectors should one use – branded or non-branded ones? Well, the form, fit, and function can be the same for both branded and non-branded connectors. The non-branded connectors are referred to as substitute or equivalent components, having several benefits like local availability and cost reduction. However, not every electrical component can be substituted, which makes it very important to review the product application and design details before opting for such substitutes.

What all to consider?

Before deciding on using a substitute connector, it is important that the application, industry, and qualification requirements are assessed. For instance, critical industries like military, aerospace, and medical cannot afford to use downgraded quality products. Moreover, such industries can encounter challenges in using equivalent connectors. When deciding for less critical industries like industrial applications and consumer products, the decision to allow substitute connectors generally falls on the end customer or the individual with design authority. And, if you’re unable to decide, you may always consider consulting your cable assembly manufacturer to review the impacts and constraints of employing an equivalent connector.

Considerations while opting for an equivalent connector

When you decide on using an equivalent connector, again there are quite some considerations you ought to make. Some of the considerations are pin length, pin diameter, pin count, pin pitch, material compatibility, interface tolerances, footprint, polarization, electrical rating, flammability rating, and planned obsolescence.

Benefits of using local component sourcing

It is generally advised to choose local component sourcing for electrical manufacturing. Doing so can help reduce supply chain risk, as well as lower the effective product cost. Other than cost advantages, it can also impact the lead time. It’s always best to plan for samples and mechanical fit checks, so as to have a proper verification of all interconnects and mates. Although it isn’t always advisable to opt for suitable equivalent connectors for every project, but the benefits that they provide can offer tremendous value, when used in the right applications.

Where can you get what you’re looking for?

Miracle Electronics is one of the best cable harnessmanufacturers in India where you can get almost any and every kind of cable harness, both standard as well as customized, along with connectors of all types, such as circular connectors, D-Sub connectors, military specific connectors, and D-38999 circular connectors. With more than two decades of experience in the field, Miracle Electronics knows what it is providing, which is why every product is certified and approved by DGAQA and MSQAA for platform specific applications, and each product is tested well before being delivered to the clients.

 

Are Your Cable Harnesses Over-Engineered - Miracle Electronics

When you want your project to be a success, you’re looking for cable harness manufacturers in India, who can provide you with robust cable harness designs and the best quality components that can meet, or even exceed, your requirements. But, what if you don’t have the amount of time that the manufacturers are asking you to give them? Then, you ask them to take up your special case, willing to pay even a little more. 

We have all been there at least one time in our lives, haven’t we? But, when it’s about having your cables manufactured, the budget could go a little higher than expected, when you opt for an urgent delivery. That’s because cable manufacturers will certainly charge a little higher as compared to your other manufacturers like tailors, bakers, or other artisans. So, what do you do in such a situation then? Worry not. Despite of the situation you are in, there are still certain things you can do to bring down the costs into line with your goals.

Work on the design

Design is the first step towards manufacturing. You may have designed an awesome cable harness that can perform well in every kind of situation, but it is this exceptionality that has added even more to your spiked-up costs in case of emergency. So, look again, and see if you really need such an exceptional cable. Obviously, having a well-performing cable harness is a good thing, but you may work it over if its not really needed. For instance, if your cable harness will not need to work in conditions that are exposed to extreme temperatures or abrasions, you need not include the same aspects into your design; you could instead opt for simpler harnesses to lower the costs. So, scale back your “excellent” design to a “good” one to fit closer to the needs of your particular application, not only to reduce costs, but also the lead times. Having the right manufacturer by your side can help analyze your design to look for opportunities that can help achieve your goals without going overboard.

Substitute components

Just like the design aspects, you can work over the quality of your components too. You may have included exceptional high-quality components into your design, which may be either a little more expensive, or difficult to obtain, resulting in either costly or delayed deliveries. For instance, using military-specific connectors in applications that have nothing to do with military or defense work isn’t bad, but certainly adds to the cost for nothing. When you want things to fall within your budget, you could opt out of these rugged and high-performing connectors, and choose good quality regular connectors instead that provide essential functioning, while being readily available at lower costs.

Look out for a flexible manufacturer

Whether during crisis or not, you must always work with a manufacturer that is flexible. What we mean by flexible is that the manufacturer should be skilled at working in every way. There are certain manufacturers who work only with certain brands, certain components, and certain tools, in their own certain ways. This is a good procedure to follow, but in times of crisis, when you either want to alter the design or substitute components, or make any other such changes, such manufacturers could only make it difficult. But, if you have a flexible manufacturer, they will be willing to work as per your requirements, to serve you better and in time, even if that means compromising on their comfort zone a little. Miracle Electronics is one such manufacturer you can rely on. They are the best cable harness manufacturers in India who work keeping in mind the requirements of their customers at all times, while also providing them with the right advice and feedback on their designs and thoughts, to make them better cost-effective customized cable harnesses fortheir applications .