Crane Connectors
Crane Connectors is a designer and manufacturer of PCB connectors for the electronics industry. Crane offers a wide selection of headers, sockets and jumpers in both surface mount and thru-hole versions. Custom products are a specialty. Subsequently, Crane Connectors was acquired by Mueller Electric, a global manufacturer and distributor of test leads, cable assemblies, clips, connectors, custom cable assemblies and accessories for electronic component, factory automation, and test and measurement markets.
The company was formerly known as Crane Electronics, Inc. and changed its name to Crane Connectors, Inc. Mueller purchased Crane Connectors in 2004, adding a broad line of board to board connectors, pin headers and sockets. Crane Connectors cross to full PC board connector brands such as Samtec, while offering flexibility and custom manufacturing capability. In the 1980s Mueller added a full line of test leads and electronic test and measurement accessories to complement its line of electrical test clips.
In December, 2011, Mueller Electric was acquired by Desco Corporation, an Ohio-based group of diversified industrial manufacturing and technology companies, with facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.
Crane Connectors - Mueller - Desco Products
The types of products manufactured by Crane Connectors - Mueller - Desco include 0.100" (2,54mm) - Pin Strip Headers, 0.100" (2,54mm) - Board Mount Sockets, 0.100" (2,54mm) - Programming Jumpers, 0.079" (2,00mm) - Pin Strip Headers, 0.079" (2,00mm) - Board Mount Sockets, 0.079" (2,00mm) - Programming Jumpers, 0.050" (1,27mm) - Pin Strip Headers, 0.050" (1,27mm) - Board Mount Sockets, Chip Carrier Sockets, Hold Down Peg / Polarization, DSCC(Military) Approved Connectors.
Desco Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of ESD control products, such as ESD mats, wrist straps, grounders, and various equipment designed to protect sensitive electronic components from electrostatic damage. They serve industries that require strict ESD control, including electronics manufacturing, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing.
Mueller Electric Company, Inc. is a global manufacturer and test leads, cables, clips, connectors, custom cable assemblies and test accessories for the electronic component, factory automation, and test & measurement markets.
Mueller Electric, the inventor of the "Alligator Clip", has been manufacturing basic cable lugs for its industry leading clips since 1908. Now Mueller also carries a full line of premium cable lugs at which can be purchased separately. Lug Sizes range from 8 AWG x 3/8" all the way to 4/0 AWG x 1/2" and both RoHS compliant Tin plated as well as bare copper models are available.
There are four main differences between basic cable lugs and a premium cable lugs:
Premium cable lugs are up to two times thicker than basic cable lugs. This means they are stronger and will last longer in heavy duty applications
Basic cable lugs have a mid-plane cable center line. This means that the center of the cable is in the same plane as the mounting lug. Premium cable lugs have an offset cable center line to allow them to be mounted on flat surfaces without bending.
Premium cable lugs have a flared edge which aids in cable insertion. Most basic cable lugs do not. The flared edge makes a huge difference when inserting tight fitting cables.
Premium cable lugs have rounded corners while most basic cable lugs do not. The rounded corners make assembly quicker and easier, because sharp corners can get caught when working in confined areas.
With more than 100 years of successful market innovation in alligator clips, cables, connectors and test accessories, Mueller Electric is a name you can count on. The company is continuing to grow and is expanding its product portfolio.