Top 10 DC Electrical Components of 2024

The demands on heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, and mobile equipment continue to grow. To keep pace, the industry requires constant innovation in DC electrical components. Waytek and our suppliers are committed to delivering practical solutions that simplify installation, boost efficiency, and enhance the overall performance of vehicle electrical systems. In this article, we highlight ten in-demand electrical components that are making a real difference in the field.

AH Series Anti-Vandal Switches from CIT Relay & Switch 

Anti-vandal switches have historically had current ratings only up to 5 amps. The new anti-vandal switches from CIT Relay & Switch are rated for 20 amps, making this category of switch available for use in marine and transportation applications. They feature a robust, tamper-resistant design and pre-attached wire leads for easy installation. Boasting a high ingress protection rating of IP67, an LED that illuminates to indicate an “on” state, and a stainless steel actuator, these hardy switches have an electrical life of 50,000 cycles. Learn more. 

Littelfuse 75940 Series Master Disconnect Switches   

Littelfuse’s 75940 series brings a contemporary design and removable handle to its time-tested disconnect switch technology. With a patented weld breaker safety feature and integrated lockout/tagout, these switches are designed to safely cut off battery power to all electrical systems aboard heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. Constructed with robustly engineered polymer housing, they stand up to the harsh conditions typically found in commercial vehicle environments. Carrying an IP67/IPX9K rating, they are protected against dust, debris, and water. Ideal for use in mining, agriculture, construction, and transportation. Learn more.

Series 17 Compact Surface Mount Circuit Breakers from Mechanical Products 

Waytek was honored to introduce this new product extension of the well-known Mechanical Products Series 17 line of circuit breakers. This new offering features a smaller, more compact footprint to meet the increasing space limitations of modern vehicle compartments, and an enhanced guard to prevent inadvertent activation of the trip button. Its robust thermoplastic base and heavy-duty design conforms to Mil-STD-202 for corrosion, humidity, and shock protection, and Mil-STD-204 for vibration protection. Learn more.

DataCell® CAN Bus Cable from Northwire 

DataCELL® J1939 cables are designed to withstand the extreme conditions that CAN Bus systems in heavy duty equipment can be subjected to– such as oil, fluids, equipment vibration, and EMI/RFI interference. Northwire's proprietary DataCELL® technology ensures reliable copper cable performance with exceptional impedance consistency over the entire length of the cable—which increases the efficiency and safety of the electrical system and provides dependability. This cable is extremely flexible and easy to work. Learn more.

Eaton Sure Power 48VDC to 12VDC Converter 

Now available: A reliable way to convert 48V systems down to the 12V power required for the myriad accessories used by operators in today’s trucks and specialty vehicles. Eaton's 41040 DC/DC converter is engineered for heavy-duty applications, delivering efficient 48V to 12V power conversion with reliable performance and adaptability. Featuring a dual buck power stage design operating in parallel, this multiphase converter employs interleaved timing to enhance ripple frequency while minimizing input and output ripple currents. It provides a stable 12V output, enabling direct power delivery to 12V loads from a 48V or 56V source. This converter also provides an option for CAN isolated communication and J1939 protocol compliance. Learn more.

Marine-Rated Circuit Breakers from Egis Mobile Electric 

Stepping up the meet the growing the market demand for marine-rated circuit breakers, Egis Mobile Electric has expanded its robust product line with the 87 Series of Surface and Panel Mount Circuit Breakers. Ideal for use in the marine industry (IP66 rated and ABYC compliant) but not limited to it, these switchable circuit breakers offer robust construction, weatherproof housing, and easy-to-mount designs. Their high 48VDC rating easily supports 12 and 24VDC applications while offering advanced protection for 36 and 48VDC applications. They are available in surface mount or panel mount styles, and in 200 or 250 amp configurations that are ideal for protecting against power surges. Learn more.

MFH Series Mega Fuse Holders from GEP Power Products 

These robust, compact fuse holders are ideal for primary fusing applications in vehicle electrical systems. Highly in-demand by recreational vehicle companies and wire harness manufacturers, the MFH Series features hard or soft covers that are slotted to enable insertion of wire leads from any angle. Accepting 100-amp to 300-amp Mega fuses, these fuse holders are temperature-rated up to 250°F. Covers are available in black or red. Learn more.

HST150 Series Colored Heat Shrink from NSPA 

The HST150 Series of flexible thin wall polyolefin heat shrink from NSPA comes in a variety  of colors, making it easy to maintain and customize color codes for wiring identification. This flexible, general-purpose heat shrink tubing conforms well to irregular shapes and comes in a variety of sizes and shrink ratios. It is ideal for sealing and protecting wires and cables in heavy-duty vehicles and off-road applications. Learn more. 

Polar Wire Arctic Ultraflex Blue® Battery Cable 

Despite the name, Polar Wire battery cable is available not just in blue but a wide range of jacket colors. This innovative, flexible wire features finely stranded copper construction and a durable jacket engineered to resist oil, gasoline, sunlight, salt water, acids, and chemicals. Designed for extreme environments, Arctic Ultraflex Blue battery cable performs reliably in harsh and cold conditions, withstanding temperatures from -67°F to 221°F. This abrasion-resistant, highly flexible cable is available in various wire gauge sizes, making it an excellent choice for heavy-duty applications. Suitable for most 600V uses, it complies with NEC Article 400 and related standards. Learn more. 

Amphenol ARB Series™ Connectors from Amphenol Sine Systems 

The new ARB series connectors from Amphenol Sine Systems are made for bulkhead use in controlled and/or uncontrolled environments, such as spanning the firewall between engine compartments and a vehicle’s electrical system. They feature high pin counts, enabling one connector to be used in situations where two or more might have been previously required. These heavy-duty connectors are environmentally sealed to IP68/69K. An interface flange with receptacle retaining clip, jackscrew (plug), and threaded insert (receptacle) ensure a secure mated assembly. Learn more. 

Conclusion

These ten products represent just a small selection of the latest innovative, in-demand products from leading suppliers of DC electrical components. By prioritizing ease of use, compact design, and robust performance, these advancements are helping to meet the evolving needs of heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, and mobile equipment. To explore a wider range of industry-leading components, visit the Waytek website.