What makes a harsh environment connector?
some connectors need to be mated and un-mated multiple times in a day, often hurriedly, which increases the risk of wear and tear on the connector. Connectors being dropped or dragged along hard surfaces can also cause damage to the components inside the connector and affect the integrity of power, signal or data connections being passed through the cable.Get more news about Harsh Environment Connector,you can vist our website!
depending on the application, harsh connectors should have Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings of IP67 (protection from dust and immersion between 15cm – 1m), IP68 (protection from dust and long-term immersion up to a specified depth) or IP69K (protection from dust, close-range high pressure and high temperature spray downs). IP69K is ideal for applications in the food processing and medical industries, where equipment must be regularly sanitised.
• Locking/coupling mechanisms – a robust coupling mechanism is a must for harsh connectors. There are many different types of connector couplings, including ring, twist locking, threaded, bayonet, push-pull and quick disconnect couplings, all with different attributes for various types of applications.
• Housing and insulation – the type of material the connector is made of is an equally important consideration. For applications where the connector is likely to be exposed to extremes of temperature and plenty of moisture and dust, a corrosion-resistant metal housing may be the most appropriate option. For other uses requiring lightweight and flexible connectors, high-temperature resistant plastic composites may be more attractive. Over moulded cable versions are also sometimes available as an option where it is not a requirement for the unit to be re-terminated.
The shape of the connector, thread pattern or mating mechanism and positioning of pins also play an important role in the creation of a truly rugged and reliable connector. Circular connectors allow for better ease of engagement and disengagement as well as capacity for a wider variety of contacts and voltages. Circular connectors are also easier to seal and less likely to wear or break, and an intelligent ‘scoop proof’ design can avoid damage to the pins if the connector is mis-mated.
Bulgin’s popular Buccaneer range is an excellent example of IP66, IP67, IP68 and IP69K rated environmentally sealed circular connectors. These secure, rugged and highly reliable connectors can be used in harsh or hostile environments and offer a wide choice of options from 2 to 32 poles with screw, solder or crimp terminations as well as USB, SMB & RJ45 options for data to solve any type of design requirement.