Rugged connectors eye industrial, medical and telco applications

Rugged connectors eye industrial, medical and telco applications
Rugged connectors aren't just for military applications. Whether they are RJ-45, circular, D-sub or optical connectors, interconnect manufacturers are making them tougher and more robust for the harshest environments found in industrial, medical and telecommunications applications.

A key area of focus is industrial Ethernet applications. Erni, Harting and Tyco Electronics each have introduced new connector products to meet this growing need.

For instance, Tyco Electronics (Harrisburg, Pa.) recently introduced a sealed RJ-45 connector that meets Ethernet/IP RJ-45 requirements and standards for industrial Ethernet applications. This new rugged connector is also able to withstand the extreme conditions often found in industrial applications such as machinery on the factory floor, diagnostic equipment in the medical and instrumentation fields, communications equipment, printers and other Ethernet applications where the requirement calls for a rugged and sealed connector. Click here for the product brief.

Tyco RJ-45 connector

ERNI (Midlothian, Va.) has expanded its range of M12 automation connectors to include a 4-pin version with D-coding to meet industrial Ethernet standards, IEC 61067-2-101, Amendment 1. These connectors can be used to implement a flexible input-output (I/O) or field-bus connection on the circuit board. The company said M12 connectors are now recommended for nearly all field-bus specifications, and meet the IP67 protection standards rating (IEC 61076-2-101). They are also traditionally used to connect sensors and actuators in automation systems. Click here for the product brief.

Similarly, Harting (Espelkamp, Germany) has introduced a range of shielded M12 connectors for industrial Ethernet applications. The M12-L connectors use the company's HARAX rapid termination technique for easier and faster installation. They feature a robust metal construction for use in harsh industrial environment, with protection to IP65 or IP67. The screened connectors are 4-pin D-coded types, as specified in IEC standards for industrial Ethernet. Click here for the product brief.

Molex Inc. (Lisle, Ill.) has also focused its attention on developing industrial-type interconnects but in the optical arena. The company's new Optical Industrial LC Duplex connector system combines the high performance of a fiber-optic connection with a rugged industrial connector for easy installation and termination in harsh industrial environments. The new connector system works with any standard fiber type and is available in both single-mode and multimode styles. It offers moisture and dust protection and a broad temperature range of -40 degrees C to 85 degrees C), which makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Click here for the product brief.

Molex Optical Industrial LC duplex connector system

Combining miniaturization and durability, ITT Industries, Electronic Components (Santa Ana, Calif.) has developed a switchable RF connector, targeting a number of harsh environments. The MINI RF series is designed for test and accessory use in conjunction with a variety of telecommunications, consumer, automotive and industrial equipment. Featuring a high level of durability, the snap-on interface allows for 100 mating cycles and the accessory Port version includes a cradle interface that exceeds 5,000 mating cycles, supported by ITT's patented "ball geometry" design, which is said to correct the misalignment issues that are present in other products.

The RF connector also incorporates a split insulator design for a more robust interconnect, which minimizes the risk of solder flux contamination, and uses high performance engineered materials that allow continuous operation at temperatures of -40 degrees C to 85 degrees C. Click here for the product brief.

Beefing up D-subminiature connectors to meet harsh conditions is also a trend. For instance, Sabritec, a Smiths Interconnect company, (Irvine, Calif.) has added a new rugged D-subminiature multiway connector line to its standard Triax series. The Multiway Triax D-subminiature series connectors are designed to ground the outer shield of a triax contact directly to the shell of the connector. Click here for the product brief.

Sabritec Multiway Triax D-subminiature connector

Samtec Inc. (New Albany, Ind.) has added three new standard cable terminations to its D-subminiature connector line. These include 15- and 25-position plugs (DHSC series) with micro coax data rate cable for high-speed applications, discrete wire D-subs (DSXD series) and flat IDC cable D-subs (DCXD series). The DHSC 38 AWG micro coax cable, for example, has a 300 milliamp current rating with a 4.5 ns/meter propagation delay. The entire cable is shrouded as well as each individual wire, and is encased in a metal backshell for rugged reliability. For use in high vibration or high shock applications, an optional die cast metal backshell is available for the discrete wire system. Click here for the product brief.

The D series of high-reliability circular plastic connectors from Hypertronics (Hudson, Mass.) is now available with coax and power contacts. This D02 offering is available with a combination of 1 coaxial contact (rated at frequencies to 18 GHz) and up to 9 signal contacts (rated at 2.5 A). Alternatively, the coax may be replaced with a 25 A power contact in the same housing. The circular connectors are also available with 7 to 25 signal contacts, three 8 A power contacts, as well as in combinations of signal and power with two 8 A power contacts and up to seven 2.5 A signals in the same connector. Click here for the product brief.