Fasteners and Sealing
Rugged connectors for extreme environments
4 David Cianciolo answers the 10 most frequently asked questions related to rugged connectors.
4 David Ciancolo répond aux 10 questions les plus fréquemment posées quant aux connecteurs robustes.
4 David Cianciolo beantwortet die 10 am häufigsten gestellten Fragen in Bezug auf robuste Steckverbindungen.
R
ugged connectors are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions. They are available in power, signal, fibre optic and hybrid.
There is, however, no one-size-fits-all type of rugged connectors. Each connecting solution has its own individual requirements to make sure that it will work in the respective application. Selecting the right rugged connectors is
therefore not always easy. Following these 10 questions will help you to find the right specifications for the connecting needs in your device to make sure that it will work under the most extreme environments.
1. What is a rugged connector? Rugged connectors are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions such as high
and/or low temperature, high vibrations, wet or muddy conditions and dirt. Rugged connectors can be circular or rectangular. Most rugged connectors are made of brass or aluminium and are sealed to protect against dirt and water and/or gasses. Most rugged connectors use copper alloy conductors and some integrate gold to further enhance conductivity.
2. What types of rugged connectors are available?
Fibre optic, power, signal and hybrid are all available. In fact, most commercial-grade functions, including connectors for small air or water lines, can be designed for a rugged environment. You can select an off-the-shelf solution, or modify existing connectors. Most manufacturers who focus on rugged connectors will work with you to develop a custom connector for your application.
3. Where would I use a rugged connector?
There are two things to keep in mind when deciding whether to use a rugged connector. The first is the application environment. Any time a connector comes into contact with water or dirt, or it needs to be sterilised or washed down, you will want to consider a rugged connector. The second consideration is risk-management. If you have no margin for error or a zero-error application, a rugged connector should be considered. Test and measurement applications often use rugged connectors to protect the integrity of the data they collect.
4. What characteristics should I look for in a rugged connector?
Fig. 1. The Fischer FiberOptic Series is easy cleanable under tap water.
When you are first looking at your connector solution, you should work with your supplier to determine the right level of sealing, number of mating cycles, and temperature rating that you need for your unique application. When you fully understand the end-use application environment, you can select properties that will protect your solution from abrasion, corrosion and chemicals.
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