FEATURE INTERCONNECTION Following the evolution of rail mobility


Smiths Interconnect is a key player in the rail industry and follows the technological evolution of this sector closely to deliver state-of-the-art connectivity necessary to the increasing number of electronic and electrical systems used in rail design


H


igh speed trains are ever popular with an increasing number of


commuters and the last two decades has seen exponential growth in the adoption of very sophisticated transport systems, putting huge pressure on the performance capabilities of components. The demand for reliable connectivity


today affects all parts of the system, including safety control and command systems, power distribution and data transmission on-board or on-board infrastructure systems. Over the years core competencies that


enabled Smiths Interconnect to follow industry trends and to develop appropriate solutions was the reliability of the technologies that ensured the high performance of qualified products; the flexibility of designs to meet the most stringent requirements; and the proven engineering and manufacturing capabilities key to making Smiths Interconnect a trusted and qualified partner to OEMs.


INDUSTRY STANDARD The REP series of quick-mating rectangular multipole plastic connectors was developed to meet the most stringent requirements of the rail industry in terms of electrical, mechanical and environmental performance and, most importantly, compliant with fire, smoke and toxicity standards. This series is offered in either cabled or


PCB mounting options for rapid assembly installation without requiring additional mounting hardware. It can be used in multiple applications such as wind shield wiper, door control, lighting and power for passengers. The connector uses Hypertac


Hyperboloid contact technology, which ensures excellent reliability even under high levels of shock and vibration, it allows for more than 500 mating cycles and is electrically capable of operation up to 18Amps and more than 240V compliant to meet the overvoltage EN rail standards. The REP connector range offers two main versions: with crimp termination contacts for cable harness applications and with straight or bent


12 JULY/AUGUST 2020 | ELECTRONICS


termination contacts for PCB mount applications. Both versions are available in three layouts, 2, 6 and 12 ways and is offered with a shunt accessory, enabling electrical derivation inside the connector for transmission of information to different locations. Smiths Interconnect’s CEA connectors


are also equipped with a high- performance Hyperboloid contact. They are ruggedised D sub connectors with offset grid contact layout designed to resist harsh environmental stresses along tracks (particularly suitable for traffic signalling) as they offer IP 67 protection, are salt-water tested, and their vibration tests are compliant to IS-402. The same contact technology equips the


C series, EMC metallic circular connectors suitable for automatic train, operation and traffic control as well as braking system. The C series connectors offer a robust sealed body shell with five mechanical coding options that ensure safe mating. Cable clamps with a large cabling chamber allow a variable cable diameter range of 6- 13.5mm. The C series offers a shielded connection for EMI and RFI constraints and is available with a large choice of shells. It can be offered with standard cable assemblies to provide a complete interconnect solution. The company’s portfolio for rail


applications includes modular connectors. These rugged connector solutions are equipped with signal, power, coax and data communication contacts, available with frames in various lengths to accommodate a variety of module combinations. They are high density, modular, rack & panel connectors with configurations compliant to EN45545 standards and are used in demanding applications where durability, ruggedisation and extended operating life are crucial, as within onboard safety control and command cabinets and incorporated in track and station cabinets. In particular, the LHS series is a modular, blind-mating rack-and-panel


Figure 1:


High speed rail application


Figure 2:


LHS - Rack and Panel Blind Mating Modular Connectors


solution with a flat, float-mount construction that enables quick and easy mating and unmating. It features guide pins for blind mating, and compensates for mechanical misalignments up to 1.25mm to ensure excellent signal integrity. The LHS series supports mixed power, signal, coaxial, and high-speed data contacts in a ruggedised shell, as well as high-contact densities. This range employs Hypertac Hyperboloid contact technology to ensure high-reliability performance, immunity to shock and vibration, and minimal contact resistance. The Series is built with low-fire, smoke, and toxicity materials as per railway’s stringent industry requirements, and is compliant with NF F 61-032 standards as well as qualified to SNCF (French National Railway Company) standards. The Transformer range of high density,


high power, heavy-duty couplers is offered with Tortac contacts to provide up to 500 mating cycles and high current rating up to 300A and 700A. Suitable for all the on-board inter-coach and boogie power distribution, they are offered in 1 to 4 pole versions, supporting an exceptional voltage rating of 3600V and enabling customers to design their own solution by supplying the elementary components of the whole connector. Smiths Interconnect’s wide portfolio of


Figure 3:


The REP series of quick- mating rectangular multipole plastic connectors


connectivity solutions for the rail transportation covers more than 60 years of design evolution. It also includes the rugged Hypermod series, heavy duty, modular, rectangular series conforming to DIN 43652 standards and with NF F61- 030 railways approval; the F series couplers equipped with mixed signal, power, data and fibre optics contacts and, finally, with a IP68 heavy duty aluminium shell, the circular M12 Series is compliant with critical fire and smoke standards.


Smiths Interconnect www.smithsinterconnect.com


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