INTERCONNECTION
Matching a circular connector to the application
By David Phillips - binder UK
he most common connector type used in industrial and instrumentation applications is the multi-pin circular connector. First developed around 70 years ago for use in aircraft, they have been continuously refined and improved since to cope with emerging applications across many industry sectors. Versions are being launched all the time and include connectors designed for use in harsh and dirty environments, medical equipment and applications where the need exists to reliably carry fast data rates.
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While the rapid development of M2M communications (the IIoT for example) has led to many changes in industrial and IT connectivity, there remains many applications where a reliable, robust, hard- wired alternative for signal and data connections will be required and, in any case, all systems require a safe and secure power connector.
At binder, we divide our circular multi-pole connectors into five groups: subminiature, miniature, power connectors, connectors for medical applications and specialised versions for harsh environments. There are four main mating methods
common across all connector ranges, offering variations in convenience, access and security: • Snap-In connectors - are simply connected with a straight push, and unmated with a straight pull. This connection form is useful where space is limited, or connectors are densely packed
• Bayonet connectors – have a simple push and twist-to-lock mating design
• Push-Pull connectors - provide a strong locking mechanism which released by squeezing the connector body
• Screw locking – features a very secure screw locking mechanism
Subminiature connectors are specified for the many applications where size is key and signal integrity is also important. Mating options can include snap, bayonet and
24 MAY 2021 | ELECTRONICS TODAY
Connectors from binder
push-pull locking, as well as screw locking which does provide better environmental protection. Typically, subminiature connectors are available with from 2 to 8 contacts, in different formats like straight or angled versions and as flange connectors. The different models have a dip solder or solder connection and can be supplied with moulded cables in different lengths. Offering a greater number of contacts, from 2 to 24, miniature connectors provide a wide range of connection types such as crimp, dip solder, screw clamp and solder connections, and can allow the use of both stranded wires and moulded cables. Environmental protection to classes IP40, IP67, IP67 shielded or IP68 are available as are a number of connection options and straight and angled mounting forms as well as panel mounting. Many are UL and VDE approved and some are ASIG compliant.
Power connectors are required on almost every product or system and are available to suit virtually every low or high voltage application. A variety of contact arrangements are available, some with +PE (protective earth). Solder, screw terminal, crimp connection and moulded cable options facilitate ease of system integration. Shieldable versions are available to meet the requirements of the most extreme EMI environments with protection options from IP40 to IP69K for both indoor and outdoor conditions. Straight and right-angled cable and flange versions may be specified, and approvals will include UL, VDE and ESTI+ approval.
Medical versions of some industrial snap-in and bayonet connector systems have been developed for this specialised application. Made from high quality materials they provide the quality and reliability required in the medical field and offer up to 5000 mating cycles which is ideal for many medical systems. binder’s medical connectors offer 3 to 12 poles with solder and dip solder connections and will meet IP54 up
to IP67 environmental protection. Where a conventional circular connector will not be robust enough to operate in harsh environmental conditions such as agriculture and other outdoor applications, specialised connectors will be required. binder’s harsh environment HEC connectors feature a secure bayonet thread, are rated up to 32A at 600V and are available with 5 (4+PE), 8 (4+3+PE) or 12 power or signal crimp contacts. The connectors are UV-resistant, withstand more than 1000 mating cycles and are VDE and UL approved. Available as square flange and cable versions they feature an integrated protective conduit which can protect cables up to IP67 and when mated up to IP69K.
Key considerations when specifying a circular connector depend on various factors such as operating environment, IP protection if required, number of poles, straight or angled form, choice of locking mechanism and required lifetime. Over the years, the versatility of the circular connector has continued to increase, not only with new pin counts but with methods of termination including crimp, screw, solder and wire clamp and shielded versions to cope with increases in communications data-rates and the growing requirement for pre-wired connector assemblies. Circular connector specialists like binder manufacture connectors that can be integrated into equipment or PCB mounted and accommodate a wide variety of cable types and sizes increasing still further the range of applications that suit this high- performance connector.
As new applications requiring a robust and reliable power, signal or data connection continue to increase, the circular multi-pin connector will remain the go-to solution for the global electronics industry for many years to come.
binder
www.binder-connector.co.uk
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