There are different kinds of connectors for different applications and different environments. Heavy duty connectors (HDCs) are launched for use in harsh environments, such as wind power, robots, construction machinery, textile machinery, packaging and printing machinery, tobacco machinery, electric locomotives, and petrochemical generators. As all these applications require electrical and signal connection in environments challenged by temperature, humidity, and long-term vibration that leads to connection loosening, HDCs are designed for use in harsh and complex environments to ensure the stable operation of the entire system.
Requirements for HDCs: Robustness, Stability, and Flexibility
HDCs have outstanding and reliable performance in harsh environments. They are mainly used for the data, signal, or electrical connection between different equipment and functional units. Apart from enabling extremely convenient installation and maintenance for complex control equipment, their modular and standard interface design can maximize application efficiency.
With the rise of Industry 4.0, the demand for customization, stability, and integration of equipment increases in industry production. To provide customers with electricity, signal, and data connection of greater efficiency and higher quality, TE Connectivity acquired SIBAS in 2014 and has recently established the brand new HDC Centre for Product Excellence in Xiamen where to release upgraded HDCs to further optimize service, customization, and quality.
TE Connectivity’s upgraded HDCs consist of three key elements: inserts, contacts and hoods, and housings. The inserts and the contacts together form an electrical module for equipment electrical connection. The housing is made of either metal or thermoplastic with a robust structure to provide reliable mechanical and environmental protection for electrical connection. The water and corrosion resistance of the metal housing ensures that TE HDCs can work in any harsh environments and fulfill the outdoor connection demand of customers. TE also offers a complete product range with current from 5A to 350A. The module range makes connection with custom interfaces a reality. Customers can define the connection interface based on their needs. TE’s module range can easily realize the connection customized by customers.
In addition, customer service plays an essential part in connector application. TE Connectivity realizes quality first responses for customers. Apart from an engineering team, which offers full-range support, TE provides full-range project management to integrate the cable assembly process and service to help customers to enhance project quality and efficiency. More importantly, the standard lead time of HDC delivery is just about one week.
Heavier Responsibility for Connectors Used in Harsher Environments
In general, harsh environments may mean remote and high mountains and deserts where natural weather changes, such as temperature, humidity, wind, sand, torrential rain, ice, and snow, often bring harsh challenges to and damage electronic systems or infrastructures. They are even difficult to maintain and repair for their remote locations. Therefore, by using high-quality HDCs right at the beginning of system construction can reduce system failure rates. Let HDCs under this heavy responsibility!