For electronic system designers, industrial and marine environments are full of challenges. In the field of industrial and factory automation, equipment is exposed to high temperatures, humidity, dust, shock and vibration, water spray, and disinfectant chemicals. There are also many similar problems in the marine environment, which have increased the impact of salt spray and strong light. Regardless of the environment, good protective measures must be taken for the connectors of electronic devices to ensure their reliable and safe operation.
The sealing shell of the connector is the key and first barrier to achieve sealing and locking. The shell can protect the connection from external factors such as moisture, water, dust, mechanical impact, foreign objects, coolant, disinfectant, and oil. The shell can also shield electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Let's review the structure of the connector housing and how it protects the fragile interior of the connector. Then, we examine the physical shell of Harting's Han INOX series stainless steel sheath and housing.
Construction of connectors
The sturdy and durable connector kit can connect signals, power, or both signals and power at the same time (Figure 1). Inside the connector, the contacts of the male and female plugs correspond to the corresponding circuits. Water and other conductive liquids, as well as particles in high humidity air, can overlap on the insulation layer to form a conductive path and cause damage. This makes the connector housing useful.
Figure 1: The components of a typical multi conductor connector are shown. (Image source: Harting)
The connector housing typically has a sheath for connecting the moving parts of the wires, as well as a cable clamp for gripping the wires and relieving stress. The cable clamp has a sealing sleeve equipped with one or more sealing rings, which can form a seal at the cable entrance, preventing dust and liquids from entering and protecting the cable. The shell is a fixed component, usually rigidly mounted on a through board or panel. In the case of cable to cable connections, the casing may consist of top and bottom sheaths. The connector sheath and housing specifically designed for harsh environments are made of stainless steel, as stainless steel is a mechanically robust material that is resistant to chemicals, saltwater, and corrosion, and has a long service life in harsh environments.
Male and female plugs with corresponding contacts can be installed inside the sheath and housing. The shell is equipped with a locking mechanism, which ensures that these two components are reliably fixed together even in impact and vibration environments. Fluororubber seals combine the sheath with the shell, and the shell with the installation surface. These all-weather seals have excellent performance, including high temperature resistance, ozone resistance, and corrosion resistance to various chemical substances.