Top 5 connecting products for February

1. Amphenol RF has introduced the expansion of its 2.2-5 connectors series. This expansion includes new plug and jack cable mount configurations designed for 0.141” conformable, RG-402, Times Tflex 402 and Belden 1673A semi-rigid cable. The 2.2-5 interface is a compact version of the 4.3-10 connector series with a footprint that is 53% smaller.

The connectors are lightweight and robust, suited for both indoor and outdoor use. The 2.2-5 connector series is designed the meet the needs of applications which require low PIM in order to avoid interference in network quality during high speed data transmission. These connectors offer flexibility in installation and are IP68 rated in the mated condition. This allows for prolonged exposure to the elements without compromising the performance.

2. A new interconnect solution for the aerospace and defence, rail, and industrial markets has been introduced by TT Electronics. The FibreFix inline mechanical splice is specifically designed to reinstate, repair, or extend fibre optic systems in harsh environment applications.

TT Electronics says that the simple to install nature of the FibreFix solution provides significant savings in repair time and complexity by eliminating the need to remove and replace the damaged fibre optic cable or harness from an operating land defence, aerospace, or rail vehicle.

Leigh Chapman, Business Development Manager at TT Electronics, notes: “The extensive time and cost typically associated with removing and replacing damaged cables and harnessing was becoming a mounting challenge for our customers. Together with our development partners AVOptics, we identified an opportunity to help with the reduction of down-time for the transport sector and have developed unique solution capable of quickly reinstating peak system performance. A significant accomplishment by our design team, FibreFix is the first-to-market harsh environment fibre splice – a comparatively simple, reliable, easy to install and effective solution ideal for applications such as commercial aircraft, military land vehicles or trainlines.”

3. GradConn expands its range of assemblies featuring MHF options to include the secure MHF 4L LK and MHF 5L micro connectors for use on standard and Nautilus waterproof coaxial cable assemblies. The MHF 4L LK connector is a durable option for customers where connection integrity is essential.

An integrated locking mechanism ensures the connector is secured when mated onto the PCB connector, protecting from accidental disconnection due to bump, shock and vibration. It has a compact footprint with a mated height of 2.0mm. The patented locking plug design of the MHF 4L LK complements the MHF 4 and MHF 4L series.

It shares the same PCB mounted receptacles, making upgrades to your design a simple option, providing sufficient clearance is available on the PCB to accommodate the latch mechanism. MHF 5L is a micro Wire to PCB coaxial connector with a mated height of 1.3mm. It is one of the smallest connectors in the MHF range. It is becoming a connector specified in many new designs today, benefiting from simple mating properties and a low profile, ideal for compact devices.

4. Harwin has strengthened its connector cable assembly offering, with additional variations for its 2.00mm pitch Datamate high-reliability (Hi-Rel) connector assemblies enabling greater customer convenience.

Immediately available from stock via Harwin’s supply chain partners, there are 61 new variants added to its cable assembly portfolio. The additional cable assemblies cover male and female connections, with numerous contact count and cable length options available. These come in both single-ended and double-ended configurations and 150, 300 and 450mm cable lengths can be supplied.

“An increasing proportion of our customers need access to cable assemblies, but taking on such work themselves can prove challenging. Heavy investment in tooling and training can be difficult to justify for small volume production runs or prototyping activities, and there can be deadline pressures too,” said Ryan Smart, New Product Manager at Harwin.

“By offering a broad array of different cable assemblies as part of our Datamate product line, we can help customers avoid all these complications. They can choose the option that best fits their needs, and source it from stock without any lead times to worry about. Customers also have the assurance that these assemblies have been constructed and thoroughly tested by a highly experienced team of qualified engineers.” 

5. Provertha has developed new D-Sub bus connectors specifically designed for communication in the two bus systems MVB (Multifunction Vehicle Bus) and WTB (Wired Train Bus) of the Train Communication Network (TCN). The new connector types enable reliable, vibration-proof connection of MVB/WTB cables to the MVB and WTB interfaces.

During the development of the new connectors, the high requirements of railway technology, above all vibration safety, were taken into account. This is why Provertha has equipped the connectors with a vibration-proof screw-type locking system at the MVB or WTB interface. The combination of the vibration-proof single-wire connection and the vibration-proof connection of the shielding and strain relief results in maximum functional and operational safety in the railway sector.